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FRIENDS
OF CHASHMA |
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The Friends
of Chashma is an international coalition of individuals and organizations.
We are a support and solidarity network for the struggles of the
local communities in Damaan area, who have been facing the massive
destructions caused by the development projects in the area, such
as the Chashma Irrigation Project, Gomal Zam Dam Project, and Kachhi
Canal Project, and fighting for the rights to life, livelihoods,
and the ecology of the area. The Friends of Chashma is entirely
volunteer-based. The Friends of Chashma holds:
- that the
Chashma Irrigation Project has been conceived without adequate
participation and free, prior and informed consent to from the
people who are violated and the victims of this process;
- that Chashma
Irrigation Project was designed without comprehensive option assessment.
The project is therefore not viable solutions to many of the problems
(drinking water, flood control, irrigation) they set out to solve,
and that there needs to be a greater emphasis on the search for
alternative solutions from all concerned (Government, NGOs, people).
- that the
construction of Chashma Irrigation Project has disrupted (and
will potentially disrupt) the lives of people without just and
adequate compensation;
- that the
people of the Damaan are waging a just and legitimate struggle
to assert their right to life, livelihood, ecology and participation
in their own development;
- Free, prior
and informed consent of local communities, especially the affected
people should be taken before approving any development project;
- that the
funders of the development, such as the Asian Development Bank,
is as responsible as the government to the problems of Chashma
Irrigation Project, and should be held accountable;
- that the
problems of Chashma Irrigation Project is merely an example of
a much bigger problem that is manifesting itself across the country,
in particular the Gomal Zam Dam Project and the Kacchi Canal Projects,
and many others;
- that the
Chashma Struggles consequently throws up much deeper issues about
the developmental choices being followed in Pakistan and elsewhere,
and that there needs to be a much wider debate of these choices;
and
- that the
Chashma Struggles is a symbol of hope for people's movements all
over the world that are fighting for just, equitable, and participatory
development.
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As
a coalition committed to the above principles, we are primarily focussed
in supporting the struggle of the local communities against the problematic
development projects in Damaan area. Our work can be broadly classified
as involving:
Expressing
solidarity with the movement by:
- Engaged
r esearch on issues raised by the movement
- Informing
the public and making our voice heard through public action and
rallies of solidarity
- Supporting
people's judgements
Recording
and documenting the struggle:
- To serve
as a repository of information related to development projects
in Damaan area, in particular the Chashma Irrigation Project,
from the point of view of the victims and violated.
- To chronicle
the history of the resistance movement against the problematic
development projects in Damaan area through press release, images,
interviews, film, books, reports, and other media.
- To record
resistance art including creative writing, poetry, painting, and
songs.
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The
construction of this website was supported by Japan
Center for a Sustainable Environment and Society (JACSES) and
volunteers. This website is currently maintained by Rena Sugita, with
assistance from JACSES and volunteers. For website related queries,
please contact Rena Sugita (resugitany@hotmail.com). |
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For
queries related to the Chashma issue, you can contact one of the following
persons in different cities. |
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City |
Name
(Organization) |
Phone |
Email |
Address |
Islamabad,
Pakistan |
Mushtaq
Gadi (MAUJ) |
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mushtaq_gadi@hotmail.com |
Flat
No. 2, Street No. 14, F-10/2, Islamabad, Pakistan |
Pakistan |
Pakistan
NGO Forum |
M.
Haroon/ Khawar Mumtaz |
khawarm@lhr.comsats.net.pk
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Pakistan |
SUNGI
Development Foundation |
Naeem
Iqbal |
naeemasu@hotmail.com |
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Chashma,
Pakistan |
Ahsan
Wagha (Damaan Development Organization) |
+92.51.2299230 |
damaan@isb.sdnpk.org |
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Tokyo,
Japan |
TANABE
Yuki (JACSES) |
+81.3.3447.9585 |
tanabe@jacses.org |
2F
Kowa Hiro-o Bldg., 5-2-32 Minami Azabu, Minato-ku, Tokyo 106-0047
Japan |
Washington,
D.C. , USA |
Mishka
Zaman (Bank Information Center) |
+1.202.624.0622 |
mzaman@bicusa.org |
733
15th Street NW Suite 1126
Washington, D.C. 20005 |
Manila,
Philippines |
NGO
Forum on ADB |
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forum@asiagate |
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