Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) - Striving to protect Sikkim
Welcome to ACT, an organization of the indigenous Sikkimese citizens to protect the land and people from the threat to the Biodiversity Hotspot (Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve), endangering the demographic profile of the indigenous primitive Lepcha tribes and the right to live in one's homeland with dignity and security due to implementation of numerous mega hydro-electric power projects in one go.
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LETTER TO TEESTA URJA
Sub: Grant of Compensation for Loss of Lives and Properties due to Damages caused by Earth Quake in Teesta HEP Stage III Project affected Area
The Indigenous aborigines of Chungthang Gram Panchayat Unit and Shipgyer GPU in Lepcha reserve of Dzongu, had sacrificed their most precious ancestral landed properties for the development of Teesta Hydro electric power project stage III. At the time of acquisition of the land it was assured that the State Govt. and the company would ensure prosperity for the area and provide all kind of support in times of calamity and disasters, we had our own reservation on various issues of demographic and environmental concerns including flooding and earthquake, which were all overlooked at that point of time.
It is more than one month since 18th September 2011 when the most devastating Earth quake struck Sikkim and caused most severe and extensive damage in chungthang and other the Project affected areas of Teesta HEP stage III.The impact of the earthquake was so much that people are yet to recover from the Trauma due to loss of lives, properties and Fear Psychosis. It will take a herculean effort by the people, State and Central Government and all Agencies supporting the people to bring normalcy.
It is a stated fact that the intensity of the Earthquake was around 6.8 Richter scale all over the state and the epicenter still not being correctly agreed upon. It is also an unfortunate fact that though there has been damages to other parts of the state, Chungthang GPU and other Teesta HEP Stage III project affected areas like shipgyer,Ramom and safo are worst hit.
It is also a fact that as per report of the Sikkim police (RTI Query) that almost 20 persons had died in the project area prior to the Earth quake and now with the numerous deaths in the project area due to the earth quake it is more or less the project with maximum human casualty and what will happen in the future is uncertain, but it proved beyond any doubt the fear and apprehension of the people regarding the negative impact of the project were correct.
It is also known to us through various press releases that the Teesta Urja Ltd had contributed financial support to the Chief Ministers Relief fund and some relief has been given to affected people and the administration. But taking in consideration the magnitude of the devastation and colossal amount of money that project is going to generate for the developers, the relief given is absolutely Paltry.
Further, it is known and accepted fact that on the request of the affected people whose houses and other properties were damaged by rampant Blasting, the Hon’ble chief Minister had directed the SPDC to take necessary action. Accordingly, the Mines and Geology Department on request of the SPDC made a field visit to ascertain the actual situation and then released a report certifying the fact that the blasting and other form of activities in the projects had caused the serious damages to the houses . The report further raised the issue of damage in the event of an earthquake.
Taking cognizance of the Report the district administration had undertaken survey of all such damaged properties through a Joint inspection comprising land Revenue officials of SDM office chungthang, Executive engineer of SPDC ltd, Engineers of BDO office chungthang, Teesta Urja ltd, respective Panchayat ,house owner and members of the public. Later on the damage was also assessed for shipgyer Gram Panchayat. Finally, claim for damage compensation for around 170 families was submitted by the Assistant Engineer, BDO office to the SDM and also with the Public request for onetime payment of three times the cost of visible damage and also insurance cover for all the houses.
The above official exercise clearly established the fact that there has been definite damage to public properties by the blasting in the project area located the environmentally fragile regions and that when the earth quake struck ,the already damaged houses could not withstand the impact and most of the houses collapsed, while others were severely damaged. Thereby proving beyond any doubt that the all the project affected areas experienced the most damages as a result of earlier blasting and other activities.
Under the circumstances it would be only fair and natural for the company to help the affected people in such difficult time as part of social corporate responsibility by providing immediate commensurate compensation to the affected families to Reconstruct their house and Rebuild their lives and also provide for other infrastructural Development to bring back normalcy in the area.
In the event our request is not considered we will have no option but to seek other form of redressal including legal measures.
Submitted in anticipation of favorable response please.
Thanking you, Yours sincerely Blasting /Earthquake affected Citizens (signed)
ENVIRONMENT STRIKES BACK
Earthquake in Sikkim - 18th September 2011
After those of 1980, 2006 and 2007, another earthquake has shaken Sikkim and adjacent areas in the early evening of 18th September 2011 - this time an exceptionally powerful one with a Richter scale magnitude of 6.8 to 6.9 depending on the source considered. The epicenter was hardly 70 kms north-west of Gangtok and tremors were noticed as far away as in Delhi.
In the hours and days following this desaster, our thoughts and prayers focus on all those who lost their feeling of saveness, their homes, their health or - even worse - their beloved ones.
Facing this scene of destruction created by powers much stronger than our's will ever be, we can't escape the question: What, if all the slated hydel projects would have been fully implemented, all the catchment basins filled with water?
From the beginning, geologists cautioned about the risks of gigantic constructions in a seismic prone zone. However, their warnings were not welcome and, thus, pushed aside. Now, we realize the hard way that the Government of Sikkim is playing Russian roulette with the lives of its citizens.
