ACT announces march to celebrate Teesta river in Sikkim; demands scrapping of hydro projects
The Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), an indigenous rights and environmental movement in Sikkim, on Thursday announced a four-day foot march from July 24 under the theme "Teesta Matters to Me", to celebrate the spirit of Teesta river and to demand scrapping of some hydel power projects in North Sikkim, reports PTI.
The ACT is spearheaded primarily by the indigenous Lepcha tribe. The movement was created to protest mega hydroelectric projects in the culturally and ecologically sensitive Dzongu region in North Sikkim and the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve. The group raised national and international awareness by staging long-term hunger strikes in Gangtok in 2007, which successfully pressured the Sikkim government to scrap four major hydel projects in Dzongu.
In a press conference held in Gangtok on Thursday, ACT general secretary, Gyatso Lepcha said that the four-day march from July 24 will also pay tribute to the heroes and pioneers of the movement while reiterating key demands, including the scrapping of the 520 MW Teesta Stage IV project of NHPC and the proposed 280 MW Panan Hydro Power Project in Dzongu, North Sikkim.
He added that ACT has further called for the Teesta- Rongyong river stretch in Dzongu, North Sikkim to be declared a river sanctuary, citing its ecological significance, including its importance as a butterfly hotspot. The organisation has also demanded a fresh Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) for all five existing projects along the Teesta river in Sikkim.
The four-day foot march will follow the route, Day 1: Dzongu-Mangan, Day 2: Mangan-Rangpo, Day 3: Rangpo-Melli, Day 4: Confluence of Teesta and Rangit Rivers at Triveni in Kalimpong district of West Bengal- with a Lepcha ritual and return.
The movement will also raise concerns over the Teesta Stage VI disaster, alleged negligence on the part of NHPC and what ACT describes as gross violations of human rights, he said.
ACT Dzongu has appealed to civil society organisations and individuals who care for the Teesta to extend their support and join the movement.
The organisation also plans to submit a memorandum to the Government of Sikkim after the foot march is completed, said Lepcha.
He said that "Teesta Matters to Me" is a foot march for the river, its people and its future.
(Source: PTI)
