NHPC shut down Sikkim's Teesta Stage-V power station

GANGTOK, 25 Sept: The NHPC has has temporarily shut down power generation at Teesta Stage-V power station due to excessive silt and trash in the Teesta. An NHPC press release informs that generation was stopped on 22 September at 7:50 a.m. Stage-V has its dam at Dikchu and power station at Sirwani near Singtam.

The several landslides upstream in North Sikkim have loaded Teesta with excessive silt and debris, convincing NHPC to stall generation “as a preventive measure”.

Excessive silt can damage the underwater components of the turbine and presence of high volumes of trash in the reservoir restricts the flow of water to the machine, the release explains.

D. Chattopadhyay, Chief Engineer in-charge, Teesta-V Power Station, has assured that the power station will resume generation after “getting the silt and trash content in the water within the permissible limit”.

2 Sikkim Students drowns in Teesta river

Gangtok, July 24: Two students are suspected to have drowned in the Teesta river near Mamring in South district this afternoon.

Police found the clothes of Mikki Dadul Lepcha, 21, and Binod Prasad, 21, on the riverbank in Mamring around 5pm. “We have recovered clothes and mobile handsets of the two students. It is presumed that they went to swim in the river but nobody has seen them drown. A search operation is on to locate them,” said the subdivisional police officer of Rangpo, R.K. Sundas. While Lepcha, a resident of Mangan in North Sikkim, is a first-year electronics student of the Sikkim Manipal Institute of Technology, Prasad, from Majitar, is a student of the Advanced Technical Training Institute at Bardang near Rangpo.

Himalayan Glacier Study reveals snow loss in Teesta basin

Gangtok June 17: A first-of-its-kind study to prepare an inventory of the Himalayan glaciers in the Indian sub-continent has revealed a loss in the glacial cover in the Teesta basin in the past fourteen years and the absence of snow in the sub-basins of the river like the Rangit.

The study named Snow and Glaciers of the Himalayas was conducted by the Union ministry of environment and forests in association with the Ahmedabad-based Space Application Centre of ISRO.

The aim of the project was to find out the trend of the glaciers in the Indian Himalayan region over a period of four years from 2004-05 to 2007-08.

“According to this inventory there are 32,392 glaciers in the Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra basins that drain into India. It is for the first time that such a detailed inventory with the help of satellite data has been published that contains figures indicating the advance or retreat of glaciers,” sources at the ministry of environment and forests said.

In the course of the study, in which around 2,500 glaciers were monitored including 34 of the Teesta, it has been found that in 1990 the 34 glaciers used to cover an area of 305sqkm. But in 2004 the area of the glacial cover on the Teesta basin was reduced by 4sqkm and 23 of the glaciers showed trends of retreat.

While eight were found advancing, the coverage area of three glaciers remained unaltered.

The Teesta basin is part of the Brahmaputra basin.

According to experts, the basins of the eastern Himalayan region reflected less retreat than those in the western Himalayas.

Experts said the loss of glacial cover and their retreat may lead to dry rivers or floods in the area.

The findings of the study has also indicated the presence of several supra-glacial lakes on the Brahmaputra basin.

These lakes are formed because of the melting of glaciers during the summer months.

The study revealed that there are 474 supra-glacier lakes spread over an area of 70.02sqkm in the Brahmaputra basin. Of them, 61 are in the Teesta basin.

“Existence of supra-glacial lakes could be hazardous and might cause loss to human life and property. These lakes can create crevasse and the entire water would empty in a few hours causing sudden inundation in the downstream,” said Animesh Bose, an environmentalist from north Bengal, said.

While monitoring the Himalayan glaciers in selected sub-basins of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Sikkim, experts have found that in the Rangit sub-basin the extent of snow cover during certain months of the year, has shown trends of reduction in 2007-08.

“During the study, it was found that earlier the snow cover in the glacier that feeds the Rangit sub-basin existed till April. But in 2007-08, no snow cover was found after February,” a source said.

The Rangit sub-basin, which originates from Sikkim, is part of the Teesta basin.

The study shows the Teesta has supra-glacial lakes spread over an area of 10.37sqkm. It also has two moraine dam lakes fed by glaciers spread over an area of 2.79 sqkm.

Environmentalists and experts said the loss of the glacial cover, even though low when compared to other the basins of the country, has commenced in this region.

During the study 10,106 glaciers have been found on the Brahmaputra basin, 16,049 in Ganga basin and 6,237 in the Indus basin.

“Several glaciers feeding the Teesta are retreating and areas in the upper reaches of the Sikkim Himalayas are drying up with less snow cover,” Bose said.

