ABSTRACT
This introduction presents an overview of the key concepts covered in the subsequent chapters of this book. The book profiles the Northeast Indian region in administrative, ethnic, bio-physical, sociocultural and economic terms, providing a broader context to the water conflicts unfolding in the region. It provides certain pointers to engaging with the water, or more specifically hydropower, related conflicts in the region as a possible way forward. The book also covers a wide range of issues and types of conflicts including oil exploration in the riverbeds, water quality, drinking water, riverbank erosion and embankments, water policy, dams and hydropower projects and trans-boundary issues. It also describes how the government's strategy of increasing the State's revenue through hydropower has put a huge stress on the local environment, the people and their culture. The book examines the newly formulated Draft State Water Policy (SWP) of 2007, with its pro-commercialisation thrust, has become a point of contestation in Assam.
