From esg@bgl.vsnl.net.in Wed Oct 1 13:55:49 2003
Date: Tue, 23 Sep 2003 23:14:25 +0550
From: ESG India
To: cestvr@ces.iisc.ernet.in
Subject: PRESS RELEASE: DANDELI DAM PROPOSAL ABANDONED: SAYS KARNATAKA
INDUSTRIES MINISTER DESHPANDE
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Kali Bachao Andolan
PRESS RELEASE: 23 September 2003
DANDELI DAM PROPOSAL ABANDONED: SAYS KARNATAKA INDUSTRIES MINISTER DESHPANDE
KARNATAKA POLLUTION CONTROL BOARD TO 'STRICTLY REGULATE POLLUTION OF KALI RIVER'
Karnataka's Industries Minister Shri. R. V. Deshpande confirmed that the proposal
to build the 7th dam across Kali at Dandeli had been abandoned in the ecologically
sensitive Uttara Kannada district. He confirmed that this action had become
invariable, as the Deputy Commissioner of Uttara Kannada rejected the proposal
on the basis of an Environmental Public Hearing held during January 2001. Subsequently
the Karnataka Forest Department had also rejected the proposal from the point
of view of submergence of a unique riverine forest. Mr. Deshpande made this
clarification in a meeting with various representatives of Kali Bachao Andolan
who met with him on 20 September 2003, as part of their campaign meeting in Bangalore.
It may be recalled that the Dandeli Mini Hydel Project was cleared in Karnataka's
Global Investors Meet held on 5th June 2000. The proponent M/s Murdeshwar Power
Corporation claimed the dam was a run of the river scheme to and would produce
18 MW of electricity at the cost of about Rs. 200 crores. Even as it was criticized
as the most expensive hydel project ever proposed (normal costs/MW of Hydel power
is in the range of Rs. 3 crores), the proponent in an attempt to secure environmental
clearance had provided a plagiarised Environment Impact Assessment prepared by
Ernst and Young. Within months of Environment Support Group exposing this shocking
attempt, the proponent supplied another fraudulent EIA, this time prepared by
Tata Energy Research Institute. Keeping in view relevant law, the Government
was bound to reject the project. Recently, however, there were surveys to determine
the impact the dam would cause on white water rafting being undertaken by Jungle
Lodges.
The implication of this clarification from Mr. Deshpande is that the last flowing
stretch of the 180 kms long Kali River and the surrounding forests will now be
protected for posterity. Over 210 hectares of riverine forests, that form an
excellent habitat for the unique Black Panther, amongst a range of other wildlife,
and the extraordinary beauty of this region, is thus saved from submergence.
The beneficiaries include tribal hamlets who would otherwise be forced to relocate.
Also benefiting would be thousands of sensitive tourists from all over the world
who come to Dandeli for white water rafting organised by Karnataka's Jungle Lodges.
The stretch, along which they would raft, about nine kilometres in all, is the
very stretch of the river that is threatened with submergence by the dam.
Kali Bachao Andolan Meeting;
The meeting of Kali Bachao Andolan in Bangalore on 18 September was called to
focus the attention of the Karnataka Government to the series of mal-developmental
measures that were being adopted in the Kali Valley. Serious pollution of Kali
by West Coast Paper Mills and large dams building has decimated wildlife and
forests in the region. (Over 35000 hectares have been submerged in Kali Valley
alone by dams in Uttara Kannada). Local communities have been threatened with
dire action if they raised protest against such assault on the environment and
people. The Andolan, therefore, has become a major intervener in representing
these issues with the Government, and forcing it to respond with locally appropriate
development.
Action against West Coast Paper Mills:
In another significant development of this meeting, over 30 representatives of
Kali Bachao Andoloan met with Mr. J. Alexander, Chairman of Karnataka State Pollution
Control Board, Mr. Ramaiah, Member Secretary, and Mr. M. D. N. Simha, Chief Scientific
Officer, to press for action against the West Coast Paper Mills. This factory
set up in 1956 to produce paper from the bamboo extracted from Uttara Kannada
forests has completely depleted bamboo forests. Now using eucalyptus, acacia
and subabul, the company has demonstrated wanton disregard in retaining the region's
environmental quality.
For decades West Coast Paper Mills has discharged untreated effluents into Kali
causing serious pollution of the river and groundwater. Its pulp has floated
into downstream dams stinking up the waters and destroyed agriculture. A most
recent instance of its pollution resulted in the death of new born infant and
acute renal failure of a young man, while and also causing widespread gastroenteritis
in downstream villages. The company has repeatedly violated environmental norms
and standards, and has consistently overproduced doubling its production over
consented levels. Despite various complaints, the Pollution Control Board has
not initiated penal required action. A recent stealth survey by Central Pollution
Control Board demonstrated that pollution caused by the Mill was very serious.
It was also discovered that meters for fresh water intake and discharge of trade
effluents were tampered with and not functioning, thus causing the State enormous
losses.
When these issues were brought up with the Board President Mr. Alexander, and
he was pressed for a response, there was little he could offer. He thus confirmed
that he would make a visit to Dandeli in October. He also committed to take
action per law on issues of overproduction and if the company was not to have
a new effluent treatment plant functional by 30 September, as ordered by the
Board, he promised appropriate legal action.
Relief for affected villages:
Kali Bachao Andolan demanded immediate relief to affected villages whose water
is polluted, and both Mr. Deshpande and Mr. Alexander have ordered independent
enquiries to assess the costs involved for potable water to be supplied. It
was also committed that a detailed health survey would be conducted to assess
the impact of decades of pollution on people's health.
The meeting also highlighted other significant threats to the region due to incessant
mercury pollution by Ballarpur Industries manufacturing caustic soda and by the
Kaiga Nuclear Power Station near Karwar.
Leo F.Saldanha
Environment Support Group
S-3, Rajashree Apts.
18/57, 1st Main, SRK Gardens
Bannerghatta Road, Jayanagar
Bangalore 560041
Tel: 91-80-6341977/6534364
Fax: 91-80-6341977
Email: esg@bgl.vsnl.net.in
Web: www.esgindia.org <http://www.esgindia.org>
Pandurang Hegde
Parisara Samrakshana Kendra
Hulemalgi Building,
Chowkimath
Sirsi,
Uttara Kannada Dt. 581401
Tel: 91-8384-425139/425039
Fax: 91-8384-4435450/427839
Email: appiko@sancharnet.in
Bhoga Nanjunda
CIEDS, No.33-1/9, Thyagaraj Layout,
Jai Bharathi Nagar,
Maruthi Seva nagar, Bangalore560 033.
Tel: 5492774 / 779 / 5492783.
Email: awhrci@vsnl.com
RELEASE ISSUED BY:
Environment Support Group
ESG is a not for profit public interest research, training and advocacy initiative
focussing on social and environmental justice issues. Registered as a Public
Charitable Trust, donations to ESG are eligible forTax Exemptions per Sec 80
G of the Income Tax Act of India.)
[ Part 2, Application/OCTET-STREAM 47KB. ]
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