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DAM-L LS: Roy favours dismantling of unviable Kerala barrage (fwd)

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Date: Fri, 22 Jun 2001 17:14:54 -0700 (PDT)
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Subject: LS: Roy favours dismantling of unviable Kerala barrage
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Indian Express, June 22, 2001

http://www.indian-express.com/ie20010622/nat16.shtml

Roy favours dismantling of ‘unviable’ Kerala barrage

                       Express News Service

Kottayam, June 21: BOOKER Prize winner and environmental activist
Arundhati Roy has
called for dismantling the Thannermukkam barrage on the Meenachil river
to protect the river.
She was speaking at an eco meet organised by the Meenachil River
Protection Committee
here yesterday.

Raising the issue of overkill of rivers in the state, she said that
ecosystems have been
indiscriminately damaged and people have become unconcerned about it due

to
over-politicisation.

‘‘It has been proved beyond doubt that the barrage is the root cause of
all problems of the
river. Though it has come up on the premise that it would enable farmers

to cultivate more
paddy, experience has shown otherwise. For a projected 20 per cent
increase in output, an
entire wetland system has been endangered,’’ she said adding that 65 per

cent of
Vembamnad lake has shrunk with rampant reclamation.

‘‘Just as big dams are economically unviable and ecologically
unsustainable, so is the
Thannermukkam barrage. Take down the barrage and let the six rivers on
its course have a
free run,’’ she said.

Arundhati also took strong exception to the Pathiramanal tourism
project, which according to
her, will only increase the amount of garbage and stagnant water around
it. While the dream
project will cater to the rich, it will become inaccessible to
commoners, she said.

Arundhati also cautioned against placing too much emphasis on tourism.
‘‘Tourism is the most
unreliable industry. One little flicker of political unrest or a bout of

contagious diseases can
turn tourists away. Tourism can never become a substitute for a ruined
ecosystem,’’ she
said.

In his opening remarks, media personality and anti-nuclear front
convener N. Ram called for
a debate on curtailing excessive contempt powers vested in the
judiciary.

Ram regretted that the judiciary in the country which has contributed
much to the freedom of
expression, has now begun to show signs of intolerance.
While taking strength from the doctrine of sky-high powers, the courts
have however begun
to entertain frivolous and malicious litigations.

‘‘The legislatures and the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha should amend the
laws to check
encroachment of the judiciary, if necessary,’’ he said.





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