Save Mahanadi outfit ups the ante
First Published : 29 Dec 2010 07:14:57 AM IST
Last Updated : 29 Dec 2010 11:52:46 AM IST
CUTTACK: The Mahanadi Banchao Andolan has upped the ante over diversion of water to industries and alleged illegalities in land acquisition, this time in particular reference to the Tata Power project at Naraj on the outskirts here. The organisation in association with the local Siddheswar Anchalik Surakshya Committee today announced it would intensify agitation against the project to protect the interests of the farmers as well as general public.
At a farmers’ rally at Naraj Marthapur, andolan leader and former minister Bijoy Mohapatra said the 1000-MW power project would have serious repercussions not only on the environment but also on agriculture, irrigation and drinking water availability in the region. Over 50,000 people of the three gram panchayats of Naraj Marthapur, Mundali and Ramdaspur would be seriously affected by the project.
The project would use about 46,684 cusec of water from the Mahanadi river which will have serious implications for water availability for different purposes. As it is the water holding capacity of the river has gone down alarmingly in the recent years, thanks to the inaction and faulty policies of the Government. Drawing of huge volume of water would lead to depletion of groundwater table while water would not be adequately available for irrigation in and around the region. Irrigation activities through Puri Main Canal, Taladanda Canal, Machagaon Canal and Gobari canal would be affected, Mohapatra warned.
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Monday, December 13, 2010
Brahmani Basin Water Issues
Orissa: Jindal Steel and Power violates environment and Forest Rule at Angul
Report by Sangram Ranjan Nath, Bhubaneswar: Under construction Jindal Steel and Power ltd at Angul is now openly violated forest and environmental guideline. As a result the wild lives are on unsafe position. Deforestation is going on rapidly by Jindal with out any permission from forest department.
Neither district administration nor state government take any action against that illegal activity. Source said that Jindal illegally cutting the hill and blasting dynamite and transport the stone dust. So government loosed the revenue. Kamaria hill from Krushna Chandrapur Mouja under Banarpal Tahasil area is that example. Not only the wildlife gone away from that forest and hill area but also the stone dust mixed with the Nandira river water, which is now fully polluted.
There is no satisfied answer from district administration about this matter. The forest department is also sitting silence. Jindal also destroyed many trees and engraved the underground stone illegally and constructed his boundary wall back side of Diminia hill area at Sanakerejeng village. Villagers from that area demand that if that Diminial hill will not save from mafia and Jindal Company, immediately then it will destroy very soon.
Before Odisha wildlife committee also noticed about that illegal matter to state forest and environment department, district administration and District forest office. Villgers from Jindal affected area alleged that the company is blocked their irrigation water source and using that water in his plant work, illegally.
So that affected their occupation directly. Now central forest & environment department sent a explanation notice to Jindal .Orissa diary also asked about that matter to administration, and they said they will take step against that activity very soon.
[Mobile: 9438629144]
Report by Sangram Ranjan Nath, Bhubaneswar: Under construction Jindal Steel and Power ltd at Angul is now openly violated forest and environmental guideline. As a result the wild lives are on unsafe position. Deforestation is going on rapidly by Jindal with out any permission from forest department.
Neither district administration nor state government take any action against that illegal activity. Source said that Jindal illegally cutting the hill and blasting dynamite and transport the stone dust. So government loosed the revenue. Kamaria hill from Krushna Chandrapur Mouja under Banarpal Tahasil area is that example. Not only the wildlife gone away from that forest and hill area but also the stone dust mixed with the Nandira river water, which is now fully polluted.
There is no satisfied answer from district administration about this matter. The forest department is also sitting silence. Jindal also destroyed many trees and engraved the underground stone illegally and constructed his boundary wall back side of Diminia hill area at Sanakerejeng village. Villagers from that area demand that if that Diminial hill will not save from mafia and Jindal Company, immediately then it will destroy very soon.
Before Odisha wildlife committee also noticed about that illegal matter to state forest and environment department, district administration and District forest office. Villgers from Jindal affected area alleged that the company is blocked their irrigation water source and using that water in his plant work, illegally.
So that affected their occupation directly. Now central forest & environment department sent a explanation notice to Jindal .Orissa diary also asked about that matter to administration, and they said they will take step against that activity very soon.
[Mobile: 9438629144]
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
NRCP to Restore Water Quality in Rivers
14:39 IST
With a view to restoring water quality of rivers in the country, the Government has launched the centrally sponsored scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) which covers polluted stretches of 38 rivers in 178 towns spread over 20 States. Rivers Mahanadi and Brahmani in Orissa are among them. The pollution abatement works taken up under the Plan include interception and diversion of municipal sewage, setting up of sewage treatment plants, creation of low cost sanitation facilities, setting up of electric and improved wood crematoria and river front development. Sewage treatment capacity of 4064 mld (million litres per day) has been created so far in the country under the Plan. For improvement of water quality of lakes, the Government has undertaken a program of National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) under which 61 lakes in 14 States at an estimated cost of Rs. 1028.20 crore have been covered. With the completion of the NRCP and NLCP programme and through effective operation & maintenance of the assets being created, water quality of these rivers and water bodies is expected to improve contributing to rejuvenation of their bio-diversity.
Deaths and mortality of fishes due to pollution in various rivers and water bodies have been reported. Occurrence of such in rivers and lakes are on account of depletion in oxygen and release of toxic materials due to disposal of sewage or industrial wastes.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Shri Mohan Jena in Lok Sabha today.
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14:39 IST
With a view to restoring water quality of rivers in the country, the Government has launched the centrally sponsored scheme of National River Conservation Plan (NRCP) which covers polluted stretches of 38 rivers in 178 towns spread over 20 States. Rivers Mahanadi and Brahmani in Orissa are among them. The pollution abatement works taken up under the Plan include interception and diversion of municipal sewage, setting up of sewage treatment plants, creation of low cost sanitation facilities, setting up of electric and improved wood crematoria and river front development. Sewage treatment capacity of 4064 mld (million litres per day) has been created so far in the country under the Plan. For improvement of water quality of lakes, the Government has undertaken a program of National Lake Conservation Plan (NLCP) under which 61 lakes in 14 States at an estimated cost of Rs. 1028.20 crore have been covered. With the completion of the NRCP and NLCP programme and through effective operation & maintenance of the assets being created, water quality of these rivers and water bodies is expected to improve contributing to rejuvenation of their bio-diversity.
Deaths and mortality of fishes due to pollution in various rivers and water bodies have been reported. Occurrence of such in rivers and lakes are on account of depletion in oxygen and release of toxic materials due to disposal of sewage or industrial wastes.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Environment and Forests (independent charge) Shri Jairam Ramesh in a written reply to a question by Shri Mohan Jena in Lok Sabha today.
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Friday, November 26, 2010
SC orders infrastructure for Orissa-Andhra Inter-state Water disputes tribunal
26.11.2010 | 14:56
New Delhi
Upmanyu Trivedi
An unhappy Supreme Court today directed the Centre to provide all necessary infrastructure for a functional Inter-state Water Disputes tribunal which was set up to settle water dispute between Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. The centre has been given three months time to make all arrangements.
Both states have for once joined hands to file a joint interim application before the apex court to operationalise the tribunal which was set up by a Supreme Court order dated 6.2.2009 to adjudicate dispute between the two states arising from construction of side channel and flood canal project at village Katragada on the river Vansadhara in Andhra Pradesh.
Supreme Court bench of Justice Altamas Kabir and Cyriac Joseph passed the order today for providing suitable infrastructure and accommodation for all members of the Commission and judges of the tribunal.
The tribunal although was setup on February 24 this year could not start functioning for lack of infrastructure and accommodation for judges. The bench ordered "we direct union of India to provide suitable infrastructure and suitable accommodation for members within 3 months."
The bench also observed that it is unfortunate that even after one and a half years after Supreme Court order of constitution of the tribunal it is still not functional. The bench noted "we hope union of India takes immediate steps."
The state of Orissa had in February 2006 communicated to the Central Government for constitution of a tribunal to look into its grievances on construction of a flood flow canal at Katragada under section 3 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956. The Supreme Court in a petition filed by state of Orissa had held on 6.2.2009 that, “It is now almost three years since the complaint was made by the state of Orissa but the central government has not taken any action in the matter. In this scenario, the prayer made by the state of Orissa does not appear to be unreasonable since the dispute between the two states does not confine itself to the construction of the side channel weir and the flood flow canal, but primarily involves the unilateral decision taken by the state of Andhra Pradesh to divert the river waters to the state of Andhra Pradesh, which could possibly disturb the agreement [between the two states] to share the waters of the river equally.”
26.11.2010 | 14:56
New Delhi
Upmanyu Trivedi
An unhappy Supreme Court today directed the Centre to provide all necessary infrastructure for a functional Inter-state Water Disputes tribunal which was set up to settle water dispute between Orissa and Andhra Pradesh. The centre has been given three months time to make all arrangements.
Both states have for once joined hands to file a joint interim application before the apex court to operationalise the tribunal which was set up by a Supreme Court order dated 6.2.2009 to adjudicate dispute between the two states arising from construction of side channel and flood canal project at village Katragada on the river Vansadhara in Andhra Pradesh.
Supreme Court bench of Justice Altamas Kabir and Cyriac Joseph passed the order today for providing suitable infrastructure and accommodation for all members of the Commission and judges of the tribunal.
The tribunal although was setup on February 24 this year could not start functioning for lack of infrastructure and accommodation for judges. The bench ordered "we direct union of India to provide suitable infrastructure and suitable accommodation for members within 3 months."
The bench also observed that it is unfortunate that even after one and a half years after Supreme Court order of constitution of the tribunal it is still not functional. The bench noted "we hope union of India takes immediate steps."
The state of Orissa had in February 2006 communicated to the Central Government for constitution of a tribunal to look into its grievances on construction of a flood flow canal at Katragada under section 3 of the Inter-State River Water Disputes (ISRWD) Act, 1956. The Supreme Court in a petition filed by state of Orissa had held on 6.2.2009 that, “It is now almost three years since the complaint was made by the state of Orissa but the central government has not taken any action in the matter. In this scenario, the prayer made by the state of Orissa does not appear to be unreasonable since the dispute between the two states does not confine itself to the construction of the side channel weir and the flood flow canal, but primarily involves the unilateral decision taken by the state of Andhra Pradesh to divert the river waters to the state of Andhra Pradesh, which could possibly disturb the agreement [between the two states] to share the waters of the river equally.”
Thursday, November 25, 2010
JSPL Orissa facing allegations of environmental law breach
The Pioneer reported that after POSCO and Vedanta, it is now the turn of Jindal Steel & Power Ltd to face serious allegations in Odisha for violating the forest rights Act and environment clearance norms.
It has been alleged that in violation of the ministry of environment and Forests specific permission to draw water only from Brahmani River at Samal Barrage, JSPL has been illegally drawing groundwater. The lowering water table has severely affected the nearby elephant habitat, leading to an increase in the incidents of man animal conflict in nearby villages.
Mr Biswajit Mohanty environmentalist also the secretary of Wildlife Society of Orissa has written to environment minister Mr Jairam Ramesh and called for the withdrawal of environmental clearance for brazen flouting of the specific condition agreed upon with the MoEF. Alleging connivance of the State Government, he said officers who failed to inform the MoEF of the violations must be brought to book.
Mr Mohanty has told the minister that construction of such a huge steel plant involved use of large quantities of water required for casting and curing of concrete foundations for machinery, offices, residential quarters, boundary wall, compaction of roads, development of green belt plantation etc.
He also pointed to condition number of the environment clearance of MoEF granted to Jindal in 2007. Mr Mohanty said that “Total requirement of the water to be drawn from Brahmani river/Samal Barrage shall not exceed 14,700 cubic metre/hour. Permission has been accorded for the withdrawal of 7,000 m/hour water for Phase I by the Department of Water Resources, Govt of Orissa, vide letter dated December 11th 2006.”
As per the MoEF condition, the company has not yet completed its pipeline from the Brahmani/Samal Barrage to the plant site for sourcing the water. But it has been carrying on civil construction…site development by digging nearly 150-200 bore wells within the plant site, from where water is being pumped out. As a result, there has been a drastic reduction in the water level at nearby reservoirs, including the Derjang Medium Irrigation Project.
Besides creating irrigation problems in the nearby villages, the drastic reduction in water level has affected the wildlife. The letter states that the area adjacent to the plant site is an elephant habitat, which is used by pachyderms while migrating from Sarkosia Tiger Reserve to Chendipada and Pallahra forest, on their way to Keonjhar forest.
As a result of the water crisis, the jumbos are straying into local villages, leading to a raging man elephant conflict in the area for two years now.
The company is setting up an integrated steel plant at Badkerjang in Angul district with 6 million tonne per annum capacity and a 1,000 MW captive plant at an investment of INR 10,000 crore.
(Sourced from www.dailypioneer.com)
The Pioneer reported that after POSCO and Vedanta, it is now the turn of Jindal Steel & Power Ltd to face serious allegations in Odisha for violating the forest rights Act and environment clearance norms.
It has been alleged that in violation of the ministry of environment and Forests specific permission to draw water only from Brahmani River at Samal Barrage, JSPL has been illegally drawing groundwater. The lowering water table has severely affected the nearby elephant habitat, leading to an increase in the incidents of man animal conflict in nearby villages.
Mr Biswajit Mohanty environmentalist also the secretary of Wildlife Society of Orissa has written to environment minister Mr Jairam Ramesh and called for the withdrawal of environmental clearance for brazen flouting of the specific condition agreed upon with the MoEF. Alleging connivance of the State Government, he said officers who failed to inform the MoEF of the violations must be brought to book.
Mr Mohanty has told the minister that construction of such a huge steel plant involved use of large quantities of water required for casting and curing of concrete foundations for machinery, offices, residential quarters, boundary wall, compaction of roads, development of green belt plantation etc.
He also pointed to condition number of the environment clearance of MoEF granted to Jindal in 2007. Mr Mohanty said that “Total requirement of the water to be drawn from Brahmani river/Samal Barrage shall not exceed 14,700 cubic metre/hour. Permission has been accorded for the withdrawal of 7,000 m/hour water for Phase I by the Department of Water Resources, Govt of Orissa, vide letter dated December 11th 2006.”
As per the MoEF condition, the company has not yet completed its pipeline from the Brahmani/Samal Barrage to the plant site for sourcing the water. But it has been carrying on civil construction…site development by digging nearly 150-200 bore wells within the plant site, from where water is being pumped out. As a result, there has been a drastic reduction in the water level at nearby reservoirs, including the Derjang Medium Irrigation Project.
Besides creating irrigation problems in the nearby villages, the drastic reduction in water level has affected the wildlife. The letter states that the area adjacent to the plant site is an elephant habitat, which is used by pachyderms while migrating from Sarkosia Tiger Reserve to Chendipada and Pallahra forest, on their way to Keonjhar forest.
As a result of the water crisis, the jumbos are straying into local villages, leading to a raging man elephant conflict in the area for two years now.
The company is setting up an integrated steel plant at Badkerjang in Angul district with 6 million tonne per annum capacity and a 1,000 MW captive plant at an investment of INR 10,000 crore.
(Sourced from www.dailypioneer.com)
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Polavaram Politics
SC grants "last opportunity" to Centre on Polavaram row
New Delhi, Nov 18 (PTI) The Supreme Court today granted "last opportunity" to the Centre to file within three weeks its response on Orissa''s plea for quashing clearance granted by Environment Ministry to the controversial Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh, which it fears would inundate several parts of the state.
A bench of Justices Mukundakam Sharma and A R Dave while passing the order also posted after 8 weeks hearing of the main suit filed by Orissa in 2007 challenging the construction of the project also known as Indira Sagar, which the Centre has agreed to treat as a national project.
The apex court gave the "last opportunity" as it was irked by the Centre''s failure to file the response despite its earlier directive on October 4.
It also asked the Andhra Pradesh Government to file its response within three weeks and allowed Maharashtra to file its impleadment application on the issue as the project had a bearing on the State''s interest too.
According to Andhra Pradesh government, the project will provide drinking water to three million people, produce 960MW of power and give 23,500 million cubic feet of water to the industries.
In its application, Orissa has urged the apex court to quash the clearance on the ground that it would affect the lives of thousands of people in the state due to the massive embankment being constructed by Andhra Pradesh.
Senior counsel Raju Ramachandran questioned the Centre''s logic in granting clearance when the construction of the project was being examined by the apex court.
Orissa has already filed a suit before the apex court challenging the construction of the multi-crore Polavaram project.
The state has argued that the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF) had granted clearance to the project despite the fact that Andhra Pradesh failed to conduct the mandatory public hearing before constructing the 45-feet high embankment spread over 35 kms.
It maintained that the clearance was granted despite the fact that the dispute over the construction of the project was pending adjudication in the apex court.
The UPA government had earlier assured Andhra Pradesh government that it would accord a national status to the project, which means that a bulk of the project cost would be borne by the Centre.
Inordinate delay in execution of Polavaram Project has led to steep escalation of project cost from about Rs. 12,000 crore to over Rs. 17,600 crore now.
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had during his last visit to Delhi urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to withdraw forest and environmental clearance to Polavaram project as it would submerge vast areas in Orissa''s Malkangiri district.
The Prime Minister, on his part, had assured him that the tribal villages would not be allowed to be submerged.
Initially planned by the British in 1941, the Polavaram project envisages construction of a dam on Godavari river and diversion of a large volume of water through a 174-km link canal to Krishna river.
Orissa government had first moved the Supreme Court after the MoEF had given its interim approval for the project in 2008.
