Uttarakhand Solidarity Network

‘Scrap 24 dams, save Ganga’: WII

admin — Tue, 15 May 2012 16:27:49 +0000

If anything, the Wildlife Institute report understates the threat to the state’s ecological balance.

A REPORT commissioned by the Union environment and forests ministry warns the Centre against going ahead with 24 hydropower projects planned on the Alaknanda and Bhagirathi river systems in Uttarakhand. The projects would destroy 22 per cent of the state’s forestland and affect the unique Himalayan ecology along one-third of lengths of the two main tributaries of the Ganga, states the report prepared by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun. [more]

Environment gets a beating in Uttarakhand as Intelligentsia for Hydel Power Projects

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:20:49 +0000

Some of the intelligentsia, who may perhaps not be remotely aware of the need to preserve the environment, including three recipients of the Padma Shri of this district have come out openly in favour of making hydel power projects in Uttarakhand despite its fragile ecology. [more]

Ban big dams, tunnels in state, Bahuguna urged

admin — Mon, 07 May 2012 21:13:30 +0000

The Uttarakhand Sarvodaya Mandal has appealed to the government that keeping in mind the sensitivity of the state towards earthquakes, flashfloods and landslides, the construction of big dams and tunnels be banned immediately. The decision to this effect was taken at a meeting of the mandal at Kausani in Bageshwar district yesterday.[more]

Face-off on power projects on cards

admin — Sun, 06 May 2012 21:16:57 +0000

Confrontation seems to be on the cards among those supporting hydro power projects in Uttarakhand and those opposing it tooth and nail. The Uttarakhand Janmanch that is backing hydro power projects today announced opposing any move to support environmentalist and anti-hydro power project crusader GD Aggarwal in Uttarakhand. [more]

Trade unions celebrate May Day in Mussoorie

admin — Wed, 02 May 2012 05:58:19 +0000

The Left-supported trade unions took out a procession to mark May Day today. Labour Day celebrations began from the union office in Landour and ended at Gandhi Chowk in here today. The workers also demanded the implementation of the new labour policy in the state. A memorandum was also presented by the trade union coordination committee to the Labour Minister in support of their demands via SDM, Mussoorie. [more]

Matu Jansangthan: Do not hinder the Pinder

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 04:02:52 +0000

Letter to the NRGBA: We would like to bring to your attention the issue of saving River Pinder, which is the only major tributary of National River Ganga in Uttarakhand that remains un-dammed. The Pinder River originates from Pindari Glasier in Kumaun, Uttarakhand. [more]

Successive govts have failed to deliver: Kunjwal

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 03:57:19 +0000

Candidly admitting that the successive governments in the state have failed to live up to the expectations of the masses, newly elected Speaker of the state Assembly Govind Singh Kunjwal has stressed the need for a policy change so that a situation similar to the one when Uttarakhand was a part of Uttar Pradesh does not arise again. [more]

CPI, NCP support Rockman, Satyam staff

admin — Tue, 17 Apr 2012 03:56:19 +0000

Various organisations came out in support of the agitating members of Rockman Industries and Satyam Auto Component who were arrested by the police and had been put in Sidhowala jail. These employees are observing a fast. Eleven of them, who had been on a fast for more than a week, had been admitted to Doon Hospital.

‘Power projects threaten rivers’

admin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:33:03 +0000

The Matu Jansanghatan has said the situation of rivers in Uttarakhand is “frightening”due to the construction of hydro-power projects.

In a memorandum submitted to the Union Environment Secretary and the Secretary, Uttarakhand State Environment Conservation and Pollution Control Board, Matu Jansaghatan has held that while the rivers of Uttarakhand are already in danger due to the projects, there have been no serious efforts on part of the Environment Ministry and the State Pollution Control Board to address the issue. [more]

Rockman workers not allowed to hold march

admin — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 23:30:33 +0000

Three hundred workers of Haridwar-based Rockman Industries Limited, a company of Hero Auto group, gathered at Parade Ground here today to hold a protest against the suspension of three of their co-workers for attempting to float an employees’ union on the factory premises. However, they were not allowed to hold a march from the Parade Ground to the Civil Secretariat. This ‘indifferent’ attitude of the administration and the police towards their demand enraged the workers and they decided to start a mass fast from tomorrow. [more]