Civil rights group calls for urgent action to prevent flooding in Narmada valley

By Our Representative

The civil rights group, Friends of the Earth India (FoEI), has urged both the Government of India’s Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Gujarat Government, which manages the Sardar Sarovar Narmada Nigam Ltd, to take immediate and effective action to prevent a potential disaster in the Narmada Valley.

The organization, in a statement signed by senior activists C Nicholas, Prafulla Samantara and Krishnakant Chauhan, demanded the urgent opening of additional gates at the Sardar Sarovar Dam to lower water levels below 135 meters and protect thousands of families from imminent submergence and destruction of their homes and property.

The Narmada Control Authority must act swiftly to reduce the dangerously high water levels in the reservoir to safeguard both human lives and the property of villagers situated upstream of the dam, it said, adding, the situation in the Narmada Valley has escalated into a grave crisis, exacerbated by heavy rains in upstream areas—forecasts that were accurately predicted.

According to FoEI, despite significant water being released from upstream reservoirs like Indira Sagar and Onkareswar, the Sardar Sarovar Dam (SSD) has opened only a limited number of gates, causing a critical imbalance between inflow and outflow. On the night of September 14, inflow reached over 438,800 cusecs, while outflow was merely around 348,600 cusecs, resulting in water levels shooting past 136.6 meters.

Many families, previously labeled as "not affected," are now facing flooding due to manipulated Back Water Level (BWL) markings, which underestimated actual conditions. Homes, schools, and farms are becoming submerged, despite being marked above the maximum BWL, it underlined, pointing out, this contradicts Supreme Court and Narmada Tribunal orders that stipulate involuntary displacement can only occur six months post adequate compensation and rehabilitation.

Approximately 15,946 families have been wrongfully excluded from rehabilitation and compensation processes, labeled "non-affected" despite the dire circumstances they face today, FoEI revealed.

This situation mirrors the catastrophic flooding witnessed in 2023, where the Prime Minister celebrated his birthday on September 17 as the SSD reservoir was filled to nearly 139 meters, leading to devastating impacts on numerous villages that still bear the scars of that disaster, it added.

Moreover, FoEI noted, assertions that large dams like the SSD are vital for irrigation and renewable energy are increasingly being questioned. Research indicates that such large reservoirs can emit significant amounts of methane—a greenhouse gas far more potent than carbon dioxide—resulting from the anaerobic breakdown of trapped biomass in warm climates.

Additionally, it said, the initial promises of extensive irrigation have largely failed to materialize, highlighting the viability of sustainable alternatives like community-centric solar and wind energy, as well as improved local water management strategies.

According to FoEI, concerns are rising not only for the homes of thousands but also for the health and safety of protesters, including Medha Patkar, leader of the Narmada Bachao Andolan. Following a "Jal Satyagraha" on September 14-15, in which they stood in waist-deep water for over 36 hours, the physical toll is evident with protesters showing signs of distress.

Insisting that engaging in dialogue with representatives of those affected is crucial, it underscored the need for urgent action from the authorities to immediately open additional gates at the SSD to lower water levels below 135 meters and provide compensation for losses incurred in 2023, ensuring full rehabilitation as mandated by law.

Comments

Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan raises concerns over Jharkhand Adivasis' plight in Assam, BJP policies

By Our Representative The Loktantra Bachao Abhiyan (Save Democracy Campaign) has issued a pressing call to protect Adivasi rights in Jharkhand, highlighting serious concerns over the treatment of Jharkhandi Adivasis in Assam. During a press conference in Ranchi on November 9, representatives from Assam, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh criticized the current approach of BJP-led governments in these states, arguing it has exacerbated Adivasi struggles for rights, land, and cultural preservation.

Promoting love or instilling hate and fear: Why is RSS seeking a meeting with Rahul Gandhi?

By Ram Puniyani* India's anti-colonial struggle was marked by a diverse range of social movements, one of the most significant being Hindu-Muslim unity and the emergence of a unified Indian identity among people of all religions. The nationalist, anti-colonial movement championed this unity, best embodied by Mahatma Gandhi, who ultimately gave his life for this cause. Gandhi once wrote, “The union that we want is not a patched-up thing but a union of hearts... Swaraj (self-rule) for India must be an impossible dream without an indissoluble union between the Hindus and Muslims of India. It must not be a mere truce... It must be a partnership between equals, each respecting the religion of the other.”

