Teesta River is a 315 km (196 mi) long river that rises in the eastern Himalayas, flows through the Indian states of Sikkim and West Bengal through Bangladesh and enters the Bay of Bengal. Teesta River is a crucial part of the state, culturally extremely important to the people of Sikkim, revered as one of the deities of the land. The land itself holds caves, mountains, lakes, and rivers that are objects of worship for the people of Sikkim, mainly the indigenous Lepcha people. Located in the northwest of Sikkim, since early 60’s Dzongu has been reserved for the Lepcha community and borders the Kanchendzonga Biosphere Reserve. The river is considered by the government as a literal “white-gold mine” and the vast hydropower resource has a potential estimated to about more than 6000 MW in power and thousands of crores (10 million) in capital (rupees).

Affected Citizens of Teesta, is a forum which consisted mainly of indigenous Sikkimese (Lepchas) have been advocating and fighting against the hydropower projects since early 2004, since the proposal of hydropower projects and dams near Dzongu. The hunger strike that went on in 2007, 2008 and 2009 which was historic in Sikkim led by ACT against the instalments of big Dams in the local rivers spoke in volumes that led the charge. After the long period of strike, the government decided to scrap 4 projects of the 6 most destructive ones in Dzongu. 510 MW Teesta HEP stage IV and the Panam HEP 300 MW was withheld for many years. The new government formed in Sikkim has announced the supposed approval of the Stage IV dam. To save the last free-flowing, untouched stretch of Teesta, the campaign Save Teesta has started.

 

 

Disastrous Flood of River Teesta in 2023 

Since 1990, the number and size of the Glacial lakes have been increasing across the Himalayas. With 90 million people exposed to the impacts of the GLOF Disaster across 30 countries living in 1089 basins containing glacial lakes, these disasters are never quantified at a global scale. 62% (~9.3 million) of the globally exposed population are located in the HMA region. 1 million people living within 10 km of a glacial lake of High Mountains Asia are exposed to such disasters. GLOF events are set to become more common, particularly in Himalayan states like Sikkim which are vulnerable to the effects of global warming. In the early hours of October 4, the glacier-fed South Lhonak Lake in North Sikkim breached, causing a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) that destroyed the state’s largest hydropower plant and left at least 35 people dead and around 104 missing as of October 9. A second glacial lake, Shako Cho in northern Sikkim, was on high alert and nearby villages evacuated just a day after the flood, due to fears that it, too, would breach. 

The persistent protest led particularly by the ACT (Affected Citizens of Teesta), which gained regional, national, and international attention had resulted in the scrapping of four hydropower projects in North Sikkim in the early 2000s, however, what stands out perplexing is the fact that despite such contestation and protests, hydropower development on Teesta, the projects continue to be consistently undertaken by the State Governments as well as the power companies. 

“The Andes and HMA have the highest levels of corruption and social vulnerability and lowest levels of human development, while the contrary is true for the European Alps, PNW and High Arctic and Outlying Countries.” Located at the intersection of South, Central, and East Asia, the massive Tibetan Plateau is often considered to be Earth’s “Third Pole.” A land of large glaciers, permafrost, and heavy snow, the plateau feeds a vast network of rivers, including major waterways like the Ganges, Indus, Mekong, Yangtze, and Yellow. These rivers, which together make up Asia’s “water tower,” provide water to nearly 40% of the world’s population. Sikkim and Darjeeling form a part of Earth’s Third Pole and River Teesta is an important lifeline that merges with River Meghna in Bangladesh.  

Rivers in the Himalayas call for careful reconsideration when constructing hydroelectric dams, emphasizing the need for thorough risk assessments during implementation. The story of the River Teesta is one of many water stories that have been adversely affected by hydro dams. Despite the claims by politicians and industry actors that hydro is “clean and green,” hydroelectric dam development has numerous environmental, social, economic, and political impacts on communities around the world. 

With 47 dams either proposed or commissioned and 14 pharmaceutical companies mushrooming along the river belt of River Teesta, such disasters prompt reflection on potential hazards for downstream communities in this fragile ecosystem.

Hydropower Development and Its Consequences 

Hydropower development has been a cornerstone of economic growth and energy production in many regions, including the states of Sikkim and West Bengal along the Teesta River. However, the construction of hydroelectric dams is associated with a range of negative impacts on local communities and the environment. The environmental impacts of hydropower are significant, including the destruction of forests, wildlife habitats, agricultural land, and scenic areas, which can sometimes force human populations to relocate. 

