Projects On Konkan Coast

The Konkan coast of Maharashtra has for long been the stage for conservation battles. Another ‘battle’ will soon be underway,Maharashtra government is now betting on the ecologically-rich Konkan coastline, where three projects — a port which will also include a thermal power plant among other industries, the contentious 9,900-MW Jaitapur nuclear power plant and one of the biggest oil refineries in the world — are proposed almost adjacent to each other within a 50-km radius. In addition to these projects, the Ambolgad beach in Ratnagiri has been earmarked for the construction of a multi-purpose port. According to the project’s Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) report, it is proposed to have both forward and backward integration by developing jetty-based industries such as a bauxite benefication plant, a steel plant and gas or coal-based thermal power plant, sugar refineries, a container hub and tank farms directly or through joint ventures and acquisitions.These proposed developments will ravage one of Maharashtra’s most serene coastal areas and the Western Ghats, which are home to rich biodiversity, including several globally endangered species. The area is also home to several rivers and rivulets, which make the Western Ghats foothills productive agricultural areas. The monsoon runoff to the adjoining sea is extremely vital for the sea, as the runoff brings not only water, but also rich organic material from the forests. It is this organic content that enriches the sea increasing its productivity, which in turn helps coastal fisheries. Konkan is one of the richest fishing grounds along the Maharashtra coast.  

Analysis:

•  Most of the power plants discharge warm water  up to 7°C higher than the normal sea water temperature.The release of warm water is continuous and over a long period .The impacts on coastal biodiversity are inevitable and in many instances severe, altering marine communities drastically. The implications are manifold in terms of loss of biodiversity and loss of livelihood of traditional fishermen and substance fishing. A single project might not significantly alter the temperature regimes due to dilution factor of rains, winds, currents, and daily upwelling and swells in the ocean. However, if there are multiple discharge points originating from a number of power plants, the thermal impacts will be multifold. It will thus be imperative to assess the cumulative impact of projects and not individual projects.
•  Such developments lead to a number of serious consequences. Loss of biodiversity in terms of changes in biotic communities has direct impact on the livelihood of the marginalized coastal communities, which use inter-tidal areas for subsistence fishing. At each site, it limits the access of the fishermen to the fishing grounds, making them one of the most  affected people of projects.
•  Another important feature, which has received little or virtually no attention, are the coastal plateaux where most of the listed power plants are coming up. Since these areas look dry and bare in summer, these are invariably considered as barren lands. However, these plateau are rich in endemic flora and fauna.
• Emissions from power plants will also adversely affect the mango cultivation, and hamper a major economic activity of the district.
•  An important factor, which needs further investigation, is the impact of thermal discharge  on the coral reefs.
• Though the need for power is genuine, how many power plants can one area sustain needs careful assessment and planning. Utmost care is essential for areas like coastal Ratnagiri, with so many important marine and coastal biodiversity areas.
•  Analysing individual projects for their adverse impact on the environment won’t do any good. An integrated approach is needed for projects coming up in ecologically-sensitive area like Konkan.

Dialing…..mains(General Study III: environmental impact assessment)

 

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By: Vishal

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