Technical Paper

Present Electricity Crisis in Kerala and Possible Options

‘Athirappilly HEP is not the solution’

Conserving electricity is conserving nature and the community. It also means conserving the state’s as well as our own financial resources

The state of Kerala is ‘reeling under severe power shortage’ according to the state electricity board. Apart from imposing 30 minutes of load shedding during evening peak hours, the board has now slapped 25% power cut on industries. It has recommended imposing heavy thermal surcharge on all consumers using more than 40 units per month. This is an extraordinary situation for a state having a total installed capacity of more than 3,500MW against a maximum peak demand of about 2,750MW and an annual generating capacity of about 19,000 million units (MU) against last year’s consumption of about 15,500MU. The cumulative effect of three separate factors is given as the reason for this situation. The fatal accidents at Panniyar (30MW) and Moozhiyar (Sabarigiri project- 300MW) have kept these stations idle. Reduction in generation from some thermal stations has resulted in the state getting only about 700MW from central generating stations (CGS) against an allocation of 1041MW. To add to the woes, the south west monsoon is yet to pick up in the state even though it is half way through.

A section close to the KSEB has already started putting the blame for this situation on environmentalists suggesting that the controversial Athirappilly project would have solved this situation. Before jumping to any hasty conclusions, we feel that it is necessary to have a thorough analysis of the whole situation so that the public can take a learned stance on the issue.

Proposed Athirappilly project and the present crisis.

The KSEB sources are suggesting a shortage of 3500-4000MU for the current year (It is highly premature to make such an assessment at this stage and to make plans accordingly. This point will be discussed later). When the existing projects cannot produce targeted quantity of electricity, one cannot expect new hydel projects, if implemented, to produce much electricity. At Athirappilly where almost 85% of electricity is produced during monsoons and which uses a portion of the spill also from existing upstream reservoir (Poringal kuthu HEP), the shortage in generation will be more than that in other stations. In case of a weak monsoon like the one being experienced now, the possible generation from Athirappilly will be as low as 100-150MU. This will be only about 3-4% of the total projected shortage.

The cost of Athirappilly project will be at least Rs. 1000-1200 crores even if one expects the KSEB to perform at its best. The debt repayment and return on equity @ 80% debt and 20% equity: 15 year repayment alone will be between Rs.120-150 crores per annum. Maintenance cost and employee cost at the station should also be added. At this cost one can easily buy the costliest of thermal power.

Athirappilly project comes with a big list of social and ecological costs. Hence for the first time in the history of the state, people and organizations from all spheres of life are opposing a dam project. The loss of biodiversity rich forests, the loss of beauty of the famous Athirappilly and Vazhachal water falls and related livelihood issues, displacement of primitive tribal families, loss of existing irrigation facility and drinking water availability etc. are the major impacts of the project.

In economic terms, the annual loss of revenue from tourism due to drastic reduction in flow through the Athirappilly and Vazhachal waterfalls will be at least Rs. 12-15 crore rupees excluding the loss to tour and vehicle operators and water theme parks. The loss in agricultural production due to reduction in irrigation has not been estimated, but preliminary assessments suggest this to be at least Rs. 20-25 crores/ annum. The cost of drinking water shortage will only be known after the project is implemented. The ecological service value of the forest land that will be lost if the project is implemented, is worth hundreds of crores according to the State Biodiversity board. The cost of displacement of tribals cannot be calculated in monetary terms nor can the virtual loss of the river system be valued.

Load shedding and power cut- Is it avoidable?

An analysis of the present situation would suggest that even with the reduced availability, it is possible to avoid power cut. After a reduction in availability of 670MW due to accidents in hydel stations and reduced quota from CGS, the remaining installed capacity is about 2830MW. With this we should be able to produce at least 2500-2600MW during peak hours. (One generator at Moozhiyar has resumed operation from 16-7-2008. this provides an additional 50MW.) A sincere campaign with public participation can reduce the peak demand to this level. With a little care on the part of the consumer in avoiding wasteful use of electricity, the daily consumption can be brought to within 40-42MU/day.

This can be made available in the following manner;

CGS - 14-15 MU/day

Hydel - 15-16 MU/day

State Thermal - 10-12 MU/day

The increase in the share of thermal stations in the state from the scheduled quantity of an average of 4.75MU/day to about 10-12MU/day will result in an additional financial burden of about Rs. 4-6crores/day. The consumer can justly demand that the KSEB should bear this additional expense for the time being as the excess rainfall received during last monsoon and this year’s summer rains had made available at least about 2000MU of additional hydel power. In economic terms this was worth about Rs.800-1000 crores.

