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2007年VOA标准英语-Sikkim, India Tries to Balance Energy Developme

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(单词翻译)

By Steve Herman
New Delhi
28 June 2007

Energy-hungry India is looking to one of its most rugged1 and scenic2 regions to generate badly needed electricity. But plans to create a series of dams and hydroelectric plants along the Teesta River in Sikkim and West Bengal are running into opposition3 over concerns the construction will destroy natural habitats and endanger already vanishing local cultures. VOA's Steve Herman reports from New Delhi.

Sikkim hydroelectric plant
Hydroelectric plant in West Bengal along the Teesta River, just to the south of the Sikkim border
Tradition remains4 the cornerstone of life in Sikkim.

Young Buddhist5 monks6 chant inside the Enchey Monastery7 overlooking Sikkim's capital of Gangtok.

Those ethereal sounds are part of the allure8 for tourists who make it to the remote Indian state surrounded by West Bengal, Nepal, Bhutan and Tibet. Sikkim also is known for its pristine9 environment, and officials tout10 the state as India's premier11 eco-tourism destination.

But many Sikkimese believe their unique blend of cultures and fragile environment are in peril12. Unregulated mining and deforestation have triggered an increasing number of landslides13, damaging farmland and, at times, paralyzing transportation and communications.

Activists14 say the biggest threat comes from dozens of hydroelectric projects planned or under construction along the Teesta River.

Construction along Teesta river
Construction along Teesta river
The river, originating in Sikkim and running south ultimately to Bangladesh, is ideal for generating electricity. It cascades15 down deep gorges16, dropping 4,000 meters over its initial 80-kilometer course.

Experts project the mighty17 Teesta and other rivers in India's northeast could generate 60,000 megawatts of power - double the country's current hydroelectric output.

K. Ramanathan of The Energy and Resources Institute, says hydropower plants are more expensive to build than other plants. But he explains that long-term, hydroelectric plants are cheaper and cleaner than oil or coal plants.

Ramanathan says the key is getting the river states to welcome such massive dam projects.

"We are already providing 12 percent of free power (from such projects) for the home state to incentivize them to develop this energy and partly as a royalty18 and partly to take care of the local peoples' concerns," Ramanathan noted19.

But many in Sikkim, which India forcibly annexed20 in 1975, feel there is more to lose than gain. They note dam construction elsewhere in India has displaced communities, destroyed natural habitats and fouled21 aquatic22 eco-systems.

Dam opponents worry that parts of the Kangchenjunga National Park and a biosphere23 reserve will be bulldozed to make way for a hydroelectric plant in northern Sikkim.

Ramanathan says the government must address people's concerns before construction begins.

Hydroelectric plant construction
Hydroelectric plant construction in West Bengal
"They are all sitting on hydro-dollars like petro-dollars. So if you can develop it, it's a way of earning the revenue," he explained. "The only question is in doing so, how do you feel the pulse of the people? But the sensitivity issue of the local concerns has to be addressed in the very initial stage so that vested interests don't come at a later stage and create problems."

Sikkim's original inhabitants, the Lepchas, are particularly concerned about the projects. Although this rural group of about 30,000 people has little history of political activism, some Lepchas feel compelled to take action.

Dawa Tshering Lepcha is one of several members of the group now on a hunger strike. He thinks the strike will lead to a mass movement to halt dam construction.

Dawa Tshering
Dawa Tshering
"We are getting really, really pushed to the corner now," he said. "We have nothing else to do. I have a feeling it will stop the project because it's like things will spread all over Sikkim. If all the project-affected people get together, then the government is going to have a big problem. And I think things are moving towards that direction."

Blasting and tunneling are reported to have damaged some of the group's homes. Lepcha says the tribe most fears it will be forced to leave an area to which it has a deep spiritual connection.

"We are Buddhists24 now, but we still do follow our own practice like nature worshipping," Lepcha noted. "We have our own priests and all that. So we worship these mountains, these rivers, these lakes, the trees. These projects are going to destroy whatever we worship."

Lepchas hunger strikers in Gangtok
Lepchas hunger strikers in Gangtok, Sikkim
The state government in Sikkim has called on the Lepchas to end their hunger strike. The government says the Teesta project has all required environmental clearances25 and the full consent of the people, who will benefit from increased employment. The state says the government has the highest concern for the rights and interests of all the people of Sikkim.

Up the hill from where the hunger strikers sit, the monks at the Enchey Monastery punctuate26 their chanting with a crescendo27 said to help awaken28 disciples29 from the slumber30 of ignorance.

Many in Sikkim hope that government officials and residents will gain enlightenment and be able to balance India's energy demands with preservation31 of the environment and its inhabitants.