New Delhi, Nov 18 (PTI) The Supreme Court today granted "last opportunity" to the Centre to file within three weeks its response on Orissa''s plea for quashing clearance granted by Environment Ministry to the controversial Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh, which it fears would inundate several parts of the state.
A bench of Justices Mukundakam Sharma and A R Dave while passing the order also posted after 8 weeks hearing of the main suit filed by Orissa in 2007 challenging the construction of the project also known as Indira Sagar, which the Centre has agreed to treat as a national project.
The apex court gave the "last opportunity" as it was irked by the Centre''s failure to file the response despite its earlier directive on October 4.
It also asked the Andhra Pradesh Government to file its response within three weeks and allowed Maharashtra to file its impleadment application on the issue as the project had a bearing on the State''s interest too.
According to Andhra Pradesh government, the project will provide drinking water to three million people, produce 960MW of power and give 23,500 million cubic feet of water to the industries.
In its application, Orissa has urged the apex court to quash the clearance on the ground that it would affect the lives of thousands of people in the state due to the massive embankment being constructed by Andhra Pradesh.
Senior counsel Raju Ramachandran questioned the Centre''s logic in granting clearance when the construction of the project was being examined by the apex court.
Orissa has already filed a suit before the apex court challenging the construction of the multi-crore Polavaram project.
The state has argued that the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MOEF) had granted clearance to the project despite the fact that Andhra Pradesh failed to conduct the mandatory public hearing before constructing the 45-feet high embankment spread over 35 kms.
It maintained that the clearance was granted despite the fact that the dispute over the construction of the project was pending adjudication in the apex court.
The UPA government had earlier assured Andhra Pradesh government that it would accord a national status to the project, which means that a bulk of the project cost would be borne by the Centre.
Inordinate delay in execution of Polavaram Project has led to steep escalation of project cost from about Rs. 12,000 crore to over Rs. 17,600 crore now.
Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had during his last visit to Delhi urged Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to withdraw forest and environmental clearance to Polavaram project as it would submerge vast areas in Orissa''s Malkangiri district.
The Prime Minister, on his part, had assured him that the tribal villages would not be allowed to be submerged.
Initially planned by the British in 1941, the Polavaram project envisages construction of a dam on Godavari river and diversion of a large volume of water through a 174-km link canal to Krishna river.
Orissa government had first moved the Supreme Court after the MoEF had given its interim approval for the project in 2008.
Thursday, November 18, 2010
Polavaram Politics
Divide between Telangana and coast hits Polavaram
Ashok Das, Hindustan Times
Email Author
Hyderabad, November 18, 2010First Published: 00:08 IST(18/11/2010)
Last Updated: 00:10 IST(18/11/2010)
The Rs 16,010-crore Polavaram dam project on the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh — already a source of anguish in Orissa and Chhattisgarh — has attracted opposition from the most unexpected quarters: leaders of the ruling Congress in Telangana. The project that may displace 1.8 lakh people in the
state, as a vast swath of land will be submerged in those states, has already been served a show-cause notice from the Union environment ministry as well.
The dam, being built for five years with more than Rs3,000 crore already expended, will submerge 276 villages in Andhra Pradesh alone. Of them, 205 villages are in Telangana.
Over 1.3 lakh people in the region, mostly the Koyas and the Konda Reddy tribesmen, will be uprooted by the project. What’s more, the project will help irrigate 7.2 lakh acres in coastal Andhra region, while Telangana will get water for only 1.33 lakh acres.
IT minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, who is from the Telangana region, said, "The Nagarjunasagar and Pulichintala dams were built displacing Telangana tribesmen. Now, the tribesmen are set to be displaced again due to the Polavaram project."
As the dam is expected to benefit the coastal region more than Telangana, it has added fuel to the traditional rivalry between the two regions and created a sharp divide even between the Congress leaders of the regions.
For the past 24 hours, Telangana is witnessing a wave of protests, demanding a review of the dam project. This time, however, the lead is not being by the Telangana Rastra Samiti.
The central government, in view of the protests in Telangana, may not take an early call on the project. And the environment ministry's show-cause notice has brought work on the project to a standstill.
Ashok Das, Hindustan Times
Email Author
Hyderabad, November 18, 2010First Published: 00:08 IST(18/11/2010)
Last Updated: 00:10 IST(18/11/2010)
The Rs 16,010-crore Polavaram dam project on the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh — already a source of anguish in Orissa and Chhattisgarh — has attracted opposition from the most unexpected quarters: leaders of the ruling Congress in Telangana. The project that may displace 1.8 lakh people in the
state, as a vast swath of land will be submerged in those states, has already been served a show-cause notice from the Union environment ministry as well.
The dam, being built for five years with more than Rs3,000 crore already expended, will submerge 276 villages in Andhra Pradesh alone. Of them, 205 villages are in Telangana.
Over 1.3 lakh people in the region, mostly the Koyas and the Konda Reddy tribesmen, will be uprooted by the project. What’s more, the project will help irrigate 7.2 lakh acres in coastal Andhra region, while Telangana will get water for only 1.33 lakh acres.
IT minister Komatireddy Venkat Reddy, who is from the Telangana region, said, "The Nagarjunasagar and Pulichintala dams were built displacing Telangana tribesmen. Now, the tribesmen are set to be displaced again due to the Polavaram project."
As the dam is expected to benefit the coastal region more than Telangana, it has added fuel to the traditional rivalry between the two regions and created a sharp divide even between the Congress leaders of the regions.
For the past 24 hours, Telangana is witnessing a wave of protests, demanding a review of the dam project. This time, however, the lead is not being by the Telangana Rastra Samiti.
The central government, in view of the protests in Telangana, may not take an early call on the project. And the environment ministry's show-cause notice has brought work on the project to a standstill.
Wednesday, November 17, 2010
Polavaram Politics
SC hearing on Polavaram project on Thursday
BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar November 17, 2010, 0:52 IST
The fate of the controversial Polavaram project is likely to be decided by the Supreme Court of India which would hear the case on Thursday.
"The Supreme Court will hear the case relating to the Polavaram project on Thursday”, Suresh Mohapatra, secretary (water resources), Orissa government told Business Standard
It may be noted that the Orissa government had approached the Supreme Court of India on September 4 this year, challenging the Centre's decision to give final environmental clearance for the project.
On October 4, the apex court had asked the Government of India to file its response within a month.
In its suit, Orissa had sought a declaration that Andhra Pradesh had no right or entitlement to undertake or proceed with the Polavaram project on the Godavari river. It has also stated that embankments were not permanent solutions to effectively contain submergence during floods.
Meanwhile, Orissa has gone soft on its demand for the conduct of public hearing for the controversial multipurpose Polavaram project. The state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who has of late been unrelenting in his demand for holding public hearings for the project, announced that the state will wait till the apex court gives its verdict on the project.
The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister had categorically stated that there was no need for conducting public hearings in Orissa and Chhattisgarh, as adequate measures were taken to prevent submergence of villages in the two states.
Rosaiah's statement had sparked off a war of words between him and Patnaik.
Reacting to Rosaiah's comments, Patnaik had said, “Our concern is that the tribal people, particularly in Malkangiri district do not suffer because of the implementation of the Polavaram project. They (Andhra Pradesh government) may be taking measures to prevent submergence of villages but public hearings must be conducted.”
The Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) on November 2, had asked the Andhra Pradesh government to specify the reasons for not holding public hearings for the project in Orissa and Chattisgarh even after one and a half years of issue of the letter of the ministry dated March 9 last year.
BS Reporter / Kolkata/ Bhubaneswar November 17, 2010, 0:52 IST
The fate of the controversial Polavaram project is likely to be decided by the Supreme Court of India which would hear the case on Thursday.
"The Supreme Court will hear the case relating to the Polavaram project on Thursday”, Suresh Mohapatra, secretary (water resources), Orissa government told Business Standard
It may be noted that the Orissa government had approached the Supreme Court of India on September 4 this year, challenging the Centre's decision to give final environmental clearance for the project.
On October 4, the apex court had asked the Government of India to file its response within a month.
In its suit, Orissa had sought a declaration that Andhra Pradesh had no right or entitlement to undertake or proceed with the Polavaram project on the Godavari river. It has also stated that embankments were not permanent solutions to effectively contain submergence during floods.
Meanwhile, Orissa has gone soft on its demand for the conduct of public hearing for the controversial multipurpose Polavaram project. The state Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, who has of late been unrelenting in his demand for holding public hearings for the project, announced that the state will wait till the apex court gives its verdict on the project.
The Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister had categorically stated that there was no need for conducting public hearings in Orissa and Chhattisgarh, as adequate measures were taken to prevent submergence of villages in the two states.
Rosaiah's statement had sparked off a war of words between him and Patnaik.
Reacting to Rosaiah's comments, Patnaik had said, “Our concern is that the tribal people, particularly in Malkangiri district do not suffer because of the implementation of the Polavaram project. They (Andhra Pradesh government) may be taking measures to prevent submergence of villages but public hearings must be conducted.”
The Union ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) on November 2, had asked the Andhra Pradesh government to specify the reasons for not holding public hearings for the project in Orissa and Chattisgarh even after one and a half years of issue of the letter of the ministry dated March 9 last year.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
Polavaram Politics
Orissa to wait for apex court verdict on Polavaram
2010-11-12 22:30:00
Bhubaneswar, Nov 12 (IANS) Orissa Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik Friday said his government will wait for the Supreme Court verdict on the controversial Polavaram dam project, to be built by Andhra Pradesh on river Godavari, to chalk out its future course of action.
'We will wait for the judgment of the Supreme Court. Then we will see what needs to be done,' Patnaik told reporters here.
The Rs.12,000 crore Polavaram multipurpose project has been planned on river Godavari in Andhra Pradesh. If built, it will be south India's biggest dam, providing irrigation to 7.19 lakh acres in that state.
The Orissa government first moved the Supreme Court after the central environment and forests ministry granted interim approval to the project in 2008.
The state government knocked on the door of the apex court again in September this year after the union environment and forests ministry granted final approval for diversion of 3,731.07 hectares of forest land for the project.
Chhattisgarh and Orissa fear that after completion of the project, in case of floods, the back water of the Godavari on which the dam would be built will flow into its tributaries Saberi and Sileru in Orissa and Chhattisgarh and submerge dozens of villages.
Andhra Pradesh has said it will put embankments on the river but Orissa says it will not help.
The project ran into more trouble after the union environment and forests ministry earlier this month questioned Andhra Pradesh for beginning work on the project without holding public hearing in Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
Polavaram Politics
Polavaram project: AP flays neighbouring states
PTI
First Published : 12 Nov 2010 10:21:10 PM ISTLast Updated : 12 Nov 2010 11:40:56 PM IST
NEW DELHI: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah has accused Orissa and Chhattisgarh governments of not "cooperating" in conducting public hearings on the construction of the proposed Polavaram irrigation project.
The Union Environment Ministry had issued a show-cause notice to Andhra Pradesh government to explain why it had failed to conduct a public hearing on the construction of the dam as asked by it while giving clearance to the multi-purpose project in the state.
However, Rosaiah tried to put the ball in the courts of neighbouring Orissa and Chattisgarh which have been opposing the proposed dam fearing displacement of a large number tribals in their territories.
"You will appreciate that in our federal set-up specific functions such as holding of public hearings have to be performed by the respective states. Andhra Pradesh cannot hold public hearing either in Orissa or Chhattisgarh," Rosaiah said in a letter to Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.
He argued that instead of asking the neighbouring states to furnish reason for not holding public hearings, the Environment Minister had been directing questions at his government in the matter.
Questioning the need for issuing the show-cause notice, the chief minister also pointed out that his government had been from time to time informing the Environment Ministry about the steps taken by it in the matter as well "inaction and reluctance" of the relevant authorities of Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
Taking a serious view of Andhra Pradesh government's inaction in conducting a public hearing on Polavaram project and obtaining a fresh green clearance, the Ministry had written a letter to the state seeking an explanation on the issue.
Rosaiah asked the Environment Ministry to accord its concurrence for construction of protective embankments along the rivers Sabari and Sileru without insisting on public hearing as there was no change in the scope of the project.
Besides, flood protective bunds did not require environmental clearance as per the provisions of EIA Notification, 2006, he added.
The project was granted forest clearance on July 28 by the Environment Ministry with a condition that no land will be submerged in Orissa and Chhattisgarh and public hearing will be conducted in the two states.
PTI
First Published : 12 Nov 2010 10:21:10 PM ISTLast Updated : 12 Nov 2010 11:40:56 PM IST
NEW DELHI: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah has accused Orissa and Chhattisgarh governments of not "cooperating" in conducting public hearings on the construction of the proposed Polavaram irrigation project.
The Union Environment Ministry had issued a show-cause notice to Andhra Pradesh government to explain why it had failed to conduct a public hearing on the construction of the dam as asked by it while giving clearance to the multi-purpose project in the state.
However, Rosaiah tried to put the ball in the courts of neighbouring Orissa and Chattisgarh which have been opposing the proposed dam fearing displacement of a large number tribals in their territories.
"You will appreciate that in our federal set-up specific functions such as holding of public hearings have to be performed by the respective states. Andhra Pradesh cannot hold public hearing either in Orissa or Chhattisgarh," Rosaiah said in a letter to Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh.
He argued that instead of asking the neighbouring states to furnish reason for not holding public hearings, the Environment Minister had been directing questions at his government in the matter.
Questioning the need for issuing the show-cause notice, the chief minister also pointed out that his government had been from time to time informing the Environment Ministry about the steps taken by it in the matter as well "inaction and reluctance" of the relevant authorities of Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
Taking a serious view of Andhra Pradesh government's inaction in conducting a public hearing on Polavaram project and obtaining a fresh green clearance, the Ministry had written a letter to the state seeking an explanation on the issue.
Rosaiah asked the Environment Ministry to accord its concurrence for construction of protective embankments along the rivers Sabari and Sileru without insisting on public hearing as there was no change in the scope of the project.
Besides, flood protective bunds did not require environmental clearance as per the provisions of EIA Notification, 2006, he added.
The project was granted forest clearance on July 28 by the Environment Ministry with a condition that no land will be submerged in Orissa and Chhattisgarh and public hearing will be conducted in the two states.
Sunday, November 7, 2010
Orissa villagers protest Essar Steel dredging work
Hundreds of villagers under the banner of Gramya Suraksha Samiti and Paradip Krushak Mancha protested the dredging work of Essar Steel in Mahanadi River near Paradip. They were agitating over non fulfillment of their demands.
The agitation affected the sand filling work of the land acquired by the company for setting up of a six million tonne steel plant.
Villagers alleged that Essar Steel was trying to purchase private land for the project at lesser price using land mafias and ignoring the claims of the affected villagers for higher compensation. Besides they accused the company of violating costal regulation zone act, causing soil erosion, giving preference to outsiders in employment and harassing contract labour engaged in construction work.
Mr Bhagban Swain secretary of Paradip Krushak Mancha said that the company is dredging the shore line of the river in stead of its middle portion which has resulted in the river ingression into the agricultural land on the river bank.
He said that farmers are unable to cultivate paddy as the saline water has submerged their land. The company is yet to give compensation to the affected farmer. Hence, the villagers marched to the site where the company is conducting the dredging and stopped the work demanding payment of compensation.
Earlier, the villagers had protested the dredging work on three occasions following which the Essar Steel authority and district administration had given assurance to conduct survey about the soil erosion and damage suffered by the farmers by technical experts. But later nothing happened and ignoring the demands of the affected people, the company restarted the dredging work on Mahandai River. In protest, the irate villagers stopped the dredging work.
President of Gramya Suraksha Samiti, Tofan Swain said that the organization would hold an awareness meeting at Bhubaneswar on November 7 to highlight the plight of the villagers. On the other hand, Kujang tahsildar Basudev Pradhan said, the necessary permission for dredging has been given by the Cuttack division of Irrigation Department of the state government.
Hundreds of villagers under the banner of Gramya Suraksha Samiti and Paradip Krushak Mancha protested the dredging work of Essar Steel in Mahanadi River near Paradip. They were agitating over non fulfillment of their demands.
The agitation affected the sand filling work of the land acquired by the company for setting up of a six million tonne steel plant.
Villagers alleged that Essar Steel was trying to purchase private land for the project at lesser price using land mafias and ignoring the claims of the affected villagers for higher compensation. Besides they accused the company of violating costal regulation zone act, causing soil erosion, giving preference to outsiders in employment and harassing contract labour engaged in construction work.
Mr Bhagban Swain secretary of Paradip Krushak Mancha said that the company is dredging the shore line of the river in stead of its middle portion which has resulted in the river ingression into the agricultural land on the river bank.
He said that farmers are unable to cultivate paddy as the saline water has submerged their land. The company is yet to give compensation to the affected farmer. Hence, the villagers marched to the site where the company is conducting the dredging and stopped the work demanding payment of compensation.
Earlier, the villagers had protested the dredging work on three occasions following which the Essar Steel authority and district administration had given assurance to conduct survey about the soil erosion and damage suffered by the farmers by technical experts. But later nothing happened and ignoring the demands of the affected people, the company restarted the dredging work on Mahandai River. In protest, the irate villagers stopped the dredging work.
President of Gramya Suraksha Samiti, Tofan Swain said that the organization would hold an awareness meeting at Bhubaneswar on November 7 to highlight the plight of the villagers. On the other hand, Kujang tahsildar Basudev Pradhan said, the necessary permission for dredging has been given by the Cuttack division of Irrigation Department of the state government.
Friday, November 5, 2010
POSCO
Olive ridley sabotages Posco's port plan
5 Nov, 2010, 05.44AM IST, Urmi A Goswami,ET Bureau
NEW DELHI: The endangered olive ridley turtle could well upset South Korean steel maker Posco’s plans to construct a captive port at Jatadhar in Orissa.
