Support for the Bhadreshwar fishworkers' Demand

Date: 16th September, 2010

Shri. Jairam Ramesh
Hon. Minister, Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Paryavaran Bhavan
CGO Complex, Lodhi Road
New Delhi - 110 003
INDIA

Respected Sir,

Subject: Cancellation of Public hearing for Kutch Power Generation Limited, Bhadreshwar.

The Adani Group promoted company Kutch Power Generation Limited (KPGL) is proposing a 3300 MW coal based power plant in Bhadreshwar village of Mundra Taluk, Kutch district, Gujarat. Fisherfolk and Salt pan workers are deeply concerned about the harmful impact of the project on their traditional livelihoods. Ever since the local communities knew of the project, they have been writing to the MoEF, NIO etc about their livelihood concerns and the need for rigorous and unbiased EIA studies to ensure that their livelihoods are not affected.

The main purpose of this letter is to bring to your attention our concern that the manner, in which the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) has planned the public hearing for the KPGL power plant, will render the public hearing as an empty formality. We have seen the draft EIA reports which have been submitted by KPGL. The project uses ONCE THROUGH COOLING SYSTEM which is likely to cause extensive damage to marine ecology. However, key information such as marine EIA, which is important for local communities to get a complete idea of the project impacts, is missing in the documents submitted. It is meaningless to conduct the public hearing without giving required information about the project impacts and without giving sufficient opportunity for the affected persons to express their views about the project. The issues related to the KPGL public hearing are explained in more detail in http://www.scribd.com/doc/38180410/Jairam-Letter

In view of the above issues with the public hearing of the KPGL power plant, we demand that:
1. The KPGL public hearing on 5th October must be cancelled and held on a separate date in Bhadreshwar village itself or close to the project location, if the project location is changed.

2. Alternate sites such as Tunda in West Mundra must be considered for the KPGL project as Bhadreshwar in East Mundra is one of the last few remaining fishing settlements for traditional fisherfolk.

3. Comprehensive EIA with full year data or at-least EIA of summer season is required as the KPGL power plant is a large project and conditions in Kutch coast are such that worst pollution is experienced in summer months. The entire EIA must be done again in a rigorous and systematic manner.

4. The Marine EIA report needs to be published along with other documents submitted for the public hearing.’

5. Cumulative impact of proposed projects such as OPG power project, KPGL power project coming up in Bhadreshwar village and other projects on Mundra coast needs to be studied before considering the Environment Clearance for the KPGL project.

6. The Fishing community objects to the CSR report which mentions that the community is demanding for alternate employment. This report needs to be withdrawn. A moratorium needs to be announced on schemes and grants to community on the eve of the public hearing and any CSR programme has to be developed in consultation with the local communities likely to be affected by the project.