Tuesday, July 24, 2007

Petition to support the hunger strike by the people of Dzongu, Sikkim...

the most beautiful disappearing river

Petition to support the hunger strike by the people of Dzongu, SikkimDzongu is a reserved area in North Sikkim for the Lepchas, the indigenous people of Sikkim. The government has decided to build six hydel dams in the area under the 1200MW Teesta III project, one of which lies within one kilometre of the Khangchendzonga National Park. The proposed dams will have devastating effects in the region which is a bio-diversity hotspot with many species of rare flora and fauna.
The lives of the Lepcha communities are intricately woven into ecology around them.Inspite of the opposition by the people of Dzongu at the Public Hearings, the government is pushing ahead with their plans. Fearing the destruction of their communities and way of life, members of Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) launched an indefinite hunger strike to make their voices heard which started on 20th June, 2007.
Visit http://weepingsikkim.blogspot.com/ for the latest on the hunger strike by the people of Dzongu, Sikkim.

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