The proposed port at the mouth of River Jatadhar of the Mahanadi delta would be located in close proximity to the congregation area of the olive ridley sea turtles. It would also be in close proximity to mass nesting beaches for turtles, including the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.
The olive ridley turtle is listed as a protected species under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act. Given the importance of the area for the protection of turtles, the mouth of the Jatadhar river have been designated at protected waters under the Orissa Marine Fisheries Regulation Act.
There are concerns about the impact of increased illumination from the proposed port on the nesting sites for adult turtles, as well. The large number of ports, many of which are in proposal stage, has become a cause of concern for the impact it has on marine life. The area is also home to dolphins among other species.
“Orissa has the largest nesting population of olive ridleys outside Central America. Also, the olive ridley turtle population in the Orissa coast is unique. Genetic studies show that olive ridley populations in the Pacific and Atlantic originated from India's east coast. Therefore, from the conservation perspective, protecting the habitat along the Orissa coastline takes on greater importance,” said ecologist Kartik Shanker, faculty at the Indian Institute of Science , Bangalore.
Mr Shanker is part of a group of ecologists and biologists who have drawn attention to the impact of the increased port construction on the Orissa coast.
The group also includes Romulus Whitaker of the Madras Crocodile Bank , Sudarshan Rodriguez of TISS, Sejal Worah of WWF-India. The scientists will be conveying their concerns about the need to protect the ecosystem of the Orissa coast to the environment ministry shortly. Earlier, they had submitted their views to the ministry appointed Posco review panel as well.
“Over the years, the intensity of illumination from the Paradip port has intensified although located at a distance of approximately 50 km from the Gahirmatha nesting site. We are of the opinion that the illumination and glow of light from the Posco port area will inhibit nesting from taking place at the Devi river mouth,” the biologists said in their communication.
They have drawn attention to the fact that the environment impact assessment report for the port project prepared by M N Dastur and Company made no mention of the impact the port would have on the marine environment of the area.
“The report is not a suitable document for assessing impacts on the marine environment, particularly on the globally significant population of sea turtles,” the communication states. India is a signatory to the Indian Ocean memorandum of understanding for the conservation of sea turtles and a party to the Convention on Migratory Species.
5 Nov, 2010, 05.44AM IST, Urmi A Goswami,ET Bureau
NEW DELHI: The endangered olive ridley turtle could well upset South Korean steel maker Posco’s plans to construct a captive port at Jatadhar in Orissa.
The proposed port at the mouth of River Jatadhar of the Mahanadi delta would be located in close proximity to the congregation area of the olive ridley sea turtles. It would also be in close proximity to mass nesting beaches for turtles, including the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary.
The olive ridley turtle is listed as a protected species under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act. Given the importance of the area for the protection of turtles, the mouth of the Jatadhar river have been designated at protected waters under the Orissa Marine Fisheries Regulation Act.
There are concerns about the impact of increased illumination from the proposed port on the nesting sites for adult turtles, as well. The large number of ports, many of which are in proposal stage, has become a cause of concern for the impact it has on marine life. The area is also home to dolphins among other species.
“Orissa has the largest nesting population of olive ridleys outside Central America. Also, the olive ridley turtle population in the Orissa coast is unique. Genetic studies show that olive ridley populations in the Pacific and Atlantic originated from India's east coast. Therefore, from the conservation perspective, protecting the habitat along the Orissa coastline takes on greater importance,” said ecologist Kartik Shanker, faculty at the Indian Institute of Science , Bangalore.
Mr Shanker is part of a group of ecologists and biologists who have drawn attention to the impact of the increased port construction on the Orissa coast.
The group also includes Romulus Whitaker of the Madras Crocodile Bank , Sudarshan Rodriguez of TISS, Sejal Worah of WWF-India. The scientists will be conveying their concerns about the need to protect the ecosystem of the Orissa coast to the environment ministry shortly. Earlier, they had submitted their views to the ministry appointed Posco review panel as well.
“Over the years, the intensity of illumination from the Paradip port has intensified although located at a distance of approximately 50 km from the Gahirmatha nesting site. We are of the opinion that the illumination and glow of light from the Posco port area will inhibit nesting from taking place at the Devi river mouth,” the biologists said in their communication.
They have drawn attention to the fact that the environment impact assessment report for the port project prepared by M N Dastur and Company made no mention of the impact the port would have on the marine environment of the area.
“The report is not a suitable document for assessing impacts on the marine environment, particularly on the globally significant population of sea turtles,” the communication states. India is a signatory to the Indian Ocean memorandum of understanding for the conservation of sea turtles and a party to the Convention on Migratory Species.
Thursday, November 4, 2010
Polavaram Politics
Orissa's objections on Polavaram project invalid: Rosaiah
2010-11-03 15:20:00
Last Updated: 2010-11-03 17:03:12
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Wednesday asserted that the objections raised by Orissa over the construction of multi-purpose Polavaram irrigation project on river Godavari were "not valid."r
Replying to a question during a brief interaction with newsmen in the State Secretariat, the Chief Minister said there was no question of Andhra Pradesh conducting a public hearing on the Polavaram project in Orissa and Chattisgarh as directed by Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
"How can we conduct a public hearing in those states? We have already taken adequate measures to prevent submergence of land in those states. The MoEF accorded environmental clearance for Polavaram only after that," Rosaiah pointed out.
The Chief Minister said the state government would "reply suitably" to the MoEF letter seeking an explanation on the construction of Polavaram.
"The Irrigation department will be replying to the MoEF letter. I have been trying to talk to Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh since yesterday but could not get across to him. I am writing a letter to Jairam today appraising the need for giving early clearance for Polavaram," Rosaiah added.
News and tweets from Hyderabad
The Chief Minister recalled that he had spoken "more than once" with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal requesting them to expedite the process of granting national status for Polavaram.
"Not only Polavaram, we are also requesting national status for Pranahita-Chevella lift irrigation project but it is yet to get some clearances from the Centre," he pointed out.
2010-11-03 15:20:00
Last Updated: 2010-11-03 17:03:12
Hyderabad: Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K Rosaiah on Wednesday asserted that the objections raised by Orissa over the construction of multi-purpose Polavaram irrigation project on river Godavari were "not valid."r
Replying to a question during a brief interaction with newsmen in the State Secretariat, the Chief Minister said there was no question of Andhra Pradesh conducting a public hearing on the Polavaram project in Orissa and Chattisgarh as directed by Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
"How can we conduct a public hearing in those states? We have already taken adequate measures to prevent submergence of land in those states. The MoEF accorded environmental clearance for Polavaram only after that," Rosaiah pointed out.
The Chief Minister said the state government would "reply suitably" to the MoEF letter seeking an explanation on the construction of Polavaram.
"The Irrigation department will be replying to the MoEF letter. I have been trying to talk to Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh since yesterday but could not get across to him. I am writing a letter to Jairam today appraising the need for giving early clearance for Polavaram," Rosaiah added.
News and tweets from Hyderabad
The Chief Minister recalled that he had spoken "more than once" with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA chairperson Sonia Gandhi and Union Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal requesting them to expedite the process of granting national status for Polavaram.
"Not only Polavaram, we are also requesting national status for Pranahita-Chevella lift irrigation project but it is yet to get some clearances from the Centre," he pointed out.
Mahendra Tanaya_Vamshadhara
Mahendratanaya next bone of contention
BHUBANESWAR: At a time when Andhra Pradesh and Orissa governments are involved in a legal fight in the Supreme Court over the Polavaram project, another dam project on the river Mahendratanaya by AP is turning contentious because of increasing local opposition.
The 'Save Mahendratanaya' movement (Mahendratanaya Banchao Andolan) wanted the State Government to move the Supreme Court over the issue as the AP Government had allegedly violated the 1962 agreement between the two states regarding the project.
Criticising the inaction of the State Government, convenor of the movement Srikant Padhi alleged that no action has been taken on the issue though Andhra government is proceeding with the project without any concern for the local people on this side of the border.
The State Government had planned to construct two anicuts on the river Bansadhara Bansadhara integrated project to thwart the designs of the Andhra government. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation of the two anicuts at Dambapur village on the Mahendratanaya and at Champapur village on the river Jalanga, a tributary of Mahendratanaya on April 30, 2008.
Padhi alleged that though both the projects had received administrative approval, work has not progressed during the last two years. These projects will provide irrigation facilities to thousands of tribals in Gajapati and Rayagada districts and drinking water to Parlakhemundi town, he said.
The seven demands raised by the movement include finalising the tender process of the two projects and immediate start of work. He said construction work should be handed over to the military engineering service if contractors refuse to take up the project because of fear from the Naxals.
A division of the military engineering service should be set up at Parlakhemundi, he said and added that the vacant posts of assistant engineer at Parlakhemundi and junior engineer of the integrated Bansadhara project should be filled up.
After flowing 56 km in Orissa, Mahendratanaya merges in Bansadhara in Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh government has started Mahendratanaya project at Meliaput.
BHUBANESWAR: At a time when Andhra Pradesh and Orissa governments are involved in a legal fight in the Supreme Court over the Polavaram project, another dam project on the river Mahendratanaya by AP is turning contentious because of increasing local opposition.
The 'Save Mahendratanaya' movement (Mahendratanaya Banchao Andolan) wanted the State Government to move the Supreme Court over the issue as the AP Government had allegedly violated the 1962 agreement between the two states regarding the project.
Criticising the inaction of the State Government, convenor of the movement Srikant Padhi alleged that no action has been taken on the issue though Andhra government is proceeding with the project without any concern for the local people on this side of the border.
The State Government had planned to construct two anicuts on the river Bansadhara Bansadhara integrated project to thwart the designs of the Andhra government. Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik had laid the foundation of the two anicuts at Dambapur village on the Mahendratanaya and at Champapur village on the river Jalanga, a tributary of Mahendratanaya on April 30, 2008.
Padhi alleged that though both the projects had received administrative approval, work has not progressed during the last two years. These projects will provide irrigation facilities to thousands of tribals in Gajapati and Rayagada districts and drinking water to Parlakhemundi town, he said.
The seven demands raised by the movement include finalising the tender process of the two projects and immediate start of work. He said construction work should be handed over to the military engineering service if contractors refuse to take up the project because of fear from the Naxals.
A division of the military engineering service should be set up at Parlakhemundi, he said and added that the vacant posts of assistant engineer at Parlakhemundi and junior engineer of the integrated Bansadhara project should be filled up.
After flowing 56 km in Orissa, Mahendratanaya merges in Bansadhara in Andhra Pradesh. The Andhra Pradesh government has started Mahendratanaya project at Meliaput.
Wednesday, November 3, 2010
Save Mahanadi
Save Mahanadi' activists target Tata project
Correspondent
CUTTACK: Now the Mahanadi Bachao (Save Mahanadi) Andolan activists have targeted the proposed 1000 MW thermal power project of Tata Company near Naraj and have threatened that not a single drop of river water would be allowed to be diverted to this project.
Joining in a massive rally on Sunday organised by the locals who have been opposing the project for several other reasons, the leaders of Save Mahanadi organisation threw their weight behind the local people.
Rally taken out
Hundreds of locals, accompanied by outfit activists took out a rally in the locality and organized a public meeting at a nearby school playground which was attended among others by the outfit leaders like former minister Bijay Mohapatra, Samir Dey and several other leaders.
Urging the local people to vehemently oppose the project, the speakers pointed out that valuable agricultural land in the locality would be damaged if the proposed thermal power plant comes up in the area.
They also threatened that the project if at all comes up in the locality; it would not be allowed to draw water from Mahanadi River.
The locals had been opposing the project ever since the state government issued notification about the project in November 2008.
They say the thermal power would severely disturb the local environment and the Millennium city would be the hottest place in the state thereby putting the eight lakh populace in misery.
Correspondent
CUTTACK: Now the Mahanadi Bachao (Save Mahanadi) Andolan activists have targeted the proposed 1000 MW thermal power project of Tata Company near Naraj and have threatened that not a single drop of river water would be allowed to be diverted to this project.
Joining in a massive rally on Sunday organised by the locals who have been opposing the project for several other reasons, the leaders of Save Mahanadi organisation threw their weight behind the local people.
Rally taken out
Hundreds of locals, accompanied by outfit activists took out a rally in the locality and organized a public meeting at a nearby school playground which was attended among others by the outfit leaders like former minister Bijay Mohapatra, Samir Dey and several other leaders.
Urging the local people to vehemently oppose the project, the speakers pointed out that valuable agricultural land in the locality would be damaged if the proposed thermal power plant comes up in the area.
They also threatened that the project if at all comes up in the locality; it would not be allowed to draw water from Mahanadi River.
The locals had been opposing the project ever since the state government issued notification about the project in November 2008.
They say the thermal power would severely disturb the local environment and the Millennium city would be the hottest place in the state thereby putting the eight lakh populace in misery.
India: Illegal sand dredging threatens wildlife
Posted on Nov 2nd
The nesting beaches of famous Olive Ridley sea turtles on the Orissa coast have eroded due to illegal sand dredging carried out by a major private steel company near the mouth of Mahanadi river.
Wildlife Society of Orissa (WSO) Secretary Biswajit Mohanty alleged that the Essar Steel Orissa Ltd (ESOL), which is proposed to set up a six MTPA steel pellet factory at Paradip along with a 225MW captive power plant, has destroyed the nesting areas of the Olive Ridley, a schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, by its dredging activities.
Mr Mohanty said the state government has allowed the world’s largest sea turtle nesting site to be destroyed and demanded the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) to immediately keep in abeyance the environmental clearance granted to the company in May 2008.
The WSO secretary said the company should be asked to stop work till the completion of the enquiry into violations of CRZ rules, Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972.
The company, he further said, should be ordered to refill the sand which had been illegally dredged from river Mahanadi so that the turtle nesting beaches of Gahirmatha could be restored.
The MoEF, Mr Mohanty said, should also prosecute the officers who have failed to enforce the CRZ regulations and the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 provisions.
He said as per local reports, at least 12,00,000 c mt of sand has been dredged from the river. Two dredgers were engaged by the Company to excavate sand from Mahanadi to fill up the site.
As the ocean currents flow for eight months of year in a northward direction, such sediment load flushed out from the Mahanadi mouth is deposited on the shores of the marine sanctuary which lies to north of the river mouth.
These soft sediment beaches are prime turtle nesting areas.
However, for the last two years, there has been an unprecedented erosion of the coastline, north of river Mahanadi, Ekakula Pentha and Agarnasi areas all known sea turtle mass nesting sites.
Posted on Nov 2nd
The nesting beaches of famous Olive Ridley sea turtles on the Orissa coast have eroded due to illegal sand dredging carried out by a major private steel company near the mouth of Mahanadi river.
Wildlife Society of Orissa (WSO) Secretary Biswajit Mohanty alleged that the Essar Steel Orissa Ltd (ESOL), which is proposed to set up a six MTPA steel pellet factory at Paradip along with a 225MW captive power plant, has destroyed the nesting areas of the Olive Ridley, a schedule I species under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, by its dredging activities.
Mr Mohanty said the state government has allowed the world’s largest sea turtle nesting site to be destroyed and demanded the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) to immediately keep in abeyance the environmental clearance granted to the company in May 2008.
The WSO secretary said the company should be asked to stop work till the completion of the enquiry into violations of CRZ rules, Forest Conservation Act, 1980 and the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and the Wildlife (Protection) Act,1972.
The company, he further said, should be ordered to refill the sand which had been illegally dredged from river Mahanadi so that the turtle nesting beaches of Gahirmatha could be restored.
The MoEF, Mr Mohanty said, should also prosecute the officers who have failed to enforce the CRZ regulations and the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 provisions.
He said as per local reports, at least 12,00,000 c mt of sand has been dredged from the river. Two dredgers were engaged by the Company to excavate sand from Mahanadi to fill up the site.
As the ocean currents flow for eight months of year in a northward direction, such sediment load flushed out from the Mahanadi mouth is deposited on the shores of the marine sanctuary which lies to north of the river mouth.
These soft sediment beaches are prime turtle nesting areas.
However, for the last two years, there has been an unprecedented erosion of the coastline, north of river Mahanadi, Ekakula Pentha and Agarnasi areas all known sea turtle mass nesting sites.
Vamshadhara_ Mahendra Tanaya Banchao Andolan
Orissa must act to counter Andhra Pradesh initiatives: Rashtriya Odia Yubak Pratisthana
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Report by Golakha Chandra Das; Bhubaneswar: It was 2 & ½ year back when Odisha Chief Minister Mr. Naveen Patnaik laid foundation for Bansadhara integrated project on river Mahendratanayaa.
It was the project which can cater the needs of water for irrigation, drinking purpose & electricity production for tribal dominated Gajapati & Rayagada district. Even the plan to construct 2 anikatas is also approved by the state technical committee as well as it got administrative approval. But the Odisha government is doing nothing on this since then. Even if the water resource department is under direct control of Chief Minister, still the department only invited tenders for this project & then it halted.
Where as the Andhra Pradesh Government is constructing the dam on its side with full swing. Odisha Government is just sitting silently observing this. It will be harmful to the people of the above 2 districts.
So Rashtriya Odia Yubak Pratisthana on Sunday in a press meet organized at hotel Keshari, Bbsr criticized the state Government for its apathy towards the Mahendratanayaa project. It blamed that Odisha Govt. is neither doing anything to stop Andhra Govt. nor taking the case to court. The ROYP threatened to start a large scale agitation against such attitude of State Govt. if it will not do anything immediately.
