Jansamvaad Yatra to demand Gairsain as capital and oppose Pancheshwar Dam

The intellectuals, activist with progressive and left leanings,writers, thinkers, journalists, theatre activists, the sarvodayees, leaders and volunteers belonging to regional parties and socio political activists relentlessly fighting for establishment of Gairsain as the permanent capital of Uttarakhand coupled with their incessant opposition of big dams in the himalayan state particularly against the construction of massive PANCHESHWAR DAM over river Kali in Kumaon, an Indo Nepalese joint project that would displace more than 31 thousand people/ families and several hundred villages are marching on foot from Pancheshwar dam area to Uttarkashi in Garhwal, Uttarakhand mobilising people of the 18 year old state to outrightly oppose the incumbent governments of the centre and the state on these pivotal issues of peoples’ and environmental significance.

According to the call given by the Sthayi Rajdhani Gairsain Sangharsh Samittee comprising of hundreds of activists dedicated to the cause of Jal, Jungle aur Jameen ( Water, Forests and Land) with particular reference to opposition to Pancheshwar dam construction n establishment of Gairsain as permanent capital of Uttarakhand hills, activists of all social organisations and political parties are invited in this Padyatra provided they support and subscribe to the above causes. Apart from the aforesaid demands the Sangharsh Samittee will also mobilise people on the way against the supposed loot of the state by the successive governments and prevalence of the arbitrary practice of illegal mining and widespread sale of the liquor in the interior villages as well as demanding the decentralised socio economic, cultural, industrial, health related development and employment to the youths through the propagation of projects pertaining to small n cottege industries, horticulture, floriculture, schemes related to women empowerment etc.

The foot march that will last for more than two to three weeks has been named as the JANSAMVAD YATRA ( the peoples’s mobilisation journey). The Jansamvad Yatra will start from Pancheshwar on 11th October and will reach Champawat after passing through different localities. On 11th, 12th, 13th and 14th October it will pass through Lohaghat, Pithoragarh, Askot, Didihaat, Berinaag, Gangolighat, Bageshwar, Baijnath, Kausani, Someshwar and Almora, Uttarakhand.

On 16th October the Jansamvaad Yatra will start from Ramgarh and will pass through Nainitaal to reach Ramnagar from where on 17 October ot will reach to Bhikiyasain. On 18th October it will start from Bhikiya sain, pass from Maasi and meet people at Dwaarhaat. On 19th October it will pass through Choukhutia and Mehalchounri and will stop at Gairsain for night rest.

On 20th October it will reach Gopeshwar via Karnaprayag while on 21st October the volunteers of this Yatra would halt at Riudraprayag. On 22nd October the volunteers will establish people to people contact at Rudra prayag and on 23rd October will reach Srinagar and thereafter Pairi, Garhwal. On 24th October the Jansamvaad Yatra would reach Maletha and will finally reach Uttar Kashi via Tehri Garhwal on 25th October.

This two weeks hectic Journey would be joined by hundreds of like minded youths, students, women and senior citizens on the way. During the padyatra the local leaders and volunteers would sing songs to keep the morale of the marchers high and will also address corner and public meetings accquainting the populace about the relevance of the Gairsain capital, the misgivings and demerits of big dams in the hills and the alleged exploitation of the people and the natural resources n loot of the hills by the successive governments and big money houses in the 18 year old Uttarakhand which have been achieved after so much of sacrifices n infinite struggle.