Greetings from Chalakudyriver Protection Forum
Dear friends
As posted by us through the previous mail, the indefinite strike at
athirappilly was inaugurated by Smt.Sugathakumari on 25.02.2008
To view the report of the inauguration in pdf format please click on the link
Inauguration of indefinite Strike
To view the photos taken during the meeting visit:
http://picasaweb.google.com
Greetings from Chalakudyriver Protection Forum
Indefinit Sathyagraha against Athirappilly Hydroelectric Project
From 25.02.2008 Monday at Athirappilly Junction
Inauguration by Smt.Sugathakumari teacher
Prof.Sara Joseph will preside
Felicitations
Sri.P.C.Chacko (Ex-Minister, KPCC Member)
Sri.P.Prasad (CPI State Committee member)
Sri.P.K.Rajan Master (N.C.P.State General Secretary)
Sri.K.Surendran (Yuva Morcha State President)
Sri.C.K.Damodaran (Kisan Janatha, State President)
Fr.Davis Kizhakkumthala
Fr.John Kavalakkat (Director, B.L.M.Alur)
Sri.C.T.Balakrishnan (SNDP Chalakudi Union President)
Sri.T.Ramankutty Menon (NSS Taluk Union President)
Fr.Wilson Eluvuthinkal (KCYM Roopatha Director)
Fr.Andrews Chethalan (CLC Roopatha Director)
Adv.A.Jayasankar (Gen.Secy, Indian Assn of Lawyers)
Sri.V.K.Nandakumar (Forest Protective Staff Assn, State Council)
Sri.E.M.Satheesan (District Secy, Yuva kala saahithi)
Sri.Joy Moothedan (Vyapari Vyavasayi Ekopana Samithi, Youth Wing
State President)
Sri.P.J.James (CPI (ML) State Secretary)
and many eminent environmental, social, political groups.
All are invited.
To view the notice in jpeg format go to
http://picasaweb.google.com/riverprotection/SathyagrahaFrom25022008AgainstAthirappillyHydroElectricProject
We also attach the notice in pdf format
Greetings from Chalakudyriver Protection Forum
Following is the text of the memorandum submitted by Sugathakumari teacher to Smt.Sonia Gandhi regarding Athirappilly Issue
To, 15 -02-08
Smt. Sonia Gandhi,
President, Indian National Congress
Sub: Controversial Athirappilly Hydro Electric Project in Kerala – Request to
Intervene reg.
Respected Soniaji,
After the famous Save Silent Valley Movement of the eighties which led to the declaration of the pristine area in the Western Ghats as a National Park by none other than the most environmentally conscious Prime Minister India has ever had; Smt Indira Gandhi, the highly environment conscious state of Kerala is once again engaged in a struggle to save one of the most beautiful rivers in the Western Ghats, the 130 km small but heavily dammed Chalakudy River, her magnificent Waterfalls – the Athirappilly Waterfalls and rapids and her unique biodiversity rich forests from further destruction by a seventh large dam , the 163 MW Athirappilly Hydro Electric project.
The movement to save the river is also because, the drinking water and irrigation needs of more than five lakh people depending on the river downstream of the proposed dam would be severely impaired due to the new dam. As you are well aware, dams make the most significant alterations in river flow. The river flow is severely altered already due to the six dams upstream affecting the downstream canal releases to the 14,000 ha ayacut of one of the best operating Major irrigation projects in Kerala creating frequent water conflicts. Since Athirappilly project is envisaged as a Peak load station, the sharp fluctuations in river flow due to the peaking operations will further worsen the water availability to downstream populations
The 163 MW Athirappilly HEP has been admitted to be economically, socially, technically and ecologically unviable at all forums. It is also one of the least efficient power projects envisaged in Kerala which can contribute to hardly hardly 1% of the daily power demand of the state.
The ecological significance of the remaining forests of Chalakudy river basin for the Anamalais region of the Western Ghats, one of the internationally identified eco regions for long term conservation cannot be understated. The forests that face submergence and diversion due to the project are a vital ecological link connecting the surrounding Wild Life Sanctuaries and the Indira Gandhi National Park in the east. Recognised as an important Wild life movement area , reputed institutions like the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation ( ANCF), National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources ( NBFGR), French Institute of Pondicherry ( FIP), Kerala Forest Research Institute ( KFRI), etc. have already pointed out the long term conservation value of the Vazhachal Forest Division within which the project area falls for elephants, fishes and biodiversity. The project area is the home of all the four species of Hornbills in the Western Ghats, a very rare phenomenon. This river basin is also the only home to the primitive hunter gatherer negrito Kada tribe just 1500 left on earth, who have been constantly displaced for the dams upstream. Around 300 are under the threat of displacement for the proposed project.
Several experts have pointed out that Chalakudy River being one of the better studied rivers in India and with more than two third area of the catchment under Forest Department (though in a highly fragmented state due to dams and plantations), chances of participatory restoration of the river are higher compared to other rivers.
Considering the uniqueness of the river basin and considering the increasing global level policy significance to maintain the environmental flows of rivers, we have been constantly appealing to the Government to take steps to revive this river basin as a sample case for India rather than aiding its further destruction. For the last five years, we have been working among communities in the Chalakudy river basin for the evolution of a participatory and decentralized river restoration plan which is a unique venture even to India. Unfortunately, the dam project would destroy any chances of river restoration efforts.
