Respect Local Sentiments in Glacial Lake Study: Social Welfare Minister Samdup Lepcha after Concerns on GLOF Mission Without Monk

Lepcha’s statement came following Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee’s concerns for not including any Monk representatives

A recently launched expedition to study glacial lake susceptibility in North Sikkim has sparked concerns among local communities for failing to include religious representatives, raising issues about respect for sacred traditions.

The expedition, which began yesterday, plans to assess the vulnerability of glacial lakes in the region, but has drawn criticism for excluding monks from the team.

Sikkim Social Welfare Minister and Lachen-Mangan MLA, Samdup Lepcha, who flagged off the mission yesterday told Northeast Live, “The expedition team who embarked to study about the Glacial Lake susceptibility in North Sikkim which was started yesterday should do their study respecting the Local sentiments as the lakes are scared and being worshipped .”

Lepcha’s statement came following Sikkim Bhutia Lepcha Apex Committee’s concerns for not including any Monk representatives in the expedition team. The Committee had said that the GLOF expedition team should include a member from the Monk Body under the Ecclesiastical department to guide them.

According to a Sikkim Government Notification, a No Objection Certificate from the Ecclesiastical Department is mandatory to enter the vicinity of places of worship. Reportedly, the GLOF expedition team did not mention that they had the consent from the ecclesiastical department.

Lepcha’s constituency, Lachen-Mangan, is home to 13 of the 16 lakes identified as vulnerable across Sikkim, adding weight to his concerns.

It is to be mentioned that this mission includes experts from National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) and the Geological Survey of India.

Beyond the expedition, Lepcha also touched on ongoing infrastructure issues in North Sikkim. Lachen remains cut off due to damaged roadways, but the minister reassured that efforts are underway to restore connectivity, with a potential resolution expected by October.

He further highlighted the situation in Naga Village, where over 300 families have been displaced by landslides. Lepcha appealed for swift action to rehabilitate the affected residents and suggested the construction of tunnels as a long-term solution for better communication and transportation in the region.

The study mission comes in the backdrop of the massive destruction and devastation caused by the glacial lake outburst in the South Lhonak lake in North Sikkim last year.

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