ABSTRACT
The environment of which land is a vital component, acts as a highly sensitive system to provide means of sustainability to all forms of life and the degradation of same results in creation of inequalities among the masses. In this, error lies in the process of development, where man is not seen as part of nature but one who tries to dominate it to utilize resources in the manner which s/he thinks is appropriate. This situation becomes grimmer in case of North-East India, where development projects are imposed on local population, taking out peace from these hilly regions. More crucial, however is the wilful neglect of local population from the decision making process. This isolation and ignorance has sometime resulted in various movements resulting in standoff between people and various state and private projects.
The recent movement of Lepcha community in North Sikkim is peculiar, where the Dzongu affected people have resented to construction of dam and the compensation policy proposed by the government. The experience of North Sikkim teaches an important lesson, where the idea of economic development is opposed regularly. It is an interesting story of people’s movement who deny being a part of such development project that according to them would only bring poverty and conflict to the region.
This study analyses the ongoing debate on the issue of sustainable development and role played by indigenous community. Further an attempt is made to validate the idea that sustainable development should be as one which must satisfy the criteria that is not purely economical.
