Gangtok: The Affected Citizens of Teesta start a four-day march on July 24. They want to stop hydropower expansion in Sikkim. The group will walk from Phidang village in Dzongu to the Teesta and Rangeet river confluence. They plan to stop in Dikchu, Singtam, Rangpo, and Melli. The route depends on the monsoon weather.
Gyatso Lepcha leads the movement. He claims the march honors two decades of river activism. "This foot march is to celebrate our 19 years of struggle. It is also a tribute to all those who stood by us in this movement and are no longer with us. At the same time, it is a celebration of the spirit of the Teesta River," Lepcha said. He believes this event will be the first community-led environmental march of its kind in the state.
Activists demand the cancellation of the Teesta Stage IV and the 280 MW Panan Hydropower Project. They want the government to turn the stretch between Teesta Stage V and Stage III into a protected sanctuary. This includes the Rongyong River. They also seek updated Environmental Impact Assessments for projects like Teesta Stage VI. Recent glacial floods destroyed the basin. Old data is now useless. Lepcha argues these studies must be redone before any new construction begins. The timing is intentional. They want to force a public conversation while the river remains at high flood risk.
The group intends to deliver a formal memorandum to the Sikkim government once the walk ends. They hope to meet the Chief Minister or the Governor. They will press for tougher conservation laws and a total audit of all current energy projects.
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