Anti-dam activists renew campaign against hydel projects

The ghost of anti-dam campaign has come back to haunt Uttarakhand.

After three major hydel projects were scrapped last year, it is now the turn of former Madhya Pradesh chief minister Uma Bharati to go on fast seeking review of all hydel projects on the river Ganga.

Last Tuesday, Bharati began her fast at the holy city of Haridwar and demanded that all the hydel projects on the river Ganga should be stopped immediately. Supported by K N Govindacharya, she asked the government to set up a Ganga Board for a thorough review of the hydropower policy.

On the other hand, anti-dam activists led by Chipko movement leader Sunderlal Bahuguna got a shot in the arm after getting open support from union minister of state for forests and environment Jairam Ramesh. “We welcome the statement of Ramesh on the issues pertaining to environment as well as his open support to Bahuguna ji,” said Dr Anil P Joshi, a social activist who has joined hands with Bahuguna to oppose hydel projects in the Himalayan region.

 

Dr Joshi and Bahuguna along with a host of other social activists have prepared draft proposal containing issues related to the protection of forest, water and land in the state. “We want all the political parties to include all these issues in their manifestos for the coming assembly elections in the state,” said Dr Joshi.

Dr Joshi and Bahuguna along with other social activists have prepared a draft proposal comprising issues related to the protection of forests, water and land in the state. “We want all political parties to adopt our issues in the manifestos for the coming assembly elections,” said Dr Joshi.

Social activists are also holding protests and sit in strikes at various districts like Pauri and Rudraprayag districts targeting hydel projects of top companies like L&T, GVK and Lanco. “We will continue to raise our voice against these projects,” said Radha Behen, a social activist, who is spearheading the “save rivers” campaign in Uttarakhand.