Gangtok, Feb. 28: Residents of Dzongu, a Lepcha reserve in north Sikkim, believe that work on stage III and IV of the Teesta hydroelectric project will spell doom for their tradition and culture.

A press release issued by senior residents, after a meet called today, said everyone was opposed to the construction.

The state government had, in January, decided to award the work of stages III and IV to the National Hydroelectric Power Corporation.

Dzongu is dominated by Lepchas, a Scheduled Tribe, and other communities. State government regulations even prohibit outsiders from living in the area or buying land therein. It is a protected area for the original inhabitants, who are now a minority in the state.

Another press release issued by residents and youths states that the project would directly harm the resident population, putting the existence of the tribes in jeopardy. The tribesmen claim that the implementation of the project would lead to a “complete eradication of the distinct identity”.

They said that all those who attended the meet inevitably feared various dangers to their community.

They also claimed that the project would invariably affect the

state geographically, demographically and socially in the future.