Right-arm fast bowler who helped West Indies shape arguably greatest Test team in cricket history

By Harsh Thakor* Malcolm Marshall redefined what it meant to be a right-arm fast bowler, challenging the traditional laws of biomechanics with his unique skill. As we remember his 25th death anniversary on November 4th, we reflect on the legacy he left behind after his untimely death from colon cancer. For a significant part of his career, Marshall was considered one of the fastest and most formidable bowlers in the world, helping to shape the West Indies into arguably the greatest Test team in cricket history.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

A Hindu alternative to Valentine's Day? 'Shiv-Parvati was first love marriage in Universe'

By Rajiv Shah The other day, I was searching on Google a quote on Maha Shivratri which I wanted to send to someone, a confirmed Shiv Bhakt, quite close to me -- with an underlying message to act positively instead of being negative. On top of the search, I chanced upon an article in, imagine!, a Nashik Corporation site which offered me something very unusual.

Andhra team joins Gandhians to protest against 'bulldozer action' in Varanasi

By Rosamma Thomas* November 1 marked the 52nd day of the 100-day relay fast at the satyagraha site of Rajghat in Varanasi, seeking the restoration of the 12 acres of land to the Sarva Seva Sangh, the Gandhian organization that was evicted from the banks of the river. Twelve buildings were demolished as the site was abruptly taken over by the government after “bulldozer” action in August 2023, even as the matter was pending in court.

Will Bangladesh go Egypt way, where military ruler is in power for a decade?

By Vijay Prashad* The day after former Bangladeshi Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina left Dhaka, I was on the phone with a friend who had spent some time on the streets that day. He told me about the atmosphere in Dhaka, how people with little previous political experience had joined in the large protests alongside the students—who seemed to be leading the agitation. I asked him about the political infrastructure of the students and about their political orientation. He said that the protests seemed well-organized and that the students had escalated their demands from an end to certain quotas for government jobs to an end to the government of Sheikh Hasina. Even hours before she left the country, it did not seem that this would be the outcome.

Will Left victory in Sri Lanka deliver economic sovereignty plan, go beyond 'tired' IMF agenda?

By Atul Chandra, Vijay Prashad* On September 22, 2024, the Sri Lankan election authority announced that Anura Kumara Dissanayake of the Janatha Vimukthi Peramuna (JVP)-led National People’s Power (NPP) alliance won the presidential election. Dissanayake, who has been the leader of the left-wing JVP since 2014, defeated 37 other candidates, including the incumbent president Ranil Wickremesinghe of the United National Party (UNP) and his closest challenger Sajith Premadasa of the Samagi Jana Balawegaya.

Green Revolution’s reliance on chemical fertilizers, pesticides contributing to Punjab's health crisis

By Bharat Dogra, Jagmohan Singh* Punjab was once synonymous with robust health, particularly in its rural areas, where farmers were known for their strength and vitality. However, in recent years, reports from these villages tell a different story, with rising cases of serious health issues, including cancer. What led to this decline? The answer lies largely in the erosion of good nutrition, once a hallmark of Punjabi village life. The health of a population is closely tied to its nutrition, and Punjab's reputation as a provider of high-quality nutrition has suffered greatly. The loss of biodiversity in agriculture has led to a decrease in the variety and quality of crops, resulting in poorer nutrition. Pulses, a key source of protein, have seen a steep decline in cultivation due to the disruption of traditional farming practices by the Green Revolution. This has had a detrimental effect on both soil and human health. Although pulses are still available in the market, they are exp

Tributes paid to pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, who 'dodged' police for 60 yrs

By Harsh Thakor* Jagjit Singh Sohal, known as Comrade Sharma, a pioneer of Naxalism in Punjab, passed away on October 20 at the age of 96. Committed to the Naxalite cause and a prominent Maoist leader, Sohal, who succeeded Charu Majumdar, played hide and seek with the police for almost six decades. He was cremated in Patiala.

Search This Blog