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DAM-L LS: SSP Protesters Storm Environment Ministry (fwd)
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Date: Thu, 14 Dec 2000 16:05:17 -0800 (PST)
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subject: LS: SSP Protesters Storm Environment Ministry
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NARMADA BACHAO ANDOLAN
B-13 Shivam Apt. Ellora Park, Baroda 390007
Press note- 14.13.2000
People storm into the Environment Ministry for allowing 'illegal'
construction of Sardar Sarovar Project; Dharna in front of the
Parliament
About 100 representatives from the Narmada valley reached the
Ministry of Environment and Forest, evading the police security and
occupied the office. They questioned the authorities for allowing the
construction of Sardar Sarovar Project without a valid environmental
clearance since 1990. SSP has been given a conditional clearance by
the Ministry in 1987. But that clearance lapsed way back in 1990, due
to non fulfillment of studies and conditions. Gujarat never applied
for a fresh clearance after that and project does not have clearance
for last 11 years. As noted in the minority judgement of the Supreme
Court by Jst Bharucha, there is no comprehensive Environmental Impact
Assessment for SSP has never been carried out till date. Hence, even
the extent and nature of the loss is not known, leave aside effective
mitigation of the ecological impacts in the upstream, downstream and
the command area of the project. Apart from 13,000 ha of rich forest
lost in the reservoir and rest cleared for 'rehabilitation' SSP is
likely to have a devastating impact on the ecology in the downstream
of the dam by stopping the flow of the river, cause salinization and
water logging in the command area, negative health impacts amongst
other impacts. Several environmental studies are still pending and
allowing further construction under such conditions is blatant
violation of Ministry's conditions and requirements and making a
mockery of their own guidelines.
All these issues were put in front of the Secretary of Ministry of
Environment and Forest. He stated that the Ministry had not given
permission to raise the beyond 90 mts. But he was unable to explain
how the Ministry has tolerated violation of its own guidelines and
colossal damage of the environment in case of Sardar Sarovar and
other dams on Narmada like Narmada Sagar. The Secretary agreed with
the demand of NBA to hold a joint meeting of concerned officials and
NBA with all the documents to discuss the issues and take a clear
stand before 7th January.
Over 350 tribal and peasant representatives of the Narmada valley
held a peaceful dharna in front of the Supreme Court on 13th December
in New Delhi. They submitted a memorandum to the Chief Justice,
pointing out grave implications of the Narmada verdict in terms of
submerging thousands of families without any rehabilitation and thus
paving the way for violating the most fundamental ‘right to life’.
People demanded -
· Immediate review of the verdict
· Early hearing of NBA's review petition
· An appeal to hold a 'Public hearing' in the Narmada valley, in
order to give a humane face to judiciary by making it accountable to
people.
People were waiting for Chief Justice'’s response to their
memorandum, when suddenly police arrested all the people by force.
They were 'left' at the Nizamuddin station without being detained or
arrested.
About 100 representatives held a dharna near Jantar Mantar near
Parliament today on the 14th December. They expressed their resolve
to not leave their homes and villages, despite the ‘threat’ of
submergence. People pointed out that it is the responsibility of the
MPs representatives of people to ensure that constitutional ‘right
to life’ is not violated by allowing submergence without any
provision for satisfactory rehabilitation for hundreds and thousands
of families in the coming monsoon. Madhya Pradesh has accepted on
affidavit that there is no land for rehabilitation in the State.
There is no provision for rehabilitating over 3500 families affected
by the 90 mts dam. Detailed rehabilitation plan for remaining 30,000
families is not ready.
Praveen Clifton Rozario
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