Support for hydel power protests
Gangtok: Members of the recently formed Sikkimese Association for Environment (SAFE) today submitted a memorandum to governor V. Rama Rao, asking for a quick resolution to the row over the mega hydroelectric projects in Dzongu, North Sikkim.
The umbrella organisation, SAFE, was formed to lend support to the indefinite hunger strike led by members of Affected Citizens of Teesta at B.L. House here to protest against the projects. The hunger strike has entered its 20th day.
Today, the members of SAFE asked the governor to order departmental inquiries into the on-going and proposed hydel power projects. The reports, they said, must include inputs from World Wildlife Fund and the departments of mines and geology, and forest and wildlife.
The governor was also asked to order a CBI probe into the “irregularities” and “illegalities” in the execution of all existing power projects in Sikkim. The members said if the governor did not initiate prompt action, they would stage a statewide satyagraha including demonstrations on the lawns of the Raj Bhavan.
“Land acquisition is not the only issue here. The entire North Sikkim’s environment has been endangered because of the projects,” said T. Lachungpa, a member of SAFE, countering the claims of the Dzongu MLA, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, that some landowners of the area were willing to give up their land for the projects
The umbrella organisation, SAFE, was formed to lend support to the indefinite hunger strike led by members of Affected Citizens of Teesta at B.L. House here to protest against the projects. The hunger strike has entered its 20th day.
Today, the members of SAFE asked the governor to order departmental inquiries into the on-going and proposed hydel power projects. The reports, they said, must include inputs from World Wildlife Fund and the departments of mines and geology, and forest and wildlife.
The governor was also asked to order a CBI probe into the “irregularities” and “illegalities” in the execution of all existing power projects in Sikkim. The members said if the governor did not initiate prompt action, they would stage a statewide satyagraha including demonstrations on the lawns of the Raj Bhavan.
“Land acquisition is not the only issue here. The entire North Sikkim’s environment has been endangered because of the projects,” said T. Lachungpa, a member of SAFE, countering the claims of the Dzongu MLA, Sonam Gyatso Lepcha, that some landowners of the area were willing to give up their land for the projects