We have to question the rationale behind maintaining the thermal stations in the state if the board is not willing to use it fully even under emergencies. It has to be understood that the state has been scheduling only less than 5% of the capacity from these stations since June 2004 even as it was spending at least Rs.400 crores per annum just to maintain these stations (as fixed cost for NTPC Kayamkulam, BSES Kochi and KPCL Kasargod and salary and maintenance cost for state’s own diesel plants at Brahmapuram and Nallalam).

It is the lack of proper planning and the practice of projecting unrealistically high future demands that has resulted in at least 4000-5000MU of production capacity remaining idle for years together, imposing heavy financial burden on the state electricity board.

There are options to tide over the crisis

Within the Box Options

The volume of power shortage for the whole year cannot be predicted at this stage. But the KSEB has gone for a worst case scenario and are trying to create panic among consumers. Looking at the haste with which the board had recommended tariff hike (in the form of thermal surcharge) one has to suspect a conspiracy in the board’s projection of shortage.

It will be improper and premature to assess the rain pattern in the coming months as it is consistently defying all predictions. If the rain does pick up in the coming period then the shortage in hydel generation will be restricted to about 10-15%. Similarly the availability from central stations can improve if the production from these stations increases. The actual shortage on March 31^st 2009 from hydel stations and CGS could be anywhere between 10-30%. It is possible to manage the situation with the help of the state’s thermal stations and some demand side management steps even if the cumulative shortage from CGS and hydel stations goes up to 25%.

Then the availability will be as follows:

Hyde l+ CGS - 11,000 MU

State Thermal stations - 4,100 MU

Total - 15,100 MU (average 41.5 MU/day)

The average consumption in 2007-08 was about 42 MU/day

This scenario in turn would need an additional purchase of about 2400 MU (over and above the original target of 1700 MU) from state’s thermal stations and the board may need an additional Rs.2000 crores.

If the cumulative shortage is limited to 20%, then the additional burden will be about Rs.1400 crores.

If it is 15%, additional burden will be about Rs.800 crores.

In addition the revenue from sale of power will be less by about Rs.325 crores due to reduced consumption.

• If the wind projects under construction are completed on target, it can produce at least 50 MU for the remaining period of the year. Similarly the board must take immediate steps to start operating the new generator (25MW) at Neriyamangalam that was inaugurated by the Hon. Chief Minister in May. These steps can save about Rs.75-100 crores.
• Transmission and distribution loss continues to be a major issue. The present average T&D loss is about 22% but the T&D loss in domestic and commercial sector during peak hours is more than 40%. The board proposes to bring down the T&D losses to 15% in the next 2 years. A three percent reduction this year will save more than 500MU. This can take care of the additional demand for new connections. (It may be noted that the demand for electricity had remained at almost the same level from 2000 to 2005 even though lakhs of new connections were given each year during that period.). The reduction in T&D loss will considerably bring down the peak demand too.

• The board and the consumers can actually bring down the present consumption and bring down the additional burden considerably. By just spending Rs.50-60 crores, the board can replace at least 50 lakh ordinary bulbs with CFL lamps. The peak demand can be brought down by at least 150MW and the energy saved will be more than 200 MU. (If LED lamps are used the savings can be still higher) This single step will lead to a saving of about Rs.125-150 crores.

• A dedicated and participatory public campaign to avoid wasteful use, alone can save up to 5% of electricity without compromising on the actual needs. This will bring down the demand by about 750MU and the savings by way of avoiding costly thermal power will be about Rs.450 crores.

• Installing solar power based lights for illuminating the thousands of bill boards dotting the entire state during night can also save on considerable power. The companies putting up the bill boards can easily bear the cost. A similar campaign had been launched in Maharashtra.

The State Government and KSEB should explore the following options too;

• In case of the availability from CGS remaining at the present level, the state government should take up the matter with the center and demand for compensation from the center.

• The cost of electricity from the thermal stations in the state includes 16% excise duty and 4% sales tax. A 50% relaxation in this crisis period can save any where between Rs.150-350 crores (It should be noted that the government will still get the targeted revenue due to increased turn over.)

• Options to buy electricity from other states at a lesser cost than that of our thermal stations should also be explored.

Outside the Box Options

In our state the dependence on hydroelectricity is to the tune of 45-50% (the national average is around 25%). Hence short fall in rains will seriously affect the power situation in the state. With the frequency of deficient rainfall years increasing considerably in the last 25 years, (this is the fourth such year in this decade itself) this short fall is likely to repeat frequently. We can only solve this by promoting other sources for new projects and there by reducing the share of hydro-power in the whole system. Non-conventional sources can play a big role here.