Also it suggests 7point charter to state Govt. 1) to apply in Supreme Court against Andhra Govt. which violates 1962 agreement by constructing project at Meliaputa on its side 2) to invite tender for Jalanga Anikata project 3) to construct immediate 2 proposed Anikatas 4) Govt. take the task by own if no one agreed to build the project 5) the task may be handed over to Military Engineering Service 6) to open a division office at Paralakhemundi 7) to fulfill the vacant post at Paralakhemundi subdivision.
Mr. Srikanta Padhy, national chairman, ROYP & convener, Mahendratanayaa Banchao Andolan addresses the journalist friends on this occasion.
Wednesday, November 03, 2010
Report by Golakha Chandra Das; Bhubaneswar: It was 2 & ½ year back when Odisha Chief Minister Mr. Naveen Patnaik laid foundation for Bansadhara integrated project on river Mahendratanayaa.
It was the project which can cater the needs of water for irrigation, drinking purpose & electricity production for tribal dominated Gajapati & Rayagada district. Even the plan to construct 2 anikatas is also approved by the state technical committee as well as it got administrative approval. But the Odisha government is doing nothing on this since then. Even if the water resource department is under direct control of Chief Minister, still the department only invited tenders for this project & then it halted.
Where as the Andhra Pradesh Government is constructing the dam on its side with full swing. Odisha Government is just sitting silently observing this. It will be harmful to the people of the above 2 districts.
So Rashtriya Odia Yubak Pratisthana on Sunday in a press meet organized at hotel Keshari, Bbsr criticized the state Government for its apathy towards the Mahendratanayaa project. It blamed that Odisha Govt. is neither doing anything to stop Andhra Govt. nor taking the case to court. The ROYP threatened to start a large scale agitation against such attitude of State Govt. if it will not do anything immediately.
Also it suggests 7point charter to state Govt. 1) to apply in Supreme Court against Andhra Govt. which violates 1962 agreement by constructing project at Meliaputa on its side 2) to invite tender for Jalanga Anikata project 3) to construct immediate 2 proposed Anikatas 4) Govt. take the task by own if no one agreed to build the project 5) the task may be handed over to Military Engineering Service 6) to open a division office at Paralakhemundi 7) to fulfill the vacant post at Paralakhemundi subdivision.
Mr. Srikanta Padhy, national chairman, ROYP & convener, Mahendratanayaa Banchao Andolan addresses the journalist friends on this occasion.
Polavaram Politics
Orissa to watch AP govt’s action on Polavaram
PTI , The Hindu
Bhubaneswar, November 2, 2010
The Orissa government today said it will maintain a “wait and watch” policy on the controversial Polavaram project following the Centre seeking an explanation from Andhra Pradesh for undertaking work without holding public hearing in areas to be affected in Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
Orissa government, opposing the multi-purpose project since its conception, had earlier refused to hold a discussion with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K S Rosaiah.
“A senior Andhra Pradesh official called me yesterday and proposed to hold a discussion on Polavaram issue,” Orissa’s Water Resources Development Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra told reporters adding that the State government is yet to take a decision on the fresh proposal.
As the State government had already moved the Supreme Court opposing the Polavaram project, there was no point in holding talks with Andhra Pradesh, another official said adding Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in-charge of water resources development department, will decide on Andhra’s request.
Since the matter is sub-judice, the State government should wait for the Apex Court’s judgement, he said.
When the ruling BJD has launched a State-wide stir against Polavaram project, the State government demanded that law of the land be followed in case of Polavaram.
Orissa government is mainly opposed to design of the proposed dam and alleged violation of forest right act (FRA).
Under the present design, about 50 lakh cusec water would flow through the barrage over river Godavari, submerging a large tract of land in Orissa’s Malkangiri district, Mr. Mohapatra said.
To a query on Andhra government’s proposal of building a 30-km-long embankment along rivers Saberi and Saleru in Malkangiri, Mr. Mohapatra said, “Creation of embankment was not in the original plan. These embankments within Orissa territory could affect discharge of water to River Godavari. As a result, a large area could be inundated.”
It was not in accordance with the law to undertake construction work without making an environment assessment impact of the project, he said, adding there were clear guidelines to hold public hearing in affected areas but Andhra Pradesh government had not done so in Malkangiri district.
As the matter was too complicated, Orissa would like to maintain a wait and watch policy before reacting to the MoEF’s letter to Andhra Pradesh government, he said.
In its letter, the ministry has asked Andhra Pradesh government to give details of the construction status of the dam and also explain why a formal show-cause should not be issued (for not following norms).
PTI , The Hindu
Bhubaneswar, November 2, 2010
The Orissa government today said it will maintain a “wait and watch” policy on the controversial Polavaram project following the Centre seeking an explanation from Andhra Pradesh for undertaking work without holding public hearing in areas to be affected in Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
Orissa government, opposing the multi-purpose project since its conception, had earlier refused to hold a discussion with Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister K S Rosaiah.
“A senior Andhra Pradesh official called me yesterday and proposed to hold a discussion on Polavaram issue,” Orissa’s Water Resources Development Secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra told reporters adding that the State government is yet to take a decision on the fresh proposal.
As the State government had already moved the Supreme Court opposing the Polavaram project, there was no point in holding talks with Andhra Pradesh, another official said adding Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik, in-charge of water resources development department, will decide on Andhra’s request.
Since the matter is sub-judice, the State government should wait for the Apex Court’s judgement, he said.
When the ruling BJD has launched a State-wide stir against Polavaram project, the State government demanded that law of the land be followed in case of Polavaram.
Orissa government is mainly opposed to design of the proposed dam and alleged violation of forest right act (FRA).
Under the present design, about 50 lakh cusec water would flow through the barrage over river Godavari, submerging a large tract of land in Orissa’s Malkangiri district, Mr. Mohapatra said.
To a query on Andhra government’s proposal of building a 30-km-long embankment along rivers Saberi and Saleru in Malkangiri, Mr. Mohapatra said, “Creation of embankment was not in the original plan. These embankments within Orissa territory could affect discharge of water to River Godavari. As a result, a large area could be inundated.”
It was not in accordance with the law to undertake construction work without making an environment assessment impact of the project, he said, adding there were clear guidelines to hold public hearing in affected areas but Andhra Pradesh government had not done so in Malkangiri district.
As the matter was too complicated, Orissa would like to maintain a wait and watch policy before reacting to the MoEF’s letter to Andhra Pradesh government, he said.
In its letter, the ministry has asked Andhra Pradesh government to give details of the construction status of the dam and also explain why a formal show-cause should not be issued (for not following norms).
Polavaram Politics
Holes in Polavaram’s great wall
Samar Halarnkar, Hindustan Times
Email Author
November 02, 2010
A 30-km-long, 45-foot-high embankment to stop a river that generates one of the world’s fiercest floods from inundating parts of Orissa and Chhattisgarh is being belatedly questioned by the Centre as it puts on notice one of India’s largest dam projects. The wall escaped attention on Monday when India’s environment boss Jairam Ramesh — smarting from accusations of political bias for cancelling infrastructure in non-Congress states — issued notice to the Polavaram Indira Sagar project in Andhra Pradesh, a state ruled by Ramesh’s own party, the Congress.
The wall, technically an embankment, was one of the ambitious promises made in 2006 by an anxious Andhra Pradesh (AP) government after the Orissa High Court cleared the project on the condition that no people or villages would be displaced in Orissa by the Polavaram dam’s reservoir on the Godavari river and twotributaries.
The project received its final clearance — from the forests division — in September this year.
That clearance is becoming increasingly hard to justify because no studies were done, as environmental laws require, on the land, people and forests the giant embankment would displace. No plans were made for drains and pumps in a cyclone-prone land.
In India there is no reservoir that is restrained by embankments.
In referring to the wall, Monday’s bland notice asked the AP government "why a show-cause notice should not be issued … as work is continuing without getting the environmental clearance amended for additional components like construction of embankments, drainage sluices and pumping arrangements".
"How can anyone now accuse me of bias?" Ramesh, a Congress Member of Parliament from AP, said on Tuesday.
The notice was the first evidence of impartiality from India’s ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Polavaram’s irregular clearances led both Orissa and Chhattisgrah to request Supreme Court intervention in 2007.
Yet, both states say they are not impressed with Ramesh’s recent actions.
"At last the ministry has issued a notice, but it is an eyewash," said Surya Narayan Patro, Orissa revenue minister. "The AP government did all kinds of illegal things to push the project but got clearance after clearance."
"We are not opposed to anyone getting water, but what was the hurry in clearing it (Polavaram) and then issuing notices?" N Baijendra Kumar, principal secretary to the Chhattisgarh chief minister, told Hindustan Times. "We share the concerns of the Orissa government."
Allegations of bias from Orissa and Chhattisgarh — both states that could have objected at least 12 times during the Polavaram clearance but soft-pedalled instead — grew after Ramesh’s environment ministry questioned or cancelled clearances this year to high-profile projects as prestigious to them as Polavaram is to Andhra Pradesh.
First proposed in the 1940s, the 150-foot-high Polavaram dam will submerge a greater area than any other in India today. It is vital, observers say, that Ramesh’s ministry now follows its own laws and rescinds clearances that violated its own procedures.
Here are only some examples relating to Polavaram’s great wall:
When the application to clear Polavaram went to the environment ministry on October 19, 2005, there had been no public hearings as required. The first and only public hearings in four districts of AP were held on October 28, three days after the clearance was given.
The minutes of the Environmental Impact Assessment, a requirement, did not even mention that areas in Orissa and Chhattisgarh would be swamped by the tail end of the reservoir, 150 km from the main dam. Only when the two states protested did AP hastily propose a wall, or embankment, in 2006.
In April 2007, the Central Water Commission (CWC) said it was possible to avoid submergence in Orissa and Chhattisgarh by building embankments. Neither the CWC nor any other agency ever explained how, as required.
In February 2009, the ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) first cleared the embankments and then called for an impact assessment and public hearings in Orissa and Chhattisgarh. None of this was done.
"That decision of the EAC was flawed," said Himanshu Thakkar of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, an advocacy group. "How can Ramesh claim (as he did in a letter to Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik in August this year) that not a hectare of forest land will be submerged, when he does not even know how much forest and non-forest land will be required (for the embankment)?"
Monday’s notice reminds AP that despite a reminder, there have been no public hearings in neighbouring states and that construction is continuing (the main dam hasn’t started yet but canal-building is in full swing).
Thakkar argues, as do Orissa and Chhattisgarh, that the condition of "no submergence", as outlined in the September 2010 forest clearance and Ramesh’s assurance, is "impossible to adhere to", that these are grounds enough for cancelling forest clearances.
"The conditions under which Polavaram was cleared were absurb," said Harish Behara, the engineer-in-chief of Orissa’s water resources department, arguing that the great Polavaram embankment could be built on the plains, not on hilly land, as AP now proposes.
With so much wrong, who then cleared Polavaram? It was Ramesh’s cabinet colleague, telecom minister A. Raja, whose methods of issuing telecom licences are, similarly, under the Supreme Court’s scrutiny.
(With Priya Ranjan Sahu in Bhubaneswar)
Samar Halarnkar, Hindustan Times
Email Author
November 02, 2010
A 30-km-long, 45-foot-high embankment to stop a river that generates one of the world’s fiercest floods from inundating parts of Orissa and Chhattisgarh is being belatedly questioned by the Centre as it puts on notice one of India’s largest dam projects. The wall escaped attention on Monday when India’s environment boss Jairam Ramesh — smarting from accusations of political bias for cancelling infrastructure in non-Congress states — issued notice to the Polavaram Indira Sagar project in Andhra Pradesh, a state ruled by Ramesh’s own party, the Congress.
The wall, technically an embankment, was one of the ambitious promises made in 2006 by an anxious Andhra Pradesh (AP) government after the Orissa High Court cleared the project on the condition that no people or villages would be displaced in Orissa by the Polavaram dam’s reservoir on the Godavari river and twotributaries.
The project received its final clearance — from the forests division — in September this year.
That clearance is becoming increasingly hard to justify because no studies were done, as environmental laws require, on the land, people and forests the giant embankment would displace. No plans were made for drains and pumps in a cyclone-prone land.
In India there is no reservoir that is restrained by embankments.
In referring to the wall, Monday’s bland notice asked the AP government "why a show-cause notice should not be issued … as work is continuing without getting the environmental clearance amended for additional components like construction of embankments, drainage sluices and pumping arrangements".
"How can anyone now accuse me of bias?" Ramesh, a Congress Member of Parliament from AP, said on Tuesday.
The notice was the first evidence of impartiality from India’s ruling United Progressive Alliance (UPA). Polavaram’s irregular clearances led both Orissa and Chhattisgrah to request Supreme Court intervention in 2007.
Yet, both states say they are not impressed with Ramesh’s recent actions.
"At last the ministry has issued a notice, but it is an eyewash," said Surya Narayan Patro, Orissa revenue minister. "The AP government did all kinds of illegal things to push the project but got clearance after clearance."
"We are not opposed to anyone getting water, but what was the hurry in clearing it (Polavaram) and then issuing notices?" N Baijendra Kumar, principal secretary to the Chhattisgarh chief minister, told Hindustan Times. "We share the concerns of the Orissa government."
Allegations of bias from Orissa and Chhattisgarh — both states that could have objected at least 12 times during the Polavaram clearance but soft-pedalled instead — grew after Ramesh’s environment ministry questioned or cancelled clearances this year to high-profile projects as prestigious to them as Polavaram is to Andhra Pradesh.
First proposed in the 1940s, the 150-foot-high Polavaram dam will submerge a greater area than any other in India today. It is vital, observers say, that Ramesh’s ministry now follows its own laws and rescinds clearances that violated its own procedures.
Here are only some examples relating to Polavaram’s great wall:
When the application to clear Polavaram went to the environment ministry on October 19, 2005, there had been no public hearings as required. The first and only public hearings in four districts of AP were held on October 28, three days after the clearance was given.
The minutes of the Environmental Impact Assessment, a requirement, did not even mention that areas in Orissa and Chhattisgarh would be swamped by the tail end of the reservoir, 150 km from the main dam. Only when the two states protested did AP hastily propose a wall, or embankment, in 2006.
In April 2007, the Central Water Commission (CWC) said it was possible to avoid submergence in Orissa and Chhattisgarh by building embankments. Neither the CWC nor any other agency ever explained how, as required.
In February 2009, the ministry’s Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) first cleared the embankments and then called for an impact assessment and public hearings in Orissa and Chhattisgarh. None of this was done.
"That decision of the EAC was flawed," said Himanshu Thakkar of the South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People, an advocacy group. "How can Ramesh claim (as he did in a letter to Orissa chief minister Naveen Patnaik in August this year) that not a hectare of forest land will be submerged, when he does not even know how much forest and non-forest land will be required (for the embankment)?"
Monday’s notice reminds AP that despite a reminder, there have been no public hearings in neighbouring states and that construction is continuing (the main dam hasn’t started yet but canal-building is in full swing).
Thakkar argues, as do Orissa and Chhattisgarh, that the condition of "no submergence", as outlined in the September 2010 forest clearance and Ramesh’s assurance, is "impossible to adhere to", that these are grounds enough for cancelling forest clearances.
"The conditions under which Polavaram was cleared were absurb," said Harish Behara, the engineer-in-chief of Orissa’s water resources department, arguing that the great Polavaram embankment could be built on the plains, not on hilly land, as AP now proposes.
With so much wrong, who then cleared Polavaram? It was Ramesh’s cabinet colleague, telecom minister A. Raja, whose methods of issuing telecom licences are, similarly, under the Supreme Court’s scrutiny.
(With Priya Ranjan Sahu in Bhubaneswar)
Tuesday, November 2, 2010
Inter-state Water Dispute
Respond on Orissa dam, Yerran to CM
November 1st, 2010
DC Correspondent
Srikakulam, Oct. 31: Observing that state government headed by the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, must respond to the Bahudi river water dispute, Mr K. Yerrannaidu observed here on Sunday that steps being taken up by the Orissa government to extend the dam would have disastrous results in adjoining Srikakulam.
Addressing members of the media, he said, “On the one hand, the Orissa government and agencies in Orissa have no qualms to objecting to the Polavaram project, However, on the other, they have the guts to construct a 107 foot dam on the river without considering its impact on people of Andhra, and those in Srikakulam in particular.”
He said that this was being done with the perverse intention of denying Andhra farmers their right to the share of water from the river. Mr Naidu said that this would create a crisis in the mandals of Itchapuram, Kaviti and Kanchili.
He said that it was time for state government to respond and urged Mr Rosaiah as well as the minister for major irrigation, Mr Ponnala Lakshmaiah, to respond.
He also urged ministers from the district to pay special attention to this problem and play a role in taking it to the Centre.
November 1st, 2010
DC Correspondent
Srikakulam, Oct. 31: Observing that state government headed by the Chief Minister, Mr K. Rosaiah, must respond to the Bahudi river water dispute, Mr K. Yerrannaidu observed here on Sunday that steps being taken up by the Orissa government to extend the dam would have disastrous results in adjoining Srikakulam.
Addressing members of the media, he said, “On the one hand, the Orissa government and agencies in Orissa have no qualms to objecting to the Polavaram project, However, on the other, they have the guts to construct a 107 foot dam on the river without considering its impact on people of Andhra, and those in Srikakulam in particular.”
He said that this was being done with the perverse intention of denying Andhra farmers their right to the share of water from the river. Mr Naidu said that this would create a crisis in the mandals of Itchapuram, Kaviti and Kanchili.
He said that it was time for state government to respond and urged Mr Rosaiah as well as the minister for major irrigation, Mr Ponnala Lakshmaiah, to respond.
He also urged ministers from the district to pay special attention to this problem and play a role in taking it to the Centre.