The social implications are equally concerning. Displacement and dispossession of land due to dam construction are correlated with depression and other mental health issues. In some cases, such as in the Alto Bio region of Chile, the damages from the construction of hydropower projects played a role in rising suicide rates among the local population. The strain on local infrastructure and resources, including education, transportation, healthcare, electricity, and job opportunities, can lead to reductions in self-rated health and lower social capital, particularly trust, after the construction of dams. 

Furthermore, hydropower projects can lead to involuntary migration and dislocation, causing socio-cultural and economic changes in the community. Indigenous populations are particularly vulnerable to the destructive displacement risks associated with hydropower development, which can include landlessness, joblessness, homelessness, and marginalization. 

Mental Health and Disaster 

The mental health impacts of disasters such as floods are profound, multifaceted, and often not identified. The environmental disaster is often related to infrastructure loss and human loss but the impact of the disaster, be it any disaster, leads to a trauma that is often not discussed like mitigating environmental disasters. The dialogues and narratives build around building infrastructure like houses and roads but the fear that such disasters cost is often a secondary issue. The Teesta River disaster, for example, has highlighted the urgent need for mental health support and trauma counseling as integral parts of the rehabilitation process. The prevalence of mental health issues among those affected by hydropower dams and related disasters is well-documented, with economic hardship linked to increased psychological stress, a sense of helplessness, insecurity, and social isolation. 

The recent flood outburst in Sikkim's Teesta River, which led to the disappearance of 23 Army soldiers, underscores the mental health impact of such events. The uncertainty and distress caused by the disappearance of fellow soldiers can lead to profound psychological effects, including anxiety, depression, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The importance of developing appropriate plans, policies, and community education to respond to extreme events is vital for managing the catastrophe more wisely. 

 

Introducing the film, "Voices of Teesta"  

The film "Voices of Teesta" was funded by the CCMCC-NWO project under 1.3, “How hydropower re-distributes water, energy and risks.” (Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research) Project in alliance with SOPPECOM under the guidance of Dr. Deepa Joshi in 2015 - 2016.

With hydro energy being one of the convenient and available energy source for the development of any given State, the film tries to understand the relationship between various groups and communities of Sikkim and West Bengal with River Teesta. This film tries to trace the faint and unheard voices of local people who are affected by these developments. It travels from the source of River Teesta till the tip of the plains of North Bengal, and traverses through mini and mega hydro projects to capture these naked voices and their bond, angst, adaptation and reconciliation with River Teesta.

The story particularly revolves around the unique practices and beliefs of mountain communities and they express the significance of the river through their folklore, sacred rituals and scriptures. Communities from downstream struggle to balance their faith and religion with such developments and others confess the helpless need of sustaining and adapting to the changing economic patterns and surmounting unemployment.

The director Minket Lepcha is an awardee of Young Green Filmmaker 2016 in Woodpecker International Film Festival and the film ‘Voices of Teesta’ earned second position in the all India indigenous film festival called “Samuday ke Saath Short Film Festival.” This film also earned 10th position amongst 110 films in World Water Forum in Brazil 2018. The film has travelled in more than 50 places in a span of 7 years from local to global level.

The film team consisted of the following

• Director Minket Lepcha
• Editor Wangyal Sherpa and Salil Mukhia
• Cinematographer: Anup Aadin Das
• Sound Hishey Bhutia
• Research Kachyo Lepcha and Minket Lepcha

With the recent disaster that has occurred in our area and the film deals closely with the River Teesta, the screening of the film has become urgent to educate local people and provide knowledge to the locals of the region. The screening of the same film has been happening around more than 10 places around India and likely to screen in Canada also. The idea behind the physical screening is for people to come and gather together to reflect on the disaster that these fragile mountains are going through. The proceeds of the fundraiser will go towards building a mental health counselling group for the victims who have lost their loved ones and houses in Teesta River. The audience who will come for the screening need not directly contribute in fundraising. The poster will have a link where the audience or well wishers can directly donate to the link. The screening is also to educate young generation as the disaster is still very raw in our minds and if we do not raise awareness, the environmental crisis around our region will be disastrous.

Voices of Teesta has acted as an archive of human voices speaking of the river Teesta. The film is used as a curriculum in Vanderbilt University in United States of America to study human geography. The film is also a part of the curriculum for Water Classrooms designed by Living Water Museum. These classrooms has developed pedagogical tools using place-based, visually engaging and interactive content for middle school students that would enable students to reimagine just, resilient and equitable water futures. The “Water Classrooms” were initiated in Pune and was a joint collaboration of Living Waters Museum at the Centre for Water Research, Indian Institute of Science Education and Research (IISER), Pune and Centre for Environment Education, Pune, Science Activity Centre (IISER Pune) and contributors from Punyache Paani – Stories of Pune’s Waters.

