Mangalore: IFKCA symposium highlights harmful effects of Niddodi power project
Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore
Mangalore, Aug 31: Creating awareness among people on the hazards caused by thermal power plants, conducting surveys and filing petitions in High Courts and Supreme Court, is the need of the hour to stop the government from going ahead with the thermal power pllant at Niddodi. But creating public opinion is proving to be a difficult task in our country and I don’t know how to do it,” opined an exasperated Dr Ravindranath Shanbhogue, president of Human Rights Protection Foundation, Udupi.
He was speaking at a symposium organized jointly by International Federation of Karnataka Christian Associations (IFKCA) and Balmatta Karnataka Theological College, held at Sahodaya here on Saturday August 31.
Dr Shanbhogue presented his views on Niddodi Thermal Power project with slides delineating the harmful effects caused by thermal power plants particularly UPCL which has come up in Padubidri. He pointed out that coal-based power plants are the single largest stationary source of pollution the world over and they are a recipe for ecological devastation, health hazards, detrimental to agriculture activities and would cause havoc to the fragile and rich biodiversity of Western Ghats. We are destroying the bio-diversity of Western Ghats due to our follies and will have to pay a heavy price for it.
Citing examples of the havoc caused by UPCL and other power projects Dr Shanbhogue said “the pollutants caused from the coal used for the power plant would lead to heavy metal poisoning in the form of lead, mercury, chromium, carbon dioxide and fly ash which would cause serious health and environmental hazards. If 1000 MW UPCL is causing serious health hazards as is evident now, one can only shudder to think the pollutants caused by the proposed 4000 MW Niddodi power plant”.
Highlighting the havoc the proposed Niddodi thermal plant might have on the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats Dr Shanbhogue also stated that the Western Ghats is like a tank filled with water that releases water all the 365 days of the year. “Though it rains only for 105 to 120 days in Dakshina Kannada water gets recharged naturally because of Western Ghats. Thermal power plant will cause acid rain which would be detrimental to the Western Ghats and also to coconut, areconut and beetle leaf crops grown particularly in Niddodi. The pollutant ash and the saline water around this project will not be suitable for growing any crops. Dakshina Kannada district has so far not witnessed any cyclones only because Western Ghats has been giving a cushioning effect to the district from cyclones”, he stated.”
Convenor of Mathrubhoomi Samrakshana Samti Niddodi and journalist Kiran Manjanbailu who was the other speaker in the symposium stated that the proposed Niddodi Power Plant would have deleterious impact not only in Udupi but also in Dakshina Kannada District. “We know UPCL has caused harm to the sensitive jasmine cultivation. Niddodi is known for its beetle leaf cultivation and the proposed power project would be detrimental to its cultivation. It would also destroy the rich and veritable local culture like ‘Siri”, Gumtam and the Kudubi community of the area will be extinguished”, he said. He also said that according to the information available to them from the central committee that visited Niddodi the project is in need of 1000 acres of land in and around Niddodi. The main plant of the project is planned in the 200 acre government land but plans are afoot to acquire 800 acres more adjoining land which is cultivable.
Kiran Manjanabailu also highlighted the harmful impact caused by the proposed plant on Nandini river water which will be used by the project for cooling purposes. ‘If people are not ready to fight the might of the government and oppose the project, undivided Dakshina Kannada district would become a dumping yard of wasted ash accumulated from the plant ”, he opined. He highlighted the need the scrap the project to save agriculture, the environment and the distinct culture of the coastal region.
The assembled gathering which was full to the brim listened to the views of the speakers in rapt attention and later interacted with the speakers to get their doubts cleared on various issues pertaining to Niddodi power project. Alphonse D Souza, who hails from Niddodi and is President of Mathrubhoomi Samrakshana Vedike shared his experiences about their efforts to opposed the Niddodi power plant.
Earlier chief guest Rev Dr H M Watson, Professor of Karnataka Theologicial College Balmatta inaugurated the symposium by lighting the traditional lamp. He said that it is time the people of undivided Dakshina Kannada join hands and fight unitedly against Niddodi power project to demonstrate that we are really an intelligent and enterprising lot.
In his introductory speech IFKCA state convenor Dennis D Silva emphasized the need for the people to wake up from their slumber and wage a spirited fight against Niddodi project.
President of Mangalore unit of IFKCA Roy Castelino welcomed the gathering. Jayakar Samartha proposed the vote of thanks. Florine Roche compered the programme.