Massive Protest in Udaipur, Lahaul-Spiti Against Mega Hydropower Projects; Tribals Send Strong Message to Sukhu Government
Udaipur (Lahaul-Spiti), May 23:
Over 1,500 residents of the Lahaul Valley staged a massive protest rally in Udaipur against the proposed mega hydropower projects in the region, including the controversial 400 MW Seli and 120 MW Miyar projects on the Chandra Bhaga rivers.
The rally, led by the Lahaul-Spiti Ekta Manch and Udaipur Mandal’s panchayat representatives, began at the historic Mrikula Mata temple and culminated at the Sub-Divisional Magistrate’s (SDM) office, where a memorandum was submitted to the Governor and Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh.
The protestors raised strong objections to nearly 18 proposed hydropower projects in Lahaul, citing ecological, cultural, and livelihood concerns.
Sudarshan Jaspa, convenor of the rally and president of Ekta Manch, demanded the immediate cancellation of the MoU signed between the Himachal Pradesh and Telangana governments for the Seli and Miyar projects.
He invoked the special protections granted to tribal areas under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution.
Himalayan Policy Campaign convenor Guman Singh called on all Lahaul residents to stand united and resist these “commission-driven” projects.
“There is already surplus electricity in the country. These projects serve political and corporate greed, not public need,” he asserted.
Koksar Panchayat Pradhan Sachin Merupa urged the people to fight for the very existence of Lahaul Valley and intensify the movement further.
Former Himachal minister Dr. Ram Lal Markanda warned that these projects would lead to large-scale displacement. “No Lahauli will accept this. If any such activity starts, we’ll push them out of the district,” he said defiantly.
Ajay from the Save Lahaul-Spiti Campaign echoed the sentiment, calling on all political parties, local bodies, and citizens to set aside differences and unite in opposition. “Every Lahauli holds deep emotional ties to this land. We will not let our soil be sold,” he stated.
Among those present were Zila Parishad member Mahinder Singh, BDC members Sheela Devi, Rita Thakur, Rakesh, and several panchayat heads including Laxman Thakur, Dinesh, Heerchand, Nirmala, Premdasi, Gopal Gaur, Khushal Chand, Surender Thakur, Ravinder, and Vikas Jaspa.
The protest signals rising trouble for the Sukhu government, as the tribal population of Lahaul-Spiti sends a clear message: no hydropower projects at the cost of their homeland.