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
IWRM Road Map, Orissa :Water Pricing
Orissa going for fixing price for water use
Satyasundar Barik
Under the plan, users could be charged according to the measured volume of water
Water Regulatory Authority is expected to fix the charges
Civil society groups and farmers' organisations are up in arms against the proposal
BHUBANESWAR: Is Orissa proceeding to fix a price for water? This appears to be true going by proposals elaborated in the report of Orissa Integrated Irrigated Agriculture and Water Management Investment Programme (OIIAWMIP ).
One could get fair amount of idea about creation of market for water, identification of civic bodies as water retailers and classification of high value users.
As per the plan, users of water could be charged according to the measured volume of water. It proposes installation of metres for water measurement. It says all water allocations should be quoted in mega litres (ML) for agriculture and industry and kilolitres (KL) for domestic.
“With a common unit of measurement in place, the price will become more transparent,” says the document of Department of Water Resource and Asian Development Bank.
“Water users in Orissa do not yet have access to formal entitlements, much less access to a market or exchange where they can purchase additional rights. Once the safe yield available within a particular river basin or system becomes fully allocated, it will be desirable to establish an exchange where access rights can be traded on a temporary or permanent basis,” the document posted by DoWR on its webpage says.
It goes on to say ideally the exchange should function as a ‘market place' where the access rights can be bought and sold.
“While no one would be forced to sell their access rights, market forces would act through time to bring about efficient outcomes.
The exchange could be operated by DoWR or some reputable third party,” the document says. The OIIAWMIP report talks about earning cash if sellers would be giving up their water access right.
Water Regulatory Authority, which is expected to be in place by March 2012, could be fixing charges for surface and sub surface water used for domestic, agriculture, industrial and other purposes. “This is a dangerous idea. Gradually, access to water will become costlier. Those who have purchasing capacity can access water. When the report was prepared, stakeholders such as politicians, civil society groups, farmers, intellectuals and general water users could have been taken into confidence,” said Achyut Das, member of Odisha Water Forum.
“The proposal has been implemented to a large extent in Maharashtra.
The experience has been bad. The department has mooted pricing of water giving a reason that it would lead to more responsible use. We apprehend people who had traditional rights over water would be made to pay for the use,” said Pranab Ranjan Choudhury, another member of Odisha Water Forum.
Civil society groups and farmers' organisations are up in arms against the proposal. They demanded that the State government must elicit views of all sections of population before deciding on a critical sector like water
IWRM Road Map, Orissa :Water Pricing
Orissa becoming a dry State?
Siba Mohanty First Published : 25 Oct 2010 07:39:41 AM ISTLast Updated : 25 Oct 2010 12:03:40 PM IST
BHUBANESWAR: In the midst of a raging controversy over water diversion for industry, Orissa’s woes are going to worsen. Its rivers will provide for less as the water stress grows in future. If that is not all, the rising pollution will add to its misery, the latest report on water management by Department of Water Resources and Asian Development Bank (ADB) says.
At least three rivers would experience water stress by 2050 even as the per capita availability is going to dwindle.
Calculating the water availability from 11 major river basins, it says that per capita availability will decline by 34 per cent by 2050.
The average surface and ground water potential of the State, currently at 141 billion cubic metre (BCM), would fall by at least 10 per cent to 129 BCM.
“Per capita water availability varies throughout the State according to the relationship between availability and population. As the State’s population is still expanding, per capita supply will decline sharply,” the report said.
With rising population and consequent increase in demand for food and water with growth in mining and industrial activities, the demand for water from various sectors could increase to 55 BCM by 2050, the report indicated.
The water availability decline too points at water stress condition of the rivers. Three rivers __ Baitarani, Rushikulya and Budhabalanga __ will become water stressed. The per capita water availability from Baitarani is going to decline from 1,976 cubic metre to 1,348 cubic metre whereas the drop for Rushikulya will be from 1,341 cubic metre to 1,021 cubic metre. In case of Budhabalanga, it is expected to decline from 1,616 cubic metre to 1412 cubic metre.
Although Orissa possesses 11 per cent of the country’s water resources as against a population of just 4 per cent, it’s challenge remains in the strong seasonality of supply.
Increased demand due to a growing population, economic development as well as rising consumption in upstream states will lead to a decreased inflow and falling availability. Besides, climate change will also be a big factor. “The overall scenario points to increased flood risk and hydrological uncertainty,” it explained.
Availability apart, water quality will pose a major a challenge as the industrialisation makes things worse. The report suggested a bleak situation for at least six major rivers whose water quality rarely meets drinking water standards, thanks to inadequate treatment of the municipal and industrial effluents.
The report paints a grim picture saying the entire stretch of Mahanadi is in a state of slight to moderate pollution. Of the dozen monitoring stations of Mahanadi, all except five show water quality is below acceptable levels.
Siba Mohanty First Published : 25 Oct 2010 07:39:41 AM ISTLast Updated : 25 Oct 2010 12:03:40 PM IST
BHUBANESWAR: In the midst of a raging controversy over water diversion for industry, Orissa’s woes are going to worsen. Its rivers will provide for less as the water stress grows in future. If that is not all, the rising pollution will add to its misery, the latest report on water management by Department of Water Resources and Asian Development Bank (ADB) says.
At least three rivers would experience water stress by 2050 even as the per capita availability is going to dwindle.
Calculating the water availability from 11 major river basins, it says that per capita availability will decline by 34 per cent by 2050.
The average surface and ground water potential of the State, currently at 141 billion cubic metre (BCM), would fall by at least 10 per cent to 129 BCM.
“Per capita water availability varies throughout the State according to the relationship between availability and population. As the State’s population is still expanding, per capita supply will decline sharply,” the report said.
With rising population and consequent increase in demand for food and water with growth in mining and industrial activities, the demand for water from various sectors could increase to 55 BCM by 2050, the report indicated.
The water availability decline too points at water stress condition of the rivers. Three rivers __ Baitarani, Rushikulya and Budhabalanga __ will become water stressed. The per capita water availability from Baitarani is going to decline from 1,976 cubic metre to 1,348 cubic metre whereas the drop for Rushikulya will be from 1,341 cubic metre to 1,021 cubic metre. In case of Budhabalanga, it is expected to decline from 1,616 cubic metre to 1412 cubic metre.
Although Orissa possesses 11 per cent of the country’s water resources as against a population of just 4 per cent, it’s challenge remains in the strong seasonality of supply.
Increased demand due to a growing population, economic development as well as rising consumption in upstream states will lead to a decreased inflow and falling availability. Besides, climate change will also be a big factor. “The overall scenario points to increased flood risk and hydrological uncertainty,” it explained.
Availability apart, water quality will pose a major a challenge as the industrialisation makes things worse. The report suggested a bleak situation for at least six major rivers whose water quality rarely meets drinking water standards, thanks to inadequate treatment of the municipal and industrial effluents.
The report paints a grim picture saying the entire stretch of Mahanadi is in a state of slight to moderate pollution. Of the dozen monitoring stations of Mahanadi, all except five show water quality is below acceptable levels.
Drinking Water from Reservoir
Water projects hang fire in Berhampur
Sisir Panigrahy Express News Service
First Published : 26 Oct 2010 07:59:22 AM ISTLast Updated : 26 Oct 2010 12:37:51 PM IST
BERHAMPUR: To address the drinking water crisis in the Silk City, the State government has now decided to bring water from Janibili reservoir in Soroda. Though water from Soroda reservoir comes to Dakhinpur reservoir for daily supply to the city, the water is supplied through open canals due to which, 80 per cent of water goes waste.
Keeping this in view, the government has decided to bring water through pipes from Soroda reservoir. A project at the cost of Rs 250 crore has been prepared and survey work has also been completed for it. The work, however, is yet to begin although the decision was taken at a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here last month.
Several plans like this have been chalked out in the last three decades to address the drinking water crisis in Berhampur, yet none has materialised so far.
A case in point is the Ghatakeswar project which can be an immediate solution for the water crisis and irrigate hundreds of acres of agricultural land in Chikiti area.
Senior Congress leader Chitaranjan Dash said the Ghatakeswar project was planned during 1982 but it was limited to files till 2007 when the Government approached Nabard for financial aid.
The Nabard, accordingly, sanctioned Rs 29 crore for the project. The government, however, is yet to take measures to rehabilitate families which would be affected by the proposed project.
Apart from government land, eight acres of private land needs to be acquired and 41 families of Kankia, Sarakot and Koilikot villages evicted.
Meetings in this regard have been held umpteen times but no concrete measures have been taken till now.
Even the land identified to be exchanged for the land to be submerged by the project, could not be transferred from the Revenue to the Irrigation Department.
As a result, the Irrigation Department is unable to start the plantation work which is mandatory for forest and environment clearance.
Due to the delay, the project cost has risen to Rs 42 crore against the earlier estimate of Rs 29 crore.
Dash said the Janibili project is a welcome step but the government should also begin work on the Ghatakeswar project at the earliest for the benefit of people.
Sisir Panigrahy Express News Service
First Published : 26 Oct 2010 07:59:22 AM ISTLast Updated : 26 Oct 2010 12:37:51 PM IST
BERHAMPUR: To address the drinking water crisis in the Silk City, the State government has now decided to bring water from Janibili reservoir in Soroda. Though water from Soroda reservoir comes to Dakhinpur reservoir for daily supply to the city, the water is supplied through open canals due to which, 80 per cent of water goes waste.
Keeping this in view, the government has decided to bring water through pipes from Soroda reservoir. A project at the cost of Rs 250 crore has been prepared and survey work has also been completed for it. The work, however, is yet to begin although the decision was taken at a high-level meeting presided over by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik here last month.
Several plans like this have been chalked out in the last three decades to address the drinking water crisis in Berhampur, yet none has materialised so far.
A case in point is the Ghatakeswar project which can be an immediate solution for the water crisis and irrigate hundreds of acres of agricultural land in Chikiti area.
Senior Congress leader Chitaranjan Dash said the Ghatakeswar project was planned during 1982 but it was limited to files till 2007 when the Government approached Nabard for financial aid.
The Nabard, accordingly, sanctioned Rs 29 crore for the project. The government, however, is yet to take measures to rehabilitate families which would be affected by the proposed project.
Apart from government land, eight acres of private land needs to be acquired and 41 families of Kankia, Sarakot and Koilikot villages evicted.
Meetings in this regard have been held umpteen times but no concrete measures have been taken till now.
Even the land identified to be exchanged for the land to be submerged by the project, could not be transferred from the Revenue to the Irrigation Department.
As a result, the Irrigation Department is unable to start the plantation work which is mandatory for forest and environment clearance.
Due to the delay, the project cost has risen to Rs 42 crore against the earlier estimate of Rs 29 crore.
Dash said the Janibili project is a welcome step but the government should also begin work on the Ghatakeswar project at the earliest for the benefit of people.
Wednesday, October 20, 2010
Sesptember Issue of Water Feeder
The September Issue of Water Feeder in the NEW FORMAT is now posted at http://www.scribd.com/doc/39718188/Water-Feeder-Sep2010
The Editorial note is reproduced below
ODISHA’s WATER WOES CONTINUES……..
Odisha’s tryst with water-agonies either due to less-water or from excess-water is perennial. Many a times, both these extremes strike at the same time, though at different places. This unfortunate coincidence was also evident in this month, with drought spelling doom in more than 15 districts, while rain-linked cholera and diarrhea hitting a not-so prepared administration in KBK districts once again, taking heavy tolls. Started with Hirakud few years back and that around the Brahmani over past months, the debates and protests over water allocation priorities between industry and agriculture (and livelihoods and environmental flow) from state’s rivers, snowballed to a movement around the Mahanadi, with overwhelming political alignments around allocation to POSCO.
While during the first half of the month, drought situations and predictions for different districts of the state dominated the water-news in different vernacular news papers of Odisha, in the second half unfortunate deaths due to water contamination in Rayagada and Kalahandi took over the headlines. News related to water conflicts around Polavaram as an inter-state dispute and over water allocation to POSCO also continued to draw media attention with overwhelming political alignments on both of them. Pollution of river waters from untreated effluents industries as well as due to breaches in ash ponds also hogged the news paper pages, albeit with less than desired attention.
As you know, ‘Water feeder comes to you on behalf of Odisha Water Forum and Odisha State Center of Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India. This monthly feed contains analysis of about 200 news items published in 5 Odia dailies (the Samaj, the Sambad, the Dharitri, the Pragatibadi, the Khabar and the New Indian Express – All Bhubaneswar editions)
This is a compilation and analysis of water-related news published in Odia and local English dailies with an objective to help water professionals and enthusiasts to capture and comprehend issues and conflicts around water (through eyes of media). It also provides geographical, seasonal and media perspectives of water issues and conflicts with respect to Odisha. This monthly feed of Water news is an attempt to stimulate interest, thoughts and actions on water issues in the state apart from feeding research and academic pursuits.
This along with past issues of RIVER BASIN TRANSACTS are available at SCRIBD, Baitarani website and India Water Portal.
Looking forward to your feedbacks and comments to improve this humble initiative,
The Editorial note is reproduced below
ODISHA’s WATER WOES CONTINUES……..
Odisha’s tryst with water-agonies either due to less-water or from excess-water is perennial. Many a times, both these extremes strike at the same time, though at different places. This unfortunate coincidence was also evident in this month, with drought spelling doom in more than 15 districts, while rain-linked cholera and diarrhea hitting a not-so prepared administration in KBK districts once again, taking heavy tolls. Started with Hirakud few years back and that around the Brahmani over past months, the debates and protests over water allocation priorities between industry and agriculture (and livelihoods and environmental flow) from state’s rivers, snowballed to a movement around the Mahanadi, with overwhelming political alignments around allocation to POSCO.
While during the first half of the month, drought situations and predictions for different districts of the state dominated the water-news in different vernacular news papers of Odisha, in the second half unfortunate deaths due to water contamination in Rayagada and Kalahandi took over the headlines. News related to water conflicts around Polavaram as an inter-state dispute and over water allocation to POSCO also continued to draw media attention with overwhelming political alignments on both of them. Pollution of river waters from untreated effluents industries as well as due to breaches in ash ponds also hogged the news paper pages, albeit with less than desired attention.
As you know, ‘Water feeder comes to you on behalf of Odisha Water Forum and Odisha State Center of Forum for Policy Dialogue on Water Conflicts in India. This monthly feed contains analysis of about 200 news items published in 5 Odia dailies (the Samaj, the Sambad, the Dharitri, the Pragatibadi, the Khabar and the New Indian Express – All Bhubaneswar editions)
This is a compilation and analysis of water-related news published in Odia and local English dailies with an objective to help water professionals and enthusiasts to capture and comprehend issues and conflicts around water (through eyes of media). It also provides geographical, seasonal and media perspectives of water issues and conflicts with respect to Odisha. This monthly feed of Water news is an attempt to stimulate interest, thoughts and actions on water issues in the state apart from feeding research and academic pursuits.
This along with past issues of RIVER BASIN TRANSACTS are available at SCRIBD, Baitarani website and India Water Portal.
Looking forward to your feedbacks and comments to improve this humble initiative,
Tuesday, October 19, 2010
Brahmani river dying ?
PTI | 04:10 PM,Oct 14,2010
Jajpur (Orissa), Oct 14 (PTI) Brahmani river, the life line of a large number of villages on its banks in Jajpur and Kendrapara districts of Orissa, has dried up due to massive siltation at its upper reaches. The river is the only source of water for over three lakh inhabitants of Bari, Rasulpur, Badachana, Dharmasala and Jajpur blocks in Jajpur district and Aul, Kendrapada, Pattamundai and Raj Nagar blocks in Kendrapada district. Units at the Kalinga Nagar industrial complex are using water from Brahmani and Kharasrota rivers illegally, alleged Biswajit Mohanty, a rain water harvesting activist. He is echoed by Gagan Behari Jena, a local and convenor of 'Save Brahmani River Committee', formed by the people. ''The situation has turned complex as this year the river has turned dry due to truant rains ... The people are not getting sufficient water to irrigate their lands due to shortage of water,'' he says. Discharge of pollutants from industrial units has degraded the river to the extent that it has become a large drain. Once a source of fish and fresh water, Brahmani has become so polluted that its water has acquired a tar-black colour in many places,'' says Loknath Das, another member of the campaign to save the river. The industries there should take it upon themselves environmental and social responsibilities without waiting for regulation. They should also harvest rainwater, which will save the rivers and reduce water costs for them. Besides, waste water should be recycled, reused and made to recharge the ground water, says Mohanty. When contacted, Subrat Das, Executive Engineer of Water Resouces of Jaraka Irrigation division in Jajpur district said the problem arose from the fact that the water of rainfed Brahmani river enters its branch Kharasrota, which has a lower bed. Moreover, there is massive siltation and huge sand deposits at its catchments area at Jenapur and Bedipur, which needs to be cleared. A survey of Brahmani river is being conducted on a priority basis as per the direction of the Water Resources department, he said.
