GANGTOK : A four-day march from North Sikkim demanding the scrapping of some hydel power projects on the Teesta river concluded in West Bengal’s Kalimpong on Monday with participants advocating sustainable development that balances infrastructure with ecological conservation in the Himalayan region.
The “Teesta Matters to Me” foot march organised by the green group Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) began on July 24 from Phidang village in North Sikkim Dzongu and ended at the confluence of the Teesta and Rangeet rivers in Kalimpong with traditional prayers by Lepcha shamans.
Traversing through North and South Sikkim participants of the march interacted with local communities while advocating sustainable development that balances infrastructure with ecological conservation.
ACT, led primarily by members of the indigenous Lepcha community, was formed to oppose mega hydropower projects in the ecologically and culturally sensitive Dzongu region in North Sikkim and the Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve.
Reiterating its core demands during the march, ACT called for the scrapping of NHPC’s proposed 520 MW Teesta Stage IV project and the 280 MW Panan Hydroelectric Project in Dzongu.
The organisation also sought an immediate halt to construction activities along the Teesta-Rongyong river stretch and urged the government to declare the area a river sanctuary, citing its rich biodiversity and significance as a butterfly hotspot.
Additionally, ACT also demanded fresh Environmental Impact Assessments for all five existing hydropower projects along the Teesta in Sikkim.
“The foot march is intended to amplify the voices of communities living along the Teesta basin, many of whom have for long expressed concerns over ecological degradation, disaster risks and the long-term impacts of dam construction on the river and its surrounding habitats,” said ACT general secretary Gyatso Lepcha. (Source: PTI)
Assam floods: Rahul Gandhi calls for robust system prioritising scientific prevention
New Delhi, Jul 27 (PTI)
In the wake of devastating floods in Assam, Leader of Opposition in Lok Sabha Rahul Gandhi on Monday called for establishing a robust system that prioritises scientific prevention, early warning mechanisms and rehabilitation, so that people do not have to face such tragedies year after year.
The death toll in this year’s floods in Assam climbed to 68 while over 5.24 lakh people remained affected across five districts despite an overall improvement in the situation, officials said on Monday.
In a post in Hindi on X, Gandhi said, “The news of the loss of lives in the devastating floods in Assam is deeply saddening. I extend my heartfelt condolences to the bereaved families. My deepest sympathies are with the lakhs of people affected by this disaster.” It is expected that the state and central governments will spare no effort in the relief and rescue operations for the affected people, the Congress leader said.
Floods occur every year, causing immense loss of life and property and uprooting many families, Gandhi pointed out.
“The time has come for us to establish a robust and permanent system to tackle the flood menace. A system that prioritises scientific prevention, early warning mechanisms, strong infrastructure and rehabilitation — so that people do not have to face such tragedies year after year,” Gandhi said.
Altogether 354 relief camps and aid distribution centres were operating in four districts, taking care of 37,724 displaced people, according to officials.
Multiple agencies, including the Army, NDRF, SDRF, Fire and Emergency Service and police, were engaged in the rescue and relief operations, they added.
Embankments, roads, bridges and other infrastructure suffered damage in various districts of the state.
