Skip to main content

Kerala 'gives in' to ecologically destructive project, wants no confrontation with Centre

Counterview Desk
India’s premier civil rights network, National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), has asked the Kerala government to immediately abandon what it calls “ecologically destructive” Athirappilly Hydel Project, thus leading by example in environmental and forest governance on the Western Ghats. 
Seeking protection of Chalakudy River and Adivasi livelihoods, an NAPM statement, endorsed by tens of prominent activists and environmental campaigners, including Medha Patkar, Prafulla Samantara, Aruna Roy, Sandeep Pandey and others, says that in over four decades of its controversial history, the project proposal has seen stiff resistance for its likely grave socio-environmental impacts.

Text:

The National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM) calls upon the Government of Kerala (GoK) to immediately withdraw its ‘revived’ proposal to construct the ecologically destructive Athirappilly Hydro Electric Project (HEP) in the heart of the Western Ghats. 
We take strong exception to the recent No-Objection Certificate (NOC) for 7 years given by the state government to the Kerala Electricity Board (KSEB) permitting it to proceed with seeking ‘fresh clearances’ for implementation of the 163-MW HEP on the Chalakudy River in Thrissur District. 
The response of the government, in the face of widespread opposition, that the NOC is only part of a ‘routine procedure’ is patently unconvincing.
In over four decades of its controversial history, the project proposal has seen stiff resistance for its likely grave socio-environmental impacts. On at least two occasions, the project clearances were struck down by the High Court for environmental and procedural violations. Volumes of research and scientific evidence exists, making a strong case as to why the Project is not feasible.
Notable among these is the well-known Report by the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), popularly known as Madhav Gadgil Committee, which categorically held that the Athirappilly HEP, located in the bio-diversity rich, Eco-Sensitive Zone-1 is undesirable and futile on environmental, technical and economic grounds.
As adivasi groups and environmentalists in the state have pointed out, the proposal is a blatant violation of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 and previous ‘clearances’ stand void in the face of the Community Forest Rights (CFR) pattas granted to the traditional adivasi community (Kadars) over 40,000 hectares of forests in 2014.
The nine Gram Sabhas, holding statutory CFR rights in Athirappilly Panchayat have passed decisive resolutions against the proposed project and the same has to be honoured in law by the KSEB in terms of Sec 5(d) of the FRA. The right of the gram sabha, as per this Act to ‘regulate access to community forest resources and stop any activity which adversely affects the wild animals, forest and the biodiversity’ must be upheld, by all means.
Having faced two major floods in 2018 and again in 2019, the state can ill-afford more damage to its fragile ecology, especially in the Athirappilly-Vazhachal stretch
It is both ironic and deeply disturbing that the Forest Rights law which was passed in the Parliament with the active involvement and support of the Left parties (including CPM) is being violated and ignored in the current context.
Having faced two major floods in 2018 and again in 2019, the state can ill-afford more damage to its fragile ecology, especially in the Athirappilly-Vazhachal stretch. It is a matter of record that during the 2018 flood, maximum discharge was when the gates of Peringalkuthu reservoir (near Chalakudy River) was opened, with over a million litres discharge, per second. The unprecedented deluge that Kerala faced must be a wake-up call for the government to seriously review ecologically unsound ‘developmental projects’ that jeopardize the coastal state further.
We are also concerned about reports from some quarters that the KSEB plans to proceed with more dams, including Chalakudy-Sholayar tail-race and Peringalkuthu Right Bank, which is likely to result in submergence of large tracts of forest land in the buffer zone of Parambukkulam Tiger Reserve. 
Experience across the globe has demonstrated that large reservoirs are not necessarily the best and only mechanisms for flood-control. What Kerala needs is not new dams, but effective flood management plans that take cognizance of local riverine ecological concerns. 
Some media reports indicate that the immediate context for NOC by the state government is also linked with the Prime Minister’s questioning in a review meeting of electricity proposals as to why the Athirappilly project was not being implemented despite ‘previous approvals’ from the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) and the Central Environmental Authority (CEA). 
And the State government is stated to have ‘given in’, not wanting a ‘confrontation’ with the Centre! We wish to state here that the Centre should respect federal decisions and not impose itself on a state government, despite public opposition.
It would be an irreversible travesty if the Project is pushed ahead, disregarding the overwhelming public resistance in the state, objections by opposition parties and even CPI (the ruling coalition member) and making light the expert views of conservationists, environmentalists, many a former bureaucrats and most important of all – the adivasis, whose homes and hearths would be affected by the project.
We call upon the Chief Minister of Kerala to make an immediate written announcement abandoning this destructive project once and for all and re-affirming the commitment of the State to the constitutional and legal rights of adivasis under FRA, 2006 as well as to environmental safeguards. This would also be in keeping with the electoral commitment of the Left Democratic Front to take steps to protect rivers and improve their water flow.
We extend our unflinching support to the adivasis of Athirappilly in their resistance and stand by the activist groups in the state, deeply concerned for a green and safe Kerala. We also warn the Centre that power allocation to Kerala must continue as per existing plans and not be adversely affected based on the decision of GoK to (not) implement the Athirappilly Project.
---
Click here for those who have endorsed the statement

Comments

TRENDING

70,000 migrants, sold on Canadian dream, face uncertain future: Canada reinvents the xenophobic wheel

By Saurav Sarkar*  Bikram Singh is running out of time on his post-study work visa in Canada. Singh is one of about 70,000 migrants who were sold on the Canadian dream of eventually making the country their home but now face an uncertain future with their work permits set to expire by December 2024. They came from places like India, China, and the Philippines, and sold their land and belongings in their home countries, took out loans, or made other enormous commitments to get themselves to Canada.