PTI | 04:10 PM,Oct 14,2010
Jajpur (Orissa), Oct 14 (PTI) Brahmani river, the life line of a large number of villages on its banks in Jajpur and Kendrapara districts of Orissa, has dried up due to massive siltation at its upper reaches. The river is the only source of water for over three lakh inhabitants of Bari, Rasulpur, Badachana, Dharmasala and Jajpur blocks in Jajpur district and Aul, Kendrapada, Pattamundai and Raj Nagar blocks in Kendrapada district. Units at the Kalinga Nagar industrial complex are using water from Brahmani and Kharasrota rivers illegally, alleged Biswajit Mohanty, a rain water harvesting activist. He is echoed by Gagan Behari Jena, a local and convenor of 'Save Brahmani River Committee', formed by the people. ''The situation has turned complex as this year the river has turned dry due to truant rains ... The people are not getting sufficient water to irrigate their lands due to shortage of water,'' he says. Discharge of pollutants from industrial units has degraded the river to the extent that it has become a large drain. Once a source of fish and fresh water, Brahmani has become so polluted that its water has acquired a tar-black colour in many places,'' says Loknath Das, another member of the campaign to save the river. The industries there should take it upon themselves environmental and social responsibilities without waiting for regulation. They should also harvest rainwater, which will save the rivers and reduce water costs for them. Besides, waste water should be recycled, reused and made to recharge the ground water, says Mohanty. When contacted, Subrat Das, Executive Engineer of Water Resouces of Jaraka Irrigation division in Jajpur district said the problem arose from the fact that the water of rainfed Brahmani river enters its branch Kharasrota, which has a lower bed. Moreover, there is massive siltation and huge sand deposits at its catchments area at Jenapur and Bedipur, which needs to be cleared. A survey of Brahmani river is being conducted on a priority basis as per the direction of the Water Resources department, he said.
Sunday, October 10, 2010
Another "Project' in Conflict
680 families to be displaced for Brutang irrigation project in Orissa
Published: Saturday, Oct 9, 2010, 16:15 IST
Place: Bhubaneswar | Agency: PTI
As many as 680 families would be displaced for setting up an irrigation project in Orissa's Nayagarh district, the stage-I environment clearance for which had been accorded by the Centre, official sources said.
Issuing direction to officials to ensure that the displaced families were properly rehabilitated, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said that about 23,300 hectares of agricultural land was estimated to get irrigation facilities by the irrigation project over Brutang river.
Patnaik reviewed the irrigation project last evening, barely hours after residents of about 21 villagers unitedly opposed to it. "We will not allow our houses to be inundated for the project," said Jasoda Behara, one of the giators.
While the state government was all set to implement the project by appointing a special officer to coordinate early clerance of the stage-II environment clearance, the local residents under the banner of Basachyuta Sangram Samiti vowed not to vacate their house and land to be submerged.
About 2110 hectare of land was likely to be inundated due to the proposed project to be set up over river Brutang in Nayagarh district.
Stating that 7.42 lakh people living in 309 villages in five blocks area of Nayagarh district would get benefit due to the project, Kandhamal MP Rudra Ray said he was talking to the agitating people to pave way for setting up the irrigation project.
Ray during the BJD's 10-day long 'padayatra', visited several villages to be displaced due to the project and tried to convince the people. "We are sorry that a large number of people will be displaced. But the project is very important as it will irrigate about 25,000 hectares of agricultral land," the MP said.
Published: Saturday, Oct 9, 2010, 16:15 IST
Place: Bhubaneswar | Agency: PTI
As many as 680 families would be displaced for setting up an irrigation project in Orissa's Nayagarh district, the stage-I environment clearance for which had been accorded by the Centre, official sources said.
Issuing direction to officials to ensure that the displaced families were properly rehabilitated, chief minister Naveen Patnaik said that about 23,300 hectares of agricultural land was estimated to get irrigation facilities by the irrigation project over Brutang river.
Patnaik reviewed the irrigation project last evening, barely hours after residents of about 21 villagers unitedly opposed to it. "We will not allow our houses to be inundated for the project," said Jasoda Behara, one of the giators.
While the state government was all set to implement the project by appointing a special officer to coordinate early clerance of the stage-II environment clearance, the local residents under the banner of Basachyuta Sangram Samiti vowed not to vacate their house and land to be submerged.
About 2110 hectare of land was likely to be inundated due to the proposed project to be set up over river Brutang in Nayagarh district.
Stating that 7.42 lakh people living in 309 villages in five blocks area of Nayagarh district would get benefit due to the project, Kandhamal MP Rudra Ray said he was talking to the agitating people to pave way for setting up the irrigation project.
Ray during the BJD's 10-day long 'padayatra', visited several villages to be displaced due to the project and tried to convince the people. "We are sorry that a large number of people will be displaced. But the project is very important as it will irrigate about 25,000 hectares of agricultral land," the MP said.
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Industry Agriculture Water Conflict
Indian Farmers Fight Billionaire Mittal, Posco for Water Rights
By Abhishek Shanker - Oct 4, 2010 8:31 PM GMT+0530
ArcelorMittal and Posco are leading $80 billion in planned spending in India that would vault the country ahead of Japan as the second-biggest steelmaker. Standing in the way are farmers and their water supply.
The farmers refuse to move from irrigated land in three states that hold more than half of India’s reserves of iron ore, a key material to make steel. That’s stymied Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s ambitions to more than triple India’s steel capacity to 232 million metric tons.
“We’re not going to allow the government to take the land and water and give them to Posco,” said Prasanth Paikare, a spokesman for opposition group Posco Prathirodh Sangram Samiti that says it represents 25,000 farmers. “The government has promised us land at a new location but there is no good land available in the state now and there won’t be enough water for agriculture,” he said in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa state.
The farmers’ concern about water for crops has delayed plans by ArcelorMittal, Posco and at least five rivals to benefit from a steel market that has expanded more than 55 percent since 2005 as Indian imports of the metal tripled in the same period. Posco’s proposal to build a $12 billion steel plant in Orissa has stalled for five years as the South Korean company failed to persuade farmers to move.
“Repeated delays have left investors concerned about whether Posco can make it,” said Im Jeong Jae, who helps manage $26.3 billion of assets, including shares of the world’s third-biggest steelmaker, at Shinhan BNP Paribas Asset Management Co. “India is very important because it has the best growth potential after China for steel demand and Posco can also source iron ore and raw materials there.”
Lagging Behind
The latest hurdle is an environment ministry report due this month on the impact of the Posco project. Chief Executive Officer Chung Joon Yang has since announced investment plans in Indonesia and Vietnam, as it lagged behind Chinese steelmaker Baosteel Group Corp.
The 160 million tons of steel capacity planned in India would consume 640 billion gallons of water a year, based on average consumption of U.S. steel mills in a U.S. Department of Energy paper. That’s enough to provide enough water for drinking and cooking for 133 million people in India for a year, according to figures from the government.
That level of water consumption would yield 1 million tons of rice a year, which at today’s price of $299 a ton would fetch 0.3 percent of the value of the steel produced and be enough to feed 9 million people in India for a year, based on the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization consumption estimates.
Land and Water
“Posco wants our land, it wants our water,” said Makar Kandi, 75, who sustains a family of eight from a one-acre plot on which he grows betel leaves in Orissa’s Dhinkia village. “Agriculture is our only means. We’ll have no livelihood.”
India increased annual steel output by 34 million tons since 2005, compared with 219 million tons by China, the biggest-producing nation.
A ton of hot-rolled coil, a benchmark steel product, sells for about $685, compared with $299 a ton for a common variety of rice in India.
ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steelmaker, faces delays for a $10 billion mill in Orissa and in Jharkhand state. Projects by Tata Steel Ltd., India’s biggest maker of the metal, are faring no better in the two states and in Chhattisgarh.
Iron Ore Attraction
According to an agreement with Jharkhand, Luxembourg- based ArcelorMittal would have access to 20 million tons of iron ore annually for 30 years. That’s enough to raise its self- sufficiency in the raw material by 33 percent. Iron ore prices have gained in two out of three quarters this year.
“Securing iron ore assets has become very important for the steel companies as prices both in the contractual as well as spot markets have been very volatile,” Elora Sahoo, an analyst at Dhanlaxmi Bank Ltd., said in Mumbai. “Having their own iron ore assets will help companies hedge against market price movements and control the cost of production.”
ArcelorMittal is now seeking to secure land at a new location in Jharkhand, said spokeswoman Mandakini Sud. There has been “good” progress in convincing locals, mostly people engaged in non-agricultural activities, to give up land, she said.
“With over 60 percent of India’s population dependent on the monsoons for livelihood, there’s population concentration and serious competition in areas with water,” Rahul Jain, an analyst at RBS Equities India Ltd. said in Mumbai.
Less Rainfall
What’s making the case worse for Posco is the declining rainfall in the Jagatsinghpur district where it’s planning its mill. Rain during the June-September monsoon period, needed for agriculture, has fallen 26 percent from 2007 to 2009, according to data from the country’s weather department.
That forced farmers to compete with manufacturers including Vedanta Resources Plc and Hindalco Industries Ltd. for water from the Mahanadi river. Posco plans to secure water through pipes from the Jobra dam on the river.
“Opposition to the project is unfounded,” Posco India Ltd. General Manager Simanta Mohanty said. “We will not use local water. There’s enough water available from Jobra.”
The steelmakers in June begun exploring sites in the southern state of Karnataka, which has the country’s second- biggest iron ore deposit. The catch? Lack of water.
“The state has decided to acquire dry and barren land, which gives little or no returns to the farmers,” said V.P. Baligar, industry secretary of Karnataka state. “On such land, water is an issue and we are trying to address it.”
By Abhishek Shanker - Oct 4, 2010 8:31 PM GMT+0530
ArcelorMittal and Posco are leading $80 billion in planned spending in India that would vault the country ahead of Japan as the second-biggest steelmaker. Standing in the way are farmers and their water supply.
The farmers refuse to move from irrigated land in three states that hold more than half of India’s reserves of iron ore, a key material to make steel. That’s stymied Prime Minister Manmohan Singh’s ambitions to more than triple India’s steel capacity to 232 million metric tons.
“We’re not going to allow the government to take the land and water and give them to Posco,” said Prasanth Paikare, a spokesman for opposition group Posco Prathirodh Sangram Samiti that says it represents 25,000 farmers. “The government has promised us land at a new location but there is no good land available in the state now and there won’t be enough water for agriculture,” he said in Bhubaneswar, the capital of Orissa state.
The farmers’ concern about water for crops has delayed plans by ArcelorMittal, Posco and at least five rivals to benefit from a steel market that has expanded more than 55 percent since 2005 as Indian imports of the metal tripled in the same period. Posco’s proposal to build a $12 billion steel plant in Orissa has stalled for five years as the South Korean company failed to persuade farmers to move.
“Repeated delays have left investors concerned about whether Posco can make it,” said Im Jeong Jae, who helps manage $26.3 billion of assets, including shares of the world’s third-biggest steelmaker, at Shinhan BNP Paribas Asset Management Co. “India is very important because it has the best growth potential after China for steel demand and Posco can also source iron ore and raw materials there.”
Lagging Behind
The latest hurdle is an environment ministry report due this month on the impact of the Posco project. Chief Executive Officer Chung Joon Yang has since announced investment plans in Indonesia and Vietnam, as it lagged behind Chinese steelmaker Baosteel Group Corp.
The 160 million tons of steel capacity planned in India would consume 640 billion gallons of water a year, based on average consumption of U.S. steel mills in a U.S. Department of Energy paper. That’s enough to provide enough water for drinking and cooking for 133 million people in India for a year, according to figures from the government.
That level of water consumption would yield 1 million tons of rice a year, which at today’s price of $299 a ton would fetch 0.3 percent of the value of the steel produced and be enough to feed 9 million people in India for a year, based on the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization consumption estimates.
Land and Water
“Posco wants our land, it wants our water,” said Makar Kandi, 75, who sustains a family of eight from a one-acre plot on which he grows betel leaves in Orissa’s Dhinkia village. “Agriculture is our only means. We’ll have no livelihood.”
India increased annual steel output by 34 million tons since 2005, compared with 219 million tons by China, the biggest-producing nation.
A ton of hot-rolled coil, a benchmark steel product, sells for about $685, compared with $299 a ton for a common variety of rice in India.
ArcelorMittal, the world’s largest steelmaker, faces delays for a $10 billion mill in Orissa and in Jharkhand state. Projects by Tata Steel Ltd., India’s biggest maker of the metal, are faring no better in the two states and in Chhattisgarh.
Iron Ore Attraction
According to an agreement with Jharkhand, Luxembourg- based ArcelorMittal would have access to 20 million tons of iron ore annually for 30 years. That’s enough to raise its self- sufficiency in the raw material by 33 percent. Iron ore prices have gained in two out of three quarters this year.
“Securing iron ore assets has become very important for the steel companies as prices both in the contractual as well as spot markets have been very volatile,” Elora Sahoo, an analyst at Dhanlaxmi Bank Ltd., said in Mumbai. “Having their own iron ore assets will help companies hedge against market price movements and control the cost of production.”
ArcelorMittal is now seeking to secure land at a new location in Jharkhand, said spokeswoman Mandakini Sud. There has been “good” progress in convincing locals, mostly people engaged in non-agricultural activities, to give up land, she said.
“With over 60 percent of India’s population dependent on the monsoons for livelihood, there’s population concentration and serious competition in areas with water,” Rahul Jain, an analyst at RBS Equities India Ltd. said in Mumbai.
Less Rainfall
What’s making the case worse for Posco is the declining rainfall in the Jagatsinghpur district where it’s planning its mill. Rain during the June-September monsoon period, needed for agriculture, has fallen 26 percent from 2007 to 2009, according to data from the country’s weather department.
That forced farmers to compete with manufacturers including Vedanta Resources Plc and Hindalco Industries Ltd. for water from the Mahanadi river. Posco plans to secure water through pipes from the Jobra dam on the river.
“Opposition to the project is unfounded,” Posco India Ltd. General Manager Simanta Mohanty said. “We will not use local water. There’s enough water available from Jobra.”
The steelmakers in June begun exploring sites in the southern state of Karnataka, which has the country’s second- biggest iron ore deposit. The catch? Lack of water.
“The state has decided to acquire dry and barren land, which gives little or no returns to the farmers,” said V.P. Baligar, industry secretary of Karnataka state. “On such land, water is an issue and we are trying to address it.”
Monday, October 4, 2010
Polavaram
SC issues notice to Centre on Orissa’s plea against Polavaram dam
04.10.2010 | 15:56
New Delhi
Upmanyu Trivedi
Issuing notices Supreme Court of India today directed the Centre to respond to state of Orissa's plea against environment clearance to Polavaram dam. The dam is being built in Andhra Pradesh over river Godavari and will also submerge areas in Orissa.
Supreme court bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Deepak Verma passed the orders giving four weeks time to any other state interested in impleading in the petition.
Orissa had a filed petition in the Supreme Court opposing the Centre’s decision to give an environmental clearance for the Rs. 10,000 crores project being built on Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh.
Orissa has filed the petition before the Supreme Court, demanding cancellation of environmental clearance given to the project by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). Orissa has questioned as to how the clearance was given to the project when the case is pending in Supreme Court.
Advocates Suresh Chandra Tripathi and RS Jena appeared for the state of Orissa.
04.10.2010 | 15:56
New Delhi
Upmanyu Trivedi
Issuing notices Supreme Court of India today directed the Centre to respond to state of Orissa's plea against environment clearance to Polavaram dam. The dam is being built in Andhra Pradesh over river Godavari and will also submerge areas in Orissa.
Supreme court bench comprising Justices Dalveer Bhandari and Deepak Verma passed the orders giving four weeks time to any other state interested in impleading in the petition.
Orissa had a filed petition in the Supreme Court opposing the Centre’s decision to give an environmental clearance for the Rs. 10,000 crores project being built on Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh.
Orissa has filed the petition before the Supreme Court, demanding cancellation of environmental clearance given to the project by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF). Orissa has questioned as to how the clearance was given to the project when the case is pending in Supreme Court.
Advocates Suresh Chandra Tripathi and RS Jena appeared for the state of Orissa.
Sunday, October 3, 2010
Hansua Conflict
Hansua water for Posco project opposed
Correspondent
Speakers at a seminar criticise the government's proposal
The programme was organised by Odisha Jala Surakhya Janamanch
Farmers in large numbers attended the seminar
CUTTACK: Speakers at a State-level seminar here on Friday opposed the proposal of Orissa government to supply water from the Hansua River in Jagatsinghpur district to the proposed Posco steel plant at Paradeep. Organised by the Odisha Jala Surakhya Janamanch, the seminar was attended among others by hundreds of farmers from areas like Biridi, Raghunathpu, Tirtol, Erasama and Balikuda of the district.
Janamanch convener Chittaranjan Mohanty said that the Hansua was not a natural river. “It's not even a tributary of the Mahanadi system and not even a rivulet having independent source of water,” he said. “Rather the Hansua is a drainage channel of the Taladanda canal through which seepage water from the canal and rain waters flow during floods to avert water-logging in vast stretches of agricultural land in the locality,” Mr. Mohanty said adding that the government's proposal to draw water from this channel for the South Korean steel major is nothing but indirectly drawing water from the Taladanda canal.
The 90-km Taladanda canal from Cuttack to Paradeep was exclusively meant for irrigation purpose. Even when the tail-end areas of the canal face acute shortage of water for irrigation, how can the government think of drawing water from the middle of the canal for industrial purpose, the speakers pointed out in unison. Any proposal to draw water from the Hansua channel would also result in water stagnation and would have serious consequences on agricultural patterns of local people stretching from Kandarpur to Nalibar areas where besides paddy and vegetables, other cash crops like groundnut and mustard were grown in large tracts, the farmers said.
Presided over by Janamanch president Akshaya Das, the seminar was addressed among others by former Union minister Brajakishore Tripathy, Janamanch secretary general Biswabasu Das, CPI (M) leader Subash Singh, environmentalist Prafulla Samantra, engineer Lalit Patnaik and former MLA Bijay Naik.
Correspondent
Speakers at a seminar criticise the government's proposal
The programme was organised by Odisha Jala Surakhya Janamanch
Farmers in large numbers attended the seminar
CUTTACK: Speakers at a State-level seminar here on Friday opposed the proposal of Orissa government to supply water from the Hansua River in Jagatsinghpur district to the proposed Posco steel plant at Paradeep. Organised by the Odisha Jala Surakhya Janamanch, the seminar was attended among others by hundreds of farmers from areas like Biridi, Raghunathpu, Tirtol, Erasama and Balikuda of the district.
