SHOCKING - WHAT DO WE LOSE FOR 18 MW of POWER!
Dear Friend,
A new methodology has been discovered by corrupt money-hungry sharks.
To make dams in protected areas on a smaller scale – so that it doesn’t attract undue media attention, at the same time serves their selfish interests.
In Dandeli, residents were all of a sudden informed that a total of 56.51 hectares will be lost as per MPCL – Murdeshwar Power Corporation Limited! – the wildlife ‘Ravan’ in this area.
While in reality the actual forest submerged will be over 100 to 210 hectares, also submerging the land of 18 farmers, whose permission has not been taken yet!!
Kali river already has the massive Supa dam in a protected forest area.
The area has already lost huge tracts of pristine and verdant forest during the making of Supa Dam and other dam projects in the same region.
After Supa it was declared that no further dam project or any further loss of forest will be permitted.
No further dam could be built in this area, as per the the Central Water commission as per 19th May, 1987 - Govt. of Karnataka order no. FFD 242FGL83). Supreme Court has also upheld this order
However, on 28th of March, 06 just an opinion poll was taken!!
And that’s when residents go to know that MPCL are actually contemplating breaking the centre’s promise of no further dam on Kali River or any of its tributaries!!
And they now have the authorised permission to do so from the Forest Dept which has previously denied them.
Mudeshwar Power Corporattion Limited (MPCL) a private firm that was also involved in the making of the first dam (and the only private firm allowed other than KPCL - Karnataka Power Corporation Limited) allowed an entry in power sector in Karnataka) is attempting for the 4th time after their last 3 attempts to build another small dam suppose to generate just 18 MW and submerging 100 hectares+ of an amazing bio-diverse forest were scuttled by the Forest department.
The last one as recent as 21st of June 2006, when Central Water Commission rejected the proposal.
We do not know what MPCL did that caused them to put forth the project that was approved by the same department and same officers that were opposing it till 21st of June 2006!! A change of opinion within a month??
Mr. Sandeep Kumar – The Asst. Inspector of Forests, who earlier rejected their proposal (the letters are attached in our next email) will now be clearing it promptly and swiftly on MONDAY 31st July, 2006.
The dept. of Forest is now arranging a final meeting – inviting those who will be affected by this dubious Power project to present their opinions.
For a private company – they have moved at rocket speed to approve the project and the final hurdle will be cleared at 10:30 AM on Monday 31st July, 2006 in New Delhi’s Paryavarn Bhavan, CGO complex at Lodhi road.
The Backdrop of the Power Project
i) Current Status:
The 184 km. long Kali river already has 6 major Hydroelectric dams (over 1200 MW) and supports the only NUCLEAR PLANT IN A FOREST – the Kaiga nuclear power station (440 MW). 32,000 acres of forest land have already been submerged.
As per norm in many parts of India, the locals do not benefit here too! Out of the total 1640 MW, only 17 MW of power is given to Uttara Karnataka, many areas still lying in darkness, the rest is all exported.
Now, another 18MW of Power is being pushed as critical in this area!
While financially this makes the dam among the costliest ever built, the ecological cost due to loss of forests will be tremendous and the power that will be generated will be clearly unaffordable. In addition, the MPCL dam could possibly be expanded into a much larger dam that will hope to produce more electricity at the cost of even greater submergence and ecological damage.
Kindly refer: www.hinduonnet.com/2003/10/02/stories/2003100205600600.htm
www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2309/stories/20060519003009900.htm
ii) Migration of Displaced People
64 villages with thousands of residents were displaced when their land was submerged by Supa Dam
They were given barren non fertile land in Ramnagar where nothing grows?
As per our personal observation in our recent visit to Dandeli, villages close by are now known as VILLAGE OF LOOTERS!
Do you know that travellers and even tourist drivers are scared to pass through these adjoining villages as they are looted by the displaced villagers who have no means of income?
They were forced from being farmers to migrate to urban areas (Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka) in droves looking for work?
Majority of these displaced people are in a very bad condition!!