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1 rugged yXVxX     
adj.高低不平的,粗糙的,粗壮的,强健的
参考例句:
  • Football players must be rugged.足球运动员必须健壮。
  • The Rocky Mountains have rugged mountains and roads.落基山脉有崇山峻岭和崎岖不平的道路。
2 scenic aDbyP     
adj.自然景色的,景色优美的
参考例句:
  • The scenic beauty of the place entranced the visitors.这里的美丽风光把游客们迷住了。
  • The scenic spot is on northwestern outskirts of Beijing.这个风景区位于北京的西北远郊。
3 opposition eIUxU     
n.反对,敌对
参考例句:
  • The party leader is facing opposition in his own backyard.该党领袖在自己的党內遇到了反对。
  • The police tried to break down the prisoner's opposition.警察设法制住了那个囚犯的反抗。
4 remains 1kMzTy     
n.剩余物,残留物;遗体,遗迹
参考例句:
  • He ate the remains of food hungrily.他狼吞虎咽地吃剩余的食物。
  • The remains of the meal were fed to the dog.残羹剩饭喂狗了。
5 Buddhist USLy6     
adj./n.佛教的,佛教徒
参考例句:
  • The old lady fell down in adoration before Buddhist images.那老太太在佛像面前顶礼膜拜。
  • In the eye of the Buddhist,every worldly affair is vain.在佛教徒的眼里,人世上一切事情都是空的。
6 monks 218362e2c5f963a82756748713baf661     
n.修道士,僧侣( monk的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The monks lived a very ascetic life. 僧侣过着很清苦的生活。
  • He had been trained rigorously by the monks. 他接受过修道士的严格训练。 来自《简明英汉词典》
7 monastery 2EOxe     
n.修道院,僧院,寺院
参考例句:
  • They found an icon in the monastery.他们在修道院中发现了一个圣像。
  • She was appointed the superior of the monastery two years ago.两年前她被任命为这个修道院的院长。
8 allure 4Vqz9     
n.诱惑力,魅力;vt.诱惑,引诱,吸引
参考例句:
  • The window displays allure customers to buy goods.橱窗陈列品吸引顾客购买货物。
  • The book has a certain allure for which it is hard to find a reason.这本书有一种难以解释的魅力。
9 pristine 5BQyC     
adj.原来的,古时的,原始的,纯净的,无垢的
参考例句:
  • He wiped his fingers on his pristine handkerchief.他用他那块洁净的手帕擦手指。
  • He wasn't about to blemish that pristine record.他本不想去玷污那清白的过去。
10 tout iG7yL     
v.推销,招徕;兜售;吹捧,劝诱
参考例句:
  • They say it will let them tout progress in the war.他们称这将有助于鼓吹他们在战争中的成果。
  • If your case studies just tout results,don't bother requiring registration to view them.如果你的案例研究只是吹捧结果,就别烦扰别人来注册访问了。
11 premier R19z3     
adj.首要的;n.总理,首相
参考例句:
  • The Irish Premier is paying an official visit to Britain.爱尔兰总理正在对英国进行正式访问。
  • He requested that the premier grant him an internview.他要求那位总理接见他一次。
12 peril l3Dz6     
n.(严重的)危险;危险的事物
参考例句:
  • The refugees were in peril of death from hunger.难民有饿死的危险。
  • The embankment is in great peril.河堤岌岌可危。
13 landslides 5a0c95bd1e490515d70aff3ba74490cb     
山崩( landslide的名词复数 ); (山坡、悬崖等的)崩塌; 滑坡; (竞选中)一方选票占压倒性多数
参考例句:
  • Landslides have cut off many villages in remote areas. 滑坡使边远地区的许多村庄与外界隔绝。
  • The storm caused landslides and flooding in Savona. 风暴致使萨沃纳发生塌方和洪灾。
14 activists 90fd83cc3f53a40df93866d9c91bcca4     
n.(政治活动的)积极分子,活动家( activist的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • His research work was attacked by animal rights activists . 他的研究受到了动物权益维护者的抨击。
  • Party activists with lower middle class pedigrees are numerous. 党的激进分子中有很多出身于中产阶级下层。 来自《简明英汉词典》
15 cascades 6a84598b241e2c2051459650eb88013f     
倾泻( cascade的名词复数 ); 小瀑布(尤指一连串瀑布中的一支); 瀑布状物; 倾泻(或涌出)的东西
参考例句:
  • The river fell in a series of cascades down towards the lake. 河形成阶梯状瀑布泻入湖中。
  • Turning into the sun, he began the long, winding drive through the Cascades. 现在他朝着太阳驶去,开始了穿越喀斯喀特山脉的漫长而曲折的路程。 来自英汉文学 - 廊桥遗梦
16 gorges 5cde0ae7c1a8aab9d4231408f62e6d4d     
n.山峡,峡谷( gorge的名词复数 );咽喉v.(用食物把自己)塞饱,填饱( gorge的第三人称单数 );作呕
参考例句:
  • The explorers were confronted with gorges(that were)almost impassable and rivers(that were)often unfordable. 探险人员面临着几乎是无路可通的峡谷和常常是无法渡过的河流。 来自辞典例句
  • We visited the Yangtse Gorges last summer. 去年夏天我们游历了长江三峡。 来自辞典例句
17 mighty YDWxl     
adj.强有力的;巨大的
参考例句:
  • A mighty force was about to break loose.一股巨大的力量即将迸发而出。
  • The mighty iceberg came into view.巨大的冰山出现在眼前。
18 royalty iX6xN     
n.皇家,皇族
参考例句:
  • She claims to be descended from royalty.她声称她是皇室后裔。
  • I waited on tables,and even catered to royalty at the Royal Albert Hall.我做过服务生, 甚至在皇家阿伯特大厅侍奉过皇室的人。
19 noted 5n4zXc     
adj.著名的,知名的
参考例句:
  • The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
  • Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。
20 annexed ca83f28e6402c883ed613e9ee0580f48     
[法] 附加的,附属的
参考例句:
  • Germany annexed Austria in 1938. 1938年德国吞并了奥地利。
  • The outlying villages were formally annexed by the town last year. 那些偏远的村庄于去年正式被并入该镇。
21 fouled e3aea4b0e24d5219b3ee13ab76c137ae     
v.使污秽( foul的过去式和过去分词 );弄脏;击球出界;(通常用废物)弄脏
参考例句:
  • Blue suit and reddish-brown socks!He had fouled up again. 蓝衣服和红褐色短袜!他又搞错了。
  • The whole river has been fouled up with filthy waste from factories. 整条河都被工厂的污秽废物污染了。
22 aquatic mvXzk     
adj.水生的,水栖的
参考例句:
  • Aquatic sports include swimming and rowing.水上运动包括游泳和划船。
  • We visited an aquatic city in Italy.我们在意大利访问过一个水上城市。
23 biosphere 5Ryyu     
n.生命层,生物圈
参考例句:
  • The entire biosphere was becoming more transparent.整个生物圈越来越透明。
  • The impact of modern technology on the biosphere is evident worldwide.现代技术对生物圈的影响在全世界是明显的。
24 Buddhists 5f3c74ef01ae0fe3724e91f586462b77     
n.佛教徒( Buddhist的名词复数 )
参考例句:
  • The Jesuits in a phase of ascendancy, persecuted and insulted the Buddhists with great acrimony. 处于地位上升阶段的耶稣会修士迫害佛教徒,用尖刻的语言辱骂他们。 来自英汉非文学 - 历史
  • The return of Saivite rule to central Java had brought no antagonism between Buddhists and Hindus. 湿婆教在中爪哇恢复统治后,并没有导致佛教徒与印度教徒之间的对立。 来自辞典例句
25 clearances ec40aa102b878fb9d47b3f1882c46eb4     
清除( clearance的名词复数 ); 许可; (录用或准许接触机密以前的)审查许可; 净空
参考例句:
  • But I can't get to him without clearances. 但是没有证明我就没法见到他。
  • The bridge and the top of the bus was only ten clearances. 桥与公共汽车车顶之间的间隙只有十厘米。
26 punctuate 1iPyL     
vt.加标点于;不时打断
参考例句:
  • The pupils have not yet learned to punctuate correctly.小学生尚未学会正确使用标点符号。
  • Be sure to punctuate your sentences with the correct marks in the right places.一定要在你文章句子中的正确地方标上正确的标点符号。
27 crescendo 1o8zM     
n.(音乐)渐强,高潮
参考例句:
  • The gale reached its crescendo in the evening.狂风在晚上达到高潮。
  • There was a crescendo of parliamentary and press criticism.来自议会和新闻界的批评越来越多。
28 awaken byMzdD     
vi.醒,觉醒;vt.唤醒,使觉醒,唤起,激起
参考例句:
  • Old people awaken early in the morning.老年人早晨醒得早。
  • Please awaken me at six.请于六点叫醒我。
29 disciples e24b5e52634d7118146b7b4e56748cac     
n.信徒( disciple的名词复数 );门徒;耶稣的信徒;(尤指)耶稣十二门徒之一
参考例句:
  • Judas was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus. 犹大是耶稣十二门徒之一。 来自《简明英汉词典》
  • "The names of the first two disciples were --" “最初的两个门徒的名字是——” 来自英汉文学 - 汤姆历险
30 slumber 8E7zT     
n.睡眠,沉睡状态
参考例句:
  • All the people in the hotels were wrapped in deep slumber.住在各旅馆里的人都已进入梦乡。
  • Don't wake him from his slumber because he needs the rest.不要把他从睡眠中唤醒,因为他需要休息。
31 preservation glnzYU     
n.保护,维护,保存,保留,保持
参考例句:
  • The police are responsible for the preservation of law and order.警察负责维持法律与秩序。
  • The picture is in an excellent state of preservation.这幅画保存得极为完好。

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