According to campaigners, the dams will be built either in the Khangchendzonga National Park or the North Sikkim biosphere reserve in the Dzongu region of the state – an area reserved for the Lepchas, the indigenous, historical rulers of Sikkim. Local people and environmentalists say that dams along the river Teesta, which runs through the heart of Sikkim, would be uneconomical and will devastate plant species and endangered animals. They also say it will have a negative impact on the Lepcha communities, who live a traditional, pastoral way of life and consider their land to be sacred.

The Indian government says that the dams, which are part of a larger 4,034-megawatt Teesta project, are essential for securing the region’s economic independence and raising income levels. Campaigners say that an adequate environmental impact assessment has not been conducted.

At the time of writing, the hunger strike had entered its 50th day and at least three villagers from the campaign group, the Affected Citizens of Teesta, had been hospitalised.

‘People are angry because they were never informed of the plans,’ said Kesang Bhutia, a UK-based campaigner for the Lepchas. ‘They were not told of the impact, the displacements of villages by the river Teesta, and I doubt they were paid compensation.’

October 2007