According to the State Planning Board, the potential for wind power in the state is for 600MW, that for mini-micro hydel projects is 1000MW and the potential from biomass is to the tune of 300MW. The state can target at least 50% of this potential during 11^th and 12^th Plan period. Many European countries are promoting solar energy in a big way. The cost of solar power has already come down to be on par with that of conventional sources. It is likely to reduce further as the efficiency of the solar panels slated to improve to about 35-40% from the present level of 15-20%. In a tropical country like ours, the future lies in solar power according to many experts.

Demands and actions required

The state electricity board that gets about Rs.1800 crores every year by utilising the waters of our rivers has to share the responsibility of catchment area re-forestation. Improved forest cover in the catchments of hydel projects will improve summer flows in to the reservoirs, thereby increasing both electricity generation and summer river flow. It will also help to improve the micro climate.

The economic and ecological costs of electricity are increasing alarmingly. Hence

optimising the efficiency of existing projects, minimising losses, promoting energy efficient devices and promoting end use discipline becomes extremely important.

Introducing time of the day metering and providing incentives for using less during peak hours and/or imposing penalties for using more at peak hours can help in bridging the peak-off peak difference.

Finally, the consumer and the general public have every right to know the details of the plan of action of the KSEB. The Government must come forward with a ‘White Paper’ on the electricity scenario including the activities of KSEB. The board should also make sure that informations regarding daily power generation and consumption, storage positions of reservoirs etc. are posted daily on its official website. Details of new projects, if and when they are proposed, must be subjected to thorough public scrutiny before they are finalised.

River Research Centre, Thrissur

rrckerala@gmail.com rrckerala@rediffmail.com

0487 -6524110

We quote the report appeared in The Hindu on the Dharna organised in front of Collectorate, Trichur against Athirapiily Project, on 23.07.2008

Development not serving the common man’

Staff Reporter

Eco-concerns: Sukumar Azhikode and Sara Joseph, middle, take part in a dharna staged in front of the Thrissur Collectorate on Wednesday as an agitation by the Chalakudy River Protection Forum and the Athirappilly Action Council against the proposed Athirappilly hydel project entered the 150th day.

Thrissur: Writer and social activist Sukumar Azhikode has said that some of the development initiatives in the State do not serve the interests of the common man.

He was addressing a dharna staged in front of the Corporation office on Wednesday by the Chalakudy River Protection Forum and the Athirappilly Action Council against the proposed Athirappilly hydel project. The stir entered its 150th day on Wednesday.

“Ministers launch development programmes disregarding issues that affect the common man. They choose wrong advisors. Bureaucrats mislead people’s representatives. I see the language of an extremist in Electricity Minister A. K. Balan’s statement that the Athirappilly dam can be destroyed if it reduces even one drop of water. A Minister should not speak in this manner,” he said.

‘Destruction at source’

Writer Sara Joseph compared construction of the proposed Athirappilly dam to infanticide.

“The construction will destroy water at its source. The gap between decision-makers and people is getting wider. The Athirappilly project and the proposed Indo-U.S. nuclear deal show that development initiatives in the country are formulated from the perspective of the moneyed,” she said.

Dramatist Vayala Vasudevan Pillai, T. U. Radhakrishnan, former MLA,K. Rajan, B. Gopalakrishnan, Sandor K. Thomas and Sreedharan Therambil also spoke.

Murari for Chalakudyriver Protection Forum

Dear friends,

As you are aware, the Sathyagraha at athirappilly is completing
four months.  The authorities along with the Dam lobby still
believe that the struggle can be defeated by ignoring the struggle.
Though people and organisations from all walks of life support our
struggle for nature, the Government does not seem to hear.

In this background, Chalakudyriver Protection Forum has decided
to go ahead with its struggle with more aggression but without
resorting to violence.

It is decided that a Youth brigade should be constituted  for the
purpose of saving Chalakudy river and Athirappilly waterfalls.
In order to constitue the Youth Brigade and for deciding their future
activities for saving nature, a meeting will be held at Vyapara Bhavan
Chalakudy on 22-06-2008 from 9.30 am to 1 pm.  Sri. Priya nandan who received
the award for the best national film will inaugurate the function.

Will you not be there to participate in the “yuva Sangamam” to
constitute the Youth Brigade and be a part of the struggle to
save Athirappilly waterfalls ?