This is a good example of how urban infrastructure comes under tremendous pressure –
Where do you think that all these people living in city slums, on roads, come from?
And then we complain that our cities are CROWDED and UN-LIVEABLE!
The Critical Issues in Dandeli!
i) No Environment Impact Assesment has been taken currently, (although there were several fraudulent ones earlier) and they are simply going ahead with sanctioning the same probably under the impression that Not being a big dam, it won’t come under the scanner of concerned and righteous citizens!!
The 2 fraudulent EIAs conducted by MPCL in the year 2000 were exposed and already well highlighted in the media.
Ernst & Young which was involved had to publicly apologise for the fraud. This was noted by Sanctuary magazine as the worst and most unbelievable EIA fraud
In the world.
Refer this crucial link:
http://www.esgindia.org/campaigns/dandeli/docs/Affidavit%20in%20HTML.htm
ii) Wildlife Displaced
The Kali river and its surroundings is a natural corridor for a host of wildlife. In Dandeli, according to the 2004 Forest Dept. Survey Census, there are
173 species of birds
9 Tigers
11 Black Panthers
18 Leopards
1,380 Bison
45 Elephants
43 Sloth Bears
2,000 Sambhars
4,000 Spotted Deer
470 Barking Deer
This area is also rich in bio-diversity – being part of the Western ghats, one of the Bio-diversity hotspots in the world.
No survey on the impact on their habitat has been made. If the dam comes up, villages next to the sanctuary will definitely face a greater intrusion of wild animals in their area.
iii) Severe impact on Eco-tourism
Dandeli wildlife sanctuary supports Karnataka governement’s own eco-tourism venture – JLR’s (Jungle Lodges and Resorts) Kali adventure camp a profitable eco-tourism camp, full even in off-season like monsoon, hosting tourists from Bangalore, Maharastra, Hyderabad, Goa and even Gujrat. This is the only regular RIVER RAFTING CAMP, in South of India – which is a major attraction for national and international tourists.
Last year, the government hosted 4,000 adventure tourists in River Rafting alone,
As per L. Shanthakumari, Principal Secretary, Information, Tourism and Youth Services - the ecotourism industry located in and around the Kali river at Dandeli provided jobs to 1,500 members of the local community, a substantially larger number of jobs than the 60 that MPCL's mini-hydel project promised to create.
River Rafting will come to a complete halt – making a major dent in the nascent eco-tourism industry.
Trained naturalists take tourists out on nature trails, jungle safaris – where the major attraction in wildlife is the Panther, Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Bison, Cheetal and sloth bears. Wildlife tourism will naturally be affected.
Besides JLR’s camp, the forest department’s own camp called Kulgi wildlife camp hosts various children’s camps throughout the year. Other wildlife resorts like Bison and Hornbill, will also see an impact on the wildlife tourist inflow and destruction to the adjacent land.
The eco-tourism camps and resorts, give employment to hundreds of people living in Dandeli town and nearby villages. They also earn a substantial revenue for the Government of Karnataka, through JLR & River Rafting operations – which ironically only the Govt. is allowed to operate!
Why then - does the government want to kill it’s own long-term income generator, a peaceful, non-destructive industry and lose precious forest land in return ?
Nature Tourism – as an alternate industry for development
Q: Any Guesses about who is the largest employer in most developed economies and developing countries as well as the largest GDP generator ?
Answer: TOURISM!
$3.5 Trillion- 1992 and $7 Trillion in 2005 and Growing at a rate of ~ 4%, contributing more than industries such as agriculture, forestry and fishing and communication services put together?
That 11% of Global GDP, 200 Million Jobs, 8% of Total Employment and 5.5 Million New Jobs per year until 2010 are being created by tourism!!
Travel and Tourism GDP is Projected at $1.8 Trillion by 2010 at the current growth rate!!
That countries like Spain have over 70 million visitors per year?
That France has more than 45 million visitors per year?
That India has grown by 100% in last 2 years and expected to cross 2 million visitors (yet only 3% of Spanish tourism industry, while having everything from culture to history, seas to snows, forests to architecture etc).
