Konkan Rakshan & Samruddhi Manch - save Konkan

Respected Sir/Madam,

We, the members of Konkan Rakshan & Samruddhi Manch, a registered NGO (Reg no:Mah/2828/sindhudurg) wish to bring to your attention the impending environmental disaster in the Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts of Maharashtra, because of the coal and nuclear power project under various stages of development and the mining activity in dist Sindhudurg & to seek your support for our cause.In the following document, we would like to highlight the ecological as well as socioeconomic background of the area and the threat the said coal and nuclear power project & mining pose to the region.

Background

Konkan, A Biodiversity "Hot Spot"

The coastal districts of Sindhudurg and the Ratnagiri in Maharashtra, which lie at the foothills of the Sahyadri mountain range (part of the western ghats) are
acclaimed internationally for its rich biodiversity in the form of flora, fauna and marine life. The geographical location of the region is shown in figure 1. The
hills of the western ghats cover 60,000 km² and form the catchment area for a complex of river systems that drain almost 40% of India.[1] The average elevation is
around 1,200 meters.[2] The area is one of the world's ten "Hottest biodiversity hotspots" and has over 5000 species of flowering plants, 139 mammal species, 508 bird
species and 179 amphibian species. At least 325 globally threatened species occur in the Western Ghats.[3] Climate in the Western Ghats varies with altitudinal
gradation and distance from the equator. The climate is humid and tropical in the lower reaches tempered by the proximity to the sea. Elevations of 1,500 m (4,921 ft) and
above in the north have a more temperate climate. The mean temperature range from 20 °C (68 °F) to 24 °C (75 °F). It has also been observed that the coldest periods
coincide with the wettest.[4]

During the monsoon season between June and September, the unbroken Western Ghats chain acts as a barrier to the moisture laden clouds. The heavy, eastward-moving
rain-bearing clouds are forced to rise and in the process deposit most of their rain on the windward side. Rainfall in this region averages 3,000-4,000 mm (120-160
in) with localised extremes touching 9,000 mm (350 in). The western ghat region of Maharashtra receives the heaviest rainfall, but is followed by long dry spells.

Figure 1. Geographical location of Kokan Region and the Western Ghats

Socio-economics of the Region

Ratnagiri district's warm and humid weather is most suitable for horticulture, especially for mango, cashew and jackfruit. It has been declared as the
Horticulture District by the Government of Maharashtra. The world-famous King of Mangoes Alphanso is grown here. Ratnagiri's cashew nuts are famous for generating much valued
foreign exchange.

Carved out of the erstwhile Ratnagiri district and second in the country to achieve 100 per cent literacy, the Sindhudurg district has been named after the famous
sea-fort Sindhudurg, constructed by Chhatrapati Shivaji. Situated adjacent to Goa, this is the first district in Maharashtra to be declared as the Tourism
District. Famous for its serene and beautiful beaches, temples, historical forts and folk art forms like Dashavtar, Chitrakathi, Pangul, Keertan, Dhangiri dance, Sindhudurg
has a great potential for earning foreign exchange as an international tourism destination. [5]
Issue

Coal and Nuclear Power Plants

In an alleged bid to combat the rising power shortage in the nation, the state is gearing to set up several coal and nuclear power plants in the Konkan region of
Maharashtra. The list of proposed and under construction projects known so far are illustrated in table 1.Due to ignorance and the unquestioning law abiding attitude of the people in the region, the power plants have been specifically located in the extremely eco-sensitive region by vested interests in cahoots with government agencies,
under the guise of power shortage.

In the process of obtaining governmental clearance, several loopholes in the existing environmental laws are being exploited. In many cases, the Environmental
Impact Assessments (EIA), required by the 1994 notification of Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) are being carried out without due diligence. Specifically in the case of Jindal SW Energy's plant at Jaigad Ph I, the EIA which should have, under guidelines, been carried out over a period of 1 year was actually
carried out by EQMS, New Delhi, in mere 3 months conveniently executing a "rapid EIA".

Table 1. List of proposed/Under Construction Power Projects in Konkan region.
Fuel Type Capacity (MW) Location Taluka District Promoters
Coal 1980 Bhopan Dapoli Ratnagiri GMR Electrical
Coal 1600 Dhopave Guhagar Ratnagiri NTPC
Coal 1200 Jaigad (Ph I) Ratnagiri Ratnagiri Jindal SW Energy
Coal 3200 Jaigad (Ph II) Ratnagiri Ratnagiri Jindal SW Energy
Coal 43 Ranpar (Ph I) Ratnagiri Ratnagiri Finolex
Coal 1000 Ranpar (Ph II) Ratnagiri Ratnagiri Finolex
Nuclear 9600 Madban, Jaitapur (Ph I) Rajapur Ratnagiri Nuclear Power Corp.
Nuclear 5400 Madban, Jaitapur (Ph II) Rajapur Ratnagiri Nuclear Power Corp.
Coal 4000 Munage Devgad Sindhudurg NTPC
Coal 1980 Dhakore, Ajgao Vengurla Sindhudurg NTPC

Table 1. L

Falso statements/misrepresentations regarding reserve mangrove forests in the vicinity and marine fauna like corals have been made by the EIA executing
agency (EQMS, New Delhi) on behalf of Jindal SW Energy to mislead the MoEF as well as the appeallate authority to which, the latter seems to have fallen prey.
While the current energy requirements of the region (Ratnagiri/Sindhudurg combined) is merely 167 MW, the proposed energy projects have a capacity of 30,003 MW,
which is 180 times the actual requirements of the region. This disproportionality between the demand and the proposed generation in the region has the potential to
irrevocably harm the highly fragile ecological balance that exists within such a narrow strip of land (mean width 30 km.) sandwiched between the Arabian Sea and
the Western Ghats.
Also in Dist Raigad,in Tal Alibaug alone 5 TPPs are coming up.Almost 8 to10 kms apart from one another.Already because of chemical industries there is a
sizeable amount of pollution has happened in dist Raigad.