Janamanch convener Chittaranjan Mohanty said that the Hansua was not a natural river. “It's not even a tributary of the Mahanadi system and not even a rivulet having independent source of water,” he said. “Rather the Hansua is a drainage channel of the Taladanda canal through which seepage water from the canal and rain waters flow during floods to avert water-logging in vast stretches of agricultural land in the locality,” Mr. Mohanty said adding that the government's proposal to draw water from this channel for the South Korean steel major is nothing but indirectly drawing water from the Taladanda canal.
The 90-km Taladanda canal from Cuttack to Paradeep was exclusively meant for irrigation purpose. Even when the tail-end areas of the canal face acute shortage of water for irrigation, how can the government think of drawing water from the middle of the canal for industrial purpose, the speakers pointed out in unison. Any proposal to draw water from the Hansua channel would also result in water stagnation and would have serious consequences on agricultural patterns of local people stretching from Kandarpur to Nalibar areas where besides paddy and vegetables, other cash crops like groundnut and mustard were grown in large tracts, the farmers said.
Presided over by Janamanch president Akshaya Das, the seminar was addressed among others by former Union minister Brajakishore Tripathy, Janamanch secretary general Biswabasu Das, CPI (M) leader Subash Singh, environmentalist Prafulla Samantra, engineer Lalit Patnaik and former MLA Bijay Naik.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Posco and Hansua
POSCO war zone - Farmers oppose plan to supply Hansua River water
The proposal of the Orissa government to supply surplus water from Hansua River to POSCO India's proposed mega steel plant at Paradip has drawn flak from the farmers who have decided to protest this move of the government.
The activists of Nab Nirman Krushak Sangthan conducted a meeting at Redhua near Paradip while hundreds of farmers joined rallies to protest the move of the state government to supply water for the POSCO project.
The farmer’s leaders like Akshaya Kumar, Soren Rout, Rashmiranjan Swain and others delivered speeches on the occasion. They stated that Hansua is not a river but a drainage channel whose catchment’s area from Kandarpur to Erasama is 278 square miles.
Local farmers have alleged that majority of farmers of Birdi, Raghunathpur, Jagatsinghpur, Tirtol, Erasama and Balikuda have been cultivating their vegetable crops, sunflower, groundnuts, mustard, paddy and other crops by availing water from different bases of the Hansua channel.
Farmers also use the water from this channel for the transplantation of paddy crops during the Kharif season in the event of scanty rainfall and delay in supply of irrigated water through canal.
The farmers have been using lift irrigation points to pump out water from this channel to supply water for agricultural purposes. The farmers' leaders stated that nearly 35,000 ha of paddy crops of Jagatsinghpur district are getting waterlogged during the rainy season due to non release of rain water as river creeks and the Jatadhari river mouth have been choked.
Steps will be taken to renovate river creeks and to dredge Hansua channel and Jatadhari River mouth to release water so water logging would be averted properly, said Assistant engineer of Erasama Kisoher Chandra Patra.
They added that the supply of water to POSCO through a barrage will result in water stagnation and will have serious consequences on livelihood patterns of people besides damaging the road communication infrastructure.
Out of 17,806 hectares, 5003 hectares are irrigated land in Erasama area and the rest lands are non-irrigated. Hundreds of farmers use the water of this river during rabi and kharif seasons through lift irrigation points.
After supply of water to POSCO, the base of this river will be dried and farmers will be deprived of pumping out water from Hansua to irrigate non irrigated lands.
Zilla parishad member cum President of Ersama Ba Simiti, Sarada Jena “For the sake of one company (Posco), thousands of people cannot suffer and their livelihood patterns must not be disturbed. We apprehend the people of the particular areas would not tolerate this and there might be agitations and mass movements in the district of Jagatsinghpur.”
The proposal of the Orissa government to supply surplus water from Hansua River to POSCO India's proposed mega steel plant at Paradip has drawn flak from the farmers who have decided to protest this move of the government.
The activists of Nab Nirman Krushak Sangthan conducted a meeting at Redhua near Paradip while hundreds of farmers joined rallies to protest the move of the state government to supply water for the POSCO project.
The farmer’s leaders like Akshaya Kumar, Soren Rout, Rashmiranjan Swain and others delivered speeches on the occasion. They stated that Hansua is not a river but a drainage channel whose catchment’s area from Kandarpur to Erasama is 278 square miles.
Local farmers have alleged that majority of farmers of Birdi, Raghunathpur, Jagatsinghpur, Tirtol, Erasama and Balikuda have been cultivating their vegetable crops, sunflower, groundnuts, mustard, paddy and other crops by availing water from different bases of the Hansua channel.
Farmers also use the water from this channel for the transplantation of paddy crops during the Kharif season in the event of scanty rainfall and delay in supply of irrigated water through canal.
The farmers have been using lift irrigation points to pump out water from this channel to supply water for agricultural purposes. The farmers' leaders stated that nearly 35,000 ha of paddy crops of Jagatsinghpur district are getting waterlogged during the rainy season due to non release of rain water as river creeks and the Jatadhari river mouth have been choked.
Steps will be taken to renovate river creeks and to dredge Hansua channel and Jatadhari River mouth to release water so water logging would be averted properly, said Assistant engineer of Erasama Kisoher Chandra Patra.
They added that the supply of water to POSCO through a barrage will result in water stagnation and will have serious consequences on livelihood patterns of people besides damaging the road communication infrastructure.
Out of 17,806 hectares, 5003 hectares are irrigated land in Erasama area and the rest lands are non-irrigated. Hundreds of farmers use the water of this river during rabi and kharif seasons through lift irrigation points.
After supply of water to POSCO, the base of this river will be dried and farmers will be deprived of pumping out water from Hansua to irrigate non irrigated lands.
Zilla parishad member cum President of Ersama Ba Simiti, Sarada Jena “For the sake of one company (Posco), thousands of people cannot suffer and their livelihood patterns must not be disturbed. We apprehend the people of the particular areas would not tolerate this and there might be agitations and mass movements in the district of Jagatsinghpur.”
Sunday, September 26, 2010
Posco Water
Locals oppose plan to draw water from Haunsua river for Posco
Published: Sunday, Sep 26, 2010, 13:34 IST
Place: Bhubaneswar | Agency: PTI
With the Orissa government mulling supply of water to Posco's proposed mega steel mill near Paradip from an alternative place, local people and some outfits demanded a fresh public hearing.
Faced with stiff opposition from farmers and different political parties, the state government had asked Posco to consider a proposal of drawing water from Hansua river instead of getting it from Jobra barrage near Cuttack.
Farmers under the banner of Nab Nirman Krushak Sangathan also held a meeting near Paradip to unitedly oppose the state government's move to allow Posco to draw water from Hansua river.
Though Hansua was basically a drainage channel whose catchment area was spread over 278 square miles in both Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur districts.
"Majority of farmers in Jagatsinghpur district meet their water requirement from Hansua. Farmers often use pump sets to lift water from Hansua," Zilla Parishad president Sarada Jena said.
Water resources secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, however, said the state government had asked Posco to consider a proposal of lifting water from Hansua river after building a barrage on it.
"Posco will be allowed to preserve water of Hansua river and use it," he said.
While Posco was yet to respond to the state government's proposal, the South Korean company had earlier rejected idea of drawing water from certain rivers in Jagatsinghpur on the plea that most of the water sources in the district was saline.
"We urge upon the government to conduct a fresh Environment Impact Assessment study for the projects impacts on the ecology," Water Initiative of Orissa (WIO) said.
"In the MoU signed between the company and the state government, water is a separate sub-project and hence any change in the water use would need a fresh EIA and environmental clearance after due public hearing at both places from where the government plans to give water to POSCO," WIO's convenor Ranjan Panda said.
Published: Sunday, Sep 26, 2010, 13:34 IST
Place: Bhubaneswar | Agency: PTI
With the Orissa government mulling supply of water to Posco's proposed mega steel mill near Paradip from an alternative place, local people and some outfits demanded a fresh public hearing.
Faced with stiff opposition from farmers and different political parties, the state government had asked Posco to consider a proposal of drawing water from Hansua river instead of getting it from Jobra barrage near Cuttack.
Farmers under the banner of Nab Nirman Krushak Sangathan also held a meeting near Paradip to unitedly oppose the state government's move to allow Posco to draw water from Hansua river.
Though Hansua was basically a drainage channel whose catchment area was spread over 278 square miles in both Cuttack and Jagatsinghpur districts.
"Majority of farmers in Jagatsinghpur district meet their water requirement from Hansua. Farmers often use pump sets to lift water from Hansua," Zilla Parishad president Sarada Jena said.
Water resources secretary Suresh Chandra Mohapatra, however, said the state government had asked Posco to consider a proposal of lifting water from Hansua river after building a barrage on it.
"Posco will be allowed to preserve water of Hansua river and use it," he said.
While Posco was yet to respond to the state government's proposal, the South Korean company had earlier rejected idea of drawing water from certain rivers in Jagatsinghpur on the plea that most of the water sources in the district was saline.
"We urge upon the government to conduct a fresh Environment Impact Assessment study for the projects impacts on the ecology," Water Initiative of Orissa (WIO) said.
"In the MoU signed between the company and the state government, water is a separate sub-project and hence any change in the water use would need a fresh EIA and environmental clearance after due public hearing at both places from where the government plans to give water to POSCO," WIO's convenor Ranjan Panda said.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Shifting attention: POSCO going for Hansua leaving the Mahanadi
Our Mr Secretary, WRD (plz read the following news) is also falling trap to the same 'river water going to sea is a waste' beief, that our Ministers have earlier fallen to. Kudos to their advisors, married to this 'engineering paradigm'! They have been successful in perpetuating and implanting this dangerously wrong beief in the minds of decision makers. This shows the urgent need of carrying out damage control awareness and sensitization campaign among our beuraucrats and politcians on the understanding of our rivers in entirety and the implications of environmental flow.
At the same time, it is also difficult to understand, how a barrage downstream will solve the problems of waterlogging in Hansua, as the Secretary has put it. Civil society must also seek to know the basis of calculation which claims 'excess' water in Hansua.
Mahanadi Banchao Andolan, being a movement to safeguard the interests of communities and river, in stead of welcoming this move, must ask for a detailed assessment of impact of this barrage on lives and livelihoods the communities and farmers in Hansua sub-basin.
Orissa Govt asks Posco to consider alternative water source
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Report by Orissa Diary correspondent; Jagatsinghpur: After the Meena Gupta Committee visit the Proposed Posco site and held discussions with officials on water linkage to the steel mill, the state government is now evaluating alternative source of water for Posco.
The state government which confronted widespread protest from Mahanadi Banchao Andolan committee is now contemplating alternate water source to Posco and has initiated a survey in this regard.
In 2006, the water resources department had granted permission to Posco to draw water from Jobra barrage. With MoEF inquiring the ecological impact on the river and its surroundings, the government is now planning to ask Posco to draw water from Hansua river in Jagatsinghpur which is 7 km away from the proposed site.The government would ask Posco to build a barrage on Hansua river to hold water for its industrial use. The river which flows through four blocks of the district culminates at Jatadhari basin near the captive port site.
The farmers in the area have expressed concerns over drawing of water for the project as they depend on the river water for irrigation purposes.
The Secretary of Water Resources Department Suresh Mohapatra said that the excess water of Hansua river would be properly utilised instead being discharged to the sea, it could also help local farmers by avoiding a regular water logging over 10,000 to 15,000 hectare of agricultural field in Jagatsinghpur district.
The leaders of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan committee has welcomed the decision of state government to provide alternate source of water to Posco rather than providing water from river Mahanadi.
At the same time, it is also difficult to understand, how a barrage downstream will solve the problems of waterlogging in Hansua, as the Secretary has put it. Civil society must also seek to know the basis of calculation which claims 'excess' water in Hansua.
Mahanadi Banchao Andolan, being a movement to safeguard the interests of communities and river, in stead of welcoming this move, must ask for a detailed assessment of impact of this barrage on lives and livelihoods the communities and farmers in Hansua sub-basin.
Orissa Govt asks Posco to consider alternative water source
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Report by Orissa Diary correspondent; Jagatsinghpur: After the Meena Gupta Committee visit the Proposed Posco site and held discussions with officials on water linkage to the steel mill, the state government is now evaluating alternative source of water for Posco.
The state government which confronted widespread protest from Mahanadi Banchao Andolan committee is now contemplating alternate water source to Posco and has initiated a survey in this regard.
In 2006, the water resources department had granted permission to Posco to draw water from Jobra barrage. With MoEF inquiring the ecological impact on the river and its surroundings, the government is now planning to ask Posco to draw water from Hansua river in Jagatsinghpur which is 7 km away from the proposed site.The government would ask Posco to build a barrage on Hansua river to hold water for its industrial use. The river which flows through four blocks of the district culminates at Jatadhari basin near the captive port site.
The farmers in the area have expressed concerns over drawing of water for the project as they depend on the river water for irrigation purposes.
The Secretary of Water Resources Department Suresh Mohapatra said that the excess water of Hansua river would be properly utilised instead being discharged to the sea, it could also help local farmers by avoiding a regular water logging over 10,000 to 15,000 hectare of agricultural field in Jagatsinghpur district.
The leaders of Mahanadi Banchao Andolan committee has welcomed the decision of state government to provide alternate source of water to Posco rather than providing water from river Mahanadi.
Friday, September 24, 2010
BIS Certification Mandatory for Packaged Drinking Water
No person is authorised to manufacture, sell or exhibit for sale, packaged drinking water and packaged mineral water except under Bureau of Indian Standards Certification Mark.
As per the Quality Control Order issued under Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Rules, 1955, Bureau of Indian Standards has formulated the following Indian Standards which provide quality norms for packaged water:
i) IS 14543:2004 Packaged drinking water (other than natural mineral water) (First Revision)
ii) IS 13428: 2005 Packaged natural mineral water (Second Revision)
There are 18 BIS licensees engaged in production of Packaged Natural Mineral Water, 2354 licensees producing Packaged Drinking Water through Reverse Osmosis, and 633 licensees bottling Packaged Drinking Water drawing water from natural resources.
Implementation of the PFA Act and Rules framed under the Act is the responsibility of State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. BIS also undertakes periodic surveillance inspection and testing of samples from the market for maintaining the quality of the products of its licensees as per the prescribed Indian Standards.
MP:SB:CP: mineral water (23.9.2010)
No person is authorised to manufacture, sell or exhibit for sale, packaged drinking water and packaged mineral water except under Bureau of Indian Standards Certification Mark.
As per the Quality Control Order issued under Prevention of Food Adulteration (PFA) Rules, 1955, Bureau of Indian Standards has formulated the following Indian Standards which provide quality norms for packaged water:
i) IS 14543:2004 Packaged drinking water (other than natural mineral water) (First Revision)
ii) IS 13428: 2005 Packaged natural mineral water (Second Revision)
There are 18 BIS licensees engaged in production of Packaged Natural Mineral Water, 2354 licensees producing Packaged Drinking Water through Reverse Osmosis, and 633 licensees bottling Packaged Drinking Water drawing water from natural resources.
Implementation of the PFA Act and Rules framed under the Act is the responsibility of State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. BIS also undertakes periodic surveillance inspection and testing of samples from the market for maintaining the quality of the products of its licensees as per the prescribed Indian Standards.
MP:SB:CP: mineral water (23.9.2010)
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Polavaram Politics
Orissa BJP seeks details of threat from Andhra dam
2010-09-21 15:20:00
Bhubaneswar, Sep 21 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists Tuesday staged a rally in Orissa demanding details of possible damage due to the Polavaram dam project on the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh, recently approved by the central government.
Carrying posters and banners, activists of the party's youth unit marched in Bhubaneswar from their office near Ram Mandir square to Raj Bhavan, the official residence of Governor M.C. Bhandare, police said.
They shouted slogans against the state government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the central government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a police official said.
'Arjun Sethi, a leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) was the union minister in charge of central water resources from 2000-04 and he should have scrapped the project at that time. Now the same BJD is opposing the project but only after the centre scrapped the mining project of Vedanta,' a protest leader said.
'Both the state and central governments have not done any assessment about the possible damage the project will cause in Orissa,' former state BJP president Suresh Pujari said.
'The state and central governments should come out with a white paper on the project detailing the possible damage,' he said.
'If the government continues with the project, we will take this agitation to other parts of the state,' he said.
According to the Andhra Pradesh government, the Rs.10,150-crore Polavaram irrigation project will provide drinking water to 2.85 million people, produce 960 MW of power and give industry 23,500 million cubic feet of water.
The union environment and forests ministry gave the final clearance in July for diversion of 3,731.07 hectares of forest land for the project on the condition that no submergence of forest land should take place in Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
The project, first envisioned by the British rulers in 1941 has, however, been facing opposition for decades from local residents who fear displacement, a concern shared by residents in Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
2010-09-21 15:20:00
Bhubaneswar, Sep 21 (IANS) Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) activists Tuesday staged a rally in Orissa demanding details of possible damage due to the Polavaram dam project on the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh, recently approved by the central government.
Carrying posters and banners, activists of the party's youth unit marched in Bhubaneswar from their office near Ram Mandir square to Raj Bhavan, the official residence of Governor M.C. Bhandare, police said.
They shouted slogans against the state government led by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik and the central government led by Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, a police official said.
'Arjun Sethi, a leader of the Biju Janata Dal (BJD) was the union minister in charge of central water resources from 2000-04 and he should have scrapped the project at that time. Now the same BJD is opposing the project but only after the centre scrapped the mining project of Vedanta,' a protest leader said.
