Narmada Bachao Andolan
The Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA) is one of the most significant social movements in post-independence India, representing the struggle of marginalized communities against large-scale development projects and their social and environmental costs. It began in the mid-1980s as a people’s movement opposing the construction of big dams on the Narmada River, particularly the Sardar Sarovar Dam. The government justified these projects as symbols of modern development, promising irrigation, drinking water, and electricity. However, for the tribal populations, farmers, and fisherfolk living in the Narmada valley, the dams meant large-scale displacement, loss of agricultural land, submergence of villages, and destruction of cultural heritage.
Under the leadership of activists like Medha Patkar, Baba Amte, and later others, the NBA gave voice to these displaced communities. Its role went beyond mere protest—it questioned the very model of development being pursued in India. The movement highlighted how big dams often benefit urban-industrial sectors and powerful regions, while the costs are borne disproportionately by vulnerable groups. NBA mobilized people through marches, sit-ins, and public campaigns, insisting on the right to life, livelihood, and dignified rehabilitation for those affected. It also made significant use of the judiciary, filing petitions in the Supreme Court to halt dam construction until proper rehabilitation measures were ensured.
The NBA succeeded in drawing national and international attention to issues of displacement, environmental sustainability, and social justice. It compelled the government to rethink policies on rehabilitation and environmental clearance, and it created space for dialogue on alternatives to mega-dam projects. Although the dam projects were not stopped, the movement forced authorities to provide better resettlement and rehabilitation packages than initially planned. In essence, the role of the Narmada Bachao Andolan lies in challenging a one-sided notion of development and asserting the rights of marginalized communities in India’s growth story. It became a symbol of resistance that inspired later movements on environmental justice, people’s participation, and equitable development.
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Narmada Bachao Andolan Narmada Bachao Andolan Narmada Bachao Andolan
