The Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) has begun a four-day foot march from Phidang in Dzongu, marking 19 years of its movement to protect the Teesta River and raise concerns over hydropower development in Sikkim. The march, which commenced after a traditional Lepcha ritual, is being held under the theme ‘Teesta Matters to Me.’
The movement is not confined to the people of Dzongu alone, but is a cause for every citizen of Sikkim, according to ACT General Secretary Gyatso Lepcha. ‘This is not only a movement for the people of Dzongu. It is a movement for all the people of Sikkim because the Teesta belongs to everyone,’ he said.
Lepcha alleged that the construction of hydropower projects and dams along the Teesta has become a bane for the state, claiming that instead of bringing economic development, several areas along the Teesta belt are witnessing land subsidence and environmental degradation. He also referred to the recent tunnel tragedy at the Teesta Stage VI Hydropower Project, highlighting the risks associated with large-scale construction activities in the fragile Himalayan region.
Calling for stronger environmental safeguards, Lepcha urged the government to allow the river to flow in its natural course. ‘Let the Teesta flow as it is. Rivers should not be treated merely as sources of power generation,’ he said. The movement will continue until the organisation’s demands are addressed, Lepcha added.
Winona Lepcha, an affected citizen of Teesta, said the walk is for the river, the mountains, and Sikkim, and that most of the participants are youngsters with the guidance of elders. She highlighted the challenges posed by the 2023 GLOF and the lack of accountability for the destruction along the river banks.
The foot march is scheduled to conclude at Melli, where ACT will submit a memorandum to the Governor and the Chief Minister outlining its demands.
