Stand With River Protectors in India

The Teesta River in the state of Sikkim, India, has become a contested battleground between the government and local indigenous Lepcha and Bhutia communities. The government wants to build the Teesta IV Dam on the last free-flowing stretch of river. Already over 71 kms (44 miles) of the river – which flows through earthquake-prone, ecologically and geologically fragile terrain – is either in reservoirs or diverted through tunnels for hydropower generation. The Lepchas have sustained a long and peaceful protest to save their sacred river and prevent the defilement of their sacred landscape.

People who depend on the Teesta River holding a prayer ceremony to honor the place it has in their lives.

Photo courtesy of Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT)

Sonam Paljor Denjongpa, a senior Buddhist monk of the region, says that the Teesta IV Dam would destroy the Dzongu Reserve, the heart of their sacred land. “We hope the state and central governments and their expert committees will honour our cultural and religious heritage and allow no more destruction of our sacred landscape.”

Ask the Indian government to respect indigenous rights and protect the sacred Teesta River by denying approval for the Teesta IV Dam.

Prayer flags fly over the Teesta River in Sikkim, India.

Photo by Samir Mehta/International Rivers

Indian sociologist Vibha Arora explains that local citizens are protesting not only because of displacement, but because "the region’s cultural and ethnic traditions are rooted in the river Teesta and its environs.”

Despite a proper public consultative process, the government of India is due to consider the Teesta IV hydropower project on November 19 for approval of diversion of forest lands and November 23 for environmental approval.

Support the indigenous communities, Indian environmental groups, civil society, and the Power Minister of Sikkim who all oppose this project. Take a stand against the Teesta IV Dam now!