ACT Urges Sikkim to Decommission Controversial Dams After Landslide

August 24, 2024

The Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) are urging the Sikkim government to shut down the NHPC Stage V and Stage III dams. Their demand follows a major landslide near Singtam, which caused significant damage to important structures, including the Balutar Teesta Stage V GIS building. This incident has raised serious concerns about the safety and environmental impact of nearby hydropower projects.

Background of the Landslide

The landslide occurred at a place called Dipu Dara, and ACT believes it was caused by the underground tunnels built for the Teesta Stage V hydropower project. According to ACT, these tunnels, which were created to support the power station, may have triggered the landslide. This raises worries about the safety of the entire area around the hydropower project.

Rethinking the Development Model

ACT’s General Secretary, Gyatsho Tongden Lepcha, is calling on the government to reconsider its focus on hydropower as the main driver of development in Sikkim. He argues that these projects are harming the environment and local communities. In particular, he has urged the government to cancel the NHPC 520 MW Stage IV project, which has been controversial.

Overview of the Teesta Stage V Project

The Teesta Stage V project is part of a larger plan to generate 3,635 MW of hydropower in the region. It began operations in 2008 and can produce 510 MW of power. However, it has been shut down since October due to a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) that caused widespread damage along the Teesta River.

Consequences of Hydropower Development

ACT highlights the severe damage caused by the series of dams along the Teesta River. They point out that these projects have led to the loss of lives, destruction of homes, and damage to infrastructure in Sikkim. They believe that the negative social and environmental impacts of these dams, especially the run-of-the-river systems, outweigh the benefits they provide.

Criticism of Recognition and Accountability

ACT criticized the recent award given to NHPC’s Teesta-V power station, seeing it as an attempt to distract from the ongoing protests and issues related to the dams. The organization also expressed frustration over the lack of accountability from the hydropower developers, especially as the infrastructure in Sikkim continues to deteriorate. The combination of the GLOF event and dam failures has caused significant displacement in areas like Toong Naga village. ACT believes that while the media often focuses on the GLOF, the bigger issue of dam infrastructure failure is not being discussed enough.

The Reality of Run-of-the-River Projects

Run-of-the-river hydropower projects are often promoted as environmentally friendly, but ACT argues that they still involve extensive tunneling and blasting. These activities have serious and long-lasting social impacts on local communities, challenging the perception that these projects are low-impact or safe for the environment.

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