According to him, to prevent the retreat of glaciers, trees should be planted. More trees will result in rainfall in the lower areas and snowfall in the higher altitudes.

“Unless massive afforestation is done in these areas it is tough to encourage the advancement of glaciers and there can be severe climatic conditions in future added to inundation as indicated by the presence of supra-glacial lakes,” he said.

(The Telegraph)

An angler rescued from rising Teesta by Sikkim fire services

Gangtok, June 13 (PTI) An angler was stranded on a rock in the middle of swirling Teesta, following a sudden swell in its water, at Singtam in East Sikkim for over an hour after being rescued by fire services personnel.Police sources said Kumar Bardewa, a resident of Singtam, had waded in waters to clamber on the rock for fishing but with a sudden surge in water level got stranded.The surge was possibly caused by a large water release from NHPC Stage-V reservoir at Dikchu with high siltation deposited in the reservoir.With the river rising every minute, locals from Singtam Bazaar in East Skkim informed the local Fire Station as the fire services personnel managed to rescue the man with the help of ropes.

"The man was saved in the nick of time as the rock on which he was standing was submerged by the silt-laden waters of Teesta just as he was being pulled away from it," Deputy Chief Fire Officer Prakash Rai, who is also incharge of Gangtok, Rangpo and Singtam fire stations, said."The operation was a big success and the fire rescue team deserves all credit," Rai added.

sikkim Teesta Stage V project power generation disrupted

Gangtok, June 10 (PTI) Power generation at the 510 mw Teesta Stage V project at Dikchu in East Sikkim district remained suspended for two days due to heavy siltation in the reservoir.The hydrology record of the NHPC reveals that the 66,449 ppm siltation was recorded for upstream and 70,753 ppm recorded downstream yesterday, the highest siltation recorded this year, NHPC sources said.The normal siltation of Teesta recorded 7,000 to 10,000 per million particles.The sluice gates of dam were opened on Wednesday morning to flush the silt from the reservoir and power generation was scheduled to resume after de-siltation process was over by this day.The heavy downpour and the resultant overflow in the Teesta river earlier had led to the amassing of silt in the reservoir beyond its normal level.The generation of power at Teesta Stage V (510 mw) hydel project at Dikchu had been suspended in the last week of May also for the same reason

Vehicle missing along with 3 persons in Teesta

Fourth body recovered at Tarkhola

RANGPO, November 20: One person was killed and three were feared dead as they were swept away by river Teesta when a taxi vehicle slipped down the Rangpo-Rhenock road in East Sikkim on the late hours of November 17.
According to police, the vehicle (SK04-8561) was coming from Siliguri to Rhenock when the mishap took place near Rangpo. The vehicle slipped some 150 feet down the road and crashed into the Teesta river along with the four occupants.
The mishap went unnoticed until the next morning as anxious family members started enquiries when the vehicle did not reached its destination in Rhenock. The police and family members after a frantic search managed to confirm that the accident took place but so far apart from one body, neither the vehicle nor the other three persons have been traced out.
The body of the vehicle owner, Mahendra Saha (55) was spotted the river banks at Tarkhola, few kms down the river in the West Bengal side which was recovered by Namchi police of South Sikkim today. The body was released to the family members after post mortem formalities in Singtam district.
Meanwhile, rafting teams have been deployed to trace the other three missing persons and the vehicle that were swept away by the river. The missing persons are Deepak Saha (18), Pradeep Rai (24) and Samidullah (16). All of them are from Rhenock.

