More

    Nepal Faces Pressure to Protect Indigenous Lands Amid Hydropower Controversy

    CSRClean techNepal Faces Pressure to Protect Indigenous Lands Amid Hydropower...
    - Advertisment -

    Nepal Faces Pressure to Protect Indigenous Lands Amid Hydropower Controversy

    The coalition is demanding an immediate cessation of the Chhujung Khola project and an overhaul of the environment impact assessment process to ensure thorough and transparent assessments.

    A coalition of organizations and individuals is calling on the Government of Nepal to halt the Chhujung Khola Hydropower Project, citing serious human rights and environmental violations affecting the indigenous communities in the region. The project, operated by Sangrila Urja Pvt Ltd, is situated in Lungba Samba, Sankhuwasabha District, and is reported to threaten the ancestral lands of the Lhomi Singsa and Bhote communities.

    The Chhujung Khola project, which involves extensive road-building and land clearing, is poised to disrupt the livelihoods of local indigenous groups, particularly nomadic yak herders in the villages of Chyamtang, Thudam, and Ridak. These communities have relied on the land for generations for livestock grazing and the collection of medicinal herbs.

    In a joint statement, the undersigned groups highlighted significant discrepancies in the project’s environmental impact assessment (EIA), alleging that Sangrila Urja Pvt Ltd fabricated data, forged signatures during public consultations, and failed to engage meaningfully with the affected communities. Concerns were raised about the impact of the project on local ecosystems, including endangered species and vital waterways.

    “Development projects must respect the rights of indigenous peoples,” the statement emphasized, referencing both the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and Nepal’s own constitutional protections. The groups warned that the encroachment of hydropower and infrastructure projects jeopardizes not only the livelihoods but also the cultural heritage and environmental integrity of the region.

    - Advertisement -

    Right to Say No

    The Chhujung River, sacred to the Lhomi Singsa and Bhote peoples, is among the water bodies threatened by the project. Critics argue that the EIA is misleading, claiming only minor deforestation and neglecting to disclose the full extent of environmental damage, including the use of significant quantities of explosives near critical glaciers.

    In response to community grievances, the coalition is demanding an immediate cessation of the Chhujung Khola project and an overhaul of the EIA process to ensure thorough and transparent assessments. They stress the importance of obtaining free, prior, and informed consent from indigenous communities before proceeding with such projects.

    “Communities have the right to say no,” the statement asserts, urging the government to prioritize the rights of indigenous peoples in all future development initiatives.

    The call to action has gained international attention, with various organizations across Asia and beyond expressing solidarity with the affected communities in Nepal. As the debate continues, the fate of Lungba Samba’s biocultural heritage hangs in the balance, drawing scrutiny to the broader implications of hydropower development in Nepal and the need for sustainable, equitable practices.

    - Advertisement -

    LEAVE A REPLY

    Please enter your comment!
    Please enter your name here

    Latest news

    Sri Lanka’s Elephant Corridor Plan ‘Unscientific’

    Nearly 5,000 elephants and 1,600 people have been killed in the last 15 years in clashes between elephants and humans in Sri Lanka, home to one of the largest remaining populations of Asian elephants, according to official figures.

    New Projections Show Extreme Glacier Loss Already at 2°C

    Staying close to 1.5°C on the other hand preserves at least some glacier ice in all regions, even Scandinavia, with 20-30 per cent remaining in the four most sensitive regions; and 40-45 per cent in the Himalayas and Caucuses; stressing the growing urgency of the 1.5°C temperature goal and rapid decarbonization to achieve it.

    Government Extends Interest Relief for Farmers, Reinforces KCC and MISS as Pillars of Agricultural Credit

    Through the KCC framework, farmers benefit from revolving credit facilities for up to five years. This flexible structure allows them to draw and repay funds as per their seasonal requirements without having to reapply for loans each season.

    Legal Battle Brews Over Rampant Illegal Sand Mining in Meghna River

    The massive profits coupled with a weak legal framework have drawn influential individuals with political connections into the sand mining business, making it dangerous for environmental activists and journalists to speak out.
    - Advertisement -

    Yunus Warns of ‘War-Like Situation’ Amid Political Crisis and Rising Tensions

    The high-stakes meeting brought together 20 leaders from various political parties and organisations in two separate sessions, as Yunus sought to shore up support amid reports of internal tensions within his interim government and growing external pressure.

    Vice President Calls for Direct Subsidies and Agri-Entrepreneurship at Madhya Pradesh Conclave

    He urged agro-based industries, NGOs, MPs, and MLAs to adopt villages and help build agri-entrepreneurial ecosystems.

    Must read

    Sri Lanka’s Elephant Corridor Plan ‘Unscientific’

    Nearly 5,000 elephants and 1,600 people have been killed in the last 15 years in clashes between elephants and humans in Sri Lanka, home to one of the largest remaining populations of Asian elephants, according to official figures.

    New Projections Show Extreme Glacier Loss Already at 2°C

    Staying close to 1.5°C on the other hand preserves at least some glacier ice in all regions, even Scandinavia, with 20-30 per cent remaining in the four most sensitive regions; and 40-45 per cent in the Himalayas and Caucuses; stressing the growing urgency of the 1.5°C temperature goal and rapid decarbonization to achieve it.
    - Advertisement -

    More from the sectionRELATED
    Recommended to you