Recently the State Government of Sikkim gave the go ahead to over 14 mega hydel power projects in the state. Six of them are planned in the Dzongu area which is the beautiful panoramic home to the indigenous Lepcha people of Sikkim and is a protected area.
As a protest to this, some leading Lepcha citizens, including members of the Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), Concerned Lepchas of Sikkim (CLOS) and the Sangha of Dzongu have commenced on an indefinite hunger strike since June 20. Since then, they have been joined by many more people, from young to old, men and women to support their cause to protect the beautiful land from environmental damage. Its been 14 days now with 3 members already admitted to the hospital with deteriorating health conditions.
Please extend your solidarity and support to the satyagrahis by writing to them and spreading the word. You can find more details here.
5 comments:
I did read this a while ago. It is enraging to see that the government is doing nothing. Whats the point of a democracy when the gov wants to make its own decision and not budge.
How have you been lady?
Well I would like to differ; every time a new hydro electricity project comes up, a set of people take a stance against it. I empathize on their health condition but no way with their ideology! Its 2007 and its high time NE comes forward with the mainland. A project like this will surely bring much more prosperity to the region.
http://www.voanews.com/english/2007-06-28-voa13.cfm
I wonder about the political motivation of the group on strike.
Moonie
You did told me about this and it is very important for bloggers like yourself to spread the word. Its the least we can do.
I think its important for progress to be made but not at the cost of people/nature/culture(s). I am sure Govt has some valid reason for developing these hydel projects but it is very important to work with people to find a solution that can solve the problem without causing harm to people/nature at large. When a Government stop listening to people, its not a democracy anymore and so it is important for people to raise their voices and make the Government listen because India is one of the few true democracies left in the world.
If anyone wants to sign the petition, they can do it here:
http://www.petitiononline.com/trb2007/petition.html
Hey Kaush, yeah its now been 27 days and the govt is doing nothing but asking the satyagrahis to withdraw the hunger strike.
I have been doing good, how about you ? :)
Moonie, I agree that hydel projects are important for prosperity, but at what cost? How many more such projects are required? As of today, these people have gone hungry for over 27 days. Still think there's any political motivation?
I completely agree with you Ricky, and thanks for the link :)
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