Highest civilian bravery award winner struggle to make a living in Sikkim

GANGTOK, November 8: He swam against a raging Teesta but has all but drowned in the harsh currents of a sustainable livelihood as even the people and State have forgotten their heroes.
‘Sarvottam Jewan Rakshak Padak’, the highest civilian bravery award of the country, has become a livelihood curse for 20- four-year old Pratap Rai who has given up all hopes of settling down into a sustainable and respectable trade.
Pratap, at the age of 21, had risked his own life and saved several people from drowning to their deaths when an over-packed SNT bus fell into the Teesta River on October 25, 2006. The mishap had taken place at 20th Mile, near Bageykhola on NH 31 A between Singtam and Rangpo where 22 passengers were killed and another 44 were injured.
During the time of the accident, Pratap a resident of Samardung busty across the River, with daunting courage risked his life and swam across the heavy current of the river and rescued three people from drowning. He also helped the rescue agencies in the evacuation of the injured persons to the local hospitals.
For the brave and courageous act, the 22 year old Rai had already received the State Jeewan Raksha puraskar during the State level Independence Day celebration in 2007. The award included a citation and Rs. 10, 000 cash reward.
Last year, the Centre awarded the Sarvottam Jewan Rakshak Padak’ to Pratap which included cash award of Rs. 75, 000 along with medallion and certificate as well as a miniature medal that can be worn at official ceremonies and State functions.
And this recognition and award has precisely morphed into a livelihood albatross for Pratap presently facing the prospect of a bleak future harbingered by an ungrateful society and pretentious government.
The hero-to-pauper story unfolds in Pratap’s own regretful introspection.
“I realize somewhere in the dim cavern of my mind that I have received the country’s highest civilian bravery award. I remember being felicitated and honoured at several places at that time”, says Pratap.
After a brief heady period of adulations and back slapping, Pratap now three years later, has been straitjacketed to find a sustainable means of income and is presently having trouble to arrange two square meals a day.
“I have ten years experience of driving a vehicle. I can drive any type of vehicle. But when I go asking for a driver’s job, the owners taunt me saying why such a big awardee has to ask for a job”, says Pratap.
“Whenever I go for labour work, the society here chaste me”, said the youth adding that though he had also wanted to work as a lifeguard in a raft, things did not worked out.
Pratap has already deposited the cash awards in a fixed deposit in the name of his daughter. He had also made frantic efforts to get a loan to buy a taxi but his dreams were cut short by the rules of the banks as he does not have land or other assets to mortgage.
The brave youth has faint memories of those early days of recognition and sabashis.
Today, Pratap sadly does not know where the ‘Birta ko Chino’ has dissipated. So much, that whenever the words ‘bravery award’ rings into his ears, the fear strikes an icy rod into his soul.
The forgotten hero is in more dire necessity of a sustainable means of income in the shape of a taxi vehicle for his family than awards.

Gangtok to Siliguri : Now a 10 hours trip

RANGPO, August 23: With the Mile 27 stretch along the National Highway 31-A still under landslide debris, commuters from Sikkim travelling to and fro Siliguri have been taking around nine hours to reach their destinations.

At least 10 places along the Highway had been hit by landslides, triggered by torrential rains over the past week. All these stretches, except Mile 27 area near Rambi have been cleared by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO).

The NHPC, who is undertaking the construction of the Teesta Lower Dam at Mile 27, has also come under public criticism for distancing themselves from restoration work and for failing to bring about permanent solution to the recurring landslide problem at this stretch.

The NHPC authorities, on the other hand, have been saying that restoration works are on at this stretch, which comes directly above the dam site.

Rhenock Service Taxi plunges into Teesta, - Two escape, fate of four unknown

Radha Sewa at a nursing home on Friday.
Gangtok,7 AUG: Five persons are feared dead, while another two were recovered gravely injured, after a Trax Cruiser passenger taxi plunged into the turbulent Teesta river near Sevoke this afternoon. The vehicle was coming to Siliguri from Sikkim along the NH-31A, when the incident took place at around 2.15 p.m.
According to the police, while negotiating a hairpin-bend on the highway at Andherijhora, Sevoke, the driver of the ill-fated Trax Cruiser, lost control and the vehicle fell some 250ft into the Teesta.
Two of the seven persons on board jumped out of the taxi, even as the vehicle plunged straight into the turbulent waters with the remaining five, including the driver.
Locals and police rescued the two passengers ~ Mr Kashinath Dubey (45) and a 40-year old lady Ms Radha Sewa ~ in a seriously injured condition and rushed them to a private nursing home in Siliguri. Both of them are residents of Sikkim.
According to the OC, Sevoke police outpost Mr Dipanjan Das, they have failed to locate the vehicle or any of the five missing passengers after conducting an initial search in the river.
“It is unlikely that any of them are alive, but we would continue the search,” said Mr Das.
The Sevoke police have now approached the private rafting team based at Teesta Bazar to carry out the search operation deep into the turbulent Teesta.
“It is already dusk but still we are requesting the rafters to start the operation with the help of floodlights, which we would arrange,” the police officer said.

Car falls into Teesta river, four feared drowned

Gangtok, Aug 7 (IANS) At least four people were reported missing after a passenger car fell into Teesta river in West Bengal’s Darjeeling district Friday. Officials fear that the missing people may have drowned.
Two of the passengers fell out of the vehicle before it plunged into the river and were admitted in a hospital here with injuries, a police official said.

