CITIZEN’S PUBLIC HEARING

on 
Land Alienation, Environmental &
Nuclear Power Generation Risks
in Gujarat

Febr uar y 7, 2010

Venue: Gujarat Vidyapeet h, Ahmedabad
 Citizen’s Public Hearing
on
Land Alienation, Environmental & Nuclear Power Generation Risks
in Gujarat
February 7, 2010

Five case studies are presented herewith that deal with land alienation issues in due
to industrialisation. These cases are only representative of many other similar
stories. Such cases where people have been marginalized and pushed away from
their rightful ownership of land seem to be increasing continuously.

There are three aspects that these cases represent. Firstly, loss of common and
private small and marginal size lands is impacting the people’s livelihoods.
Secondly, while industries are prioritized and given many incentives and benefits;
agriculture, fishing and cattle rearing, on which majority is dependent, are grossly
neglected. Thirdly and most importantly, the issue is whether the current
development paradigm is considering peoples' opinions or is it that the people have
to accept the top down planning without their participation and consideration.

This public hearing hopes to raise and bring forth these issues for discussion and
consideration to ensure social justice and inclusive growth.

CASE STUDIES
1. Impact of Industrial Development in Mundra Coast 1
2. The Tata Chemical Limited's Impact in its Vicinity 11
3. Land Entitlement in Maliya Miyana, Rajkot – Some Issues 19
4. Nirma Cement Plant at Bhavnagar – Some Issues 21
5. Proposed Nuclear Power Plant at Bhavnagar – Some Issues 25

i
Impact of Industrial Development in Mundra Coast
Fishmarc & Kutch Nav Nirman Abhiyan
with support from
FES (Foundation For Ecological Security)

The Project
The Mundra Port as of date has multipurpose terminals, container terminals, Single
Point Mooring and back-up infrastructure such as open storage area, covered
godowns, chemical and POL(Petroleum/Oil/Lubricant) storage tank farm, and
several CFS(Container Freight Stations) operated by private parties on land leased
from MPSEZL. Support infrastructure, as existing, comprises connectivity to national
network of railways and roads, power supply, water supply and other utilities and
services.

The proposed WFDP comprises four port clusters - namely West Port, South Port,
North Port and East Port, a Liquified Natural Gas terminal, two shipyards, three
desalination plants, associated intake and outfall structures, port interconnecting
road/link network and other necessary infrastructure.

Usage and Capacity

The estimated traffic in these ports is listed below:
Port No of ships per year by Nature of cargo
2013
West 850 Coal, Steel Scrap, Chemicals, Dry Bulk

South 220 Dry Bulk and Oil

North 150 Automobiles

East 300 Steel Scrap, Dry Bulk

The capacity of the Desalination plant near West port is 300 million litres per day.
Nearly 1.5 times the capacity is discharged into the sea as saline water. Desalination
plants of 100 mld, 140 mld capacities are proposed in future.

Ecological Significance of The Area

Gulf of Kutch is one of the few coastal zones in the world having rich bio-diversity. It
comprises of mangroves, Coral reefs, Mudflats, Seaweeds, Commercial Fishes and
several rare marine species. The mangroves of the gulf are the second largest after
the Sunderbans in the mainland of India. Gulf of Kutch is the only place left along
the Indian coast after Gulf of Mannar where live corals occur. In 1982, parts of the
Gulf area were declared as a Sanctuary and Marine National Park. Recently,
scientists have discovered patches of live corals near Mundra coast. Thus, the
Mundra coast is an ecologically sensitive zone as it supports vast areas of
Mangroves, Corals and associated ecosystems.

1
Destruction of any of the above components of the fragile ecology will disrupt the
entire ecosystem. The mangroves help the ecosystem by contributing to the oxygen
Budget and in Soil Conservation. Mangroves and Corals are the nursing grounds for
a variety of economically important fishes, exotic coral fishes and innumerable flora
and fauna. The gulf also abounds in more than 210 species of algae. These algae in
combination with corals and mangroves provide a conducive ecosystem for diverse
flora and fauna.

The significance of mangroves in coastal ecosystems is undebatable. The

Government of India and the Ministry of Environment and Forests recognise that
mangrove forests are ecologically sensitive areas and need to be protected and
conserved. Mangroves are critical to marine coastal soil conservation, breeding and
nursery grounds for fish, crustaceans and other sea life, as well as vital habitat for
birds and other wildlife. As per estimation, just 100 cu m of mangrove area shelters
54,600 prawns. Kutch district has been declared the most important mangrove
areas in the state of Gujarat.

A prominent feature of the Mundra Coast is the vast intertidal zone comprising a
network of creeks, estuaries and mudflats. The intertidal zone is unique and very
important because the fishermen can land their boats in these natural creeks and
also keep them there safe from strong winds and currents. The fisherfolk have
complete knowledge of the sea and have been living on the coasts for ages. They
are familiar with the creeks of the area and the intertidal zone is important for their
occupation, economic prosperity and survival of their families. The creeks also form
a natural drainage system which if disturbed might lead to flooding during
monsoons.

Scientists have identified vacant sites along the Kutch coast which could be used for
industrial development. Along the northern coast, two lengthy stretches are
available without any ecologically sensitive zones that could be used for future
development of industries. Why use the ecologically sensitive Mundra Coast for
Industrial Development when alternative sites are available nearby.

People using the Mundra Area for Traditional Livelihood

Fishing Communities
The marine fishing settlements are transient fishing villages, which are inhabited by
the fishing communities for 8-10 months in a year. The transient villages are on sand
dunes or mudflats. After the fishing season the fishing communities return back to
their formal villages, which are usually 40 to 50 kilometers away from these transient
villages. Usually, all the fishing households from a village migrate to a particular
coastal settlement and stay together.

The coastal settlements are mentioned below:

Sr.Harbour Village Taluka No of Families

Randh Bhadreshwar Mundra 316

2
 Bavdi Kukadsar Mundra 40

Juna Shekhadia Mundra 40

Luni Luni Mundra 178

Vira Vira Anjar 85

Bharudiya Bhadreshwar Mundra 30

Tragadi Tragdi Mandvi 35

Shekhadia Shekhadia Mundra 75

Zarapara Zarapara Mundra 101

Navinal Kutadi Navinal Mundra 30

Veera Pagadiya Sangad and Vandi Anjar 90

More than 1000 families of the Mundra coastal area are involved in fishing. These
are fisherfolk who fish on small boats and on feet. Besides fishing in high seas,
about 229 people are involved in direct vendoring; 73 people are involved in net
making & repairing; whereas over 5000 women are involved in processing of fish

Graziers and Livetock Rearers

Fourteen villages in the project area are dominated by Rabaris (a traditional
cattle/buffalorearing community relying entirely on animal husbandry). Gujarat
government order (2002) directs that every village has to have 40 acres of gauchhar
land for 100 animals. The total livestock in the 14 villages and the population
dependent on it is shown below

Village Total Gauchar Gauchar Number of

Gauchar Land land livestock
Land allotted to Remaining
SEZ
Mokha 345.94 103.22 242.72 3678

Navinal 335 231 124 6258

Tunda 387 211 178 3283

Luni 198.18 198.18 0 9324

siracha 954.41 100.22 854.19 3608

Gundala 1067.48 22.06 1044.94 8256

Baroe 345.94 75 270.94 6231

Goyarsama 210.06 70 140 900

3
Zarapara Deta not ave 1000 Deta not ave 21076

Mundra Deta not ave 1215 Deta not ave 23129

Data in Acar

Charcoal Makers
For those who have no assets in many of the villages in Mundra tehsil, charcoal
making with Prosopis Juliflora (growing on comon and wastelands) is the only
source of income. One example of such a village is Sukhapar, located adjacent to
the SEZ and port. Of the 450 households that live here almost all depend on
Charcoal making as a livelihood.

