Free-flowing rivers: Teesta declaration on environmental concerns of North-East

Statement by the Global Secretariat of the International Indigenous Peoples Movement for Self-Determination and Liberation:

***

Representatives from various indigenous groups and environmental organizations convened in Gangtok, Sikkim, for the North East India Meet on Free Flowing Rivers. The gathering, hosted by the Affected Citizens of Teesta, Centre for Research and Advocacy (Manipur), and the Borok Peoples Human Rights Organization, concluded with a significant resolution aimed at safeguarding the region’s rivers and biodiversity.

The Teesta Declaration outlined pressing concerns regarding the construction of large dams in the region, highlighting the environmental, social, and climatic impacts. Participants vehemently opposed the continuation of projects such as the 1200 MW Teesta III dam in Sikkim and urged for its decommissioning, citing the catastrophic burst of the dam on October 4, 2023, which resulted in the loss of lives and extensive property damage.

The resolution of the North East India Meet on Free-Flowing Rivers here:

We, the participants of the North East India meet on Free Flowing Rivers, held at Gangtok, Sikkim, organized by the Affected Citizens of Teesta, Centre for Research and Advocacy, Manipur and the Borok Peoples Human Rights Organization from 29 till 30 November 2023 resolved the following:

Ensure the free and unhindered flow of all Rivers in Sikkim and across North East India. Recognize the rights of River to flow free.
Recognize the intrinsic survival and cultural relationship of indigenous peoples and their self-determined development over their rivers, forest and land.
The Government should stop building large dams in North East India due to fragile biodiversity, high seismicity, increased disaster, climate change and myriad social and environment impacts.
Scrap and decommission the 1200 MW Teesta III dam in Sikkim.
Stop plans to build 520 MW Teesta IV dam in Sikkim, 3097 MW Etalin dam in Arunachal Pradesh, 190 MW Pabram Dam in Manipur etc in North East India. No more dams in Sikkim and Himalayan region.
The Government should stop the classification of large hydroelectric project as green, clean, renewable energy and climate friendly solutions due to their climate, social and environment impacts.
The Government should recognise/acknowledge the non-feasibility of building dams in the Himalayas in North East India due to impact of climate change, such as Glacial Lake Outburst, landslides, earthquake.
International Financial Institutions, viz, World Bank, Asian Development Bank and other bilateral donors, should stop financing large dams and related infrastructures across North East India.
The Government should promote sustainable and just energy sosolutionsnd feasible alternatives in close consultation and rightful participation of all communities across North East India.
Ensure rightful participation of all communities in all development decision making affecting their rivers, land, forest, lives and future.
Frame Mountain and Rivers Protection policies rooted in recognition of community rights and intrinsic relationship with Rivers and mountains.

The participants affirm that rivers are our life and source of folksong, identity and culture of indigenous peoples in North East India. Rivers are source of religious and recreational space. Rivers have rights to flow free.

Free flowing rivers are crucial for the sustenance of people, fishes, fragile ecosystems and good climate in the Himalayas.

Concerned that the free flow of our Rivers are obstructed by the construction of large dams, viz, 1200 MW Teesta III Hydroelectric Project, 510 MW Teesta V hydroelectric project, 2000 MW Lower Subansiri dam, 105 MW Loktak Hydroelectric Project, Mapithel dam, Dumbur dam, etc.
Took serious note of the bursting of the 1200 MW Teesta III dam on 4 October 2023 that lead to loss of lives and destruction of massive properties. Concerned with the unaccountability of the dam project authorities and government for lack of preparedness to prevent the disaster. Express solidarity with the suffering of all the people and families affected by Teesta III dam disaster.
Express our concern with rapid climate change, melting of Himalayan glaciers, causing glacial lake outburst, landslides and has increased the disaster potential in North East India.
Condemns the classification of large dams, including 1200 MW Teesta III Hydroelectric Project as green, clean and sustainable climate change solutions. Dams are no solution to climate crisis, but worsen it.
The massive pursuance of mega infrastructure projects, roads, high voltage transmission and distribution lines to support large dams, caused deforestation and violence on our earth and people.
Concern with the ongoing plans to build the 520 MW Teesta IV Dam, Etalin dam, Dibang dam, Tawang dam etc across North East India.
Concerned with the push for large dam building in a high seismic area and biodiversity hotspot area without the consultation and consent of the indigenous peoples in North East India.
Concerned with increased financing of large dams and infrastructures by Asian Development Bank, World Bank, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, etc. that intensify adverse impacts and debt burden of North East region, besides adverse impacts.
Concerned that multinational companies are benefiting from dam building, while remaining unaccountable from the violence on earth and people.
Concerned with dilution of laws, such as EIA Notification, 2020, FCA Amendment Rules, 2023, that will facilitate pursuance of unjust energy solutions like large dams.

Comments

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani* India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

A Marxist intellectual who dwelt into complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape

By Harsh Thakor* Professor Manoranjan Mohanty has been a dedicated advocate for human rights over five decades. His work as a scholar and activist has supported revolutionary democratic movements, navigating complex areas of the Indian socio-political landscape. His balanced, non-partisan approach to human rights and social justice has made his books essential resources for advocates of democracy.

Four J&K MLAs visit Wular lake, pledge support to fisher community, environmental conservation

By Shamim Ahmed* In a historic meeting that highlighted both environmental and social concerns, four Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) visited Wular Lake to meet with the fisherfolk community, signaling a significant step in addressing their longstanding issues. This gathering, organized with the support of dedicated advocates, marks a strengthening of efforts to both safeguard the lake’s ecosystem and support the community’s welfare.

Supreme Court’s dismissal of PIL on Covid vaccine safety is counter to known science and mathematics

By Bhaskaran Raman* On 14 Oct 2024, the Supreme Court of India dismissed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) on the side-effects of the Covid vaccine. In 2021, the world saw the rollout of various Covid vaccine candidates. In India, Bharat Biotech’s Covaxin and Serum Institute of India’s Covishield were rolled out. Covishield was nothing but Oxford’s AstraZeneca relabelled in India. The importance of open-minded and scientific probe of Covid vaccine safety In 2020/2021, all Covid vaccines were authorized for emergency use, which meant that the necessary efficacy and safety follow-up was incomplete at that time. The originally approved trials – called randomised controlled trials (RCT) had a “vaccine” group and a “placebo” group for comparison. Such experimental comparison/control is the cornerstone of the scientific method – which even children learn in photosynthesis experiments in class-1. The vaccine trials were scheduled to conclude in late 2022/early 2023. For instance, Covax...

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor* Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Buddhist shrines were 'massively destroyed' by Brahmanical rulers: Historian DN Jha

Nalanda mahavihara By Our Representative Prominent historian DN Jha, an expert in India's ancient and medieval past, in his new book , "Against the Grain: Notes on Identity, Intolerance and History", in a sharp critique of "Hindutva ideologues", who look at the ancient period of Indian history as "a golden age marked by social harmony, devoid of any religious violence", has said, "Demolition and desecration of rival religious establishments, and the appropriation of their idols, was not uncommon in India before the advent of Islam".

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad* On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

Search This Blog