“The accident happened near national highway 31 A around 2.15 p.m. There were around six to seven people in the car including the driver. Two people fell from the car before it plunged into the Teesta,” the officer said.

The Siliguri-bound car was coming from the neighbouring state of Sikkim

Two pulled out from watery grave by Rangpo bravehearts
Savari plunges head on into River Teesta


(photo courtsey:sikkim express)
RANGPO, August 2: A driver and a lady passenger were pulled from their watery grave by courageous locals of Rangpo IBM area and surrounding areas when their vehicle slipped into a surging Teesta river yesterday evening.
The taxi, SK04-2552 was traveling along the National Highway 31A to Singtam from Rangpo when it plunged into the Teesta River at Rangpo IBM area at around 7:30 am yesterday.
As the accompanying picture shows, the vehicle turned turtle with only its lower side and tires tipping up from the River.
Locals from the area managed to rescue the two occupants-Vicky Chettri and Bandana Sharma-from the drowning vehicle and rushed them to Rangpo primary health centre for treatment.
The two injured persons were then referred to STNM hospital here in Gangtok.
Meanwhile, the police have started an investigation for the cause of the accident. Over-speeding is the suspect for the mishap.

Satyagraha For The Teesta

Protestors from across Sikkim are on hunger strike against projects on the river. NEERAJ VAGHOLIKAR reports

The Sikkim government’s plans to expedite a major plumbing exercise — involving 26 large hydroelectric projects in the ecologically and culturally sensitive Teesta river basin — is meeting with resistance. Protestors have joined together in an organisation called the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT); they have been on satyagraha against these plans since June 20. The ongoing protests are focused on projects proposed in North Sikkim, particularly in Dzongu, the holy land and exclusive reserve of the Lepcha tribe. The satyagraha has been characterised by a prominent youth presence; another important feature was the support lent by the state’s Buddhist monks, who have been offering prayers to protect the satyagrahis and the sacred landscape threatened with desecration.
While Sikkim has seen dam-related protests before, there have never been any on this scale. The 1990s saw the construction of the 60MW Rangit project, clearances for the 510MW Teesta V project (currently under construction) and the scrapping of the Rathong Chu project following protests about its impact on a sacred landscape. But in the last three years, the state government has signed MOUs for no less than 26 large hydroelectric projects in the state.
On December 12, 2006, ACT met Chief Minister Pawan Chamling. They demanded the scrapping of the projects in Dzongu, and sought a review of the other projects in Sikkim. Based on an assurance from the CM that these issues would be looked into, they called off a proposed rally in Gangtok. But ACT’s concerns were not addressed and in the months preceding the satyagraha, the state government started land acquisition procedures for the 1200MW Teesta III and the 280MW Panan projects, both of which involve construction work inside Dzongu. This was the last straw and ACT started its satyagraha on June 20, with 34-year-old Dawa Lepcha and 20- year-old Tenzing Lepcha on an indefinite fast, while others supported them with a relay hunger strike.
The arguments used to justify these large projects in Sikkim are: exploitation of the state’s perennial water system to produce power for the nation; economic benefits to the state through power export; employment generation and low displacement of local communities. However, several unique features of the state — its ecological and geological fragility, its indigenous communities, their cultural and spiritual association with the river system and the landscape — pose a challenge to these ambitious plans.
The erstwhile kings of Sikkim had accorded special legal protection to Dzongu and North Sikkim, further reinforced after the merger with India through constitutional protection of old laws and traditions. “The spurt of large hydel projects in Sikkim is in direct contradiction of the constitutional and legal protection given to us. The simultaneous construction of so many projects is going to involve an influx of a huge number of outside labour for a long period of time. These demographic changes are going to have a serious socio cultural impact, particularly in North Sikkim. We want the seven proposed projects in Dzongu scrapped and others in Sikkim reviewed,” says Dawa Lepcha of ACT.The ministry of Environment & Forests (MOEF), while granting environmental clearance to the 510MW Teesta V project in 1999 asked for a detailed ‘carrying capacity’ study of the entire Teesta river basin. The clearance letter states: “No other project in Sikkim will be considered for environmental clearance till the carrying capacity study is completed.”Pemzang Tenzing, a civil engineer and ACT member, says: “We were hopeful that this process would enable a comprehensive assessment of the cumulative impact of the many proposed hydel projects and a serious options assessment for ecologically and culturally sensitive development in Sikkim. But even as the study is being finalised, the MOEF has already granted environmental clearance to at least six hydel projects in Sikkim since 2004 in violation of its own condition.” At least two of these — the 1,200 MW Teesta III and the 280 MW Panan — are on the border of the Khangchendzonga National Park. A large part of the first is, in fact, inside the biosphere reserve and the second involves carrying out ancillary works inside the national park in violation of Supreme Court orders.
Tenzing adds, “Even as per official figures, the projects involve diverting up to 85-90 percent of the river flow in the lean season through long tunnels before the water is dropped downstream. Not only will this destroy the riverine ecology but a cascade of projects will mean the Teesta is in full flow only in brief stretches between the two hydel projects. That is why we are saying that the Teesta is being converted into an underground river.”
There have been repeated appeals from the state government to withdraw the satyagraha and at least six rounds of talks were held between the government and ACT, but none led to a conclusive breakthrough. After a personal appeal from the CM, Dawa and Tenzing withdrew their indefinite fast on August 21 after 63 days, but the satyagraha continues with the relay hunger strike by other members.On September 6, the government informed ACT that a seven-member review committee is being set up to “examine various issues related to implementation of hydel projects in Dzongu area of North Sikkim” and that until the submission of a report by the committee within 100 days all activities related to five projects in Dzongu would be stopped with immediate effect. The government has conveniently left out two major projects directly impacting Dzongu — TeestaIII & Teesta IV. While it has chosen to leave out Teesta III where land acquisition procedures have been on, four of the five projects it claims to stop work on are yet to get necessary clearances to start work. On September 10, ACT rejected this proposition and renewed the demand for scrapping all hydel projects in Dzongu.
During this entire period there has been tremendous support to the satyagrahis from around the country and the world. The Lepchas in the Darjeeling hills have also lent their support to the cause, with a road blockade of NH31A as well as ongoing relay hunger strikes in Kalimpong and Darjeeling. Opposition parties have also taken up the issue, but this has been conveniently used by the ruling Sikkim Democratic Front government to dismiss the entire protest as being “politically motivated”. In a speech on Independence Day, the CM made personal attacks on several individuals associated with the protests, including respected Buddhist monk Sonam Paljor Denjongpa. The attack was condemned even by those who support the hydel projects.
Sikkim’s Information and Public Relations secretary MG Kiran says: “We do not yet know what their (ACT’s) problem is. These are benign projects and we can handle them well.” It is ironic that just a few months ago, the state Chief Secretary admitted to an environmental governance crisis in the 510MW Teesta V project in an affidavit to the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee. The affidavit says the power company has “grossly violated the terms, conditions and guidelines” of the MOEF and dumped excavated material “into the river Teesta obstructing its free flow causing thereby huge damage to the forest and environment.”