Old Port Related Occupations

There are several old Ports in Gujarat at Porbandar, Mandvi and Jamnagar.But the
Old Mundra Port (adjacent to the Adani Port) and run by the Gujarat Maritime Board
is the only one that is doing good business. The trade from Mundra Port includes
export of food grains to Somalia, Iraq and other middle Eastern countries. These
ports are small and do not require dredging since there are no ships used. They use
country crafts of capacities varying from 500 to 1500 tonnes which are built locally in
Mandvi. The Maritime board has an income of almost Rs 1 crore from the Old
Mundra Port alone.

Project Impacts

Till Date

Displacement of Fisherfolk
Nearly 35 fisherfolk of Kuthadi Bander near Navinal village who were fishing using
the Baradi Mata and Kotadi Creeks have already been displaced when work started
for the construction of intake and outfall channels for the Power plant and
Desalination plant and dredging for the West port.

Other Livelihoods Affected

The fishing communities are only one segment of the affected population. The
agriculturists, the horticulturists (date orchards) and those dependent on animal
husbandry have been badly hit as grazing grounds are shrinking. A total of 14
villages have already lost more than 1,400 acres of grazing land (under panchayats)
to the SEZ. Maldharis (livestock rearers) came out strongly against the company in
the November 11 public hearing. Says Vaaljibhai from Jharpara village, where 60%
of the families depend completely on livestock rearing, "We have been protesting
against the handover of 1,000 acres of our gowcher land for the SEZ. We will not let
the company set foot on our grazing lands." On December 22, the village organised
a rally in front of the Mundra tehsil office and warned that they will bring their 8,000-
odd cattle and buffaloes into Mundra town and block all the roads if the notices to
their panchayats (about the handover of gowcher lands) are not withdrawn.

4
Large Scale Destruction of Mangroves
"Mundra was the region which housed more than 20% of mangroves of the Gulf of
Kutch up until eight years ago when the Adani group of industries made a small
start by developing a private jetty in the area. The process of deforestation and
clearing started in 1998 by the company. Direct felling, bunding and staving off sea
water (leading to drying up of the mangroves), excavation and filling the area with
sand dredged from the creeks and channels close by were the methods used," says
Ashwin Zinzuwadia, a journalist and avid nature lover based in Mundra.

A Gujarat Forest Department report by H S Singh, Chief Conservator of Forests,

published in early-2007 talks about "drastic losses of mangrove forest stem" mainly
from industrial activities, specifically in the Gulf of Kutch. "In certain areas like
Mundra and Hazira, they disappeared overnight," states Dr Singh. Quoted in this
report, the Mundra SEZ area had 3,000 hectares of mangroves and much of these
had already been cleared.

Blocking of Creeks
When revenue land in the area was purchased by the company, all the letters
issued by the Collector had some conditions which included allowing the natural
drainage patterns to remain unaffected, the traditional paths and roads not to be
blocked etc. The Adanis have just not cared about these conditions. Bunds 15-20-
km long have been constructed for filling the land which have totally blocked the
natural drainage systems as a result of which Mundra town was virtually flooded in
the last monsoon with rivers draining into the Gulf of Kutch being completely
blocked.

Livelihood of Charcoal Makers Affected

Earlier the forest department had been placing restrictions on chopping of trees for
fuelwood but now most of the lands have been bought off by the Adanis and the
locals are considered trespassers if they go into their area for wood. One example
of such a village is Sukhapar, located adjacent to the SEZ and port. Of the 450
households that live here almost all depend on charcoal-making for a livelihood.
They are now severely deprived of any livelihood opportunity.

Water Crisis
The other major issue is the water crisis which is affecting irrigation and drinking
water needs. The company is not only extracting groundwater but is also getting
water from the Narmada Canal. In Kutch, 47.5 million litres per day of water from the
Narmada has already been allotted to various industries including the Adani group.

The company has been speaking of desalination plants since its first Environment
Impact Assessment and not one has been constructed. Instead it has opted for
cheaper options to externalise the costs considering that it has to pay almost Rs 10/
1,000 litres for the Narmada water. In addition to that, the company and its
subcontractors are taking large quantities of water from tanker suppliers for
construction and other domestic use. All this has already started showing significant
negative impact on the area's groundwater and increase in salinity. Not that the
desalination plants of large capacities would not be harmful. "The salt extracted

5
would be dumped into the nearby seas and creeks making it impossible for marine
fauna to survive," adds Michael Mazgaonkar of Paryavaran Suraksha Samiti, an
environment action group in Gujarat.

Likely Impacts on Environment

The WFDP is likely to create serious hazard for the local environment. The dense
mangrove vegetation, which forms a crucial link for marine ecology is being
destroyed. Mangroves are also crucial for their shore-line stabilizing role, serving as
a natural wall against ocean currents and cyclones. As this protection would be
removed, the hinter land would be more vulnerable to natural disasters

The salinity of water is likely to increase once the desalination plant is operational.
The increase in salinity would hamper the breeding of prawns leading to loss in
income for the traditional fisher-folk. In Jakhao, the desalination plant setup by
Sanghi has been operational since 1998. Before the plant was started Prawn fishing
was widely prevalent in the area. But, the prawn catch declined after the
desalination plant was started and now is virtually non-existent.

Fish merchants are reluctant to buy fish near Kandla port due to the smell of oil that
is noticed in the fish in the area. Now, with the rapid expansion of the Mundra port,
is the same situation likely to occur throughout the Gulf of Kutch.

All the impact assessment studies, which are mandatory for clearances under the
CRZ notification, were initially done for the Adani's Mundra projects by the National
Institute of Oceanography. The concluding statements in all the reports that are
quoted in the state government's recommendations are more or less the same.
They all speak of the biodiversity and marine ecology of the area being critical. They
all refer to the localised impacts of the developments, whether port expansion or
bulk terminal construction, on the benthic flora and fauna of the region. But all of
them end with the statement that the "overall impact would be insignificant".

A glance at the EIA clearly reveals that there has been little groundwork done by the
consultants. The EIA unjustifiably portrays the project area as barren land the
development of which would therefore lack significant environmental impacts.

The image from Google maps apparently reveals a vast area of natural marine
ecology that would be dredged or filled under the project proposal. It is highly
misleading to characterise this land as wasteland. The shallow waters and tidal
mud flats that comprise this vast undisturbed area play a vital role in the overall
ecology of the area even if they are not heavily vegetated," claims Mark Chernaik, a
technical expert of the E-Law Network, who carried out a critical analysis of the EIA
report.

