Newskarnataka - By Sandhya Soans (Reports & Photos)
Amid apprehensions that the proposed Tadadi port project is likely to spell doom for the fragile ecology of the Aghanashini Estuary in Kumta, the state government is keen on going ahead with the project. Sandhya – Staff Correspondent at NewsKarnataka.com explores the impact this project will have on the economy as well as the lives of the people of the region.
Amid apprehensions that the proposed Tadadi port project is likely to spell doom for the fragile ecology of the Aghanashini Estuary in Kumta, the state government is keen on going ahead with the project. Sandhya – Staff Correspondent at NewsKarnataka.com explores the impact this project will have on the economy as well as the lives of the people of the region.
A blue expanse, breath-taking landscape, pristine beach and lush greenery- any visitor to the serene Aghanashini Estuary– the not so well known, silent back waters of the Aghanashini River at Tadadi in Kumta - North Karnataka, will for a moment be awe struck by the beauty of the place which is endowed with abundant natural resources. The calm, gentle wavy waters hide a treasure trove of 77 species of fish that generate a livelihood to double that number of fishermen. Besides, it is also home to a number of species of birds, insects and animals in its mangroves, apart from millions of shell fish in its sea bed.
But, all these may soon fade into history if an ambitious project envisaged by the Karnataka Government becomes a reality. Developmental projects are after all vital for progress and successive governments have, over the last fifteen years been eyeing this calm backwater for a variety of projects ranging from a power plant to a port or both, as one feeds the other. The latest proposal seeks to convert what is a natural harbor into an all weather Greenfield port, which is intended to serve the coal and iron ore industry. But is it worthwhile? NewsKarnataka tries to find out.
But, all these may soon fade into history if an ambitious project envisaged by the Karnataka Government becomes a reality. Developmental projects are after all vital for progress and successive governments have, over the last fifteen years been eyeing this calm backwater for a variety of projects ranging from a power plant to a port or both, as one feeds the other. The latest proposal seeks to convert what is a natural harbor into an all weather Greenfield port, which is intended to serve the coal and iron ore industry. But is it worthwhile? NewsKarnataka tries to find out.
The local economy -in a nutshell
The fertile intertidal area of 1,854 acres was first acquired by the Karnataka government in the 1970s in the name of development and public interest. Farmers were then growing a special salt-resistant variety of rice called "Kagga."
Their lands which then had the highest value in Uttara Kannada district were acquired for a paltry Rs. 45 a gunta (1/40th of an acre). Some of the original landowners fought for better compensation, but lost their battle. The Land acquisition Bill of 2013 which mandates a social impact assessment, need for majority consent and also a higher compensation would have come in handy in those years. But times were different then –development was the mantra, and the concept that the government knows best, was the guiding principle of public administration.
But, tragically the acquired land had remained unused all these years. In the meantime, a study by Karnataka Forest Department and the Centre for Ecological Sciences –IISC Bangalore, states that the area has turned into the best mangrove forests of the district, in terms of size and diversity of species.
Currently, fishing in the Aghanashini Estuary contributes to 92.93 per cent of the income of locals. The annual revenue is Rs 412 crore and 94.64 per cent of this comes from aquaculture activities in the estuarine belt. Aghanashini estuarine villages have bivalve collection as a business, with a total income of Rs 5.7 crore. Total revenue from the collection of shell fish including bivalves, clams, oysters, mussels and other molluscans is Rs 7.35 crore. About 186 hectares of the estuary is used for bivalve harvesting and the annual income per hectare from bivalve harvesting is Rs 3.06 lakh.
Of the total 809.73 acres, shell mining is done on 100 hectares per year and the shell mined is worth Rs 7.65 lakh per hectare per year, says a report. The Kagga rice and paddy are also grown here, contributing to the income of the region.
The fertile intertidal area of 1,854 acres was first acquired by the Karnataka government in the 1970s in the name of development and public interest. Farmers were then growing a special salt-resistant variety of rice called "Kagga."
Their lands which then had the highest value in Uttara Kannada district were acquired for a paltry Rs. 45 a gunta (1/40th of an acre). Some of the original landowners fought for better compensation, but lost their battle. The Land acquisition Bill of 2013 which mandates a social impact assessment, need for majority consent and also a higher compensation would have come in handy in those years. But times were different then –development was the mantra, and the concept that the government knows best, was the guiding principle of public administration.
But, tragically the acquired land had remained unused all these years. In the meantime, a study by Karnataka Forest Department and the Centre for Ecological Sciences –IISC Bangalore, states that the area has turned into the best mangrove forests of the district, in terms of size and diversity of species.
