The Uttarakhand Jan Morcha (UJM) has pulled up its socks against the proposed construction of the Pancheshwar dam on the Kali River between India and Nepal. According to the UJM, a front to oppose the construction of this dam will be formed after a visit to the areas in the submergence zone of the project and Narmada Bachao Andolan leader Medha Patkar will also be contacted to lend momentum to the opposition. An Indo-Nepal association will also be formed to boost the opposition in the two neighbouring countries. The UJM has announced that it will not allow the construction of this dam under any circumstances as this construction will have destructive effects on the Himalayas. Addressing the media, UJM central coordinator Jagat Martolia said the construction of the Pancheshwar dam will have a devastating impact on the Himalayas. “We will approach the villagers in the submergence zone of the proposed dam focusing on the need for railway network and roads in stead of the dam. We will undertake a march in three stages in the submergence areas in Pithoragarh and Champawat districts. We will inform the people in detail about the negative impacts of large dams and then formally form a front to oppose the construction of the Pancheshwar dam. To coordinate protest against the dam in both India and Nepal, talks will be held with public groups, political parties, voluntary organisations, commercial, youth and women’s organisations in Betadi and Darchula district in Nepal after Deepawali,” said Martolia. He averred that most of the people living in the areas of India and Nepal to be affected by the Pancheshwar dam construction are against this project. Those affected by the construction of the Tehri dam in Uttarakhand are yet to be fully rehabilitated and are still demanding justice. “Considering the detrimental effects of the Tehri dam, we will not allow the construction of Pancheshwar dam to wreak more destruction in the region. We will contact Medha Patkar of Narmada Bachao Andolan to publicise our movement in the national and international spheres,” he added.