Likely Impact on Livelihoods

More than 1,000 fishing families of the area have been suffering as a result of the
Adani group's activities in the region. These are fisherfolk who fish on small boats
and on foot. "Besides fishing in high seas, about 229 people are involved in direct
vending; 73 people are involved in net making and repairing; whereas about 1,037

6
people are involved in processing of fish. It is almost a Rs 100 crore economy,"
states a report prepared by SETU and Yusuf Meherally Centre. The port and SEZ-
related construction have been blocking their traditional fishing routes apart from
completely destroying their traditional fishing creeks and harbours.

Affected People
Nearly 10000 fisherfolk
1015 Muslim Wagher families
452 Motorized boats used by fisherfolk to venture short distances of about 10 km in
to the sea.
Nearly 1000 Pagadiya families who go by walk into the intertidal zone for fishing.
Also Grazers and Farmers in nearby villages

Project History, Processes

Mundra was the region which housed more than 20% of mangroves of the Gulf of
Kutch up until eight years ago when the Adani group of industries made a small
start by developing a private jetty in the area. The process of deforestation and
clearing started in 1998 by the company. Direct felling, bunding and staving off sea
water (leading to drying up of the mangroves), excavation and filling the area with
sand dredged from the creeks and channels close by were the methods used," says
Ashwin Zinzuwadia, a journalist and avid nature lover based in Mundra.

"The Adanis systematically went about expanding, appropriating and acquiring as

much of this land around Mundra as possible once they set up their base," he adds.
This included forest lands, revenue wastelands, grazing pastures and agricultural
lands for construction of warehouses, container terminals and other infrastructure
like roads, rail and finally even an airport.

7
The Mundra SEZ plan to be spread over 10,000 hectares over 14 villages, with an
investment of Rs 73,000 crores, which was approved at the state level in 2003-04
and in April 2006 by the Ministry of Commerce at the Centre. The 2004 state
approvals were followed by the second phase of intensive destruction of mangroves
in the Bocha, Abhanvadi and Gujarat Maritime Board areas (near the old port)
started in 2005.

Records state that Mundra had about 50 sq km of mangroves under the forest
department. However, a large area of mangroves were not notified or under un-
surveyed lands (under the category of 'seashore' land under the revenue
department). Thus far, 1,654 hectares of revenue wasteland and government land
have been transferred to the company by the revenue department. And it is these
areas that have been cleared of mangroves. The legal status of the land as
unsurveyed seashore land has been repeatedly cited as the reason for inaction by
the local forest department.

But even as far as land clearly under the forest department's jurisdiction is
concerned, the state and local forest authorities have not moved much. The
company in 1998 first applied to the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests
(MoEF) for a forest clearance (as required under the Forest Conservation Act 1980)
for over 2,400 hectares in the name of Adani Chemicals for a saltworks plant near
the port site. This was rejected because of the presence of 19,00,000 mangrove
trees. A revised proposal was submitted by the Adanis for the same project minus
an area of 530 hectares (where dense mangroves existed). Interestingly, the Forest
Advisory Committee of the MoEF, which looks into Forest Land Diversion
Clearances, sat on the proposal of 1,850 ha up until 2004 on the grounds that the
proposed project area fell under the Coastal Regulation Zone 1 area, considered
ecologically sensitive for such construction activity.

In 2002, the CRZ notification of the MoEF was revised to allow SEZ development
activities on the coast and in 2004 the Forest Advisory Committee granted the
company an in-principle approval for diversion of 1,850 hectares of forest land. But
this clearance was for the saltworks project. By this time the Adani group had
applied for and received the approval for the Mundra SEZ proposal from the state
government. The in-principle forest diversion clearance granted by the FAC clearly
laid down the condition that change in the user name to Mundra SEZ from Adani
Chemicals would be permissible, but for any change in land use a fresh application
would have to be made to the MoEF under the Forest Conservation Act 1980.

Why then did the company, which did not operate any saltworks project, sit with the
forest clearance which was clearly only for saltworks? Local sources report that the
company had started related SEZ development work by 2005 in the area. It was
only in September 2007 that the company yet again made an application to the
FAC, MoEF, this time for a change in land use from saltworks to other SEZ-related
activities. The FAC in March 2008 raised questions in this regard, stating that the
earlier impact assessment studies were no longer valid and that a fresh proposal for
the SEZ would have to be made. But in a volte face the same committee (FAC)
granted an in-principle approval to the change in land use application in April 2008.

8
This subsequently came under the scanner of the Central Empowered Committee
looking into matters of forest conservation at the Supreme Court level. THE CEC in
its report of July 2008 clearly questioned the reversal in the FAC's decision and
recommended that the application of the company and in-principle clearance be
rejected. The Supreme Court looked at the recommendations of the CEC and in
October 2008 ordered that the state government make a fresh proposal to the FAC
on the matter.

Interestingly, apart from all this mess over its earlier proposal, the company has
applied for a forest clearance for an additional area of 1,576 hectares or more. "As
per information provided under RTI by the local forest department this land consists
of more than 579,000 trees of more than 12 to 13 species and is home to more than
23 species of migratory birds like herons, eagrets and painted storks," says Bharat
Joshi, an advocate based in Mundra.

The project has received CRZ clearance on December 20th in a step towards
Environmental Clearance. This, inspite of the objections raised by the local
communities during the EIA public hearing on November 11th 2008 raises eyebrows
about the manner in which clearances are obtained.

Based on the terms of reference set by the EAC, the project came up for public
hearing in Mundra on November 11, 2008. Bharat Patel, a member of a local NGO
in Mundra called Setu, who managed to download a part of the Environment Impact
Assessment report of the WFDP laments, "Very cleverly they put 40 MB files on the
Pollution Control Board website. How would the local people who have no access
to Internet get their hands on these documents? Even with the best Internet
connections downloading such heavy files would be a hard task."

But the real and hard-hitting questions were raised by the local people on the day of
the hearing. While they were shocked that the EIA says that the proposed project
area has no habitation and does not involve any kind of rehabilitation or
resettlement issues, what really surprised them is that the government, after a
decade of the company's expansion, asked for a public hearing to take place. Only
one environment clearance public hearing was held during the expansion of the
port before the 2000 environment clearance was granted. "What is the point of this
now, after everything is almost over? They have destroyed the place and are now
asking our opinion," said many of the fishermen from the affected villages. A visit to
the proposed area for the West Port of the Water Front Plan reveals that
construction work is in full swing – a complete violation of the Environment Impact
Assessment Notification (2006) which disallows any activity till the Environment
Clearance is granted by the Union Ministry.

Demands of Fisher Folk

The Bander land should be allotted to us and the bander should be declared as a
fishing zone.

5-7 km wide and 4 km long stretch of Intertidal zone in front of each Bander should
be meant for fishing only and not used for any industrial development.

9
The access road from main road to the Bander should not be blocked.

Creeks in the Mundra Coast should not be filled or blocked as they are used by us
to navigate to fishing grounds.

The sea routes to the fishing grounds should not be obstructed by ships anchored
on the routes to the port.

Hazardous wastes and oil should not be dumped near the coast. Highly Saline
discharge from desalination plants can be treated and used for salt extraction, but
should not be disposed in the sea near the shore as it will affect fishing. No
Desalination plant or shipyard should be allowed near the fishing enclaves.

Destruction of Mangroves near the Mundra Coast should be stopped as mangroves

are crucial for our livelihood.

In short, the East Port of the Waterfront Development project should be scrapped.

