Power projects in Himalayan region ‘causing landslides’

Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk said that the model of ‘Viksit Bharat’ should not be a copy of so-called developed western countries. Addressing a press conference here today, he said, “We have water, clean air and very rich cultural heritage and we are already quite developed. India will become a ‘Vishav Guru’ (world leader) if we are able to teach the world to conserve and constructively harness our natural resources.”

The environmentalist alleged that benefiting corporate business houses at the cost of rural habitations and tax payers was not constructive development. He said, “Green pastures in Ladakh will be converted into solar power plants which will affect the pashmina farming of the rural civilizations, which is also a source of foreign income.”

He added that construction of hydro power projects in the Himalayan region had increased the occurrences of floods and landslides and people are suffering heavy losses and this type of development should be done thoughtfully.

Wangchuk said that people of the cities lavishly consume resources and they should be made aware of the importance of simple living because nature would not be able to bear over exploitation for long. He said, “The clock was ticking and if we do not mend our ways now, the effects would be irreversible just after a very short period.”

Wangchuk said that he had no plans to join politics but wanted the people of Ladakh to be able to participate in the decision making process related to their region. He said, “About 100 people from Leh had started their ‘padyatra’ to Delhi on September 1 to remind the government to restore democracy and establish Autonomous District Councils in Ladakh.” He added that they had received warm appreciation and support en route.

Wangchuk said they would be in Himachal for the next four days and cover Pandoh, Ner Chowk and Bilaspur. He said that for the next six days they will go through Punjab covering Ropar, Kurali, Kharar before reaching Chandigarh. He added that the yatra would conclude in Delhi on October 2.

Even earlier on March 6, the environmentalist held a 21-day fast in Ladakh for the same cause and got support from all over the country. After this, Wangchuk began a sit-in which was called off on May 10 in view of the Lok Sabha elections. Though the government did not accede to the demand for statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, Wangchuk is still pursuing the movement.