The opposition to the project has been growing since the last seven years by the Kada tribals, dalit populations living in the project impact area, the local self governments depending on the river, the farmers in the downstream areas,
environmental, hydrology, fisheries experts etc. During the course of the last 15 years, four DPRs were prepared by KSEB, some times to rectify serious flaws and at other times to include or change deliberately fabricated data. Two Environment Impact Assessments (EIAs) have been conducted for the project both inadequate and based on false and unreliable data. The project has been ridden with problems right from the conception stage itself to even the blatant violation of the EIA Notification 1994 and its amendments. Two times the High Court of Kerala had to intervene to conduct the mandatory public hearings. Inspite of the massive opposition to the project at the 2006 court ordered Public Hearing, the KSEB and the KSPCB sent a highly manipulated PH Panel Report to the MoEF and finally managed to obtain the clearance on 18th July 2007. The issue is in the most critical phase with the decision of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to start the work by March 2008.
Against all the above, We appeal to you to immediately intervene to take necessary action to withdraw the environmental clearance based on a fabricated EIA and flawed procedure to the inefficient and unviable Athirappilly HEP and instruct the State Government to take steps to restore the Chalakudy river.
In hope and trust,
Yours sincerely,
On behalf of all the member organizations of the Chalakudy River protection Forum
Sugathakumari S.P.Ravi
Patron Convener
Contact:
Chaithanya, Moozhikkakadavu, Pariyaram. P.O., Chalakudy, Pin- 680721
Ph: 09249898773 / 09249122184
Karthika, Manalattil, Ollur.P.O., Thrissur , Kerala, Pin – 680306
09847283120 / 0487-6524110
cholayar@rediffmail.com, riverprotection@gmail.com
chalakudyriver.org
Rare and endangered species of butterflies were spotted in Vazhachal forest near Athirappilly during a nature trek done by The Butterfly Art Foundation researchers recently. Red-spot Duke, Great Evening Brown, Malabar Flash and Five-bar Swordtail were the newly spotted species in the region, pointing to the ecological importance of the forest stretch. Dr. Unni Pulikkal, nature photographer and the director of the Foundation, along with Dr.Biju, research coordinator, did the important sighting of these rare butterflies at a time when the region is under threat of immersion if the proposed Athirappilly hydel power project comes to implementation. Dr. George Mathew of Kerala Forest Research Institute, Peechi, has confirmed the rarity of these species which have never entered the research documents of KFRI from this region so far.
It is said that this finding can influence even the future of the Athirappilly project, in light of the environmental implications of this important sighting. Dr.Unni Pulikkal had spotted another rare and endemic species of butterfly, the Southern Duffer, from the same region two years back.
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Dr.Unni Pulikkal, who was one among the best ten nature photographers of India selected by the Better Photography Magazine last year, was the first Indian to exhibit in the prestigious Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Ohio, USA, when he did an exhibition of butterfly photographs last year in the museum. He is also invitee to the Earth-Fest to be held in Chicago next year, where he will exhibit photographs and present a paper on the Butterflies of Western Ghats. Dr. Biju was awarded doctorate by Mahatma Gandhi University for his study on the fish fauna of forest streams. He has also done extensive study on the spiders of Kerala region.”
CPI Chalakudy mandalam committee has decided to observe fast on 12.02.2008 at Chalakudy Trunk Road Junction to protest against the move of the Government to go ahead
with the construction of the Dam at Athirappilly.
Adv.Jayasankar, IAL State Secretary will inaugurate the protest fasting.
We have pleasure to inform you that a Convention is being held at Gandhi Bhavan, Kacherippady, Ernakulam on 07th February, 2008 asking the Government of Kerala not to go ahead with the proposed Athirappilly Hydroelectric Project.
The convention will commence at 9.30 in the morning which will be presided over
by Prof.M.K.Prasad
Sri.V.M.Sudheeran will inaugurate the function.
Sri.Rajaji Mathew Thomas MLA, Sri.V.D.Satheesan MLA and Sri.Jeo Jose
will talk on the occasion.
There will be deliberation on the following subjects
1. Dams in Kerala and Deforestation by Dr.A.Latha
2. Power requirements of Kerala yesterday today and tomorrow by Sri.C.R.Neelakandhan
3. Social Economic and ecological effects of Athirappilly Hydro Electric Project
by Sri.S.P.Ravi
This will be followed by declaration of solidarity and open forum.
For viewing the notice of the convention click
http://picasaweb.google.com/riverprotection/ConventionAtErnakulamOnFebruary072008
On 03.02.2008, noted environmentalist and leader of Appiko movement in Karnataka and noted media person, water expert who works against the national river linking project visited the Athirappilly.They talked with the tribals who will be affected by the Athirappilly Hydro project. Sri.Hegde showed the model of Chipko movement by hugging a tree. They promised that they will be with the affected people in the struggle against the Government. Later in a meeting conducted by Chalakudyriver Protection Forum at Vyapara Bhavan, Chalakudy, they interacted with the activists of the Forum and various groups working for nature.
For viewing the pictures please visit http://picasaweb.google.com/riverprotection/VisitOfSriPanduRangaHegdeAndDrSudhindarSharmaAtAthirappillyOn03022008