References

[1] EIA Report of Waterfront Development Project (Draft Rapid Environment Impact
Statement & EMP AND Draft Risk Assessment & DMP OF WATER FRONT
DEVELOPMENT PLAN Mundra Port & SEZ Ltd.) 2008

[2] Marine EIA of the Waterfront Development Plan (WFDP) of Mundra Port, Dist.
Kachchh, Gujarat. 2008

[3] Geographical Information System for Gulf of Kachchh, Department of Ocean

Development, Integrated Coastal and Marine Area Management (ICMAM) project
Directorate, Chennai, 2002

[4] How Mundra became India's Rotterdam By Manshi Asher published in

InfoIndiaChange on 27th December, 2008.

[5] Implication of SEZ, A study conducted by Setu Bhadreshwar, Ujjas Mahila

Sanghatan and Yusuf Meherally Centre in 2005.

10
The Tata Chemical Limited’s Impact In Its Vicinity
Janpath, Gram Vikas Trust, People in Centre
Location

Tata Chemical’s Mitapur plant is

located in the Dwarka sub-division of
Gujarat state on the west coast of
India. It is on the coast of Saurashtra
which is protruding like a tip. The Gulf
of Kutch is declared as a sanctuary
and national park in 1982.

Its revenue areas mark the eastern

boundaries of the Gulf of Kachchh
Marine National Park and Sanctuary.
The Tata Chemicals plant at
Mithapur, spread over about 15000
Source: Down to Earth; May 2008 acres of land, is among the world’s
largest integrated salt works and
inorganic chemicals complex. Tata Chemicals uses salt pans in the Okha Rann
region and other areas of north Okhamandal.

The Marine National Park(MNP) and Sanctuary

Mangroves, coral reefs and other associated ecosystem support not only greater
bio-diversity but also higher productivity. Gulf of Kutch is the only region in the
whole subcontinent where such an ecosystem thrives with the last surviving living
corals. The GoI has notified 457.92 km square area as Marine Sanctuary and 162.89
km square as Marine Park along the coast of Jamnagar.1

The Plant
Starting in the 1930s with a capacity of 33,000 tonnes per annum (tpa) of soda ash,
the plant has since grown into a chemicals behemoth with an installed capacity of
8,75,000 tpa -- about 34 per cent of the country's capacity -- making it one of the
largest producers of synthetic soda ash in the world. Apart from this, 1,500 tpd of
vacuum-evaporated salt and 33 other products are also produced. The main
product groups are soda ash, chlorocaustic products, marine chemicals and salt,
and cement. Concentration of chemical and fertilizer industries around this region
could also contribute to marine pollution. The salt works which are located here
have a great impact on water quality of this region. As salt industries produces
bittern, this is proved to be toxic to many mangroves species.

1 The Marine National Park was constituted in an area of 162.89 km2 vide Notification No.
AKH-138-2-82-WLP-1081-126827-V2 dated 20-07-1982. The Marine Sanctuary was constituted in an
area of 220.71km2 and 237.21 Sq.km2 vide Notification No. AKH –140-80-WLP-1079-109483-P2
dated 12-08-1980 and Notification No. AKH-138-3-82-WLP-1081-126827-V2 dated 20-07-1982
respectively

11
Its salt works are spread over 60 sq km and can produce over 2 million tonnes of
solar salt, the base raw material for almost all the 27 basic chemicals that the
company produces.

Manufacturing Process in Brief

Salt (primarily sodium chloride) is manufactured by the evaporation of seawater
(brine). Brine contains several dissolved chemicals/solids. They differ in their
solubility. As brine is evaporated and density increases, the dissolved solids
separate out depending upon their solubility. Substances that are the least soluble
separate out first. Series of salt pans are laid out in such a way that different salt
separate out in different portions. Brine is the raw material for the manufacture of
common salt so efforts are made to prevent or minimise its losses through
percolation. The beds of the reservoir and condenser improve in course of time with
the sedimentation of salt.

A salt work mainly consists of reservoirs, condensers and crystallisers. To begin

with the brine is taken into reservoirs. As the density rises with the evaporation, it
reaches the condensers where the gypsum (calcium sulphate) separates out.
Subsequently as the density increases, it is taken into the crystallizers, where
common salt is obtained. The compartment where the production of common salt
(sodium chloride) is obtained is called the crystalliser.

The brine remaining after the extraction (commonly known as bittern) of common
salt contains in addition to common salt, salts of Magnesium and Potassium. It is
either recharged into the salt pans for further extraction of the remaining salts or is
temporarily stored in the bittern storage reservoir or is discharged into the adjacent
creek as per the situation.

The last condenser is at village Lalpur in the Rann of Okhamandal and the
crystalliser is around 17km away. The brine is taken by a pipeline from the
condenser to the crystalliser.2

Following are the major issues.

1. Disposal of Effluents: According to the Department of Scientific and

Industrial Research, about 10 m3 per tonne of effluent is generated during
soda ash manufacturing. Going by these figures, effluents discharged by the
Tata Chemicals plant can be expected to have shot up, from 330000 m3 per
year in the 1930s to 8750000 m3 per year today.3 There seems to be a
conflict when it comes to the maximum permissible level of effluent that can
be discharged in the marine environment by a soda ash plant. According to
the Minimum National Standards (minas), total suspended solids (tss) of the
effluent discharged in sea should not be more than 500 mg/l. Most synthetic
soda ash plants in India use the Solvay process, the effluent of which is
2
Discussions with Pankti Jog, Janpath
3
http://dsir.nic.in/reports/techreps/tsr148.pdf

12
 calcium chloride.4 The chemical absorbs moisture can cause permanent
hardness and acidity in soil. Following points deliberate on the question,
what does the effluent contain and where is it dumped?

6. Study carried out in 1993 stated that the Mithapur plant produces around 18
mld of highly alkaline process waste. The waste water contains about 150 g/l
of suspended solids and 25 mg/l of ammoniacal nitrogen. This is released
through over marshy lands above the high tide line in the marine sanctuary
area. Due to its high density, the milky white effluent doesn’t mix well with sea
water but instead spreads along intertidal areas or settles in heaps along the
shore. The white color of the effluent is due to high levels of suspended
solids: calcium carbonate, calcium sulphate, magnesium hydroxide and
silica. The study found that the raw effluent was toxic. Even at 20%
concentration, fish did not survive in it for more than 15 minutes.

7. The effluent-carrying pipelines from the Mithapur plants were laid years
before the declaration of the MNPS. In the late 1980s, the rapid desertification
of the coast prompted the MNPS authorities to initiate legal action against
Tata Chemicals to stop the release of effluents into protected areas. The
company however moved the High Court and obtained a stay.

A massive salt works factory operated by Tata Chemicals uses salt pans in
the Okha Rann region and other areas of north Okhamandal while smaller
salt works are dispersed throughout Jamnagar’s coasts, inside or close to
the protected areas. In the vicinity of the MNPS, an area of 103.25 km2 of
mangrove forests is leased out to 21 salt industries which provide salt to Tata
Chemicals.