NHPC TO TAKE UP REPAIR OF DAMAGED NH31A NEAR TARKHOLA

RANGPO, September 11: Sikkim remained cut off from the rest of the world following the incessant rain, which is showing no signs of letting up.
The road connectivity to this Himalayan State remained disrupted today, with the National Highway 31A is still reeling under severe landslides at several places.
The Highway, pockmarked with several landslides all along, remains vulnerable with fresh landslides that occurred at a number of places on Friday and Saturday.
Adding to the problems, a portion of the road near Tarkhola between Rangpo and Melli caved in and a large portion of the road connecting the bridge over Mamkhola was completely washed away. About 30 meters of the road connecting the bridge has caved in.
With the landslide near Coronation Bridge still active, the new problem areas have added to the normal traffic flow between Gangtok and Siliguri. Passengers heading towards Siliguri are now forced to take a detour via Mansang, Kalimpong, Chitrey, Teesta and Darjeeling, which has lengthened the route to about 240 kms.
While the BRO has been actively engaged in clearing the slides and arranging temporary solutions to ensure movement for at least small vehicles, the inclement weather and inadequate manpower is severely hampering restoration work along the Highway.
According to informed sources, the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) has taken up the responsibility of repairing the portion of the damaged road and bridge near Tarkhola. Work is expected to begin from tomorrow.

Tarkhola bridge washed away, Sikkim Cut Off

Gangtok ,September 9: After triggering floods and landslides in Sikkim & hills of North Bengal in the past few days, torrential rains finally showed signs of ebbing away with the sky clearing up Sunday.No fresh reports of landslides were reported from Darjeeling, Siliguri and Kalimpong in the northern part of the Bengal & Sikkim.

Landslips triggered by incessant rainfall have left eight people dead and displaced over 500 in Darjeeling district & Sikkim since Friday.Movement of traffic through National Highway 31 and 31A, which links Sikkim and Kalimpong with Siliguri, has been affected. The local administration, army and Border Road Organisation (BRO) officials are working round the clock to clear the debris.