With regards

Murari for Chalakudyriver Protection Forum

–
Chalakudyriver Protection Forum

Visit Chalakudyriver.org

NATIONAL CONVENTION

3rd and 4th JUNE 2008 at CHALAKUDY

ATHIRAPPILLY SATYAGRAHA CROSSES 100th DAY

Dear friend ,

As you are aware, an indefinite satyagraha is going on at Athirappilly demanding the scrapping of the proposed 163 MW Athirappilly HEP in Chalakudy river since 25th February 2008 . By this time more than 70 different social, political, environmental , youth based organisations from across the State of Kerala have participated in the Satyagraha and the support is growing. However, the Government has been ignoring the Satyagraha spearheaded by the Chalakudy River Protection Forum and the Athirappilly Action Council. Meanwhile, the two Public Interest Litigations pending in the High Court of Kerala are due for final hearing during the first week of June.

We are planning a National Level Convention on the 3rd and 4th of June when the Satyagraha crosses the 100th day.

The Convention intends to

Demand a ‘WHITE PAPER’ on the electricity scenario of Kerala before going ahead with the implementation of the project given the fact that the proposed Athirappilly Project is not an absolute necessity for meeting the power demands of Kerala with several other measures and options open before the government . Also it is a well known fact that the entire process of gaining Technical and Environmental Clearance for the project has been ridden with violations and manipulations.

Demand a ‘RIVER BASIN LEVEL DIALOGUE’ on the proposed proejct between the Government and all the different communities, departments and agencies dependent on and concerned about the well being and future of the Chalakudy River given the fact that no prior informed consultation on the project among the different river basin communities has been initiated by the Government or the Kerala State Electricity Board so far.

The Convention intends to bring together different grass root struggle movements, social, environmental and political groups supporting the satyagraha, delegates from the literary, art and film world, students and youth and children etc. with different sessions being planned for each of the different support groups.

The final schedule shall be communicated later.

Please consider this letter as our invitation to the two day convention with a demand declaration and press meet included . A memorandum with the above demands endorsed by all the participants shall be presented to the Chief Minister of Kerala after the convention.

Please intimate your willingness and travel plans by return e mail.

Don’t forget to bring along/ send by post, Exhibition panels, posters, films , booklets etc on the struggles and movements of which you are part or supporting.

Let us remember that the future of a beautiful Western Ghats River depends on our concerted will power and compassion.

Warm regards,

Chalakudy River Protection Forum and Athirappilly Action Council

riverprotection@gmail.com

cholayar@rediffmail.com

Contacts

S.P.Ravi - 09249898773

A.Latha - 09847283120

S.Unnikrishnan - 91-487-2353021

A Campaign to save Chalakkudy River in Kerala India.

The Immediate target of the campaign is to stop the proposed

Athirappilly Hydro Electrict Power Project in Chalakkudy River.

The proposed HEP & Dam will destroy the remaining biodiversity & lives &

livelihoods of people based on river

WHY PEOPLE OF CHALAKUDY RIVER BASIN OBJECT TO

ATHIRAPPILLY HYDRO-ELECTRIC PROJECT

“The kings of Kali Yug will be addicted to corruption and will seize the property of their subjects. Then property and wealth alone will confer rank; falsehood will be the only means of success. Corruption will be the universal means of subsistence. In the end, unable to support their avaricious kings, the people of the Kali Yug will take refuge in the chasms between mountains”

- ‘Vishnu Purana’

            The proposed 163 MW Athirappilly Hydro Electric Project (AHEP) is to be located across the Chalakudy river at Vazhachal, 35kms away from Chalakudy  town. The 140Km long Chalakudy river is the fifth largest river in Kerala and drains the runoff from a catchment area of 1704 Sq.km. The free flow of the river is already blocked by the construction of 6dams - Thunacadavu, Peruvaripallam, Parambikulam, Upper Sholayar, Lower Sholayar and Poringalkuthu. The first  four of these dams are controlled and utilised by Tamil Nadu as per the Parambikulam - Aliyar Project Agreement and entails an annual transfers  of atleast 16 tmc water to Tamil Nadu, since the 1960s. Subsequently, in the early 1990s a diversion canal from the Poringalkuthu reservoir was constructed to divert the monsoon flows from the Chalakudy river to Edamalayar dam. In turn, over the past 50years, these water diversions have caused an alarming  fall in the flow of water through the Chalakudy river by approximately 40% to 45%. Thus, the newly proposed Athirappilly dam, will be the 7th across an already water starved river!

