A. Photographs: Bhagirathi river valley & Tehri Dam site, 1978-1986
NDJ Photograph No. 16
V. Audio Visual, 1978-1993
A. Photographs: Bhagirathi river valley & Tehri Dam site, 1978-1986
Undated
The Maneri-Bhali run-of-the-river Stage I hydel scheme, constructed upstream of Uttarkashi on the Bhagirathi river at a cost of Rs. 80 crores has so far proved to be a costly failure with so far, no electricity being generated. The water in this picture is being flushed out of the turbines which were seriously damaged by the excessive silt load of the river. Nature knows better than human technology!
A. Photographs: Bhagirathi river valley & Tehri Dam site, 1978-1986
Undated
A view of the steep naked slopes of Raika devoid of vegetation in the Bhagirathi valley, while the very fertile and productive irrigated flat lands of Malideval village will be submerged and destroyed forever by the Tehri Dam. The socio-economic costs by such permanent destruction of productive land and obliterating the traditional hearths and homes and way of life of thousands of ancient Garwhali families is immeasurable which no democracy should countenance, considering that all the presumed �benefits� go to a rich small elite in the plains and that too for the very limited life of the Dam.
A. Photographs: Bhagirathi river valley & Tehri Dam site, 1978-1986
Undated
Another view of the very fertile terraced fields of Malideval village on the left bank of a turbid Bhagirathi river - the only permanent means of subsistence of hill farmers - which will all be submerged by the Dam and destroyed forever Can such costs ever be compensated?
A. Photographs: Bhagirathi river valley & Tehri Dam site, 1978-1986
Undated
For the local inhabitants, the Tehri Dam symbolizes total destruction of everything that gives meaning to their existence-their homes for millennia and all the gifts of nature that they cherish, which are enshrined in their tradition, their songs and dances, folklore and culture. Understandably the people have set up this permanent protest centre, manned round the clock in relays, at the entrance of the Tehri Dam ever since work on it commenced in 1978. Any rational person must support such protest against �destructive development� for short-term gain, as against programmes that must fulfill the criteria of long-term sustainability.