However, Gangtok hasbeen cut off via Rangpo with West & South Districts within State & Country.The 30 meter long bridge of 31 A National highway at Tarkhola is extensively damaged and washed away due to heavy rainfall causing the forceful Teesta flood down and over the bridge. Tarkhola is about five Kilometre away from Rangpoo, the check post or entry point of Sikkim. Due to this damage of bridge, Sikkim remains cut off for over one month, since the construction of new bridge and restoration work takes the said period at the minimum possible time. The National Highway was opened on September 5 afternoon at Kalijhora and many vehicles including loaded trucks had crossed the area and reached the capital after a week, however, the road still had blocked at Chietrey and other places where incessant rain again caused damage in several places of N. Highway. There are numerous minor or big slides in many places. The road again closed, opened and again closed. The incessant rain caused again damage in many places of National Highway
It had been almost two weeks that 31 A National Highway was closed, the road was still not fully opened making the lives of the people of Sikkim and Kalimpong troublesome as the price of essential commodities are rising and cooking gas going to be out of stock. Chief Minister Dr. Chamling took stock of the matter and directed the departments to arrange the transportation of essential goods from alternative routs and he also urged the GREF to speed up the completion of the road. On the other hand, CITU in Kalimpong took procession in the street urging for alternative road for the lives of the people are badly affected due to closure of the National Highway, the only life line to Kalimpong and Sikkim.

There is acute shortage of essential commodities especially Vegetables,Petrol, LPG cylinders in Capital although the people are trying to manage with situation and The news of extensive damage to Tarkhola Bridge near Rangpo has further dampen the spirits of Sikkimese people as it would hamper the onset of Tourists season which generally begins at the start of October unless an alternative arrangement is provided by BRO in lieu of Tarkhola bridge although the news on details of extent of damage to bridge is not yet fully ascertained.

SAFE on Carrying Capacity Study of Teesta Basin

GANGTOK, September 03: The Sikkimese Association for Environment (SAFE) in an attempt to raise public awareness has brought out factual extracts from the “Carrying Capacity Study of Teesta Basin”.
A press release issued by Chukie Tobden of SAFE has stated that the purpose of these extracts is to educate and sensitize the public to the realities of fast degradation of the natural environment by the “ill-conceived Hydel projects in North Sikkim.”
The Executive summary of the report and recommendations as mentioned in the release were commissioned by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, Government of India and sponsored by NHPC Corporation Limited, Faridabad.
Stressing that SAFE has been repeatedly accused of being ‘anti-development’ with ‘vested interest’ targets, SAFE has considered it as “a privilege to bring the report to the public”, further stressing that SAFE like advocating transparency.
SAFE has produced at least six extracts from the study, particularly on the environmental, seismic and biodiversity concerns.
The extract from page 173 of the report has these details: “Looking at the number of species of studied taxa and the endemic exclusive and endangered species of studied taxa, Zone III is very sensitive and if the development project (Teesta Stage III) is executed in this zone…irreversible ecological damage is expected with respect to its biological environs.”
“Entirely alien environmental conditions would be created by human activity during and after the construction of the proposed hydel project,” reads another extract culled from Page 202.
The Page 203 extract reads “The proposed project falls in a seismic zone. An earthquake of the magnitude of 6.0 Richter scale recorded on November, 19, 1980. Importantly the epicenter lies on the surface trace of Gangtok lineament and this project area also lies along this lineament.”
As per the details in Page 208, “the project is situated in one of the most ecologically sensitive area of Sikkim. The geologically sensitivity of the catchments is characterized by huge deposits of moraines in the catchments upstream. Some of the glacial lakes have the history of being blocked by the debris resulting in the formations of temporary lakes which upon bursting are known to bring this material downstream. All these lakes are potential source of hazard generation. Any activity resulting in displacement of accumulated debris would have disastrous consequence downstream. The Glacial outburst flood can create havoc in downstream area endangering the structures and habitations.”
The association has also brought out to the notice of the public as detailed in Page 214 that more than 100 species of mammals, 8 species of cats, 230 species of birds, 345 species of butterflies, 10 species of amphibian and 34 reptile species are found within the vicinity of the power project.
SAFE has also culled another extract from Page XXVI, which reads, “Inspite of this, the Government of Sikkim was accorded letter of intent to various Central Government undertakings and Private Power Producers to start the process of building these projects and as such it has become imperative that some urgent measures are adopted before these destructive “Development Projects” are permitted to be implemented and once again the saga of exploitation is repeated

(Sikkim Express)

ARMY VEHICLE FALLS IN RANI KHOLA, NEAR TOPHAKHANI

Rani Khola Turns Into Water Grave for 4 Missing Jawans

SINGTAM, September 02: Four army men went missing today after their vehicle skidded off National Highway 31 between Tophakhani and Gangtok and fell into the Rani khola,a tributary of Teesta river.No jawans were rescued from the river, while it took few hours just to locate the Vehicle. It has not yet been hauled out of the river.The accident occurred around 8AM in Saturday morning when four army men were travelling from Sherwani to Gangtok.

