<p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif"><b>GANGTOK,:</b> Residents of Denchung GPU and surrounding peripheral villages have
strongly appealed to the State government and concerned authorities to relocate
the proposed Resource Recycling Centre (RRC) by the local civic body at 12th
Mile (earlier slaughter house), Namchi-Jorethang Road, above Denchung Dong GPU.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">In a
media statement, the villagers clarified that they wholeheartedly support and
endorse the concept of the Resource Recycling Centre as one of the progressive
and sustainable initiatives of the Government of India, the Urban Development department,
and the Namchi Municipal Council for scientific solid waste management and
environmental cleanliness. However, the residents strongly object to the
selection of the present site due to its ecological sensitivity and proximity
to major drinking water sources.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">It
was claimed that the proposed project site previously housed a slaughterhouse,
which had allegedly caused severe environmental degradation, foul odour,
contamination of water sources through leachate discharge, and adverse public
health impacts upon nearby villagers. <o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Following
prolonged protest by local residents, the slaughterhouse was eventually shifted
from the area under the direction of Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay after
the formation of the Sikkim Krantikari Morcha government in 2019.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">The
villagers maintained that establishing another waste-related facility at the
same location may once again expose the region to environmental and health
hazards even after control conditions. Importantly, the site is situated on a
fragile hilly terrain directly above natural water sources used for domestic
and agricultural purposes by residents of Denchung GPU and neighbouring
villages including Samseboong, Nundugoan, said a local resident.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">During
monsoon seasons, the area witness heavy rainfall and surface runoff which
raises serious apprehensions regarding possible leachate seepage into water
sources, said the villagers.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">In
addition, the villagers pointed out the presence of two Devi Puja ritual places
and a monastery located below the proposed project site. These sacred
devotional sites hold deep spiritual, religious, and cultural significance for
the local Hindu and Buddhist communities, where traditional rituals and prayers
are performed for protection of nature, environment, and community well-being,
the villagers said.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">The
residents believe that establishment of a waste-related recycling facility
above such sacred places may hurt the religious sentiments of the worshipping
community and pose a threat to the preservation of the region’s endangered
traditional cultural and spiritual heritage.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">On
April this year, the local villagers approached the Namchi district collector
and in response, a joint inspection team from the concerned departments
inspected the proposed site along with the affected villagers on May 28.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">During
the inspection, the villagers collectively placed their grievances,
environmental concerns, cultural sensitivities, and public health apprehensions
before the officials and strongly demanded relocation of the project to a more
suitable and scientifically viable location.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">The
villagers further appealed that before any construction activity proceed, the
authorities must conduct a proper Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), hydro-geological
and ecological studies, scientific water source vulnerability assessment, public
consultation with affected residents, and long-term environmental monitoring
and safety evaluation.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">The
residents also urged authorities to uphold the principles of environmental
protection and public health guaranteed under various environmental laws,
constitutional safeguards, and national conservation initiatives such as the
Jal Shakti Abhiyan, Jal Jeevan Mission.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">Furthermore,
the villagers proposed that instead of establishing a waste management facility
at the said ecologically sensitive site, the area could be utilised for more
environmentally sustainable and community-beneficial purposes such as development
of a recreational park, eco-tourism and nature conservation initiatives, yogic
or wellness centre, Horticulture or Agriculture department office, or a government
nursery or green conservation zone.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">The
residents added such initiatives would preserve the ecological balance of the
region while promoting sustainable tourism, employment generation, biodiversity
conservation, and community welfare.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">The
villagers have also suggested alternative locations for the proposed RRC,
including the belt of Tokal under Dong–Denchung GPU or near Manpur below Kitam,
where the project may be established without threatening vital drinking water
sources and densely inhabited areas.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p>
</p><p class="MsoNoSpacing"><span style="font-family:"Bookman Old Style",serif">“The
people of the affected villages collectively and respectfully appeal to the
higher authorities, including Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay, to
sympathetically consider the genuine concerns of the villagers and ensure that
the final outcome of the inspection and administrative decision safeguards
public health, environmental security, water resources, religious sentiments,
and the ecological future of the region,” said Denchung resident Dr Panjo
Lepcha.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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