Make Teesta Dam Project Sustainable

Dear Shri Pawan Chamling


Chief Minister


Sikkim





We write to request your office to investigate into the Teesta Dam project. While local residents have raised their voice against the project, including a hunger strike that commenced on June 20, 2007 (see: http://weepingsikkim.blogspot.com/), it is surprising that such an large initiative can move forward without the buy-in of the very communities that the natural resources are being seized from.





Sustainability of our natural resources is a very important criteria in the development of such projects. For a brief summary of impacts of Dams please see http://www.idsnet.org/Resources/Dams/Development/Impact.html





Local community involvement and support is very feasible, if they are educated on the sustainability criteria that the proposed Dam meets, and its potential negative impacts. Such negative impacts can be evaluated independently for an unbiased assessment. This should also help with the local community buy-in.





Therefore we petition your office to kindly initiate an independent impact study of the Dam, as well as take effective steps to reduce any negative impacts. Yours is a beautiful state that has much to benefit through Sustainable Development initiatives. Please do not pass this opportunity to do your part in keeping it beautiful and ecologically sustainable.