            The project authority, Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) has a one point justification for the project. They point out to the increasing demand for  power and the need to bridge the demand - supply gap. They cry wolf and claim that without implementing projects such as Athirappilly and Pathrakadavu, the economic development of Kerala is doomed. While this claim can be effectively countered, no attempt is made to do the same in the present article as the same will require a separate article by itself. So, at this juncture, I will merely point out two facts : i) This is the same argument which KSEB raised in the 1960’s to justify the Silent Valley Project. But today, even without Silent Valley Project,  KSEB and Keralites have survived! ii) Assuming that the death -wish of KSEB is granted, one has to ponder over the  question: What after Athirappilly and Pathrakadavu? Even if all the possible hydro-power sources in Kerala  are dammed and damned, it will not yield more than an additional 700-800 MW.! So, where does the KSEB go thereafter? Surely, the answers lies elsewhere - alternatives and renewable sources of energy!

            The ongoing struggle against the Athirappilly project by the people of the Chalakudy River Basin spearheaded by the Chalakudy River Protection Forum (CPF), an apex body of 40 odd organisations, is based on well researched and well established technical, economic and environmental factors. Let us examine them briefly.

Technical and Economic Factors

            The first and foremost among them is the half truth that project will generate 163MW of electricity. Please remember that the figure of 163MW being frequently bandied about by the authorities is only the installed capacity of the project. The actual production of power will be 233 Million units which is the approximate equivalent of 27MW of power! The fundamental reason for this alarming variation between the installed capacity and actual production is the insufficiency of water in the river, except during rainy season. In fact, while briefing SNC - LAVALIN which had at one point acted as a Consultant to the KSEB, the latter had accepted that 163 is not the optional sizing for the project. The Consultant was also told that 163 MW installed capacity should not be changed and must be accepted by them (Source : Athirappilly Study : Start-Up Document, Document No.360-02/985, KSEB/SNC-LAVALIN). The net result is that, the actual power generation from the project will be only 16% of its installed capacity, thereby bestowing on it the dubious distinction of being the least efficient power project in Kerala! This also explodes the myth of cheap electricity from Athirappilly!

            A related aspect is the cost of the project. It has varied from Rs.151 crores in 1992 to around Rs.700 crores in 2007. But even in January, 1998 SNC - LAVALIN had placed this figure at Rs.675crores. As pointe out by LAVALIN, “This is definitely an area of uncertainity”. Moreover, while calculating the cost of power from the project, it is to be borne in mind that an analysis of cost escalation incurred by the 12 KSEB projects completed during the  period 1985-2000 indicates a cost overrun of 326%. Therefore, it is clear that if and when the Athirappilly project is completed, it will not cost the people of Kerala anything less than Rs.2000/-crores! In this context, it must also be pointed out that the techno-economic clearance for the Athirappilly project accorded by the Central Electricity Authority, New Delhi mandates the completion of the project at a total cost of  Rs.385.63 crores! (Incidentally, the current Technical Clearance has expired on March 31, 2008 and as such the KSEB will have to obtain a fresh Technical Clearance for the project)

            The water flow data pertaining to the Chalakudy River used by the KSEB for formulating the project is a figment of fertile imagination. To cite an example: According to the KSEB, the average monthly flow/discharge of water at the Sholayar reservoir has remained steady at 11.04(m3/sec), every year from 1941 - 42 to 1995-96, without any variation at all! Moreover, the river flow data used by the KSEB does not show the average annual transfer of 15.74 tmc of water to Tamil Nadu under the Parambikulam - Aliyar Agreement, and the consequent reduction in the availability of water in the Chalakudy River. Nor does it take into account the annual transfer of about 8% to 10% of the river water to the Periyar River, via the Idamalayar augmentation scheme since 1993. The apparent result is that the Athirappilly project has been designed without taking into consideration the fact that since the 1940’s the water flow in the river has dropped by about 40% to 45%!

            The economic viability of the project is also very much in doubt. While the annual recurring expenses for the project on account of repayment of loan, maintenance, salaries etc. will work out to a minimum of Rs.150 crores, the total revenue from the sale of electricity will be only around Rs.50crores. This means that the project will impose an additional annual burden of Rs.100crores on the KSEB, the State Government and ultimately, the people of Kerala who pay taxes and bear all the burden - financial and environmental!

