Achi news desk-
Sonam Wangchuk
– Photo: Agency
expansion
More than 60 environmental and social organizations in the country have demanded a total ban on all mega infrastructure projects like railways, dams, hydroelectric projects and four-lane highways in the Himalayas. These organizations also requested to make the referendum and public consultation mandatory for all development projects.
The organizations jointly leading the People for Himalaya campaign released a five-point demand manifesto to all political parties ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections during an online press conference. They called for a complete halt to all mega infrastructure projects related to railways, dams, hydro projects, construction of tunnels, transmission lines and four-lane highways along with a comprehensive review of the impacts of existing projects.
Referendum for projects
The organizations demanded that democratic decisions through referendums and public consultations be mandatory for large infrastructure projects. The organizations also demanded strengthening of the Environmental Impact Assessment Notice-1994, cancellation of EIA-2020 amendments and FCA-2023 amendments and prior informed consent of Gram Sabhat for all development projects. agency
Industries exploiting the wealth of the Himalayas: Sonam Wangchuk
Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk said that while industries exploit the wealth of the Himalayas, local people bear the brunt of disasters. The government uses taxpayers’ money to fund reconstruction efforts, but those who benefit are not held accountable. He said that the officials of Chandigarh or Lucknow cannot fully understand the fragility of this region. Even the best person can make mistakes and even the worst person will sell it to industries. Mohan Saikia of the North-East Dialogue Forum has warned of the serious ecological impacts of proposed hydropower development on the Brahmaputra and its valleys without the consent of local indigenous communities.