“I could see some of the army men, struggling to stay afloat,” she said. “I found no rope to throw to them, but managed to get hold of some bamboo poles. There were not many other people around so it took a while when other local residents arrived on spot but there was no trace of anyone" a man said.

Another lady eye witness said she saw a Jawan standing on a Vehicle which was lying in middle of Teesta river shouting and screaming ,"Bachao Bachao" and she rushed back home to call other local residents and to bring a rope but when returned to spot , Jawan was swept away by force of Teesta river.

“The Vehicle in front of my eyes suddenly went off the road, broke through the parapet and hurtled into the river 200ft below,” another eyewitness said.

The case has been registered at Singtam Police station against the driver of the truck under section 279/304-A (driving or riding on a public way so rashly or negligently as to endanger human life and causing death by rash or negligent act) of the Indian Penal Code and is under investigation.

Within the next couple of hours, army officials ,GREF personnel's from Singtam reached the spot. One Indian Air Force choppers hovered over the area trying to locate the vehicle and the missing persons.“We have tied ropes to the vehicle to prevent it from being swept away. Today itself , we will try to get it out of the river, while the search for the missing persons will also continue,” Army Officer in-charge of Rescue added.

Sikkim and Kalimpong still cut off

BRO at work with bulldozer & gelatin

- Cops stop people from crossing stretch

photo:Blast

Siliguri, Aug. 28: Forty-hours after a landslide struck near Sevoke on NH 31A, traffic movement is yet to return to normality.
The mountainside along with rocks, mud and uprooted trees had come tumbling down at Hatisuray — between Coronation Bridge and Kalijhora, 26km from Siliguri.
“The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) is working hard to restore traffic on the route. We are hopeful that the repair will be completed in another 48 hours,” said Rajesh Pandey, the district magistrate of Darjeeling.
Work was delayed mainly because of heavy showers in the past 48 hours. Though at least 10 blasts had been carried out yesterday with gelatin sticks to clear the debris, the situation remained more or less the same.
This morning, the BRO started removing debris with the help of bulldozers and policemen from the Sevoke and Rambhi outposts wereposted to prevent people from crossing the stretch on foot.
The BRO had complained to the district police chief that frequent movement of people through the affected area was hampering work. “After that, the police superintendent of Darjeeling district directed us not to allow passengers to cross the stretch,” said Prankrishna Das, the officer--in-charge of the Sevoke police outpost.
Though a few stranded vehicles left Hatisuray this morning, most drivers decided to wait for another day, expecting the road to open any time.
“We are here because we don’t have much option,” said Lakpa Thapa, a truck driver. He has been stranded at Sevoke since yesterday and his vehicle is loaded with vegetables and foodgrain that he is supposed to deliver at Jorethang, 90km from here.
With the main roadlink to Sikkim and Kalimpong being cut off, passengers who are in hurry are paying double the rate to reach their destinations.
“Usually the fare to Gangtok from here is Rs 120 per passenger. But since yesterday, we have been taking our vehicles through the alternative routes, which take six to seven hours more. Hence, we have been forced to increase our fare to Rs 240 to Rs 250 per passenger,” said Bhaskar Majumdar, a pre-paid taxi booth owner from the Siliguri junction area.

Trouble In Paradise

Not this North-east policy

August 27, 2007:As we celebrate 60 years of India’s independence, a section of youth from north-east India are challenging the vision of ‘development’ being sold to them by the central and state governments. Since June 21, 2007, the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) are on a satyagraha against a plan to build 27 large hydroelectric projects in Sikkim. Among the many concerns are the serious ecological impacts on the fragile and sacred Khangchendzonga landscape, including the Teesta river and the socio-cultural impacts due to the influx of large labour populations, particularly on the vulnerable Lepcha tribal community. Sikkimese youth from around the world have been writing proactively on the Internet (weepingsikkim.blogspot.com) expressing their concerns. The protest has also received support from the Buddhist lamas (monks) of Sikkim who have been offering prayers for the well-being of the satyagrahis and the natural landscape they consider sacred.
In many development debates around the country, we often hear that while the older generation is resisting forms of development that uproot them from their cultural roots, the youth are more amenable to sacrifice their cultural and natural heritage in their quest for short-term gains. Current examples such as those in Sikkim tell another story.
Further east, Arunachal Pradesh is experiencing a similar phenomenon. Since May 2007, student groups across the state have been up in arms against plans to build a staggering number of 104 large dams in the state to produce over 55,000 MW of electricity.