Effect on the Twin Waterfalls

            The Athirappilly dam proposed to be located a mere 400 meters upstream of the Vazhachal rapids will eventually kill both the Vazhachal rapids and the framed Athirappilly falls, located about 5kms downstream. This is obvious from the fact that whereas the flow of water through the twin penstocks to the 160MW main powerhouse will be, as per KSEB estimates, about 1,25,000 lit/sec.The water released through the 3MW dam - toe power house proposed for maintaining the Vazhachal rapids and Athirappilly waterfalls will be a mere 7650 lit/sec!This implies that, out of the total water flow in the river, more than 80% will be diverted away from the Athirappilly falls and will join the river about 1.5km downstream of the Athirappilly falls. The consequent, slender, ribbon - thin waterfall will only destroy the magnificient falls and drive away the tourists,  thereby paving the way for the destruction of the local tourism driven economy.

Impact on Tribal Population

            KSEB holds that there are no tribal families in the project area. This is once again the old Goebbelean principle at work or a case of selective amnesia. Anyone who has visited the project area could see the Pokalappara Tribal Settlement which have 22 tribal families. And tragically, these are families who have undergone dislocation twice earlier, on account of the construction of dams upstream. It is merely a fact that can be observed  even by a casual visitor that the Full Reservoir Level (FRL) of the Athirappilly dam will submerge at least most of their colony.

            Another disturbing fact is that the project authority and their masters have chosen not to look at the existence of the Vazhachal Colony with its 50 odd families, Tribal School and Hostel. Though, technically this area may not fall within the project area, the fact is that it is merely 400 mts away from the dam site. Therefore, it will be practically impossible for these families to continue their stay in the present location when the project work begins and more than 2500 odd workers make their presence felt in the area. However, the KSEB and the government have chosen not to look into the matter. In fact, the EIA conducted by WAPCOS does not even make a mention of this fact. And the earlier study  of TBGRI puts the distance between the colony and dam site as 4 kms!

            Meanwhile, acting on a  petition submitted by a local tribal woman, the State Tribal Commissioner, after visiting the project area has recommended that as the tribal settlement is a mere 400mts. away, the massive construction activity will adversely impact the life of the local tribes and that they should  therefore be honourably resettled at least six months prior to the commencement of any dam construction activity. However, the project authorities have turned a blind eye to the recommendation!

Impact on Irrigation

            Both KSEB and WAPCOS which conducted the Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) admit that due to the paucity of water in the Chalakudy River, the AHEP has been designed mostly to address the peak load requirement. As far as farmers who depend on the Chalakudy River Diversion Scheme (CRDS) for their irrigation and drinking water requirements are concerned, this very peak load station nature of  the project is its major pitfall and destructive core. The peak load factor of the project becomes more pronounced in the December - May months. During these six months, the operation of the 160MW capacity main powerhouses will be possible only for less than 2hours in the evening. The dam-toe powerhouse is said to operate for 24hours. However, even according to the admissions of KSEB/WAPCOS, during December - May the total daily water flow through the toe - powerhouse will be only around 37% - 38% of the water available in the river. This directly implies that for almost 22 hours a day, water available at CRDS, Thumburmuzhi for distribution through the Left Bank - Right Bank canal systems would be about 62% - 63% less than what is available today. In practical terms, the water availability at Thumburmuzhy would drop to about 6200-7600 liters per second whereas according to the calculations of the CRDS authorities, the reasonably efficient working of CRDS requires about 20,000 - 25,000 liters of water per second at Thumburmuzhi. For an already water starved CRDS, this positively spells disaster and destruction. Therefore, the contention of WAPCOS/KSEB that AHEP will not adversely impact on the CRDS is factually incorrect and ludicrous.

            Another reason for this potentially disastrous situation is that during the months of December - May, when the main 160MW power house operates during the peak evening hours (6 pm - 8pm), almost 68% - 70% of the daily flow of water in the river will be received at Thumburmuzhi during the night, in a time span of 2 - 2½ hours. This amounts to approximately 1,32,000 liters of water per second arriving at the Thumburmuzhi check - dam. The small check - dam cannot accept and store such a large quantity of water and almost 80% of the water received during this period is sure to spill over the dam and flow  down stream. The Thumburmuzhi dam is not designed as a storage dam. It is only intended to divert the river water to the Left - Right Bank Canals. The left and right bank canals can accept only a maximum of 25,000 liters per second. CRDS officials stationed at Chalakudy point out that if the project is to be run effectively, they require a constant, steady flow of water in the river at Thumburmuzhi. The EIA said to have been conducted by WAPCOS has conveniently neglected this critical aspect of water budgeting. In fact, in their wisdom, they have cleverly concealed this problem by showing the monthly cumulative water availability/discharge of the CRDS. (Table 4.11, Page 4.37 of the EIA by WAPCOS). WAPCOS have not even attempted to discuss this critical and vital matter with either the CRDS authorities, local panchayaths or the water users in the project affected area!

