The 63 MW Chhujung Khola Hydropower Project, promoted by Shangri-La Urja Pvt. Ltd., is located in the ancestral territories and customary lands of the Indigenous Bhote/Bhutia, Lhopa and Thudam (Lhomi-Singsa) Peoples in Bhotkhola Rural Municipality, Sankhuwasabha District, eastern Nepal. The Chhujung River and surrounding Lungbasamba landscape hold profound cultural, spiritual and ecological significance, sustaining traditional livelihoods, yak herding, customary practices and Indigenous knowledge.
The Indigenous Singsa Bhote Peoples are custodians of nature and their ancestral territories along Nepal’s northern frontier with China. Through their traditional pastoralist livelihoods and continued presence in these territories, they contribute to conserving biodiversity, protecting fragile mountain ecosystems and safeguarding Nepal’s frontier, particularly where formal security presence is limited. Their permanent sovereignty over their ancestral lands, territories and resources, including recognition and protection of their customary land rights, is essential to safeguarding their livelihoods, cultural identity and role as custodians of nature.
The project has raised serious concerns about Indigenous Peoples’ rights and environmental protection. Affected Indigenous Peoples allege inadequate Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC), disputed consent documents and deficiencies in the environmental impact assessment. The project threatens customary lands, forests, grazing areas, sacred sites and biodiversity, potentially disrupting traditional livelihoods and spiritual and cultural connections with the Chhujung River.
The affected Indigenous Peoples demand recognition of their customary lands and resource rights, protection of sacred territories, an independent review of project approvals and environmental assessments, meaningful participation in decision-making, and respect for their self-determination and customary institutions.
LAHURNIP is providing legal support to the affected Indigenous Peoples. On 26 Falgun 2078 (10 March 2022), LAHURNIP filed a writ petition before the Supreme Court of Nepal challenging alleged violations of Indigenous Peoples’ rights associated with the proposed project.
Media Coverage
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