The state is a biodiversity hot spot and home to tribal communities that have been given constitutional and legal protection, particularly with respect to their land rights and restricted entry of outsiders. While Arunachal is considered ‘underdeveloped’ and the youth are certainly keen for economic activity and its associated livelihood opportunities, they are clearly worried about the sudden spurt of mega-dams proposed in this ecologically and geologically fragile, seismically active and culturally sensitive landscape.
For example, the Dibang Valley in Arunachal is home to the Idu Mishmi tribe with a population of only about 12,000 people and is in the news as 13 large hydroelectric projects are planned for the area. The All Idu Mishmi Students Union (AIMSU) has been raising serious concerns about the proposed developments and holding awareness meetings in the region. A major concern is the socio-cultural upheaval due to the influx of large labour populations from outside for long periods for the construction of these projects.
The Dibang Valley also contains some of the last large contiguous tracts of tropical, sub-tropical and temperate forests in India and is home to several rare species of flora and fauna. The cumulative environmental and social impacts of 13 large projects in the Dibang Valley has got the students worried.
“These mega dams are not the development we want,” says Tone Mikrow, a mechanical engineer and General Secretary of AIMSU. “We cannot allow such massive destruction of our rivers and submergence of our lands, which are intricately connected with our identity. Development activities need to keep in mind the absorption capacity of the region. We would rather go in for a few small hydro power projects which are relatively benign — they will involve small dams on some of the tributaries, minor influx of outside labour and will be finished in short periods. This can help us set up small-scale enterprises like horticulture processing bases, giving an impetus to the local economy and providing local employment.”
Two sentences used by AIMSU in its awareness posters against the mega-dams in the Dibang valley raise very basic questions that India at 60 cannot ignore: ‘Don’t violate fundamental rights under the guise of development’ and 'Economic development can never be a goal in itself.’ Will New Delhi listen to these people?

(By Neeraj Vagholikar is a member of Kalpavriksh, an environmental action group.)

SIBLAC SEE SIGNS OF GUARDIAN DEITIES'S ANGER

Nature's Fury Unleashed On North Sikkim

Gangtok , Aug27 :A press release from SIBLAC warns of dangers God's fury in context of recent flash flood in Lachen Chu just on the occasion of Pang Lhabsol as just another sign of nature's anger to kind of activities pursued by state government in North Sikkim with hydel project policy as the religious and sentiments on environment has been totally side tracked in the name of development.

It is also believed that the flash floods could have been caused due to the burst of Zemu glacier, which is an important glacier of Sikkim. The water level in Teesta river was risen to 40 feet's after floods on Saturday and now it has gone down by 30 feet's .There has been loss of lives as per animals is concerned but no loss of human lives is reported after the incidence.

Locals believe that the entire security of North Sikkim is being damaged by the up coming power projects. Meanwhile, the entire North Sikkim highway has been paralyzed and the road between Lachen and Guru Dongmar, Thangu area has been blocked. It has also disrupted communication between the Army and the civilians who live in the border areas.

This,a SIBLAC press release issued by its convenor Tseten Tashi Bhutia contends,' is apparently the symbol that indicates the wrath of the guardian deities subsequent upon to a different pollutant activities taking place across Sikkim and especially different power projects in Dzongu.

Environment abuse risks nature's revenge and the Dzongu flash floods incident following by LachenChu event should be seen also in light of religious sentiments and importance attached by local communities especially lepchas of Dzongu to Teesta river.

Press release informs that Government should take these strange incidence as warning of future perils that might be caused due to abuse of nature and not respecting historical religious significance therefore it request state government to come forward to on going hunger strike by ACT as it significantly relates to these very issues .

Meanwhile, in another separate communique,ACT echoed similar views and thoughts.

Teesta 'army' accident

Jawan’s body

Siliguri: The body of an army jawan who was travelling in the truck that plunged into the Teesta from NH 31 near Sevoke on Wednesday was found near the Teesta barrage at Gajaldoba on Friday. So far, six bodies have been found. Four persons are still missing.