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Politics
SIBLAC chief asks PM Modi to pause new Sikkim hydropower projects after Nepal floods
✍️ India Today NE
🗓 27 Aug 2026, 12:36 AM
👁 4
A SIBLAC leader has urged Prime Minister Narendra Modi to halt approval of fresh hydropower schemes in Sikkim, citing the recent catastrophic floods in Nepal and calling for an independent probe into the projects’ environmental safety.
SIBLAC, a civil‑society platform focused on sustainable development, has formally requested Prime Minister Narendra Modi to suspend the clearance of any new hydropower projects in the Himalayan state of Sikkim. The appeal comes in the wake of the severe floods that swept across Nepal, causing extensive loss of life and property.
In a press statement, the SIBLAC representative warned that unchecked hydropower development could aggravate flood risks in the region, given the fragile ecology of the trans‑border river basins. The leader called for an independent, transparent investigation into the environmental impact assessments and safety protocols of both existing and proposed projects.
The call reflects growing unease among environmental groups about the cumulative effect of multiple dams on downstream water flow and disaster vulnerability. While the government has not yet issued a response, officials are expected to review the concerns ahead of upcoming project clearances.
The recent Nepal floods have reignited regional debates on watershed management, prompting neighboring states to reassess infrastructure plans that could influence cross‑border water dynamics.
In a press statement, the SIBLAC representative warned that unchecked hydropower development could aggravate flood risks in the region, given the fragile ecology of the trans‑border river basins. The leader called for an independent, transparent investigation into the environmental impact assessments and safety protocols of both existing and proposed projects.
The call reflects growing unease among environmental groups about the cumulative effect of multiple dams on downstream water flow and disaster vulnerability. While the government has not yet issued a response, officials are expected to review the concerns ahead of upcoming project clearances.
The recent Nepal floods have reignited regional debates on watershed management, prompting neighboring states to reassess infrastructure plans that could influence cross‑border water dynamics.