This is neither the time to argue nor the time for accusations. However, once the debris are cleared, once the wounds - both physical as well as mental - turn to scars, we'll have to think that over.
Remember: Earthquakes do not kill people, buildings do!
And: The larger the constructions, the higher the death toll to expect for the next one!
SIKKIM
Located on the flanks of the Eastern Himalayas, Sikkim was a hereditary monarchy till 1975, when it merged with India to become the 22nd state of the country.
The state shares its borders with Nepal in the West, Bhutan in the Southeast and China in the North. Sikkim is a land of dramatic contours with rugged mountains, deep valleys and dense forests consorting with glaciers, raging rivers and lakes and biodiversity hotspot. The state has the steepest rise to an altitude over the shortest distance and climate ranges from tropical to temperate to alpine. The variety in elevation gives Sikkim a rich botanical wealth. The world's highest National Park (Khangchendzonga National Park) is located in this region. There are over 4000 species of plants and luxuriant forests which cover 36 per cent of the land. These dense forests are the habitat for a variety of animals, some of which are today threatened with extinction because of changes in the eco-system.
Sikkim has three main ethnic groups, the Lepchas, the Bhutias and the Nepalese. The total population is 540 851 persons with 288 484 male and 252 367 females. The Nepali community consists of diverse ethnic groups and forms the largest percentage of the population. The Bhutias including similar communities are around 70 308.
The Lepchas who call themselves the Mutanchi Rongkup, are Sikkim's earliest inhabitants and around 40 568 in Number (2001 census). The Majority of the Lepchas live in "Dzongu" which is considered the Cradle of Lepcha civilization. It is a region protected by various traditional and enacted laws to safeguard the indigenous aborigines from exploitation and other hazards. The culture, customs and traditions of the Lepchas are inextricably linked to their deep bond with nature, but changing times and modern developments have started disturbing the delicate eco-system with which they have lived so closely over centuries.
Apart from these there are many "plainsmen" from different parts of the country settled here as well as a small community of Tibetan exiles. Lately the state has witnessed a large infusion of migrant laborers, brought here to work on large hydroelectric power projects like the Rangit and Teesta HEP Stage V as well as the continued import of people by the Border Roads Organization.The total land mass comprises of 7096 sq kms and lies within 27° - 28° latitude and 88° - 89° longitude. The crowning glory of Sikkim is Mt. Khangchendzonga, the third highest mountain in the world. For the Sikkimese, Khangchendzonga is much more than a mountain and is revered as the abode of their guardian deity Dzo-nga. The Zemu Glacier is the source of mighty river Teesta, which originates in the tundra like region at 18000 ft and flows down to the Bay of Bengal crisscrossing through different places in Sikkim and West Bengal. The Rangit River originates from the Rathong Glaciers. The water for these rivers is fed by the melting snows and the rain in the catchment areas.
Rivers are an integral part of the Sikkimese ethos. Much of the folklores and traditional ways of life of the locals revolve around the mighty Teesta and the Rangeet Rivers. The River Teesta not only sustains the livelihood of the locals, by preserving and propagating the rich biodiversity which includes the cultivation of the state-wide main cash crop, the Cardamom, but is also the very backbone of Sikkim's cultural heritage.
| SATYAGRAHA |
Warriors for a Cause
"I will die but won't allow the mega power projects in Dzongu" - Dawa Lepcha.
Two Lepcha youths from Dzongu have presently rocked the state of Sikkim and outside with their selfless stand against the hydro projects. Dawa T.Lepcha and Tenzing Lepcha are on an indefinite hunger strike since June 22. Both are at STNM hospital following health problems but are maintaining their hunger strike from the hospital. Both are supported by other ACT members, monks, students and others.
For daily updates visit www.weepingsikkim.blogspot.com
| TEESTA |
Will the Teesta river survive? In order to construct one kilometer of tunnel, approximately 150 tons of dynamite are required. Imagine how much blasting will be done for 30 power projects! Seventy percent of the river to flow underground!
| DZONGU |
Dzongu in North Sikkim is the holy place for Lepchas spread all over the world. Process has begun for seven mega power projects spanning the length and breadth of this protected area.
| ENVIRONMENT |
Environment Impact Assessment (EIA)
Blatant violations of procedural and environmental norms. Get the distressing facts at our EIA-page.
| TEESTA STAGE V |
Much went wrong during design, assessment and construction of Teesta Stage V HEP. For a truly sustainable and adapted development, a different approach is required.
| VIOLATIONS |
Environment Protection Act (EPA) as well as Forest Conservation Act (FCA) were repeatedly violated by the companies involved. A non-exhaustive listing for Teesta Stage V only (NHPC).
| DOCUMENTS |
• Statements, appeals and proceedings by ACT
• Scientific papers substantiating ACT's concerns
• Press reports covering disproportionate projects in Sikkim and ACT's struggle for protection
| MEDIA |
• Photo-Galleries
• Collection of Documentaries
Lepchas - A vanishing Tribe