Infact tiny Singapore (Delhi is bigger) has more arrivals than India!!
How many jobs do Dam projects generate?
What is the contribution of this large dam in terms of value of power – 18 MW?
What is the economic cost of such a dam when seen holistically?
Surprisingly - Even the Jurong Nature Park in Singapore, well managed and marketed though small, generates more revenue than most dams in India!
Back home – Look at the success of Kerala and Goa Tourism Board in just a few years to beat even UK as the most desired destination! (as per the recent Lonely Planet poll).
Inspite of this, the attitude of most state governments towards conserving its natural heritage and looking upon it as an alternative employment and revenue generator is bordering on callousness.
Why don’t we spend the money spent on this Dam on conserving and managing our forests and encouraging nature tourism that is experiencing between 10% to 30% growth rates and over 7% of all international travel expenditure!
IMPORTANT FACTS ON NATURE AND WILDLIFE TOURISM
The World Wildlife Fund for Nature says that 20% of revenue generated from tourism in developing countries is due to Nature Tourism
30 million international travellers (5% off all international tourist arrivals) took a Nature Tourism trip in 1998.
Kenya estimates that 8 out of 10 visitors come for wildlife, as do most in Costa Rica.
APPEAL TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION!
This company, MPCL has moved at a great speed to swiftly put its destructive plans in action.
Now it’s our turn to speed up the conservation action!
We request all Delhi - ites, to visit the office of Minister of Environment and Forests, Paryavaran Bhavan, CGO complex, Lodhi road on Monday, 31st July and meet the Asst. Inspector General of Forests.
We request everyone, to urgently contact their friends and colleagues in Delhi to attend this meeting and protest against this Dubious Dam in Dandeli!
Mr. Umesh, a naturalist residing in Dandeli since 30 years and Mr. Leo Saldanha of Environment Support group (Bangalore) and members of local NGO, Vruksha Raksha Andalon will be meeting them at 10.30 am.
Kindly show your solidarity with them, by being present there. For further details contact Umesh 09448136539 or Ravi at 9223272436.
Regards,
Mahrukh and Ravi Goel
For ECOMANTRA
_____________________________________________From: Ravi Goel [mailto:ravigoel25@yahoo.co.in] Sent: Friday, July 28, 2006 11:40 PMTo: 'niep@yahoogroups.com'; 'defendingwildindia@yahoogroups.com'; 'bhimgad@yahoogroups.com'; 'andamanicobar@yahoogroups.co.in'; 'Greentour@yahoogroups.com'Cc: 'pankajs@vsnl.com'; 'kalpavriksh@dataone.in'Subject: RE: Disturbing destructive developments in Dandeli - Please take action
Dear Friend,
This is to update you of a very disturbing development in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctaury, an wet deciduous and evergreen santuary in the western ghats of Karnataka.
The area has already lost huge tracts of pristine and verdant forest during the making of Supa Dam and other dam projects in the same region.
After Supa it was declared that no further dam project or any further loss of forest will be permitted. This can be seen as per copy of the letter by Inspector General of Forest as attached.
Mudeshwar Power Corporattion Limited (MPCL) a private firm that was also involved in the making of the first dam (and the only private firm allowed other than KPCL (Karnataka Power Corporation Limited) allowed an entry in power sector in Karnataka) is attempting for the 4th time after their last 3 attempts to build another small dam suppose to generate just 18 MW and submerging 30 hectares+ of an amazing bio diverse forest were scuttled by the Forest department. The last one as recent as 21st of June when Centre Water Commission rejected the proposal.
We do not know what MPCL did that caused them to put forth the project that was approved by the same department and same officers that were opposing it till 21st of June 2006!! A change of opinion in less than a month??
For a government project that have moved at rocket speed to approve the project and the final hurdle will be cleared at 10:30 AM on Monday the 31st July, 2006.
Not only will we lose a pristine forest, not only will Hornbill and Bison River Resort lose huge portion of their land but South India's only zero environment and high tourism impact River Rafting will also close for ever as all the rapids of Kali will be lost for ever?!!
