More than 60 environmental and social organizations in the country have jointly called for a complete ban on all mega infrastructure projects, including railways, dams, hydro projects, and highways in the Himalayas. They are urging for referendums and public consultations to be mandatory for all such projects. These groups, leading the “People for Himalaya” campaign, issued a five-point demand charter for all political parties ahead of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
Their demands include a moratorium on all mega infrastructure projects, a multidisciplinary review of existing project impacts, and mandatory democratic decision-making through referendums and public consultations.
They also seek to strengthen the Environment Impact Assessment Notification-1994, and oppose the EIA-2020 and FCA-2023 amendments. They advocate for the free prior informed consent of gram sabhas for all development projects.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, who recently fasted for 21 days demanding Ladakh’s inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, expressed concern over the exploitation of Himalayan resources by industries, leading to local communities bearing the brunt of disasters. He emphasized the need for accountable governance.
Mohan Saikia from the Northeast Dialogue Forum highlighted the ecological threats posed by massive hydropower projects on the Brahmaputra river and its basins, emphasizing the necessity of local indigenous communities’ consent.
Guman Singh from the Himalaya Niti Abhiyan and Atul Sati from the Joshimath Bachao Sangharsh Samiti pointed out the Beas floods and land subsidence in Joshimath as examples of man-made, policy-led disasters.
Vimla Vishwapremi of the Parvatiya Mahila Adhikar Manch, Himachal Pradesh, highlighted the plight of pastoralists, landless Dalits, and women, who are disproportionately affected by these disasters yet receive inadequate support.
Anmol Ohri from the Climate Front Jammu warned of the increased flood risk due to pilgrim tourism, road construction in glacial regions, and riverfront development projects in Himalayan region.
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