In Sikkim, environmental issue get top priority

Gangtok: Endowed with rich natural resources, Sikkim is among the few places in India where ecological issues are at the forefront of the political debate during elections. [caption id=“attachment_1470737” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Reuters[/caption] Though the ruling Sikkim Democratic Government (SDF) has successfully taken a number of environment protection initiatives in the last two decades of their rule like increasing forest cover and making agriculture organic, they are facing flak for allowing a series of hydropower projects. To tap its rich water resource for generating revenue in the Himalayan state, 4000 MW power generating units are under construction at present while the state government wants to add another 5000 MW capacity. Pradesh Congress president A D Subba alleges that Teesta and Rangeet rivers have been badly hurt due to dams and powerhouses. “They are going for mindless economic development. We are now at the risk of an Uttarakhand like disaster,” he says putting the blame on booming pharmaceuticals industry. The party has promised an eco-friendly industry policy if voted to power in the April 12 Assembly polls. Former Sikkim Chief Minister Nar Bahadur Bhandari says that anyone in power must remember that Sikkim is a fragile state in terms of its ecology and also faces threat as it lies in a seismic zone. “We cannot forget this and allow destruction in the name of development,” Bhandari says, adding that people in the state are quite aware of ecological issues. Denying the charges, senior SDF leader Bhim Dahal claims that for the 18 power projects under construction only two houses had to be shifted. “Our projects have not caused any disturbance. This is our success but political opponents are making it an issue before the elections. For us development means clean development. Environment security is our top priority,” he says. Buddhist monks are also up in arms against the government contending many such hydropower projects are disturbing the serenity of monasteries which are nestled in peaceful hill forests with rivers flowing nearby. Dechen Lama, a senior monk, complains that a Rs 494 crore power project in West Sikkim is disturbing spiritual activities in Tashiding monastery. “Below the hill they are drilling to make a tunnel for hydropower project. As the monastery is on the top of that hill, our peace is disturbed,” he says. Echoing him, 40-year-old monk Namgyal Siring from north Sikkim says “obstructing nature” goes against the tenets of Buddhist philosophy. Monks wield influence during elections as not only they have a special seat ‘Sangha’ reserved for them but some of them also campaign and even contest for parties With Chief Minister Pawan Chamling at helm, Sikkim is being developed as the country’s first fully organic state. He has even promised to start a course on weather science for which they will collaborate with the Imperial College of London. Sikkim’s forest cover has increased from 44 per cent to 47 per cent at a time when most states are struggling to protect their existing forests. “Our movement to make Sikkim a complete green state will be pursued till we reach our goal. We aim to give Sikkim a unique identity as a natural university of the world,” pledges the party manifesto. PTI