These rafting operation being the only one in South India attracts huge amount of postive and low impact eco travellers to Dandeli Forest beside acting as a river exploration & adventure journey for our youth. Jungle Lodges Resort, a Karnataka Eco tourism body with 14 eco resorts will also be badly affected as Kali Camp’s primary attraction is River Rafting.
Why do these bureaucrats and industrialists show zero sensitivity towards nature without which they wont live even for more than 2 minute?
What is the rationale behind destroying India's natural heritage and wealth in the name of development?
How many dam projects have even reached 50% of their capacity (Supa reached its optimum capacity just once in 1994) in their life time and
Has anybody ever documented the direct and indirect losses caused by these dams?
How can we be responsible Indians and start being responsible for whats happening to our country instead of just mindless analysis, in whatever small or big way they can?
How can we destroy what we cannot create and what right we have to do this? After all we are just one of the millions of life forms on this planet and every life form has equal rights to live.
For a change, those in New Delhi and Karnataka can meet/write to /call the concerned forest department / MPCL / New Delhi Bureaucrats.
How about sending fax to 011-24361509 addresses to Assistant Inspector General of Forest, “Shri. Sandeep Kumar” mentioning your awareness about the issue and your views on it as a free citizen of India. You can do a lot by not even leaving your house / office but making sure your voice is heard. As citizen of Republic of India, remember that you are a very powerful being who can stop any wrong doing that adversely affects the future of you, your family and your country on your own.
Please assist, participate, voice, fax, email, Use your vote and voice, and Exercise your rights as citizens.
Today we are losing 56.51 hectares (as per MPCL while in reality the actual forest submerged will be over 100 hectares), tomorrow we will have nothing much to lose. And that tomorrow is knocking at your doorstep.
Warm regards,
Ravi Goel
Ecomantra
PS: I can be reached at 9223272436 for more information.
<<>> <<>> <<>> <<>> <<>>
Dear Friend,
A new methodology has been discovered by corrupt money-hungry sharks.
To make dams in protected areas on a smaller scale – so that it doesn’t attract undue media attention, at the same time serves their selfish interests.
In Dandeli, residents were all of a sudden informed that a total of 56.51 hectares will be lost as per MPCL – Murdeshwar Power Corporation Limited! – the wildlife ‘Ravan’ in this area.
While in reality the actual forest submerged will be over 100 to 210 hectares, also submerging the land of 18 farmers, whose permission has not been taken yet!!
Kali river already has the massive Supa dam in a protected forest area.
The area has already lost huge tracts of pristine and verdant forest during the making of Supa Dam and other dam projects in the same region.
After Supa it was declared that no further dam project or any further loss of forest will be permitted.
No further dam could be built in this area, as per the the Central Water commission as per 19th May, 1987 - Govt. of Karnataka order no. FFD 242FGL83). Supreme Court has also upheld this order
However, on 28th of March, 06 just an opinion poll was taken!!
And that’s when residents go to know that MPCL are actually contemplating breaking the centre’s promise of no further dam on Kali River or any of its tributaries!!
And they now have the authorised permission to do so from the Forest Dept which has previously denied them.
Mudeshwar Power Corporattion Limited (MPCL) a private firm that was also involved in the making of the first dam (and the only private firm allowed other than KPCL - Karnataka Power Corporation Limited) allowed an entry in power sector in Karnataka) is attempting for the 4th time after their last 3 attempts to build another small dam suppose to generate just 18 MW and submerging 100 hectares+ of an amazing bio-diverse forest were scuttled by the Forest department.
The last one as recent as 21st of June 2006, when Central Water Commission rejected the proposal.
We do not know what MPCL did that caused them to put forth the project that was approved by the same department and same officers that were opposing it till 21st of June 2006!! A change of opinion within a month??
Mr. Sandeep Kumar – The Asst. Inspector of Forests, who earlier rejected their proposal (the letters are attached in our next email) will now be clearing it promptly and swiftly on MONDAY 31st July, 2006.