A study by the DOD- ICMAM Project Directorate in 2002 estimated that

saltpans discharge about 2.95 million kiloliters of bittern annually. Bittern is a
highly concentrated form of seawater obtained in the final stage of salt
production when salt is crystallized. It is rich in marine chemicals, particularly
potassium, bromine, sodium sulphate and magnesium salts. The bittern
discharged together with the negative water balance of the Gulf results in
increased seawater and soil salinity. Bittern is toxic for mangroves. It
damages the respiratory roots of mangroves while bunds erected for
saltpans obstruct salt water intrusion, necessary for mangrove sustenance,
into mangrove areas. Between 1975 and 1982, mangrove cover in the state
decreased from 733.53 km2 to 177.31 km2, a 76 percent decline, while the
area occupied by salt pans grew from 4.81 km2 to 49.13 km2, a 92 per cent
increase. Corals too are highly susceptible to change in sea water quality,
especially salinity.

8. Tata Chemicals dumps its solid effluents in nearby agricultural lands.

Significant tracts of agricultural land near the coasts cutting across from
4
Down to Earth May 2008 issue

13
 Surajkaradi in the north to Lalpur, are the company’s current waste disposal
sites.5

9. Tata Chemicals annually produces 8760000 tonnes of soda ash.6 Going by

estimates of 10 m3 per tonne of effluent generated by soda ash production,
and further, of 150g per liter of suspended solids in such effluent, thus every
year the company generates approximately 437500 m3 of solid waste, which
ends up in surrounding landfills.

10. At the Tata plant in Mithapur, effluent is taken to huge mud trenches, effluent-
settlement ponds, which cover about 243 ha. The liquid is supposed to go to
the sea from here after suspended solids in it settle down. According to the
Consent to Operate given to the company in 2004, ponds marked S,T,U,
V,W,X were in use, implying 18 ponds—A to R—have already been filled up
with solids. Effluent discharged into the ponds was seen to emit thick vapour
while the dried up ponds had huge biscuit-like chunks to its brim. This
method seems to be universally acceptable.7

The Tata Chemicals has taken over the control of the two big tanks of
Surajkaradi village and has converted them into waste dumping pits. During
the monsoon these tanks overflow and the entire village is exposed to the
harmful effects of industrial waste dumped into the tank.

11. In October 2003, a Tata Chemicals slurry pond burst, releasing three lakh
tonnes of calcium chloride into the protected areas. Over 1500 mangrove
plants were killed. Extensive damage to fish and benthic species was
reported. The Forest Department estimated that the slurry had travelled over
an area of approximately 1000 acres and that calcium deposits had caused
permanent damage to nearly 150 acres of land within the marine sanctuary.
This part of the sanctuary is now described as “biologically dead”. Four
employees of the plant were arrested and later released on bail on charges of
alleged negligence, and the Gujarat State Pollution Control Board ordered
the closure of the company’s soda ash manufacturing plant. However, less
than a week later, the company was allowed to reopen its plant on the mere
promise that it would clean up the slurry waste and comply with safety
measures in future.8

Although effluent discharge from soda ash plants is expected to be at an

ambient temperature, according to newspaper reports, the temperature of the
effluents was so high that more than 7,000 mangrove trees and ‘rare marine
plants and animals’ were immediately destroyed.

5
Discussions with Janpath and Gram Vikas Trust
6
Reports of Tata Chemicals
7
Down to Earth May 2008
8
Down to Earth May 2008

14
 12. The Tata Chemical has huge slurry ponds in the village Paldi. The bunds of
these ponds are of loose soil and not consolidated. Therefore, the soil flies
with in the village and settles on crops, buildings and everywhere else. A
layer of this soil is visible all around. This soil settles on drinking water as well
as food. This has potential adverse health impacts. Secondly, the
temperature of the slurry is high which in turn increases the temperature of
the micro climate and the village. Thirdly, there is a fear of harmful chemicals
of the slurry percolating into the ground water and contaminating the water of
wells sourcing the water from same aquifer. Lastly, it is necessary to fence
these ponds to avoid accidents of cattle falling into these ponds, but they are
left open and deep.9

2. Seepage from the Condenser and Open Canals

Large amount of water is found
accumulated along the outer bunds of
condensers. In some places and
stretches salt deposits are also found.
The salinity of this water was
measured and found between 7000
and 10000 ppm. It is obvious
conjecture that the source of this
accumulated water and salt along the
outer bund of condenser and canal
is due to horizontal seepage. This
water remains throughout the year
and is never drained out.

This highly saline accumulated seepage spreads widely on surface and also
percolates down to sub surface strata over a period of time causing salinity in
ground water. The impact of horizontal salination can be directly seen in nearby
farms which are encrusted with soil salinity.

The canal joining the last condenser

to the crystalliser is open and is
almost 17 km long. It is not pitched
or cemented and therefore its
contain brine percolates. This
contaminates the ground water and
the quality of water in the wells in the
vicinity deteriorates and is not
potable.

During monsoon the severity of

problem increases as this
accumulated brine on sides of
9
Note by Prof. Kher Gram Vikas Trust

15
condensers and canals mixes with rainwater. Hence the spreading of this water
horizontally and into the subsurface is much faster.

There are 5 salt pans in Okhamandal covering an area of 18 villages and one at
Kalyanpur adjoining Okhamandal. The villages where such agricultural land is
affected with salinity are Arambhada, Surajkaradi, Bhimrana, Padli, Samlasar,
Rajapura, Tupni, Charakla, Lowrari, Junidervad, Meripur, Navidervad and Okha
Madi.10

3. Leakage from the Pipe Line: The brine is carried to Mithapur plant through the
help of huge concrete and metal pipes from the Ashpura pipe work Khatumba to
Samlasar, and from Samlasar to Mithapur. Often these pipe lines get cracked
and a lot of brine is leaked and spilled along the agricultural fields rendering
them unfit for cultivation. Spilling of brine also takes place as a result of leakage
due to high pressure along the joints. Leakages are also common from the
numerous air valves along the line.11

4. Use of Water for Industrial vis a vis Domestic/Agriculture Purpose:

Bhimgaja and Mithikhari are two large ponds spread in a total area of 500 acres.
They were constructed in Gaikwad regime around 125 years back to provide
employment in drought years. These ponds are the only source of water for the
people of Okhamandal as it is an island. Tata Chemical is given these ponds on
lease for industrial use whereas water for Okhamandal is brought from Sani
dam. Earlier the company used to take up to 14 million litres of water every day
from wells in Gadhechi, Tupni and Vasai villages along with the water from
above two ponds, which is three times the water requirement of Okha taluka.
They have stopped taking water from Gadhechi and Tupni now. It is a well
known fact that in the coastal villages of Gujarat, crises in drinking water
supplies and agriculture is forcing the coastal communities to either migrate or
look for contract work with the same company which they hold responsible for
their plight.12

The water of Nageshwar and Rangeshwar ponds is leased to the Company. This
water is sufficient for agricultural needs of 22 villages and drinking water needs
of 42 villages. It is not known when this was leased as Government Resolution is
not available. Fields are on the banks of these ponds but farmers cannot pump
water from these ponds as its waters are protected by police. On the other hand
there are smaller ponds near Nageshwar from which the Company continuously
pumps water and puts it in Bhimgaja and Mithikhari.

