ACT launches indefinite strike from today against hydel projects

Gangtok, Jun 20 (UNI) Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), a people's forum, has launched an indefinite hunger strike from today demanding that the seven mega hydro power projects proposed in Dzongu (North Sikkim) be stopped and other projects in the state reviewed by the state government.

Two ACT members-Dawa.T.Lepcha (general secretary) and Tenzing Lepcha (executive member), accompanied by another member Tshering Ongden Lepcha, sat on the indefinite hunger strike in front of Bhutia-Lepcha community house here.

The members will be joined by other ACT members, monks and representatives from other associations in the latter stages, said Athup Lepcha, ACT president. Candles were lit and banners plastered on the front wall of the community house. The strike will continue until their demands are met.

According to ACT, 22 mega hydel projects are planned in Sikkim out of which 13 falls in North Sikkim, the largest district in the state. Highlighting that the Dzongu is a protected area and its inhabitants (Lepchas) have been declared as Primitive Tribe by the state government, the forum alleged that the last bastion of the Lepchas will be devastated through 'so called developmental projects'.

ACT president Athup Lepcha said more than half of Dzongu, especially the upper region, is inside the Kanchenzonga National Park and Kanchenzonga Biosphere Reserve, but 4005 hectares of the Biosphere Reserve were being offered to the project company in the guise of Catchment Area, including portions of the core zone, Kanchenzonga National Park, Mr Lepcha told newspersons.

A submission was also made to the forest department today by ACT questioning how the department can give environmental clearance to the project which comes under the Kanchenzonga National Park. ACT will be taking legal steps in this regard shortly, Mr Lepcha added.

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