ACT begins four-day Teesta protection march from Dzongu toward Melli

Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) began a four-day foot march from Phidang in Dzongu on Thursday. The group said the walk marks 19 years of its campaign focused on protecting the Teesta River and questioning the impacts of hydropower projects in Sikkim.

Before the march started, participants performed a traditional Lepcha ritual in Dzongu. Activists, local residents, and supporters gathered for the ceremony and then set out towards Melli under the theme “Teesta Matters to Me.”

Call for Teesta protection beyond Dzongu

At the launch, ACT General Secretary Gyatso Lepcha said the movement is not only for people of Dzongu, but for the broader population of Sikkim. He argued that the Teesta is shared by everyone and should not be treated only as a resource for power generation. Lepcha also said hydropower projects and large construction works have created concerns along the Teesta belt, including environmental damage and land subsidence in affected areas.

He also referred to a recent tunnel incident at the Teesta Stage VI Hydropower Project. Lepcha said methane gas has been a key challenge during tunnel excavation, and he pointed to such incidents as a sign of risk linked to major construction activities in the Himalayan region.

Memorandum planned after the march ends

The march is expected to conclude at Melli, where ACT plans to submit a memorandum to the Governor and the Chief Minister. Winona Lepcha, described as an affected citizen of Teesta, said the walk is significant for younger participants who are closely connected to the river. She also raised concerns about impacts faced by local communities after the 2023 GLOF, including difficulties that followed and questions about accountability and support for people living along the river banks.