The Upper Tamor Hydropower Project, Nepal’s largest hydropower development with a 285 MW capacity, is facing significant resistance due to local concerns over its impact on cultural and environmental heritage. While the project, being developed with private sector investment, aims to provide a much-needed energy boost, its construction has come to a halt since April 16th. This suspension is due to rising tensions around the Mundhumi site, which locals believe is tied to their identity and cultural heritage.

The opposition to the project, spearheaded by the “Upper Tamor Struggle Committee” under the leadership of Birbal Lingkhim, has intensified after local identity activists, including leaders from the Limbu community, raised alarm over the project’s potential to destroy sacred and historically significant sites. The protest, fueled by a lack of consultation and transparency, is not only directed at the hydropower project but also echoes ongoing resistance to the construction of the Pathibhara Mukkumlung cable car, with both projects now drawing attention for their possible destruction of cultural landmarks.

Protesters claim that the hydropower development is being pushed forward without proper communication with the community and without conducting a public hearing. The locals, particularly from the Limbu community, argue that critical cultural and religious sites, including sacred burial grounds and rest platforms (chautaras), are under threat of destruction. These areas, they say, are integral to their civilization, history, and spiritual practices. The fear is that the construction of the dam, which is central to the hydropower project, will submerge or otherwise ruin these sacred locations.

“This is a fight for our identity and history. The river and the land are tied to our ancestors, and the loss of these sacred sites will erase a significant part of who we are,” said Kishor Angbohang, Secretary of the Upper Tamor Struggle Committee. The community also highlights the region’s rivers, such as the Imbiri, Dhangjama, and Tamor, as vital cultural and spiritual resources, with the locals performing rituals and worship at these sites according to the Mundhum, their sacred tradition.

The protests escalated after local leaders, including Lingkhim, presented a memorandum to both the Prime Minister and the Home Minister, demanding that the project be paused until a thorough discussion on its cultural and environmental impacts could be held. The protesters have warned that any attempt to resume construction without proper community involvement will be met with resistance, with some pledging to take extreme measures to protect their heritage.

The project developers, on the other hand, argue that the work has been temporarily halted only in areas where objections have been raised. According to Tamor Energy Project Coordinator, Samjhana Thapa Chetri, a stakeholder meeting is planned for April 30th to discuss the issues and seek a resolution. While the company has engaged with local political leaders and representatives, the protesting community claims that these discussions lack a true understanding of their cultural concerns.

“The issue here is not just about development; it’s about the preservation of our civilization. The focus must shift to include the concerns of those who understand our culture and heritage,” said Ram Maden, a leader of the No Cable Car Struggle Committee. He pointed out that the involvement of political figures without addressing the deeper cultural implications of the projects has exacerbated the situation.

As both the Upper Tamor Hydropower Project and the Pathibhara Mukkumlung cable car continue to face opposition from local communities, the debate intensifies over the balance between economic development and the preservation of cultural heritage. The outcome of this struggle will likely shape the future of infrastructure development in the region, highlighting the need for sensitive and inclusive decision-making processes in projects that impact local communities and their way of life.

Source: Kantipur