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Hydro Power Development and the Lepchas: A case study of the Dzongu in Sikkim, India

Author Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Geography, North Eastern Hill University, Shillong. Meghalaya, INDIA

Int. Res. J. Social Sci., Volume 2, Issue (8), Pages 19-24, August,14 (2013)

Abstract

The Teesta hydro power projects in Sikkim promises development prospects for the people living in the remote and backward area of North Sikkim where the Dzongu the sacred land of the Lepchas (covering an area of about 78sq km) is located. The Lepchas are the original inhabitants of Sikkim but at present constitute less than 15% of the total population of the state are threatened by this development project as they fear that their unique identity and religious practices rooted in their natural surroundings will be taken away by such projects. Hence the Lepchas along with the civil society are engaged in Gandhian protests against such projects as they feel that the development of the projects here will not only take away their holy land but also lead to demographic changes besides destroying the fragile natural environment which cannot sustain heavy constructional activities associated with Hydro- power development. It is against this background that the present paper highlights on the loss of the unique culture and religious practices of the Lepchas, the environmental vulnerability and livelihood losses associated with such projects. The data source for this paper is from both secondary and primary sources generated during field investigation and the method is theoretical.

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