The dept. of Forest is now arranging a final meeting – inviting those who will be affected by this dubious Power project to present their opinions.
For a private company – they have moved at rocket speed to approve the project and the final hurdle will be cleared at 10:30 AM on Monday 31st July, 2006 in New Delhi’s Paryavarn Bhavan, CGO complex at Lodhi road.
The Backdrop of the Power Project
i) Current Status:
The 184 km. long Kali river already has 6 major Hydroelectric dams (over 1200 MW) and supports the only NUCLEAR PLANT IN A FOREST – the Kaiga nuclear power station (440 MW). 32,000 acres of forest land have already been submerged.
As per norm in many parts of India, the locals do not benefit here too! Out of the total 1640 MW, only 17 MW of power is given to Uttara Karnataka, many areas still lying in darkness, the rest is all exported.
Now, another 18MW of Power is being pushed as critical in this area!
While financially this makes the dam among the costliest ever built, the ecological cost due to loss of forests will be tremendous and the power that will be generated will be clearly unaffordable. In addition, the MPCL dam could possibly be expanded into a much larger dam that will hope to produce more electricity at the cost of even greater submergence and ecological damage.
Kindly refer: www.hinduonnet.com/2003/10/02/stories/2003100205600600.htm
www.hinduonnet.com/fline/fl2309/stories/20060519003009900.htm
ii) Migration of Displaced People
64 villages with thousands of residents were displaced when their land was submerged by Supa Dam
They were given barren non fertile land in Ramnagar where nothing grows?
As per our personal observation in our recent visit to Dandeli, villages close by are now known as VILLAGE OF LOOTERS!
Do you know that travellers and even tourist drivers are scared to pass through these adjoining villages as they are looted by the displaced villagers who have no means of income?
They were forced from being farmers to migrate to urban areas (Goa, Maharashtra, Karnataka) in droves looking for work?
Majority of these displaced people are in a very bad condition!!
This is a good example of how urban infrastructure comes under tremendous pressure –
Where do you think that all these people living in city slums, on roads, come from?
And then we complain that our cities are CROWDED and UN-LIVEABLE!
The Critical Issues in Dandeli!
i) No Environment Impact Assesment has been taken currently, (although there were several fraudulent ones earlier) and they are simply going ahead with sanctioning the same probably under the impression that Not being a big dam, it won’t come under the scanner of concerned and righteous citizens!!
The 2 fraudulent EIAs conducted by MPCL in the year 2000 were exposed and already well highlighted in the media.
Ernst & Young which was involved had to publicly apologise for the fraud. This was noted by Sanctuary magazine as the worst and most unbelievable EIA fraud
In the world.
Refer this crucial link:
http://www.esgindia.org/campaigns/dandeli/docs/Affidavit%20in%20HTML.htm
ii) Wildlife Displaced
The Kali river and its surroundings is a natural corridor for a host of wildlife. In Dandeli, according to the 2004 Forest Dept. Survey Census, there are
173 species of birds
9 Tigers
11 Black Panthers
18 Leopards
1,380 Bison
45 Elephants
43 Sloth Bears
2,000 Sambhars
4,000 Spotted Deer
470 Barking Deer
This area is also rich in bio-diversity – being part of the Western ghats, one of the Bio-diversity hotspots in the world.
No survey on the impact on their habitat has been made. If the dam comes up, villages next to the sanctuary will definitely face a greater intrusion of wild animals in their area.
iii) Severe impact on Eco-tourism
Dandeli wildlife sanctuary supports Karnataka governement’s own eco-tourism venture – JLR’s (Jungle Lodges and Resorts) Kali adventure camp a profitable eco-tourism camp, full even in off-season like monsoon, hosting tourists from Bangalore, Maharastra, Hyderabad, Goa and even Gujrat. This is the only regular RIVER RAFTING CAMP, in South of India – which is a major attraction for national and international tourists.
