The Tehri Dam Andolan was a movement led by environmentalists, social activists, and local residents, protesting against the construction of the Tehri Hydroelectric Project on the Bhagirathi River in Uttarakhand, India. The project aimed to build a 260-meter high dam that would generate hydroelectric power, irrigate agricultural lands, and provide drinking water to millions of people in the state. However, the project faced severe opposition from environmentalists and local residents, who argued that it would lead to displacement of thousands of families, submerge fertile lands, and damage the fragile Himalayan ecosystem.



The Tehri Dam Andolan was mainly driven by the following reasons:

- Displacement of people: The project would displace over 100,000 people, mostly from the marginalized communities, who depended on the river for their livelihoods.
- Environmental concerns: The construction of the dam would lead to deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and ecological imbalances in the region.
- Safety concerns: The dam was built in a seismically active zone, and there were concerns that it could trigger earthquakes, landslides, and flash floods, putting the lives of millions of people at risk.



The Tehri Dam Andolan had a significant impact on the project, as it delayed the construction for several years and forced the government to revise the design and address the concerns of the local residents. The following are some of the impacts of the Andolan:

- The dam's height was reduced to 260 meters from the planned 300 meters to reduce the submergence area and displacement of people.
- The government established a rehabilitation and resettlement program for the displaced families and provided compensation and alternate livelihood options.
- The government also set up an environmental management plan to mitigate the project's impact on the ecosystem and monitor the water quality and sedimentation levels.



The Tehri Dam Andolan was a significant movement that highlighted the need for sustainable development and environmental protection. It showed that people's voices could bring about change and forced the government to balance development with social and environmental concerns. However, it also raised questions about the role of large-scale infrastructure projects in a fragile ecosystem and the need for consultation and consent of the affected communities.