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.

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.