Environment impact no issue for ministry in clearing dam projects

By Meenal Dubey in New Delhi

IT SEEMS the environment ministry is all set to earn the title of being the “ most efficient”. The ministry is so efficient that it has cleared all river valley and hydroelectric projects in the country in the last two and a half years — most of them with glaring discrepancies.

“ If you want to set up a dam, then India is a paradise,” environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta said. He had drafted the Right to Information ( RTI) on behalf of the environmental impact assessment ( EIA) response centre.

The RTI has asked for information on the number of river valley and hydroelectric projects that got clearance from the ministry between September 2006 and January 2009. While replying to the RTI application, D. S. Bhowmick, additional director of the ministry, said during the said period, 49 projects sought clearance, of which 43 projects were accorded clearance. All projects, except one, are government projects and are in Himachal Pradesh, Orissa, Karnataka, Haryana, Uttarakhand and West Bengal.

“ Multi- purpose river valley projects affect environment in many ways. It leads to the displacement of humans and wildlife, increases risk of earthquakes, and threatens the ecosystem by reducing the flow of water from the rivers into the sea. It is evident that the ministry is clearing the projects without properly assessing the aftermath,” Vimal Bhai, who heads Matu People’s Organisation, said.

Despite severe protests and stiff opposition, the 1500- MW Tipaimukh multipurpose project was granted environmental clearance last October. The project is expected to generate electricity from Tuiruong and Tuivai rivers in Churachandpur district of Manipur.

According to environmentalists and locals, the project would mean loss of 270 sq km of forestland — almost half the size of Jim Corbett tiger reserve.

“ At least 84 lakh trees will be axed for the project. Public hearing for the project was held twice, as per provisions of EIA notification. Despite protests by Singlung indigenous people’s human rights organisation and Naga people’s movement for human rights, clearance was given,” environment lawyer Rahul Chaudhary said.

Source: http://epaper.mailtoday.in/epaperhome.aspx?issue=2122009