Thirdly, the Company draws water from tube wells and wells i.e. ground water.
This is from the villages of Gadhechi, Varvala, Vasai, Bhattisa and Tupni.
Gadhechi sarpanch organised against this and the withdrawal from Gadhechi
has stopped. Also, from Vasai the withdrawal of ground water was stopped after
10
Discussions with Pankti Jog Janpath
11
Discussions with Pankti Jog Janpath
12
Note prepared by Prof Kher, GVT

16
 the article in Down to Earth issue of May 15, 2000. The depth of the tube wells is
in the range of 150 to 400 feet . Large quantities of water are drawn from these
wells causing nearby open wells to dry up as the aquifer is common from which
the water is withdrawn. Large scale withdrawal of ground water also increases
salinity in water. This is more so in this case as Okhamandal is surrounded by
sea on two sides and on the third side by salt pans.13

5. Decreasing Agriculture Produce: A lot of adverse changes have occurred in the

conditions of agriculture in last three decades. The large scale water extraction
followed by lowering of ground water tables and ingress of sea water has
reduced the availability of water for irrigation considerably. Also, the area in
dumping grounds and salt pans increases the soil salinity and many a times
encrusted with salt. Such land is not cultivable. This has reduced the cropping
intensity. Instead of two to three crops earlier, most farmers are taking only one
crop of monsoon season. Secondly, the cropping pattern has changes. Earlier,
the farmers were growing groundnut, wheat, sugarcane and there were coconut
groves. Now, farmers have shifted to short duration, salinity tolerant crops to
reduce the risks. This brings low profits. Thirdly, the productivity of the crops has
also gone down significantly.

The reduction in the cropping intensity, changes in the cropping pattern and
decline in the crop productivity are all largely attributed to increasing salinity of
the groundwater. The agriculture has increasingly become financially unviable.

Recommendations
The threats facing coastal areas are numerous: exponential growth in population
density; unplanned urbanization; rise in sea levels due to climate change and global
warming; groundwater depletion; seawater pollution and contamination; loss of
species and the destruction of habitats; and the increasing impoverishment and
vulnerability of already poor communities who are dependent on natural resources
for their livelihood.

In this context, therefore, the importance of community action to force greater

accountability from Government and industry cannot be overstated. An independent
people’s impact assessment of the various industries from the point of view of
impact on both local communities and environment are recommended.

However, based on observation and field interviews, following may be suggested,14

1. The incorporation of desalination and diffusion measures is the only way to dilute
bittern and reduce its release in pockets of high concentration. Currently this is
not being done, which may be made mandatory.

2. The main reason of seepage and accumulation of high salinity water from the
salt pans is that there are no structural treatments to check the seepage from the
13
Note of Prof Kher, GVT
14
Based on a high court judgement to GHCL for Kob and Chikhali villages

17
 pans. Secondly, that after the seepage occurs, the seeped water accumulates
outside the outer bund, it is left there and is not drained out.

3. It is recommended that the outer bund should be strengthened through

appropriate civil treatment, in such a way that seepage is prevented or
minimised. It is likely that some seepage will persist from the outer bunds of the
salt pans. A trapezoidal trench should be dug all around the outer wall of the
salt pans. The seeped water which is accumulated in these trenches should be
regularly pumped out. The trench should be lined with appropriate material at
the bottom and at the side opposite to that of the outer bund of the salt pan. This
is to stop vertical percolation of saline water from the bottom and side of the
trench to the sub-surface water.

4. As the fresh water is scarce and the priority of use for it should be domestic and
irrigation and not industrial. Hence, the company should be directed to
desalinate saline water for its use. There should be strict regulation for not
buying the ground water out of tube wells of farmers which in turn affects the
farmers who do not sell water also.

5. The company should take interventions that will help in restoring the quality of
sub surface water in these villages. The company is required to take water
harvesting measures and promote use of micro irrigation for farming for this
purpose.

6. And lastly, the village people should be involved in the decision making process
regarding the procurement of land for salt pans, dumping grounds and the
ground water if any. A committee may be formed of people of the villages which
will jointly implement above suggestions as well as be consulted for future
needs.

18
 Land Entitlement in Maliya Miyana, Rajkot
- Some Issues
Anandi, WGWLO, People in Centre
Context
The systematic deprivation of the poor from land entitlement is a pertinent issue in
India. Rural poverty in India is related to the lack of access to cultivable land or its
low productivity. The World Bank Report, India: Achievements and Challenges in
Reducing Poverty (A World Bank Country Study 1997), reported that landlessness is
by far the greatest predictor of poverty in India—even more so than caste or
illiteracy.

Policy, administrative and implementation has led to loss of land entitlement

especially by poor and small landholders. This is more so when the area is
neglected due to political underrepresentation and geography. In such areas small
farmers are marginalised and loose the entitlement as in the case of a village Maliya
Miyana in Rajkot district, Gujarat.

The Village
Maliya Miyana is a village of Rajkot district in Gujarat situated along the Gulf of
Kutch. Almost 80% of population consist of Miyanas which is a denotofied tribe and
amongst the other backward castes (OBC). Total number of households is 3500 out
of which 2800 are Miyanas. Out of 2800 households, 1500 are farming households.
Half of these farmers' land is recorded as submerged Government land in land
records. They also face the issue of salinisation of land due to salt pans adjoining
their fields.

Magnitude of Impact due to Unclear Titles and Negligence

A total of 1964 survey numbers are either having disputed titles or have turned
saline due to seepage of saline water from salt pans. Total affected farmers of these
1964 survey numbers are 1400. Following is the detail of impact on number of
farmers.

S.N. Land issue Total number of Approximate

plots/survey numbers farmers
1. Turned saline 100 100
2. Fake records 181 181
3. Recorded as submerged 685 500
land
4. Farmer's entitlement 474 719
5. Acquired for rail, road, 300
bridge
6. Government wasteland 124
Total 1964 1400

19
Current Situation
The Miyana farmers had received land from the king centuries ago and had clear
entitlement. However during Machchu floods in 1979, there land records were lost.
In spite of having no records, farmers used to pay land tax until 2000 and the land is
still in their possession. After year 2000, revenue department is not accepting the
land tax as in land records entitlement is not of farmers.

Neglected Area
Maliya Miyana being a border and remote city is neglected by the Government. The
revenue officers are posted for a short time and the positions remain vacant leading
to pending change in records.

It is 20 years that the issue was brought to notice of revenue officers. However
according to them the change is pending as promulgation is not done. The paradox
is that this process is done by the revenue officers. Promulgation is a process of
verification that proposed land record changes are correct.

Bhumi Surksha Andolan

Although for almost 20 years, representations were made with various officers for
the entitlement issues. But there was no response, hence in 2007 with the support
of a NGO Anandi, Bhumi Surksha Andolan was started.

For nine days there were agitations and fasts in front of the collector's office. As a
result the collector assured that within six months issues regarding land entitlement
will be resolved. Later 120 farmers were to produce affidavits. Land ownership
records of the forefathers and hereditary rights over the land were produced. The
local government agreed for negotiation also and agreed to a) appointment of
official in the Municipality upto 3 years, b) farmers received crop loss compensation
due to flood amounting rs. 1,47,00,000/-, c) got budgetary allocation for repair work
of the reclamation bund and d) a team of 1 circle inspector and 5 talatis was
identified to look into the matter of land for promulgation.

However, after this in spite of repeated appeals made to the Collector, the process
is not furthered.

20
 Proposed Nirma Cement Plant at Mahuva,
Bhavnagar-Some Issues
Paryavaran Mitra , WGWLO, Bhushan Oza, People in Centre

Location
The proposed plant is located near Padhiyarka village, Mahuva taluka, Bhavnagar
district in Saurashtra region of Gujarat state. Mahuva is a coastal taluka on the Gulf
of Khambhat.

