ABSTRACT
This chapter describes the impending oil extraction in Manipur and how the adverse impact of the water contamination due to oil extraction activities makes it even more difficult for people to earn their livelihoods in the entire region around the Barak River from its source in Manipur through Assam and Bangladesh. Civil societies, student organisations in Manipur and village representatives of likely affected area have been expressing their concerns about oil exploration and drilling activities since 2011. The adverse impact of the water contamination due to the hydrocarbon extraction makes the livelihood challenge more complicated in the region. The flood in the Barak riparian will be one of the much potential driving forces to deteriorate the biological environment. The impact of the project may be critical in the downstream because, the water will not be fit for human consumption, agriculture, the environment, flora and fauna.
