India
Conservation of the Teesta River
22nd October 1985, Dzongu Village. On this day, in the Indian state of Sikkim, a baby girl destined to become a warrior for her land and her people was born. She belonged to the ancient Lepcha tribe that had, for centuries, lived at the foothills of the world’s third-highest mountain, Mount Kanchenjunga. The girl was named Mayalmit Lepcha.
Long before the arrival of Christianity and Buddhism, the Lepcha people had worshipped mountains, rivers, and forests. At birth, every Lepcha child was brought to the riverside by their parents, where they were purified and introduced to the world. Newly married couples were blessed at the rivers’ confluence. In death, it was believed that the soul’s final resting place was at the foothills of Mount Kanchenjunga. The Lepcha people of Dzongu lived in perfect harmony with nature. And they had laws that safeguarded this balance.
However, this did not stop the central government from proposing large-scale mega hydro projects that would harm the Lepcha people’s ways of life. The plan was to divert the Teesta River, the very river that Mayalmit had swum in and picnicked beside as a child. She was in her first year of college when she got wind of these plans.
As one of the first generations of the Lepcha community to receive an education, Mayalmit understood the devastating repercussions these mega-dams could have. She put her college studies on hold and joined the historic Affected Citizens of Teesta hunger strike that lasted 915 days. This powerful act of collective resistance put immense pressure on the government and led to the cancellation of four proposed hydro-dam projects in the region.
Mayalmit then joined forces with International Rivers, a global organization that seeks a world where healthy rivers and the rights of local river communities are valued and protected. Together, they worked with women in the region to create awareness programs about climate change, organic farming, and their basic water and river rights. This collaboration not only amplified Mayalmit’s voice but also brought global attention and support to the cause.
Over time, the government began to take notice of Mayalmit—but they had little choice. A disastrous incident occurred in 2023 when a massive dam broke, unleashing a devastating flood that destroyed everything in its wake, including human lives. Had the government listened to the Indigenous voices, this could have been prevented.
And so, for Mayalmit, the fight goes on.
As the President of the Sikkim Indigenous Lepcha Tribal Association (SILTA, and General Secretary of Affected Citizens of Teesta (ACT), Mayalmit continues to advocate for the rights of not just the Lepchas and their land but for everyone whose lives are connected to the Teesta River.
Mayalmit and many others in Dzongu have successfully started sustainable community-led tourism initiatives with homestays and guided tours. Through these initiatives, they are spreading cultural awareness and knowledge among tourists, who, along with appreciating the natural beauty of Dzongu, are also able to understand the history and culture of the Lepcha community.
A river is a spectacular living corridor that sustains life. Any venture that disturbs or hampers its natural flow will have a profound negative effect on the staggeringly rich biodiversity it supports and the people who depend on it. This includes the building of dams.
While they have long symbolized humanity’s ability to harness nature and drive progress, mega dams come with a huge cost to Indigenous peoples and the environment. They often lead to the displacement of local populations, the destruction of their ancestral lands and cultural traditions, and the decimation of their livelihoods.
Environmentally, dams alter natural water flow, harm aquatic ecosystems, reduce biodiversity, and degrade water quality. They also contribute to the loss of forests and wildlife habitats, increase the risk of catastrophic flooding, and produce harmful methane that exacerbates climate change.
While dams provide renewable energy, other clean energy alternatives like solar and wind power are less invasive, can be deployed more quickly, have a smaller environmental footprint, and are increasingly cost-effective. Micro-hydro projects involving small-scale, community-led hydroelectric installations are also a viable alternative. These projects generate electricity without damming rivers, thus preserving their natural flow and the surrounding environment. They are particularly effective in remote, rural areas and provide a decentralized energy solution that empowers local communities.
Consider these tips:
Personal
Manage your water wisely. Rivers might be resilient, but they’re not indestructible. We must give them the care they need to keep flowing strong and remain available for humans and wildlife.
Those leaky faucets and toilets might seem like a tiny drip-drop, but over time, they add up to a ton of wasted water. If you can get them sorted out, you are keeping more of the water in the river—where it belongs.
Take shorter showers, turn off the tap while you brush your teeth and wash dishes, and water plants when it’s cooler outside—every drop helps when it comes to conserving water and easing the strain on our rivers.
Community
If we want to protect our rivers and ecosystems, we’ve got to join forces and speak up. Let’s collectively pressure the financing agencies, particularly international ones, to refrain from bankrolling hydropower projects. Without their cash, governments will lack the resources to proceed with these projects.
We can go a step further and amplify our message globally. While the impact of our actions may seem uncertain, it matters that we urge world leaders to prioritize the voices and needs of indigenous communities in addressing climate change and environmental degradation.
Share Your Ideas
Share your ideas:
What are some renewable power alternatives that can be adapted in place of mega hydropower? We would love to hear from you! Please send your feedback to engage@daughtersforearth.org. You can support all Daughters by visiting our website and becoming part of the solution here.
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