The existing limestone formation on the Saurashtra coast is an important conduit for
sweet ground water storage due to its porosity and permeability. At the same time it
is one of the most favoured raw materials for cement industries. Large numbers of
cement plants are already functioning in Amreli, Junagadh and Porbandar districts.

Ecological and Economic Significance of the Area

The coastal belt of Saurashtra including Mahuva are productive and fertile land.
Prior to its ground water turning saline due to sea water ingress and intrusion, it was
lush green area with high productivity.

Over last two and a half decades, a process of rapid seawater ingress (at some
places as deep as 10-15 kms. from the sea coast) is observed along the coastal belt
of Gujarat. This is mainly due to large scale ground water extraction for agriculture
as well as industrial purposes combined with intensive mining activity. Over a period
of time, the problem of salinity is attaining serious proportions and continues to
severely affect the lives and livelihood of about 1/5 (10 million) of the total
population of the state, living in approximately 1500 villages.

Considering the importance of the salinity problem, Government of Gujarat

appointed two High Level Committees (HLC)- I and II in the year 1975 and 1978,
respectively. Following the recommendations of these committees, in 1980, state
Government under its Irrigation Department set up a dedicated unit called - Salinity
Ingress Prevention Cell (SIPC) at Rajkot. The main thrust of SIPC has been on
constructing ground water structures recommended by HLC - I and II to control
salinity and recharge water. The other complementary recommendations on
agriculture, horticulture and forest sectors have not been implemented in any
significant manner.

As per the recommendation of HLCs Salinity Control Division, Bhavnagar,

constructs bandharas as a control measure of salinity. These bandharas are
proposed to generate sweet water storage at the mouth of river. These bandharas
provide drinking water for livestock, water for irrigation and prevent the ground
water that is turning saline due to intrusion of saline water through seepage and
percolation of sweet water. There is significant investments by the Government and
communities for mitigating impacts of salinity.

Land Procurement for Cement Plant

Government of Gujarat decided to allocate land to Nirma industry for setting up a

21
cement plant. The land granted includes government wasteland; a water body
spread over 100 hectares and grazing lands. Government has sanctioned 3,460
hectares of land on lease against the demand of 4,415 hectarest to Nirma for
carrying out limestone mining in the area. Similarly, 268 hectares of land is granted
for setting up cement plant against the demand of 280 hectares. (Collectorate,
District Bhavnagar No. Jamin 3/218/2009 dated: 21/1/2009).

Possible Impacts of Proposed Cement Plant and Mining

The impact of this plant is as follows:
1. Destruction of fertile, agricultural land and pastureland in affected villages due to
limestone extraction and loss of livelihood of approx. 45000 persons.
2. Agricultural losses are of following tune,
3. Per hector income of (to be) the affected villages due to Nirma Cement Plant is
Rs. 49,000/- per annum.
4. The gross agricultural income of the land (3460 ha) given to Nirma Company for
lime stone lease is Rs. 17,00,00,000/-.
5. Net income a farmer earns after deducting agriculture related expenses is Rs.
20,000/- per annum in this region.
6. Intrusion of sea water through these deeply dug pits into affected lands will
render them totally fallow and increase salinity. This will happen when the deep
extraction will break the natural wall which the limestone forms in the
underground soil and which currently prevents sea water from entering these
lands.
7. Wastage of resources to the tune of 60 crores for irrigation facilities (under which
4 dams were constructed) which have already been invested in the last 10 years
to improve agricultural production. This has led to 100% dependence on
agriculture as a livelihood with abundant cropping of cotton, onions, bajra, jowar,
groundnut, vegetables, coconut, chikoos etc. In a situation of food insecurity in
the country, the loss of agricultural production seems absurd.
8. Losses to the small scale and agriculture allied industries which have risen in the
area due to increase in agricultural production of ‘onions’.

Dehydration of onions: This region is known as the ‘Onion capital’ of the country
and the high production of onion has led to the development of an industry with
52 onion dehydration plants (highest in the country) here. More than 50000
directly employed people will lose their jobs. The nation will lose 300 crores of
income contributed by this industry. This industry also helped to fetch farmers a
good price for their onion produce which improved their standard of living.

Cotton ginning: 18 cotton ginning factories in this area provide employment to

large numbers of people, with an annual turn over of approx. 15 crores.

9. Losses to the Animal husbandry which is dependant on the pasture and

wasteland in the region. A large number of people dependent on this industry
and allied industries like milk production will be largely affected.
10. Increased violence esp. against marginalised communities and women due to
insecurity of livelihoods and advent of outsiders in the region

22
Details of Violations
The population of the villages like Naip, Kalsar, Nikol, Vangar, Madiya, Gujarda,
Dugheri, Dudhala, Padhiyarka, Dolia and Mota jadara is 29,285 (Census, 2001)
depends on agriculture and allied sectors. Most of the land given on lease for
mining is agriculture land, except 303 hectares wasteland and 124 hectares pasture
land (Collectorate, District Bhavnagar, No. Jamin 3/218/2009 dated: 21/1/2009). The
government authorities have expressed that the leased land is affected by salinity
and is not suitable for agriculture. But the field realities are different. Productivity of
the area is affected by salinity but the extent of salinity is not severe till date. The
availability of fresh water in the bandharas for irrigation can help in revitalization of
the salinity affected land and enhance its productivity.

The proposed site of Nirma Industry for setting up Cement plant is under the
submergence area of Samdhiyada bandhara. The site of Nirma Cement plant is
under submerged water of Samadhiyada bandhara. The bandhara has the capacity
of storing 62.31 MCFT of water. But construction of cement plant in 100 hectares of
submergence area of bandhara will lead to reduction in 21.18 MCFT water
(Collectorate, District Bhavnagar, No. Jamin 3/218/2009 dated: 21/1/2009).

The authorities have informed the people that Nirma Industry will make an
alternative provision for storage of the rain water in another part of bandhara by
deepening, which will be equivalent to or more than the quantum of water likely to
be lost due to land allotment. Question is how the water will get stored in the
bandhara if the catchments area and the tributary of water body are blocked by
mining and construction activity.

The stored water in the bandhara is the only source of irrigation and recharge for the
ground water in the area. At the time of bandhara construction, SIPC proposed that
bandhara like Nikol, Malan and Samdhiyada have the capacity to store 855.22,
650.34, and 62.31 MCFT water respectively, which will provide opportunity to irrigate
about 5,250 hectares and reclaim around 3,750 hectares of land (General Report,
Salinity Control Division, Bhavnagar).

The proposed plant will be able to provide employment to only 551 persons of the
surrounding villages (NNL/VKG/CP/7022/330/8-09 Dated: 6/9/2008) and it is
assumed that the plant will indirectly engage about 1000 people with employment
options.

Current Situation
The main reason to oppose the industry project is that, the granted land covers 100
hectares of submergence area of bandhara and remaining land is arable and
irrigated through the bandhara.

The proposed cement plant and mining lease covers most of command area of the
four bandharas i.e Samadhiyada, Malan, Nikol and Kalsar. These bandharas were
constructed for storing fresh water to control salinity ingress and providing surface
irrigation in this area. Farmers of different villages mention that that the area can be
converted into green belt and support the economy if there is optimum utilization of
stored water by means of spreading / interlinking canals and adoption of water use

23
efficiency devices.

