11 December 1998
South Asian Consultation on Large Dams Concluded

The first ever Regional Consultation of the World Commission on Dams concluded today after two days of high quality discussions of experiences and lessons learnt with large dam projects and their alternatives across South Asia.

“It was most remarkable that people with strongly held views on large dams were able to sit together and engage in such a constructive dialogue and exchange," said Professor Kader Asmal, Chair of the Commission and Minister of Water Affairs and Forestry in South Africa. "We have conducted this event with the openness and transparency which form the cornerstone of our work."

The two-day Consultation, held at the Bandaranaike Memorial International Conference Hall (BMICH), was attended by 11 members of the independent Commission - eminent individuals from around the world. They listened to 30 presenters from Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

The presenters - among who were government officials, academics, representatives of civil society organisations, dam builders as well as dams affected people - represented a wide variety of constituencies and perspectives. In addition, a large number of observers from Sri Lanka and from around the world were present to witness this historic event.

“This is not a legal or judicial hearing, and we do not intend to interrogate any presenters or presentations," Professor Asmal had assured at the commencement of the Consultation. “The Commissioners want to listen, clarify and understand the complexity of issues and factors associated with large dams in South Asia."

Presenters, grouped into eight panels, had 15 minutes each to orally summarise the contents of their written submissions. They then responded to questions and clarifications sought by the Commissioners. The presentations were made, and the ensuing questions and answers took place in an atmosphere of intellectual curiosity and personal cordiality, with minimum procedural formalities.

The common threads emanating from the presentations included the driving forces behind dam development in terms of growth in demand for food, energy, drinking water and flood management in the coming decade; the benefits of greater participation and transparency in the decision-making process; and the need to examine alternatives which include dams and other options.

"The Commission's mandate is of an advisory nature," Professor Asmal said. “It will not respond to petitions or calls for intervention on specific projects or dam disputes that may be directed towards it. Its own observations and recommendations will be synthesized after a widely consultative process."

On December 12 and 13, the Commissioners will hold a two day closed meeting - their third since the Commission started its work. On December 15, the Commissioners will visit some large dam sites in central Sri Lanka and meet with dam-affected communities and dam managers.

The World Commission on Dams emerged out of a workshop held in Gland, Switzerland, in April 1997, where dam proponents and opponents unanimously agreed to the creation of an independent commission that could review the development effectiveness of large dams. The WCD commenced its operations in May 1998. It has 12 Commissioners and is headed by Professor Kader Asmal. The Commission's Secretariat is based in Cape Town, South Africa. In mid 2000 the Commission will formally submit its report. The report will propose internationally acceptable criteria and guidelines for planning, designing, construction, monitoring and decommissioning of dams.