Last year, the government hosted 4,000 adventure tourists in River Rafting alone,
As per L. Shanthakumari, Principal Secretary, Information, Tourism and Youth Services - the ecotourism industry located in and around the Kali river at Dandeli provided jobs to 1,500 members of the local community, a substantially larger number of jobs than the 60 that MPCL's mini-hydel project promised to create.
River Rafting will come to a complete halt – making a major dent in the nascent eco-tourism industry.
Trained naturalists take tourists out on nature trails, jungle safaris – where the major attraction in wildlife is the Panther, Tiger, Leopard, Elephant, Bison, Cheetal and sloth bears. Wildlife tourism will naturally be affected.
Besides JLR’s camp, the forest department’s own camp called Kulgi wildlife camp hosts various children’s camps throughout the year. Other wildlife resorts like Bison and Hornbill, will also see an impact on the wildlife tourist inflow and destruction to the adjacent land.
The eco-tourism camps and resorts, give employment to hundreds of people living in Dandeli town and nearby villages. They also earn a substantial revenue for the Government of Karnataka, through JLR & River Rafting operations – which ironically only the Govt. is allowed to operate!
Why then - does the government want to kill it’s own long-term income generator, a peaceful, non-destructive industry and lose precious forest land in return ?
Nature Tourism – as an alternate industry for development
Q: Any Guesses about who is the largest employer in most developed economies and developing countries as well as the largest GDP generator ?
Answer: TOURISM!
$3.5 Trillion- 1992 and $7 Trillion in 2005 and Growing at a rate of ~ 4%, contributing more than industries such as agriculture, forestry and fishing and communication services put together?
That 11% of Global GDP, 200 Million Jobs, 8% of Total Employment and 5.5 Million New Jobs per year until 2010 are being created by tourism!!
Travel and Tourism GDP is Projected at $1.8 Trillion by 2010 at the current growth rate!!
That countries like Spain have over 70 million visitors per year?
That France has more than 45 million visitors per year?
That India has grown by 100% in last 2 years and expected to cross 2 million visitors (yet only 3% of Spanish tourism industry, while having everything from culture to history, seas to snows, forests to architecture etc).
Infact tiny Singapore (Delhi is bigger) has more arrivals than India!!
How many jobs do Dam projects generate?
What is the contribution of this large dam in terms of value of power – 18 MW?
What is the economic cost of such a dam when seen holistically?
Surprisingly - Even the Jurong Nature Park in Singapore, well managed and marketed though small, generates more revenue than most dams in India!
Back home – Look at the success of Kerala and Goa Tourism Board in just a few years to beat even UK as the most desired destination! (as per the recent Lonely Planet poll).
Inspite of this, the attitude of most state governments towards conserving its natural heritage and looking upon it as an alternative employment and revenue generator is bordering on callousness.
Why don’t we spend the money spent on this Dam on conserving and managing our forests and encouraging nature tourism that is experiencing between 10% to 30% growth rates and over 7% of all international travel expenditure!
IMPORTANT FACTS ON NATURE AND WILDLIFE TOURISM
The World Wildlife Fund for Nature says that 20% of revenue generated from tourism in developing countries is due to Nature Tourism
30 million international travellers (5% off all international tourist arrivals) took a Nature Tourism trip in 1998.
Kenya estimates that 8 out of 10 visitors come for wildlife, as do most in Costa Rica.
APPEAL TO TAKE IMMEDIATE ACTION!
This company, MPCL has moved at a great speed to swiftly put its destructive plans in action.
Now it’s our turn to speed up the conservation action!
We request all Delhi - ites, to visit the office of Minister of Environment and Forests, Paryavaran Bhavan, CGO complex, Lodhi road on Monday, 31st July and meet the Asst. Inspector General of Forests.
We request everyone, to urgently contact their friends and colleagues in Delhi to attend this meeting and protest against this Dubious Dam in Dandeli!
Mr. Umesh, a naturalist residing in Dandeli since 30 years and Mr. Leo Saldanha of Environment Support group (Bangalore) and members of local NGO, Vruksha Raksha Andalon will be meeting them at 10.30 am.
Kindly show your solidarity with them, by being present there. For further details contact Umesh 09448136539 or Ravi at 9223272436.