'Both the state and central governments have not done any assessment about the possible damage the project will cause in Orissa,' former state BJP president Suresh Pujari said.
'The state and central governments should come out with a white paper on the project detailing the possible damage,' he said.
'If the government continues with the project, we will take this agitation to other parts of the state,' he said.
According to the Andhra Pradesh government, the Rs.10,150-crore Polavaram irrigation project will provide drinking water to 2.85 million people, produce 960 MW of power and give industry 23,500 million cubic feet of water.
The union environment and forests ministry gave the final clearance in July for diversion of 3,731.07 hectares of forest land for the project on the condition that no submergence of forest land should take place in Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
The project, first envisioned by the British rulers in 1941 has, however, been facing opposition for decades from local residents who fear displacement, a concern shared by residents in Orissa and Chhattisgarh.
Salinity rise in water driving crocs to stray from habitats
PTI, Sep 21, 2010, 10.57am IST
KENDRAPARA (Orissa): Rising salinity in the waters of the Bhitarkanika river system is driving crocodiles towards other water bodies close to human habitation.
The recent killing of a woman by a crocodile at a village bordering Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary has brought into sharp focus the increasing forays by the reptiles into rivers and water bodies in thickly populated areas.
The straying of crocodiles away from their habitats was earlier attributed to scarcity of food in the sanctuary, especially during monsoon months, but now wildlife experts have said extreme salinity in the Bhitarkanika river was the reason.
"The reptiles were never earlier sighted at villages surrounding the Bhitarkanika sanctuary," Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, divisional forest officer, Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division, said.
The Bhitarkanika river system, home to about 2,000 estuarine crocodiles, is now undergoing a hyper-salinity process not conducive to their habitation, Mohapatra said.
He said the crocodile attacks on humans mostly take place during new moon and full moon periods when their habitation corridors get hyper saline.
PTI, Sep 21, 2010, 10.57am IST
KENDRAPARA (Orissa): Rising salinity in the waters of the Bhitarkanika river system is driving crocodiles towards other water bodies close to human habitation.
The recent killing of a woman by a crocodile at a village bordering Bhitarkanika wildlife sanctuary has brought into sharp focus the increasing forays by the reptiles into rivers and water bodies in thickly populated areas.
The straying of crocodiles away from their habitats was earlier attributed to scarcity of food in the sanctuary, especially during monsoon months, but now wildlife experts have said extreme salinity in the Bhitarkanika river was the reason.
"The reptiles were never earlier sighted at villages surrounding the Bhitarkanika sanctuary," Manoj Kumar Mohapatra, divisional forest officer, Rajnagar mangrove (wildlife) forest division, said.
The Bhitarkanika river system, home to about 2,000 estuarine crocodiles, is now undergoing a hyper-salinity process not conducive to their habitation, Mohapatra said.
He said the crocodile attacks on humans mostly take place during new moon and full moon periods when their habitation corridors get hyper saline.
Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Brutang
No rethink on green nod to Orissa irrigation project: Ramesh
Press Trust Of India
New Delhi, September 15, 2010
Even as Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has maintained that there is no rethink over the green nod to Brutanga irrigation project proposed in Orissa, sources said it is under the scanner of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). "Wildlife in Satkosia tiger sanctuary would be under
threat due to the proposed project. NTCA member secretary Rajesh Gopal would soon visit the sanctuary to study the impact it would have on the wildlife particularly movement of elephants and tigers," sources in the ministry said.
When asked, though Ramesh said that the project has received first phase clearance at the Forest Appraisal Committee last month, he, however, admitted that there are some minor issues to be sorted out.
"But, I categorically say that there is no rethinking over the project which would help lakhs of farmers and villagers in the state," he said.
The project is aimed at providing irrigation in 50,000 hectares of cultivable land in Nayagarh district.
Ramesh said the order granting forest clearance includes a large number of conditions intended to safeguard the wildlife, such as building overpasses to allow elephants to cross the canal.
However, local NGOs and wildlife activists have been up in arms against the nod to the project, saying it would affect movement of elephants across river Brutanga, on which a reservoir will be build submerging 1,500 hectares of land.
The FAC had met again last week expressing reservation over its impact on the wildlife as well as a huge chunk of tribal population, which would be displaced due to the project.
Sources say that further action in the proposed project would depend on the view taken by Gopal, head of the NTCA, which oversees Project Tiger in the country.
Press Trust Of India
New Delhi, September 15, 2010
Even as Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh has maintained that there is no rethink over the green nod to Brutanga irrigation project proposed in Orissa, sources said it is under the scanner of the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). "Wildlife in Satkosia tiger sanctuary would be under
threat due to the proposed project. NTCA member secretary Rajesh Gopal would soon visit the sanctuary to study the impact it would have on the wildlife particularly movement of elephants and tigers," sources in the ministry said.
When asked, though Ramesh said that the project has received first phase clearance at the Forest Appraisal Committee last month, he, however, admitted that there are some minor issues to be sorted out.
"But, I categorically say that there is no rethinking over the project which would help lakhs of farmers and villagers in the state," he said.
The project is aimed at providing irrigation in 50,000 hectares of cultivable land in Nayagarh district.
Ramesh said the order granting forest clearance includes a large number of conditions intended to safeguard the wildlife, such as building overpasses to allow elephants to cross the canal.
However, local NGOs and wildlife activists have been up in arms against the nod to the project, saying it would affect movement of elephants across river Brutanga, on which a reservoir will be build submerging 1,500 hectares of land.
The FAC had met again last week expressing reservation over its impact on the wildlife as well as a huge chunk of tribal population, which would be displaced due to the project.
Sources say that further action in the proposed project would depend on the view taken by Gopal, head of the NTCA, which oversees Project Tiger in the country.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Polavaram
Polavaram issue at bAiThak kHanA
Posted by: "sudarsan das" in E-group Agamiorissa
Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:14 pm (PDT)
Dear All
As planned, the bAiThaK kHanA of Agami Odisha organised the consultation on Polavaram on 11th September at Ekamra Hatt.
Consultation had about thirty five participants comprising NGOs, media, activists, and elected representatives. Shri Sudarsan Das explained the weekly dialogue series that Agami Odisha has been organising on varied issues of concern to the state to examine the alternatives and and chalk out ways and mean of building public opinion in favour policies and programmes in the interest of the state. Polavaram issue has been taken up for this week, he explained as the problem is becoming serious with growing pressures to accord national status to the dam.
He introduced guest speaker Shri M Bharath Bhushan of Aranyika, a inter-state network of NGOs on environment and tribal development, and his work related to Polavaram dam as an activist with field studies on the impact of the dam way back in 1992 and his contribution to Aranyika's publication titled “Myth and Reality of
Polavaram Dam' highlighting the truth of the benefits and underestimated losses, as well his documentaries films on the Koyas tribe and Polavaram dam.
Bharath Bhushan explained that the Polavaram dam has evoked public wrath from the
beginning, especially from late Eighties when various sanghatans in the state of Andhra Pradesh and environment groups in the country have also questioned the rationale. There was a regional meet of the Koya tribal village heads of the three states in March 1995 that made fervent appeal to the chief ministers of the three states to withdraw Polavaram dam. Resistance to Polavaram dam, he said, is not new. The Polavaram Dam is national disaster as the promised benefits are only on paper and highly exaggerated, while the losses which are irreversible due to ecological destruction and displacement of people in large scale are many times higher than what is being told to the clearance authorities. The benefits are shaky, for instance, the irrigation benefits are claimed to be initially 7.21 lakh acres as
per the Environment Impact Assessment and Environment Management Plan (EIA & EMP) prepared by Agricultural Finance Corporation Ltd in September 2005 that was submitted to the authorities for obtaining clearance, Now there are claims of 23.21 lakh acres how that is possible and if the revised irrigation benefits are true how approval given to different design is valid, he asked. While the truth is that
Polavaram dam would be irrigate additionally only 42,000 acres as after deducting the extent of land that is lost forever under submergence and canals and 5.47 lakh acres which is already under irrigation or in progress under Tatipudi, Pushakara and several other irrigation projects. Similarly the Central Electricity Authority has
declared that power generation claims of 960 MW is unrealistic as there is feasibility for only 460 MW. Other serious issues of concern are the displacement of around 3 lakh population. Displacement and ecological implications are not confined to state borders as the Dantewada disturbance has resulted in about 30,000 people moving to AP according to the National Commission for Protection for Child
Rights in November 2007. Whether there is submergence or embankment in Orissa and Chattisgarh the large scale displacement of adivasis in AP and the uphill migration of the adivasis would be national disaster.
Prof K B Das of Utkal University remarked that all mega projects are only adding to the loot of resources for the private gains and the proposed benefits of the projects are not real or only short term. He cited examples of the Hirakud, Indravati dams and added that the displaced people are yet to be rehabilitated in many cases. He wondered how the Polavaram dam would be different when it is of much larger scale and being designed without public consent. Other participants who spoke on the occasion include Mr Braja Kishore Tripathy, former Union Minister, Mr
Lalit Mohan Patnaik, Mr Akshya Das, Mr Tushar Kanta, Mr Deba Parija, Priyadarshi Mishra, Mr Dayanidhi Sahu etc.
Participants remarked that presentations by the speakers and the discussion has brought to light several dimensions of the dam and the rapid modifications in the scope and design that are not widely known to the people in any state. The whole issue is treated as a matter of concern to technical experts and those in power to be act indiscriminately while the adverse implications of the ill designed project are to be faced by the adivasis and the people. Secrecy and myths of the technical
things are only coming into light in bits and pieces when one committee after the other finds lacunae in some component or the other. The participants opined that the project should be stalled immediately to have a national debate on the project in its totality and public debate is needed whether the dam serves any purpose at
all, whether its social ecological costs are worth the project, whether the corrective measures in the form of R&R and Environment Management Plan are sound etc
Issues that emerged for reflection include the following:
Polavaram issue is a national tragedy with significant direct implications to the state and the response from Odisha has to be above party affiliations
There is urgent need to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the social, ecological, and related problems due to the Polavaram dam
Public awareness and mobilisation has to be strengthened to inform the affected people and the varied sections in the state about the true picture of the
Polavaram dam
A state level convention has to be organised at the earliest to build public
awareness on the issue. The convention should invite speakers comprising experts and activists from three states and other parts of the country
--------------------------------------------
Sudarsan Das
Managing Trustee & Secretary
Human Development Foundation (HDF)
M-4, Samant Vihar, Mancheswar Rly. Colony
Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar.
Email: sudarsan_d@yahoo.com
Posted by: "sudarsan das" in E-group Agamiorissa
Sat Sep 11, 2010 11:14 pm (PDT)
Dear All
As planned, the bAiThaK kHanA of Agami Odisha organised the consultation on Polavaram on 11th September at Ekamra Hatt.
Consultation had about thirty five participants comprising NGOs, media, activists, and elected representatives. Shri Sudarsan Das explained the weekly dialogue series that Agami Odisha has been organising on varied issues of concern to the state to examine the alternatives and and chalk out ways and mean of building public opinion in favour policies and programmes in the interest of the state. Polavaram issue has been taken up for this week, he explained as the problem is becoming serious with growing pressures to accord national status to the dam.
He introduced guest speaker Shri M Bharath Bhushan of Aranyika, a inter-state network of NGOs on environment and tribal development, and his work related to Polavaram dam as an activist with field studies on the impact of the dam way back in 1992 and his contribution to Aranyika's publication titled “Myth and Reality of
Polavaram Dam' highlighting the truth of the benefits and underestimated losses, as well his documentaries films on the Koyas tribe and Polavaram dam.
Bharath Bhushan explained that the Polavaram dam has evoked public wrath from the
beginning, especially from late Eighties when various sanghatans in the state of Andhra Pradesh and environment groups in the country have also questioned the rationale. There was a regional meet of the Koya tribal village heads of the three states in March 1995 that made fervent appeal to the chief ministers of the three states to withdraw Polavaram dam. Resistance to Polavaram dam, he said, is not new. The Polavaram Dam is national disaster as the promised benefits are only on paper and highly exaggerated, while the losses which are irreversible due to ecological destruction and displacement of people in large scale are many times higher than what is being told to the clearance authorities. The benefits are shaky, for instance, the irrigation benefits are claimed to be initially 7.21 lakh acres as
per the Environment Impact Assessment and Environment Management Plan (EIA & EMP) prepared by Agricultural Finance Corporation Ltd in September 2005 that was submitted to the authorities for obtaining clearance, Now there are claims of 23.21 lakh acres how that is possible and if the revised irrigation benefits are true how approval given to different design is valid, he asked. While the truth is that
Polavaram dam would be irrigate additionally only 42,000 acres as after deducting the extent of land that is lost forever under submergence and canals and 5.47 lakh acres which is already under irrigation or in progress under Tatipudi, Pushakara and several other irrigation projects. Similarly the Central Electricity Authority has
declared that power generation claims of 960 MW is unrealistic as there is feasibility for only 460 MW. Other serious issues of concern are the displacement of around 3 lakh population. Displacement and ecological implications are not confined to state borders as the Dantewada disturbance has resulted in about 30,000 people moving to AP according to the National Commission for Protection for Child
Rights in November 2007. Whether there is submergence or embankment in Orissa and Chattisgarh the large scale displacement of adivasis in AP and the uphill migration of the adivasis would be national disaster.
Prof K B Das of Utkal University remarked that all mega projects are only adding to the loot of resources for the private gains and the proposed benefits of the projects are not real or only short term. He cited examples of the Hirakud, Indravati dams and added that the displaced people are yet to be rehabilitated in many cases. He wondered how the Polavaram dam would be different when it is of much larger scale and being designed without public consent. Other participants who spoke on the occasion include Mr Braja Kishore Tripathy, former Union Minister, Mr
Lalit Mohan Patnaik, Mr Akshya Das, Mr Tushar Kanta, Mr Deba Parija, Priyadarshi Mishra, Mr Dayanidhi Sahu etc.
Participants remarked that presentations by the speakers and the discussion has brought to light several dimensions of the dam and the rapid modifications in the scope and design that are not widely known to the people in any state. The whole issue is treated as a matter of concern to technical experts and those in power to be act indiscriminately while the adverse implications of the ill designed project are to be faced by the adivasis and the people. Secrecy and myths of the technical
things are only coming into light in bits and pieces when one committee after the other finds lacunae in some component or the other. The participants opined that the project should be stalled immediately to have a national debate on the project in its totality and public debate is needed whether the dam serves any purpose at
all, whether its social ecological costs are worth the project, whether the corrective measures in the form of R&R and Environment Management Plan are sound etc
Issues that emerged for reflection include the following:
Polavaram issue is a national tragedy with significant direct implications to the state and the response from Odisha has to be above party affiliations
There is urgent need to undertake a comprehensive assessment of the social, ecological, and related problems due to the Polavaram dam
Public awareness and mobilisation has to be strengthened to inform the affected people and the varied sections in the state about the true picture of the
Polavaram dam
A state level convention has to be organised at the earliest to build public
awareness on the issue. The convention should invite speakers comprising experts and activists from three states and other parts of the country
--------------------------------------------
Sudarsan Das
Managing Trustee & Secretary
Human Development Foundation (HDF)
M-4, Samant Vihar, Mancheswar Rly. Colony
Chandrasekharpur, Bhubaneswar.
Email: sudarsan_d@yahoo.com
Surviving on contaminated water, Orissa villagers hit by cholera
2010-09-11 18:50:00
Villagers in Orissa's Rayagada district have come under the grip of cholera, as their region lacks a safe and hygienic source of drinking water.
These villagers are very poor and helpless. They are compelled to take drinking water from river and ponds for their daily life.
As the water is contaminated, the water-borne disease is spreading rapidly in the district and has affected many people.
"We don't have any source of safe drinking water. We don't have any bore-well water, hence we have to depend on dirty rivers and pond water, and due to this unhygienic water we are falling ill," said Paranga Majhi, a local.
Meanwhile, State Health Department claims to have already started undertaking measures to counter the cholera outbreak.
"Government is taking all steps possible and a team of doctors has been dispersed. Paramedical team has also been dispersed from outside the district. Senior health officers of the health department have also been deployed there and are making all sets of arrangements to see that all patients areas (have) been given proper treatment and timely treatment," said Prasanna Acharaya, the State Health Minister.
Areas like Bissam Cuttak, Kasipur, Kalyasinghpur, Gudari, Jaganathpura and Jameidipur in the Rayagad district have been hit by Cholera.
Till now Cholera has taken lives of almost 87 people in Orissa. By Sarada Lahangir (ANI)
2010-09-11 18:50:00
Villagers in Orissa's Rayagada district have come under the grip of cholera, as their region lacks a safe and hygienic source of drinking water.
These villagers are very poor and helpless. They are compelled to take drinking water from river and ponds for their daily life.
As the water is contaminated, the water-borne disease is spreading rapidly in the district and has affected many people.
"We don't have any source of safe drinking water. We don't have any bore-well water, hence we have to depend on dirty rivers and pond water, and due to this unhygienic water we are falling ill," said Paranga Majhi, a local.
Meanwhile, State Health Department claims to have already started undertaking measures to counter the cholera outbreak.
"Government is taking all steps possible and a team of doctors has been dispersed. Paramedical team has also been dispersed from outside the district. Senior health officers of the health department have also been deployed there and are making all sets of arrangements to see that all patients areas (have) been given proper treatment and timely treatment," said Prasanna Acharaya, the State Health Minister.
Areas like Bissam Cuttak, Kasipur, Kalyasinghpur, Gudari, Jaganathpura and Jameidipur in the Rayagad district have been hit by Cholera.
Till now Cholera has taken lives of almost 87 people in Orissa. By Sarada Lahangir (ANI)
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