Forum as voice of dam displaced
www.thestatesman.net
KALIMPONG, May 30. — In a drive to strengthen “people’s movement,” against the NHPC, a committee of families affected by the dams over the Teesta (Sikkim and West Bengal), was formed here today.
Alleging that the corporation has been fiddling with the terms and conditions fixed by it for the affected families, members of the Teesta Sangarsh Samiti have claimed that this newly formed body has the strength and courage to fight for the rights of those affected.
The co-convener of the body, Mr Subash Khannal, said: “We are still in the dark about the effects and impacts these series of dams would have on lives and environment.” Mr Khannal is a resident of Raley in east Sikkim, where a dam under Stage-V is being initiated by the NHPC.
“An 18-kilometre underground tunnel which touches the 18 gram panchayat units has also been dug by the NHPC. As a result, several houses (and property) above it have cracked. And it is a fact that they have not even hinted about any sort of compensation,” Mr Khem Lal Dahal, a member, said.
“We have no knowledge about the direction of power that will be generated from the ten proposed dams by the NHPC and its benefits to us,” he said.
The samiti, which comprises members from the Teesta V (Sikkim), Teesta Lower Dam Project (TLDP)-III and IV inWest Bengal, will also highlight the effects of pollution and a possible flood in case of the release of surplus water stored in the dam.
They said that a movement would be launched against the NHPC if the latter fails to address these problems.
Organisers of the workshop — Nespon, Delhi Forum and Rashtriya Van Shramjeevi Manch — have also confirmed their support to the samiti.
June 3rd, 2005 at 1:54 am
Dam(n) Them!!!
The question of ‘Damming the Teesta” has both positive as well as negating factors.
Without going into the depths of it all, any dam projects,big or small, raises the question of “Development V/s Destruction.”
As regards to Damming of the Testa, i forsee ONLY destruction on our(hill side) whereas the majority of the developmental advantage/s will be going to the plains,be it hydo-electricity,water for irrigation etc.
The fragile ecological balance has already been disturbed in many places where work for the dams have commenced.One can be, but mute witness to it all.I do understand that the NHPC is a strong might to take on,but they too have to see things from our perspective.Even the locals there haven’t been taken fully into confidence about the consequences of building not one dam,but 5 damns on the river……the above article just goes on to prove just that…and what about compensation for the ppl. in/directly affected by this????
With the coming up of such damn,the bio-cyles of many species will definately be hampered.Seen in the micro-level ,Teesta has varieties of fishes that travel upstream to breed, i fear we will have to wish them farewell forever.i have’nt heard of even one dam in India having a “fish step” for their annual upriver sojourn.(Most of the dams in the developed countries look into little details like this too!!)
I understand that the NBU, (the Eco.Dept) was responsible for clearing off the Environmental Assesment Plan(EAP)..they should make this document public.
Teesta has only recently opened door to river-tourism.The dams on it will definately play a BIG spoil sport to this nacent source of employment.Also lately, Teesta is proving to be a major “fishing-spot” for many ,even the locals are taking active part in this exciting sport.I did see a mention of Teesta seen in some major media publications as well as on T.V.
Historically,the ‘68 flood sceanario has happened …it is bound to happen again..climatic changes , GLOF (Glacerial Lake Outburst) could spell disaster for even the ppl. of the plains.
I have but a few words for the NHPC and associated agencies involved in “raping of our sister,Teesta”
“DAMN BE TO ALL OF YOU!!!”