The film is also shown in many schools populated by tribals in India as a part of the initiatives for acquiring Second place in the Institutional Category in Samuday Ke Saath National Film Competition of Tata Steel Foundation.

The Film and Its Impact 

The film captures the voices of local people affected by hydropower developments along the Teesta River. It highlights the unique practices and beliefs of mountain communities and their struggle to balance faith, tradition, and economic necessity in the face of these developments. 

The film has been instrumental in raising awareness about the environmental and cultural issues surrounding the Teesta River. It has been screened in various locations in India and is expected to be screened in Canada and other countries. The screenings serve as a platform for reflection on the environmental crises these regions face and the urgent need for action. 

In conclusion, the case study of the documentary film "Voices of Teesta" not only brings attention to the environmental and cultural issues associated with hydropower development but also emphasizes the critical need for community engagement, sustainable development practices, and mental health support in the face of environmental crises. It is essential to consider the long-term health and social impacts of dams and to ensure that mitigation efforts are in place to prevent catastrophic social and environmental consequences. 

"Voices of Teesta" was produced in 2015 and 2016. The film has traveled and won awards during these years. However, following the October 2023 disaster on the River Teesta, which resulted in many casualties and left the mountains in a fragile condition after the flood, the film has been screened in smaller, local spaces where the film is based. Civil societies and café owners have been requesting voluntary screenings of the film in their spaces. These screenings are allowing communities and stakeholders to engage in deeper conversations about their respective relationships with water and rivers. 

Communities from across the Himalayas, ranging from small villages in Sikkim to Arunachal Pradesh in Northern India to Nepal, have been showcasing this film to learn about the relationship between water and people. The objective of screening the film is mainly to encourage local communities to engage in discussions regarding their own relationships with issues surrounding water, hydropower, or developmental structures in the fragile Himalayan region. Their concerns and sense of helplessness toward these natural disasters are evident through their shared experiences, revealing that their connection with water and rivers goes beyond viewing these resources solely for human consumption. These shared experiences have been uploaded to an Instagram page called @riverandstories. 

Screening the Film

After the 4th October 2023 GLOF disaster, the film was screened in various platforms to act as a catalyst to create conversations around their relationship with water and rivers around them.

Three questions were asked to the audience after the screening and their responses are highlighted in the links below:

• What does River Teesta mean to you? (places where River Teesta was the main river) What does River mean to you? (places which was screened outside River Teesta)
• What is the future of River Teesta? (places where River Teesta was the main river) What is the future of Rivers for you? (places which was screened outside River Teesta)
• Do you see your future generation playing in this River?

These screenings were to amplify the voices of the connection that humans have with the rivers and waters. We are so grateful to the entire Environmental Conservation Laboratory who provided a team to pull these screenings together in Canada and help amplify the voice. In India, many local cafes, schools and colleges came together to screen the film and reflect on their connection with water. We may not have the answers but our effort is to amplify the voices of water far and beyond and allow the film to be the catalyst for such conversations.

2023 Screenings

4th November in Himachal Pradesh, India

Bhuira Village Sirmaur District, Ritu-Ngapnon-Varuni, Mountainwind Programme

5th November in Siliguri, India

Veganation, Salbari, Opp. Union Bank Organiser: Sabina Saby Tamang of Borrowed Fragrances and VYDA Branding Co. Dr. Ringee Eden Wangdi and Arnab Bhattacharya from @NESPON gave a presentation on Teesta River.

5th November in Bijanbari, Darjeeling, India

Main Street of Bijanbari Town,

Organizer: Manprasad Subba and Chota Rangeet Bachao Abhiyan.

6th November in Kathmandu, Nepal

Ananda Bhumi Events, New Baneshwor Organiser: Shreshna Basnet. Dr. Khet Raj Dahal, Senior Research Fellow as one of the main speaker. Pani Satsang from Nepal Water Conservation Foundation for Academic Research

8th November in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Aakash Deep, Itanagar Bazaar

19th November in Gangtok, India

Echostream, Opposite Dukit Paan Dokan, Secretariat Road

Organizer: Blooming Sikkim

Tseten Lepcha, Dr. Kachyo Lepcha, Mr. Ian Christopher, Mr. Deoshish Mothey were speakers speaking on River Teesta.

21st November in New Delhi, India

Youth for Climate India, South Extension

21st November in Thailand

Wongsanit Ashram

Presented by Dr. Reep Pandi Lepcha

22nd November in Kokrajhar, Assam, India

Bodoland University, Assam Organized by Morin Daimary, NERSWN and Gangjema Gateway Motorcycle Club - GGMC engaging with the Political Science and Geography Departments.