Kerala government data implicates the Covid vaccines for excess deaths

By Bhaskaran Raman*  On 03 Dec 2024, Mr Unnikrishnan of the Indian Express had written an article titled: “Kerala govt data busts vaccine death myth; no rise in mortality post-Covid”. It claims “no significant change in the death rate in the 35-44 age group between 2019 and 2023”. However, the claim is obviously wrong, even to a casual observer, as per the same data which the article presents, as explained below.

PM-JUGA: Support to states and gram sabhas for the FRA implementation and preparation and execution of CFR management plan

By Dr. Manohar Chauhan*  (Over the period, under 275(1), Ministry of Tribal Affairs has provided fund to the states for FRA implementation. Besides, some states like Odisha, Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra allocated special fund for FRA implementation. Now PM-JUDA under “Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan(DAJGUA) lunched by Prime Minister on 2nd October 2024 will not only be the major source of funding from MoTA to the States/UTs, but also will be the major support to the Gram sabha for the preparation and execution of CFR management Plan).

Defeat of martial law: Has the decisive moment for change come in South Korea?

By Steven Lee  Late at night on December 3, soldiers stormed into South Korea’s National Assembly in armored vehicles and combat helicopters. Assembly staff desperately blocked their assault with fire extinguishers and barricades. South Korea’s President Yoon Suk Yeol had just declared martial law to “ eliminate ‘anti-state’ forces .”

Operation Kagar represents Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism: Resistance continues

By Harsh Thakor Operation Kagar represents the Indian state's intensified attempt to extinguish Maoism, which claims to embody the struggles and aspirations of Adivasis. Criminalized by the state, the Maoists have been portrayed as a threat, with Operation Kagar deploying strategies that jeopardize their activities. This operation weaves together economic, cultural, and political motives, allegedly with drone attacks on Adivasi homes.

How Amit Shah's statement on Ambedkar reflects frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion, empowerment

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat*  Dr. B.R. Ambedkar remains the liberator and emancipator of India’s oppressed communities. However, attempts to box him between two Brahmanical political parties betray a superficial and self-serving understanding of his legacy. The statement by Union Home Minister Amit Shah in the Rajya Sabha was highly objectionable, reflecting the frustration of those uncomfortable with Dalit assertion and empowerment.

Balod tech fest tests students’ interest in innovative ideas in the fields of science, engineering, start-ups

By Our Representative  A techno fest scheduled on December 20 and 21 in Balod district of Chhattisgarh will test the innovative ideas of school students in the fields of science, engineering and start-ups.  For this two-day fest organised at Maheswari Bhawan of the district, a total of 824 models made by students were initially registered. Out of those, a selection committee chose 200 models from several schools spread over five blocks of Balod. These will be on display on these two days from 10am to 4.30pm. Out of many ideas, one of the most interesting models is a smart glove which can be used by children with impairments and disabilities. For those who cannot speak at all or have speech difficulty, they can ask for help from caregivers by pressing their fingers on the glove after wearing it. This will attract attention. 

Local businessman subjected to physical assault, verbal abuse: Demand for accountability, justice

By Kirity Roy* On October 9, 2024, a disturbing incident of harassment and abuse took place in the Swarupnagar Block of North 24 Parganas district, involving a local businessman, Hasanur Gazi, who was subjected to physical assault, verbal abuse, and religious discrimination by a Border Security Force (BSF) constable. The incident, which occurred at the Hakimpur Checkpost, has raised serious concerns about the safety and dignity of citizens living in border areas, especially those belonging to religious minorities.

Affable but arrogant, embodying contradictions, Raj Kapoor's legacy will endure as long as Bollywood exists

By Harsh Thakor*  December 14 marks the birth centenary of Raj Kapoor, a filmmaker and visionary who revolutionized Bollywood, elevating it to new heights by exploring uncharted emotional and social territories. Kapoor wasn’t just a filmmaker; he was a storyteller who touched the souls of the masses and reflected the pulse of post-partition India with unparalleled depth. His films acted as a unifying force in a divided nation, transcending social and cultural boundaries.

Suspicious death of Dalit laborer in BSF custody: A call for justice

By Kirity Roy*  The tragic and suspicious death of Mr. Babai Barui, a Dalit daily wage laborer from North 24 Parganas, West Bengal, has raised serious concerns regarding custodial violence and the violation of fundamental rights. Mr. Barui, son of Sukharanjan Barui, resided in Pallishree Sangsad, Bongaon, and was arrested by the Border Security Force (BSF) on November 9, 2024, near the Angrail border on allegations of smuggling. The very next day, he was found dead under mysterious circumstances, with visible injuries that point toward possible custodial violence.