ACT approaches CEC on 280 MW Panan hydro project

[Guest guest]

On Behalf Of Tejal Dhulla Vishweshwar

Subject:ACT approaches CEC on 280 MW Panan hydro project (Press Release,

July 22nd)

 

 

 

Sadly the news that is brought to the nation by so many news channel fail to

get the 'REAL' news in public eye. Our fellow beings in Sikkim need all the

support & care, hope their voices are heard by the decision makers of the

country. Sign the petition & extend your support to the non-violent

movement going on in Sikkim;

<http://www.petitiononline.com/trb2007/petition.html>

http://www.petitiononline.com/trb2007/petition.html

 

-Tejal

 

 

 

 

 

 

-

 

Tseten Lepcha <golden_hope

 

Sunday, July 22, 2007 5:36 AM

 

ACT press release

 

 

 

AFFECTED CITIZENS OF TEESTA - North Sikkim

 

PRESS RELEASE 22nd July 2007

 

1. Reverend Stephen Lepcha, the Catholic Bishop of Darjeeling, visited the

members of Affected Citizens of Teesta in Satyagarha at the STNM Hospital

and BL house. He prayed for the welfare of the Lepcha Community and he hoped

that there will be an early and amicable solution between ACT and the State

Government.

 

2. ACT approaches CEC on 280 MW Panan hydro project

 

Environmental Clearance allows project related activities inside

Khangchendzonga National Park in violation of SC orders; CEC asks State

Government to respond

 

The Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT) has approached the Supreme Court

appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC), asking for an immediate stay on

the environmental clearance granted to the 280 MW Panan hydroelectric

project coming up in Dzongu, North Sikkim. The application highlights the

violation of important Supreme Court orders passed in Writ Petition (Civil)

202 of 1995, T.N.Godavarman Vs Union of India, popularly referred to as the

Forest Case. These orders prohibit carrying out certain activities inside

National Parks & Sanctuaries, whereas the Ministry of Environment & Forests

(MoEF) clearance illegally allows certain activities related to the Panan

hydroelectric project to be carried out inside the Khangchendzonga National

Park.

 

The application was filed on July 17th. An acknowledgement of the

seriousness of the issue is the fact that on the next day itself, July 18

th, the CEC has written to the Chief Secretary, Government of Sikkim, asking

for views of the State Government on the ACT application.

 

Former Forest Minister of Sikkim, Athup Lepcha, said: " The manner in which

the MoEF has granted clearance to the Panan hydroelectric project in Sikkim

in violation of Supreme Court orders is indeed shocking. The MoEF and its

Expert Committee on River Valley & Hydroelectric Projects is continuing its

recent trend of allowing destructive large hydroelectric projects in the

ecologically and culturally sensitive Teesta river basin. I am afraid to say

that the MoEF is increasingly functioning only as a 'clearing house' giving

rubber stamp clearances. With the very ministry in charge of safeguarding

the environment acting in such a callous manner, the ecological security of

the country in general and Sikkim in particular is threatened. The State

Government seems hell bent to implement these projects at all costs, even if

it means violating SC orders. "

 

Tseten Lepcha

 

Chief coordinator

 

ACT