Jaithapur nuclear power project- environment

Jaithapur nuclear power plant  - environment

There has been wide criticism by opposition parties against environmental clearance  given by environment ministry for Jaithapur nuclear power plant in Maharashtra .

To review conditional  clearance given by  his ministry to Jaithapur nuclear power project environment minister Mr. Jairam  Ra mesh  accused the opposition for politicizing the issue. “As far as environment clearance concerned we have done all that required and different interest groups should not use environment as a shield or cloak behind which they start  firing their guns against government .’ Ra mesh told reporters in Delhi.

“ The issue is being politicized by BJP and CPM as they are unhappy with success of the indo -U.S.  nuclear deal “ he said.

Ra mesh was asked whether environment ministry would have a rethink over the clearance given to the nuclear power plant in view of demand for cancellation environmental clearance.

In Mumbai Maharashtra chief minister Prithiviraj  Chavan who has battled for Jaithapur project said he will convene a meeting of local legislators and NGO to discuss project coming up in Konkani region . There are lot of misunderstanding about project which need to cleared. .He said a delegation of state congress unit and not government has gone to Jaithapur to understand why locals are opposing the proposed plant.

“ I plan to convene a meeting to clear apprehension about project after which I will  personally visit plant site. A team of experts will also be invited for meeting “ Chavan said.

NPCIL (nuclear power corporation of India is building the plant in collaboration with French nuclear  designing firm AREVA . Last month the union environment ministry gave conditional go-ahead to the plant.

There have been  complaints that their lands have been forcefully taken away . Locals have also voiced concern that there was no provision for proper storage or disposal of nuclear waste.

Noting that many people have different agenda in Jaithapur Ra-mesh asked those opposing the environment clearance not to make mockery of process.

Meanwhile Mr. Kamble  Assistant Professor and officiating chair of Jamsetji Tata centre for disaster management at Tata Institute of Social sciences  which prepared the report at behest of two people organization says report was  sent to chief mister few days ago, but there was no communication from his office.

Mr. Chavan announced that to plan to visit Jaithapur to convene people for need of this project, but Kamble feels that this not right approach : he wanted project halted and Mr. Chavan understand what people’s concern are instead of pushing for it.

Calling for participatory method of studying impact the report says concern at development model and social equity have to be addressed. Among  the key issue that are not addressed  include the fact that region falls seismic zone three- a fact acknowledged even by government. All seven villages studied have frequently experienced minor seismic activities. One of the 123 villages interviewed for report sought, under  right to information act  data as frequency and severity of seismic activities over the years.

NPCIL  in charge of project  has denied that it is seismic area. According to an activist of region, the report of Vengurlekar committee submitted in 1972 set forth the criteria for establishing nuclear reactors in seismic regions. Reactors can be set up only seismic zone one and two.

The government had proposed to baseline survey for social impact assessment and rehabilitation to be carried out by Yashwantrao  Chavan  Academy of Development Administration (YASH-ADA) but study has not yet started what with local protests . The find environment impact assessment is not available to the people. There is no information either on cost benefit analysis (CBA) the report point out. The people believe that government is rushing the project though without proper impact assessment.

The report says the people concern are related to the project possible impact on their health, livelihood and their lack of faith on government is evident. Instead of conventional rehabilitation package, the report notes the government should think of innovative way by making people “ partners “ or share holders in the project . The main occupation of the people in the area are farming, horticulture, especially mangoes and cashew beside fishing. According to report , the NPCIL said that of 938 hectares acquired mainly in villages of,Madban, Mithgavane,Karel, Warilwada and Niveli 627.527 hectares is non-productive. But people maintain that land is used for horticulture and rice cultivation and pasture. RTI act showed that government paid at RS 1,37,07,000 in compensation for loss of mango production in 2007 floods. Even in 2009 those villages received compensation again.

The likely impact of project on health is one of the prime concern of villages. People are aware about radiation is believed to have harmed in people heath and environment in earlier nuclear accidents.

The people are also afraid that project will have negative approach on fishing heated water discharged by plant will impact the catch forcing fishermen to migrate.

But it believed  that a mega project of RS 63,000 crores will have potential to spark development in undeveloped Jaithapur.  It may be noted that nuclear power is a clean source of energy without emitting any green house gases.

Exhaustive discussions with land owners , NGO and fishermen  to make understand necessity of nuclear and make them partners in Jaithapur project by appointing one member of family (land owner) in the project and  developing  villages around with rehabilitation package as it was done in Andhra Pradesh .

Take visit of fishermen and farmers  to nuclear power plant and make them understand function of nuclear power project and explaining in detailed safety measures taken and  make them under stand necessity of nuclear projects.

NPCIL should adhere the conditional approval given and to take  necessary environmental protection measures as envisaged   environment clearance  given by environment ministry.

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