ACT to hold four-day Teesta foot march, reiterates demands on hydel projects
Affected Citizens of Teesta will undertake a four-day foot march from July 24 to 27 along the Teesta River, highlighting environmental conservation and reiteres
Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) has announced a four-day foot march along the Teesta River from July 24 to 27. The group said the move is intended to raise awareness on environmental conservation and highlight the importance of the river ecosystem in Sikkim.
Route, rituals and march theme
ACT said the march will be themed “Teesta Matters to Me” and will mark 19 years of the ACT movement. It will begin in Dzongu after a traditional ritual performed by a Bongthing (Lepcha priest). On the first day, marchers will halt between Dikchu and Singtam, then move to Rangpo on the second day. On the third day, they will stop near Melli before concluding at the confluence of the Teesta and Rangit rivers on July 27, with another ritual held there.
The organisation said the march is also meant to underline the link between environmental protection and sustainable development in the state. ACT member Gyatso Lepcha said the programme is designed to bring attention to the Teesta River and issues it considers connected to hydropower planning and its impacts.
Demands on hydropower, EIAs and sanctuary proposal
ACT reiterated its long-standing demands related to hydel projects. It called for scrapping the proposed 520 MW NHPC Teesta Stage IV project and the 280 MW Panan hydel project. The group also urged that a stretch of the Teesta and Rongyoung rivers be declared a river sanctuary, citing the area’s biodiversity, including birds and butterflies.
ACT further demanded fresh environmental impact assessments (EIA) and social impact assessments for pending hydropower projects on the Teesta and its tributaries. The group said earlier studies may not reflect current ecological conditions after repeated natural disasters in the region. It also alleged that an updated EIA should have been carried out for the NHPC Teesta Stage VI project after the project was revived following a change in developers.
ACT said it will submit a memorandum to the State government after the march. It also stated that, as per permissions, only 10 to 15 members will participate, while supporters can greet the marchers along the route.