Ecological Damages

            Chalakudy river especially the Vazhachal Forest Division, within which the proposed Athirappilly project area falls is unique in many respects for long term conservation as pointed out by the Kerala State  Biodiversity Board. Further the riparian vegetation (special vegetation along the river) offers a uniqueness unparallelled anywhere else in the state or even the country.

Loss of several endemic species

            The Athirappilly area has not yet been subject to any intensive studies and hence, the bio-diversity of the area is not completely documented. However, the occassional studies conducted by various agencies indicate a very high proportion of endemic species in the area. Even the short, inadequate Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) conducted by WAPCOS, shows that a large number of endemic species of plants, butterflies, fishes, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals occur in the area. The report does not cover several species including those which are nocturnal. Even the endemic and threatened species such as the Travancore Flying Squirrel, Petinomys fuscocapillus fuscocapillus occuring in the area is not recorded.

Loss of high fish diversity and connectivity

            The area is so rich in fish diversity, including endemic and endangered species, that the National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources has recommended the area to be declared as a Fish Sanctuary. Five new species and 18 critically endangered species have been recorded. Population of one species of fish found only in the Chalakudy river has reduced 99% during the last two decades. Construction of the dam prevents both upstream and downstream migration of some of the fishes which is a vital activity for their survival.

Unique area for bird conservation.

            i) All the four species of hornbills found in Kerala, namely Malabar Grey Hornbill, Grey Hornbill, Malabar Pied Hornbill and Great Indian Hornbill occur in the Athirappilly - Vazhachal area; a very rare phenomenon ii) 12 of the 16 species  of the endemic species of birds seen in the Western Ghats are present in the Athirappilly - Vazhachal area. Recognising the high diversity in birds, Birdlife International (based in Cambridge), in a process of identifying important areas for bird conservation all over the world in 1995, identified the Vazhachal - Sholayar areas as an Important Bird Area (IBA).

Loss of overall biodiversity

            According to the Biodiversity conservation strategy and Action Plan for Kerala prepared by French Institute, Pondichery, the conservation value of the Vazhachal (project area) is as high as 75%, (one of the highest!) which itself justifies the importance of the area for conservation.

Loss of ecological functions and characters of the river system :

            Construction of the dam will completely alter the ecology of the river system, both upstream and downstream of the proposed dam site (from the dynamic and vital ecosystem to merely a physical water transporting system devoid of various ecological functions). One of the vital reasons for the high species richness and endemism of the area is the total volume of water flow and the fluctuation in it from a minimum of 7.26 cumec in May to 229.97 cumec in August (average of 50 years). Regulation of the flow to 7.65 lit/ sec, as specified in the project proposal, will destroy the original ecosystem characteristics.

Alternative to Athirappilly Dam

            The most frequently asked question by the proponents of the Athirappilly project is : Without Athirappilly project, what do we do for power? The truth is that there are varied alternatives to cope with the peak load shortage of power. Experts suggest the following:

            According to the estimates of the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad if the 67-70 lakh consumers replace their ordinary 60W bulbs with CFL’s, about 300-350 MW of peak power can be saved. This will not cost more than Rs.140-150 crores. Further, cutting down the transmission loss of KSEB from 25% by a mere 5 percent will save about 130-150MW of power and earn for KSEB about Rs.600 crores! Moreover, there is a definite limit to the exploitation of hydel power sources and the time has come to look at  alternates such as wind power and solar power which together hold the potential of generating about 6500MW of power! The technology is available and costs are coming down. Only the willpower seems to be lacking.

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G.Krishnan is an economist by profession. He started his career as an  Executive in the National Dairy Development Board, Anand. Later he moved on to the Co-operative League of the USA where he worked as Project Officer. Subsequently, he moved on to the Financial Sector. In 2000, at the time of seeking voluntary retirement from service, he was the Chief Economist with a leading Bombay based Public Sector Financial Institution. Presently, he is engaged in farming in the Chalakudy River Basin. Since 2002, he has also been engaged in the ongoing people’s struggle against the controversial Athirappilly Project.

