What am I worried about? – The voluntary work with Green Peace has opened my eyes to a lot of issues in our society – issues that are not high on the priority list of our politicians and administrators, but issues that threaten to harm our existence in some way or the other. One issue that has caught my attention is the Dhamra port issue. The Tatas and Larsen-Toubro are building a port in the Dhamra in the Bhadrak district of Orissa – a traditional nesting ground for the Olive Ridley turtles. The Dhamra port site is less than 5 km away from the northern boundary of the Bhitarkanika Sanctuary, and about 13 km away from the beaches of the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary. The proximity of this location to these forests is a definite threat to the environment and wildlife of this dynamic region, where the studies carried out by the North Orissa University have shown that this region has a rich biodiversity, and some of the rarest species have been found in this region. Olive Ridley turtles, horseshoe crabs, white-bellied mangrove snakes, dolphins – this list of rare species could be endless. To construct a port without carrying a proper environmental impact assessment is injustice to these wonders of nature.
First, this region has been categorized as Forest Land under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980.And no permission was sought to carry out construction in this area. SO, as per the law, the construction of the port is illegal. Second, the Tatas and L&T have continued with the construction of the port despite the promise of waiting for a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment.
Now, I live in Bangalore, and you might be wondering why I should worry about Olive Ridley turtles and fauna in a little known part of Orissa. I believe that every creature has the right to live in a safe habitat, and other creatures should not threaten their existence. We, as humans have evolved to a certain stage, where peaceful co-existence is at the core of our happiness. So, we have a responsibility towards natural resources, both living and non-living, to protect and nurture them. Building a port near a vibrant ecosystem is definitely not protection. It is equivalent to land grabbing, and we are encroaching on someone’s home. I will definitely not like someone bulldozing my house, because they want to build a road for people to commute.
Now, this brings me to my next point. Development and growth are essential for a nation. Our economy has grown better than expected, even in times of recession. Orissa is one of our Indian states that want to get on this growth train, and reach its destination ASAP. Ports have been planned all along the Orissa coastline. Construction of ports will eventually result in the industrialization of these areas. Sounds good for the people? Maybe. Sound good for nature? Hell, no!!! And we need to realize that we are an integral part of nature, and as dominant species of this planet, we need to behave responsibly. Again, let me repeat – growth is essential, but not at the cost of nature.
Mr. Jairam Ramesh, I hope you read this blog post soon. I have sent you a fax on April 22nd, 2010. I respect you for the firm decision you have taken in the case of Bt-Brinjal. But, as the Minister for Environment and Forests, you need to lead from the front. You need to put a stop to the port construction right now. You need to break the silence on the government’s disturbingly quiet stance, and order an Environmental Impact Assessment of the Dhamra region. You have to ensure that Orissa’s natural beauty is not plundered. There is so much more to the mysteries of nature, and you need to protect these fascinating mysteries from the forces of myopic profitability.
Durga Prasad
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