Regards,
Mahrukh and Ravi Goel
For ECOMANTRA
_____________________________________________From: Ravi Goel [mailto:ravigoel25@yahoo.co.in] Sent: Friday, July 28, 2006 11:40 PMTo: 'niep@yahoogroups.com'; 'defendingwildindia@yahoogroups.com'; 'bhimgad@yahoogroups.com'; 'andamanicobar@yahoogroups.co.in'; 'Greentour@yahoogroups.com'Cc: 'pankajs@vsnl.com'; 'kalpavriksh@dataone.in'Subject: RE: Disturbing destructive developments in Dandeli - Please take action
Dear Friend,
This is to update you of a very disturbing development in Dandeli Wildlife Sanctaury, an wet deciduous and evergreen santuary in the western ghats of Karnataka.
The area has already lost huge tracts of pristine and verdant forest during the making of Supa Dam and other dam projects in the same region.
After Supa it was declared that no further dam project or any further loss of forest will be permitted. This can be seen as per copy of the letter by Inspector General of Forest as attached.
Mudeshwar Power Corporattion Limited (MPCL) a private firm that was also involved in the making of the first dam (and the only private firm allowed other than KPCL (Karnataka Power Corporation Limited) allowed an entry in power sector in Karnataka) is attempting for the 4th time after their last 3 attempts to build another small dam suppose to generate just 18 MW and submerging 30 hectares+ of an amazing bio diverse forest were scuttled by the Forest department. The last one as recent as 21st of June when Centre Water Commission rejected the proposal.
We do not know what MPCL did that caused them to put forth the project that was approved by the same department and same officers that were opposing it till 21st of June 2006!! A change of opinion in less than a month??
For a government project that have moved at rocket speed to approve the project and the final hurdle will be cleared at 10:30 AM on Monday the 31st July, 2006.
Not only will we lose a pristine forest, not only will Hornbill and Bison River Resort lose huge portion of their land but South India's only zero environment and high tourism impact River Rafting will also close for ever as all the rapids of Kali will be lost for ever?!!
These rafting operation being the only one in South India attracts huge amount of postive and low impact eco travellers to Dandeli Forest beside acting as a river exploration & adventure journey for our youth. Jungle Lodges Resort, a Karnataka Eco tourism body with 14 eco resorts will also be badly affected as Kali Camp’s primary attraction is River Rafting.
Why do these bureaucrats and industrialists show zero sensitivity towards nature without which they wont live even for more than 2 minute?
What is the rationale behind destroying India's natural heritage and wealth in the name of development?
How many dam projects have even reached 50% of their capacity (Supa reached its optimum capacity just once in 1994) in their life time and
Has anybody ever documented the direct and indirect losses caused by these dams?
How can we be responsible Indians and start being responsible for whats happening to our country instead of just mindless analysis, in whatever small or big way they can?
How can we destroy what we cannot create and what right we have to do this? After all we are just one of the millions of life forms on this planet and every life form has equal rights to live.
For a change, those in New Delhi and Karnataka can meet/write to /call the concerned forest department / MPCL / New Delhi Bureaucrats.
How about sending fax to 011-24361509 addresses to Assistant Inspector General of Forest, “Shri. Sandeep Kumar” mentioning your awareness about the issue and your views on it as a free citizen of India. You can do a lot by not even leaving your house / office but making sure your voice is heard. As citizen of Republic of India, remember that you are a very powerful being who can stop any wrong doing that adversely affects the future of you, your family and your country on your own.
Please assist, participate, voice, fax, email, Use your vote and voice, and Exercise your rights as citizens.
Today we are losing 56.51 hectares (as per MPCL while in reality the actual forest submerged will be over 100 hectares), tomorrow we will have nothing much to lose. And that tomorrow is knocking at your doorstep.
Warm regards,
Ravi Goel
Ecomantra
PS: I can be reached at 9223272436 for more information.
<<>> <<>> <<>> <<>> <<>>
posted by Ecomantra Experiences at 1:48 AM
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