Sikkim

Roads and High-Rises

Articles August 29, 2025

Roads and High-Rises Have Made Himalayan Towns Prone to Disaster

Darjeeling’s case is not an isolated one. Its problems are visible from Kashmir in the western Himalayas to Sikkim in the eastern Himalayas. From Nepal’s Melamchi to Uttarakhand’s Joshimath, the trend repeats itself across the Himalayas.

In Shimla, hotels collapsed during the 2023 monsoon. In June this year, Gangtok and Sikkim’s Teesta valley, cloudbursts tore apart dams and towns. On the other side of the border in Nepal, flooding of the Melamchi valley, which was compounded by unchecked construction, entombed homes and land in mud and slush. From Manali to Mustang, from Joshimath to Darjeeling, the cycle is the same: weak slopes, flouted laws, muffled voices.

What endures is the silence of the government and the tenacity of the common people.

Integrated Mountain Initiative

Articles August 23, 2025

Integrated Mountain Initiative Experts Ring Alarm Over Extreme Climate Events in the Himalayan Region

We in the Himalaya, are extremely aware that we have been facing the brunt of these disasters that are the result of global forces like climate crisis as well as development pathways chosen for and by the Himalaya.  There is a need for deep introspection and creating development pathways that are mountain centric and sensitive with a long term vision that is not extractive and destructive. In the face of the climate crisis, which is predicted to worsen, there is a commitment needed at the National and International level that supports development paradigms for the Himalaya that promote resilience and wellbeing.

Teesta

Dr. Vimal Khawas, Sikkim February 17, 2025

Transboundary Teesta River  – A Dilemma

As an international river, there have been serious issues on table with regard to the management and sharing of its water between India and Bangladesh. Besides several existing and proposed mega hydro-dams in the Sikkim-Darjeeling catchment, the Government of West Bengal has diverted almost entire Teesta Water via artificial canals at Teesta (Gajoldoba) Barrage in Jalpaiguri to irrigate its thirsty North Bengal leaving little or no water for Bangladesh.

The Dam

Upendra October 6, 2023

The Dam and The Damned

Teesta has massive siltation level, thus it is certain that the siltation level of the river will raise staggeringly with the construction of a series of dams and the sediment load will be trapped within the reservoirs, reducing their production capacity. This, in turn, could compel dam managers to release water during heavy rainfall, causing sudden flash floods downstream. Further, the NHPC has failed to undertake the study on the cascading effects of Dams (i.e. in case of dam breaking at the top what will happen to subsequent dams), which is likely to occur in coming days.

Sohan Sikkim STNM

Dipendra, Sikkim May 28, 2022

Thank You, Sikkim

They Say “Blood is thicker than Water” and A friend in need is a friend indeed and Sikkim has proven the old adage true once again. Sikkim stands with us not just as our neighbour and friend but also our extended family of Blood and Bones.

Sikkim Jacob Khaling

Sikkim August 24, 2021

DANGEROUS GAMES IN SIKKIM: CM’s Political Secretary Faced Rape Allegations – Alleged Victim Denies Writing the Letter

A dangerous drama unfolded in Sikkim when Sikkim Chief Minister’s political secretary Jacob Khaling was accused of attempt to rape by a local civil society. Sikkim Nagarik Samaj (SNS), a civil society organization based on Gangtok had claimed on Saturday that “Khaling had attempted to rape a woman, and that the FIR was lodged before SP of East Sikkim district via post after the local police ‘failed’ to register a case against Khaling”.