Chalakudyriver Protection Forum (CPF)

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 18^th 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