Apart from this, the work of spreading channel from Nikol to Kalsar via Naip village
is under progress. The state government has already sanctioned the amount of Rs.
4.11 crore for constructing about 3.5 km spreading canal. After completion, it will
bring an additional area of 1000 hectares of land under irrigation by direct lifting of
fresh water. This channel will also act as a barrier to intrusion of sea water. However,
farmers cannot avail the benefit of this project by the irrigation department as the
land would be alloted to the Nirma Cements Limited.

24
 Proposed Nuclear Power Plant at Bhavnagar-
Some Issues
Anu Abhyas Juth, Utthan, People in Centre

Location
The proposed plant is located around 40 km. from the Gulf of Khambhat in
Bhavnagar district in Saurashtra region of Gujarat state. This coastal belt is fertile
and productive with lush greenery in surroundings.

The Plant
6 nuclear power plants with a total capacity of 6000 MW, at an investment of 60,000
crores is proposed as a joint venture of Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd
(NPCIL) and Gujarat Power Corporation in Bhavnagar district. The power plant is to
be built by the NPCIL as part of the Indo-US nuclear deal which requires India to
buy nuclear reactors from the US.

The proposed site is Mithivirdi village of Tadaja block and the surrounding villages
of Jasapara, Mandwa, Sosiya and Khadarpar. The Department of Atomic Energy,
Government of India has given the final nod for the project and informed the State
government that NPCIL will be setting up the nuclear power plant on 1,000 hectares
of land between Chhaya and Mithi Virdi along the coast in Bhavnagar district of
Saurashtra15. Officials believe that the project will take off soon, beginning with land
acquisition. The lands of jasapara, Mithi Virdi, Sosiya, Khadadpar and Madva would
be acquired for this purpose. Land from Mandwa, Sosiya and Khadarpar villages is
also expected to be acquired for subsidiary use/ facilities, which will be created.

Lives and Livelihoods in the Villages

People living in these villages are fully dependant on agriculture and horticulture for
their livelihood. The major crops grown in this area are groundnut, bajra, jowar,
vegetables, onion and wheat. The area is plush with coconut trees and almost
10000 mango and 2000 chikoo trees, producing the famous Sosiya Kesar mangoes,
relished in the State. Water resources are affluent and the Shetrunji canal passing
through this area makes this a well-irrigated region. There are nearly 5000 domestic
animals, who are also dependant on these water resources and agricultural produce
and by-produce.

The population living here does not have higher/technical education and neither are
they equipped to take up other forms of livelihood.

Some Facts about Nuclear Energy16

1. If costs like disposal of the reject and security issues are considered, nuclear
energy is never a cheaper source as compared with other energy generation
mechanisms.
15
Source: Times of India, 5th Nov.
16
Translated from Dr. Arun Dave's Gujarati note on nuclear energy plants

25
2. Metals like Uranium which emit radioactive radiations are extracted from earth.
Normally one ton of soil excavated may have one gram of Uranium. This mining
processes affect land, water, air, vegetation, crops and human beings due to its
radio activity.

3. The Uranium found from earth is to be processed which requires energy and
thus carbon-di-oxide contributing to global warming and climate change.

4. For operations of nuclear energy plants, large amount of sweet water is required.
Saurashtra is water scarce area. There is no information on allotment of the
water required for the plant.

5. For cooling the nuclear plant, large amount of sea water is required. After
cooling processes, the heated water is left into the sea. This heated and
radioactive exposed water would affect the marine flora and fauna and it would
be damaging for ecology.

6. Protection of the staff from radioactivity is essential. Shields and clothings used
till now have not proved completely effective.

7. Radioactive rays and fields may not lead to visible deceases, but it may have
impact on third or fourth generations. They may be borne with abnormalities.

8. There will always be leakage inspite of best efforts to prevent it. It is impossible
to completely stop leakage. This will slowly lead to devastation of all living being
within 15km radius. There are enough scientific evidences for this.

9. A nuclear plant of 1000 mega watts produces around one hundred kg of waste
which is nuclear active. It is not safe to dispose it on sea bed or under deep
grounds. It will remain radioactive for thousands of years. This is a very crucial
question. There are unrealistic ideas like disposing it out of earth's orbit in
universe or on another planet.

10. The international law is that within the radius of 5 km, there should be no
habitations and within 15km radius the population should be less than 10000.

11. The capital investment to build nuclear plants is twice to three times as
compared to other forms of energy generation. It takes almost 15 years to make
them operational. In these years there will be no agriculture or cattle rearing
possible. If the loss is counted than it turns out too expensive. Also, it requires
complex technology and expensive services of experts. This increases the costs.

12. Nuclear plans are also susceptible to accidents. Total number of such accidents
in the world are 32. This number does not include small accidents. Two
accidents took place in India. In 1992 in Tarapore and in January 1992 in
Rajasthan.

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13. Most severe accidents happened in America (Three mile island) in 1979 and in
1986 in Soviet Russia (Chrnobil). In Charnobil, population of 45000 was shifted in
three hours. In addition 90000 more people had to be displaces and thus a total
of 135000 people were resettled in 52 cities. Within 300 km radius of the nuclear
plant, everybody had to be shifted. Total 70 lakh people were affected as far as
France and England.

14. The nuclear plants have a life of around 40 years. Within this time all the
equipments are non operational. After this life, the plant has to be buried with
thousands of tones of lead, cement, sand and soil. Also, total security is to be
provided that no one excavates there. This expense is almost 20% of the capital
cost of the plant.

15. In Europe and America, 78% of population is explicitly against nuclear plants. It
is evident from numerous scientific studies that these plants are expensive,
unsafe, dangerous and in no view beneficial.

Possible Impacts of the Plant

For this project, 1000 hectares of fertile land of Jasapara village will be acquired for
the nuclear reactors. The following are the possible impacts of this project:

1. Approximately 30000 agriculture dependant persons living in a total of 15

villages will lose their livelihood and food insecurity. Their domestic animals will
also be affected.

2. Humankind, flora and fauna will face long term health hazards like increased
infant mortality, abortions, congenital deformities, increased rate of leukaemia in
children.

3. Displacement of families from their fertile land, which will be acquired leading to
livelihood insecurity and food insecurity.

4. The plant will not generate much employment for the local people since they are
not equipped with the required skills and technical education.

5. Possible displacement of population in a radius of 15 kms. due to nuclear

pollution.

6. Communities have no idea how this particular nuclear plant is going to be safe
and not have ill effects on human kind, flora and fauna. The threats posed by
nuclear energy production are too horrendous and no amount of compensation
can ensure that communities will be re-established in a dignified way. This will
intensify insecurity and poverty, due to loss of livelihoods, only leading to
increase violence and discrimination, and this is what women and marginalised
communities fear the most.

7. No new nuclear plant has been sold anywhere in North America in the last 10
years. Many European countries including Sweden, Italy and Austria have by

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referendum decided to phase out nuclear power. Communities clearly analyse
the unimaginable adverse impacts of nuclear energy production through the
examples of Hiroshima, Pacific Islands, Kyshtym, Windscale, Three Mile Islands
and Chernobyl.

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