22nd November in Kalimpong, India

Worship Centre, 9th Mile, below New Bus Stand, Kalimpong, India Fresh Water Angling - F.W.A and H.A.C.T. (Himalayan Anglers Conservation Trust)

25th November in Darjeeling, India

Writers’ Club in collaboration with Department of English,

Darjeeling Government College

Organised by Reep Pandi Lepcha

November 25-26 in Pune, Maharashtra

India Rivers Week

Organized by the Steering committee of India Rivers Forum

December 1-3 in Arunachal Pradesh, India

Dibang Valley

Organized by Dibang Valley group

3rd December in Kurseong, India

72 hill cart road, Kurseong, Next to old Bata Shop

Organised by Oro Cafe and Living the Culture

6th Dec in Gangtok, India

The Travel Cafe, Development Area

Organized by Tag Along

16th Dec in Kholey Dai Festival

Organizer: Kholey Dai Team and Praveen Chettri

2024 Screenings

21st January in Kalimpong

LEST WE Forget – The Testa Valley Disaster of Oct 2023 event

Cafe Kalimpong, East Main Road

16th February in Winnipeg, Canada

University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, Canada

Venue: Fklaus Hochheim Theatre, 5th floor, Wallace Building

Organizer: University of Manitoba Environment & Geography Student Association

Tyler Langos, the President of the Environment and Geography Graduate Studies Association (EGGSA) opened the session by introducing the filmmaker. Minket Lepcha narrated the folklore of River Teesta before the screening. The film screen allowed engagement among various audiences ranging from India, Nepal, and Bangladesh to First Nation communities. Dion Dick, a healer from Grand Rapids in Northern Manitoba was also present in the film screening. He found resonance with the film and stories of River Teesta and shared his stories from Grand Rapid and the Hydro Dams present in the region. He spoke of mental health issues in the community and shared a deep concern for his community. The Q&A round was posed to both Minket Lepcha and Dion Dick and it was an engaging and powerful conversation for whoever was present in the screening. The audience was asked to share a word or sentence about their relationship with water and many of them wrote on a white chart paper.

21st March in Thompson, Canada

University College of the North

Venue: 302 A Lecture Theatre, THOMPSON, Manitoba

Young People and Elder's Gathering 2023

20 March 2024, Mumbai

IDP in Climate Studies

Venue: Ground Floor Conference Room, Civil Engineering Department

Organized by: Climate Cafe Team

27th March in Winnipeg, Canada

Venue: 1M28, Manitoba Hall Winnipeg, Manitoba

Global College, University of Winnipeg

26th July in Amsterdam, Netherland

Critical Himalayan Collective and Rasa Collective effort

London

Brunel University, Ecology and Environment

London Himalayan Short Film Festival

Impacts of the Film Screenings

The screenings also helped us to collect funds through two crowdfunding platforms: Milaap.org for India and GoFundMe for Canada and abroad.

The total amount that has been raised so far is Rs 50,707.19:

• Mailaap: Rs 30,478.63
• GoFundMe: Rs 6,831.56
• Critical Himalaya Collective and Rasa Collective: Rs 8,897.00
• Fund collected from Ancient Storytelling session at Buddah Padha: Rs. 4,500

How the Funds were spent:

• Rs 21,000 on Torch lights in Naga Village Sikkim
• Rs 14,000 on Paddles for West Bengal Rafter
• Rs 9,207 on Medical aid for the bereaved family from West Bengal
• Rs 6,500 Drone Accessories

Torch Lights

21 torch lights were distributed to the villagers from Naga, North Sikkim where the entire village was coming downhill and the roads were sinking towards the river. Schools and houses were evacuated while the filmmaker Minket Lepcha visited to distribute the torch lights. The torch lights cost around Rs 21000.

Rs 14000 was donated to the rafters from West Bengal Teesta Rangeet Rescue Centre to buy a paddle for their raft. They are solely responsible for taking out the dead bodies which come floating from the upstream. With help from Anugyalaya organization, they have received the support of life jackets also.

 

 

Trauma care workshop

Rs 9207 will be provided to an estranged family in Teesta Bazaar from West Bengal. An old age couple is looking after an ailing daughter and they are staying in a camp after the flood. Minket Lepcha met the mother in the Trauma Care workshop that was held in Malli.

Ancient Storytelling

Minket Lepcha along with Mutanchi Souls, Lakith Lepcha, Alyen Foning and Bipasha Miatra came togetehr to conduct a two day storytelling for the citizens who were interested in healing through the stories of River Teesta. The session was hosted by Buddha Padha. The fund collected was Rs 4500 and that fund was gifted to Save the Hills to purchase their accessories for the drone that Anugyalaya purchased for them to monitor the water levels in West Bengal region.

The additional amount was added to the bill - Rs 6035