We have received a mail from Dr.Latha of River Research Cetntre regarding the inclusion of Athirappilly in the website of International Rivers, an international  NGO.  We quote:

Dear Murari,

Please forward this link in our cpf website and google group. International Rivers , an international NGO committed to the protection of rivers, has also taken up our campaign to save Chalakudy river.The link below shows the pictures uploaded in the website along with other dam strugle pictures across the world.

More will follow in this site.

http://internationalrivers.org/en/image/tid/129
Warm regards,

Lata

Regards

Murari for Chalakudyriver Protection Forum

We forward herewith the matter of the notice being distributed at Athirappilly during the indefinite strike.

Save forest and river

Save Athirapilli Waterfalls

Join forces with Anti-Athitapilli Project Movement

From time immemorial, the majesty and beauty of Athirapilly and Vazhachal waterfalls have enchanted millions of people from all over the world. But the Government of Kerala and the State Electricity Board are blindly insisting upon their decision to implement the Athirapilli project. This Project, if it is implemented, will be the death of both the waterfalls.

The authorities have pursued their ‘schemes’ by fielding innumerous lies in the Project documents (revised four times), the two Environmental Impact Studies and through several other documents and submissions. Through this deceit, they went on to ‘manage’ permissions from the Central Forest and Environment Department (thrice) and the Central Electricity Authority (twice).

The High Court intervened twice to stall the project, and is considering it for the third time at present.

The implementation of the Project is being resisted for the following reasons:

• It will destroy 140 Hectares of environmentally strategic forest land.
• It will affect riverside forests of great genetic diversity, vital elephant paths, and rare species of fish, birds, butterflies and other endangered wild life.
• It will displace and uproot 80 families in two settlements of Kadars – the indigenous people of ancient origin. They are found only in this area and solely depend upon the surrounding forests and the river for their survival.
• Jog waterfalls in Saravati river in Karnataka was the biggest falls in South India. Once it became extinct due to the construction of a dam above it, Athirapilli has been holding that position. If Athirapilli hydel project comes into being, 80 per cent of the water flowing to the concerned dam would be diverted through tunnels and only the rest of the water will be allowed to flow down. This will kill both Athirapilli and Vazhachal falls. It will also push hundreds of families who depend upon tourism for their livelihood into unemployment.
• During summer time, in day time, the water flow would be meager for about 22 hours in a day; and during the one or two hours when the water is let out, it would be 17 times more. Even during rainy seasons, the water flow would be erratic. This will wreak havoc with the functioning of the Thumpurmuzhi Irrigation Project which is one of the oldest and most efficient irrigation projects in the state. This in turn will affect irrigation of more than 40,000 acres of land situated in more than 20 local governments in Trichur and Ernakulam districts. It will also severely affect the availability of drinking water in these areas. Moreover, it remains to be seen how such erratic water flow would affect the lives and livelihoods of people who live along the river and depend on various other vocations.

The major ‘benefits’ of this fatal Project are the following:

·        Though the installed capacity is 163 MW, it will produce on an average 20 MW of electricity (a mere 12 % capacity). That too, during the monsoon seasons when there is an average rainfall. Even now during rainy season, we are selling more than this amount of electricity outside the state. In Edamalayar, during the summer season, though the installed capacity is 400 million units, production goes down to 60 million units.

·        While the annual recurring expenses for this project (around Rs.1000-1200 crores) on account of repayment of loan, maintenance, salaries etc will work out to Rs 1500 crores, total revenue from sale of electricity will be only around Rs.500 crores! This means the project will impose an additional annual burden of Rs.1000 crores to the Electricity Board, the government, and ultimately us, the people who pay taxes and bear all the burden - financial and environmental.

What KSEB should have done

• Increase the efficiency of the existing units
• Minimize Transmission & Distribution loss that works out to 22 % during normal hours and 40% during peak hours at present
• Switch over to CFL/LED bulbs and in three years completely do away with ordinary bulbs
• Encourage energy-efficient technologies and machineries in all sectors
• Avoid wastage of electricity

If these measures are implemented in the right spirit, it would be easily possible to meet all the electricity requirements of the state up to 2015. Meanwhile, priority should be given to explore the immense potentials of non-conventional energy sources to solve our energy needs in the long run.

What you can do

• Share some time with the satyagrahis at the satyagraha venue to declare your solidarity with the struggle
• Spread the message of the struggle through your personal and professional networks
• Spread the message of electricity conservation and practice it in your lives
• Make whatever donations you can to meet the expenses to carry this struggle forward
• Write letters to the Chief Minister and other authorities to withdraw from implementation of this project

Murari for 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/riverprotection/InaugurationOfIndefiniteStrikeOn25022008