Mining at the foothills of Sahyadri in Sindhudurg.

After rampant mining in the neighbouring state of Goa for the last 50 years,in Satteri,Quepem,Bicholim & Sanguem total destruction of the Ecology is clearly
evident there.Drinking Water contains dangerous metallic taste.People are suffering from various health problems because of Silicosis & TB in that part of Goa.
Mining affected part of Goa is unknown to us.It is not Green ,it is Brown & Red in colour every where.Lots of accidents happen every week because of irresponsible
& rash driving by the trucks loaded with minig ore.Inspite of this unimaginably high mining for so many years Govt of Goa earns only 4% of its total revenue from
the minig industry.

As the iron ore reserves in Goa are coming to its end,the mining corporate houses are now attraced towards the adjoining dist Sindhudurg.At the foothills of
Sahyadri in dist Sindhudurg there are lots of sites very rich in iron,nickel,boxite etc.Especially the Iron found here is not of very high quality but it's a low
grade Iron ore.It is only accepted in a few countries like China.It is not used for our national steel industry.

If this mining activity begins in a big way here in the tal Dodamarg,Sawantwadi,Kudal in dist Sindhudurg it will destroy the enriched & highly
Biodiversed Nature of this region.It will break the Ecological balance of this zone.
.


Figure 2. Disproportionality between the current energy demand and proposed energy generation in the konkan region of Maharashtra.
Further, if the proposed energy projects are allowed to proceed, it is the people of the region who will bear the brunt of the ecological disaster and life
threatening pollution. In return, the energy generated in these power plants will not be of any benefit to the local populace because these projects are designed to cater to
industrial/ merchant power needs (MPP). As a result, this energy will be routed with priority to highly profitable commercial load centers rather than meeting the
needs of domestic electrification in semi-urban and rural areas, where profit margins are meager.

Action Required

Designate the Region as "No Polluting Industry" Zone

In light of the facts and data presented above, we request the Government of Maharashtra, MoEF (Government of India) and all concerned authorities to
declare the region of Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts as Environmentally Fragile(ECOSENSITIVE) and hence request designation of "No Polluting Industry"
Zone. This action should facilitate the formation of an authority which will regulate the developmental needs of the region along the lines of those in the Industrial
Policy of Goa[6] and the Dahanu Taluka Environmental Protection Authority, Maharashtra.[7]

Compel the Government of Maharashtra to table the Pendse-Kadrekar Committee
Report The Pendse Kadrekar Committee, which was appointed by Government of Maharashtra in the 1990s to assess the environmental suitability of industrialization of the
Konkan region, has categorically and unequivocally recommended the use of non-conventional energy like hydroelectric,(micro hydroelectric,mini hydroelectric etc.)the
potential for which is immense (12,000 MW). Since the government has not tabled this report in the house, it has not been brought up for discussion whenever developmental
issues are debated. This lackadaisical approach has prevented the consideration of non-conventional and non-polluting energy generation in the region. Similar
reports in the past have been shelved as well.

To Impress upon Government of Maharashtra to Pursue Non Conventional Energy While a host of environmentally friendly options for generating enegy exist, they
are not apparently attractive due to their lower return on invested capital in the short run. However, in the long run, they have proven to be sustainable and
environmentally friendly alternatives to satisfying our ever growing energy demands, while balancing the growth requirements. We earnestly seek your much needed
intervention to communicate with many who may be concerned about such issues & to impress upon the Government of Maharashtra ,MoEF,Ministry of Power & Ministry
of Mining to reconsider.
In conclusion, we would like to point out that we are running out of time and options to save one of the most precious ecological treasures of our nation.
The combined might of corporate houses and their supporters in government of the day can hardly be matched by the people of the region, who are visualizing the
impending disaster in the region, be it environmental, socio-economic or otherwise.


Sincerely,
Konkan Rakshan & Samruddhi Manch, Sindhudurg;


References
1. V.S. Vijayan. "Research needs for the Western Ghats". Ashoka Trust for
Research
in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE). Retrieved on 2007-06-21.
2. "The Peninsula". Asia-Pacific Mountain Network. Retrieved on 2007-03-19.
3. Myers, N., R.A. Mittermeier, C.G. Mittermeier, G.A.B. Da Fonseca, and J.
Kent.
(2000) "Biodiversity Hotspots for Conservation Priorities." Nature 403:853-858,
retrieved 6/1/2007MYERS, N.
4. "Biodiversity of the Western Ghats - An Overview". Wildlife Institute of
India.
Retrieved on 2007-03-19.
5. The Gazatteer's Department; Government of Maharashtra;
(http://www.maharashtra.gov.in/english/gazetteer/RATNAGIRI/about_ratnagiri.html.

Retrieved on 2008-12-24).
6. Government of Goa; DRAFT INDUSTRIAL POLICY OF GOA 2001;
(http://goagovt.nic.in/documents/indpol.htm Retrieved on 2008-12-25)
7. The Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority (DTEPA):
(http://www.freedahanu.org/dahanuauthority.html Retrieved on 2008-12-25)