Currently, fishing in the Aghanashini Estuary contributes to 92.93 per cent of the income of locals. The annual revenue is Rs 412 crore and 94.64 per cent of this comes from aquaculture activities in the estuarine belt. Aghanashini estuarine villages have bivalve collection as a business, with a total income of Rs 5.7 crore. Total revenue from the collection of shell fish including bivalves, clams, oysters, mussels and other molluscans is Rs 7.35 crore. About 186 hectares of the estuary is used for bivalve harvesting and the annual income per hectare from bivalve harvesting is Rs 3.06 lakh.
Of the total 809.73 acres, shell mining is done on 100 hectares per year and the shell mined is worth Rs 7.65 lakh per hectare per year, says a report. The Kagga rice and paddy are also grown here, contributing to the income of the region.
A sea port project was first mooted:
In 2009, the Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corporation (KSIIDC) announced its intention to develop a sea port on 1,416 acres at Tadadi at an estimated cost of Rs 38, 000 crores.
The government proposal said that the Tadadi port will have a capacity of 62.36 MT, per annum with eight berths, of which four berths would be earmarked for iron ore and coal, three berths for general cargo and one for the LNG for KPCL by the year 2040-42.
The proposal aimed at providing connectivity to the hinterland via the road route, as compared to the railways. This would mean increasing the road width of NH 63 and would serve the dual purpose of increasing the viability of the port and improving connectivity from the command region.
It is here that the viability of the port would hit a road block as the Land Acquisition Bill 2013 has already come into effect and concerns of over acquisition of mainly forest land would need to be suitably addressed.
Apart from this, the proposed port site falls under Coastal Regulation Zone-1, and the plan can move forward only after the Centre sanctions it.
In 2009, the Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corporation (KSIIDC) announced its intention to develop a sea port on 1,416 acres at Tadadi at an estimated cost of Rs 38, 000 crores.
The government proposal said that the Tadadi port will have a capacity of 62.36 MT, per annum with eight berths, of which four berths would be earmarked for iron ore and coal, three berths for general cargo and one for the LNG for KPCL by the year 2040-42.
The proposal aimed at providing connectivity to the hinterland via the road route, as compared to the railways. This would mean increasing the road width of NH 63 and would serve the dual purpose of increasing the viability of the port and improving connectivity from the command region.
It is here that the viability of the port would hit a road block as the Land Acquisition Bill 2013 has already come into effect and concerns of over acquisition of mainly forest land would need to be suitably addressed.
Apart from this, the proposed port site falls under Coastal Regulation Zone-1, and the plan can move forward only after the Centre sanctions it.
State government – moving full steam ahead
It would appear that the government is keen on pursuing the project come what may. Naveen Raj Singh, MD of Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corporation(KSIIDC), the implementing agency of the Government of Karnataka, told Newskarnataka.com, “It will be an all weather modern port. However currently it is only in the study stage – Techno-economical feasible report, Environment Impact Assessment report and all other such studies have been conducted so far– as per the norms of the Pollution Control Board, the Forest Department and the Environment Department.”
“We had also conducted a public hearing on March 23, wherein the public have given an approval for the project,” he contended. “The report has been handed over to the Ministry of Environment and Forest. The ball is now in their court. We are awaiting the clearance to start the project”, he stated.
Even as it is moving ahead swiftly, the government seems keen to take all shades of opinion on board while making a decision. The Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Ramanath Rai, speaking to Newskarnataka, said, “The Environment should not be harmed at the cost of development. There is a committee of experts set up to study the project in all its dimensions, and only after a thorough assessment, will the project be approved, and implemented”. He however refused to comment on whether the government has already taken a final view on the project, which he said would depend on the report of the experts.
It would appear that the government is keen on pursuing the project come what may. Naveen Raj Singh, MD of Karnataka State Industrial Investment and Development Corporation(KSIIDC), the implementing agency of the Government of Karnataka, told Newskarnataka.com, “It will be an all weather modern port. However currently it is only in the study stage – Techno-economical feasible report, Environment Impact Assessment report and all other such studies have been conducted so far– as per the norms of the Pollution Control Board, the Forest Department and the Environment Department.”
“We had also conducted a public hearing on March 23, wherein the public have given an approval for the project,” he contended. “The report has been handed over to the Ministry of Environment and Forest. The ball is now in their court. We are awaiting the clearance to start the project”, he stated.
Even as it is moving ahead swiftly, the government seems keen to take all shades of opinion on board while making a decision. The Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology, Ramanath Rai, speaking to Newskarnataka, said, “The Environment should not be harmed at the cost of development. There is a committee of experts set up to study the project in all its dimensions, and only after a thorough assessment, will the project be approved, and implemented”. He however refused to comment on whether the government has already taken a final view on the project, which he said would depend on the report of the experts.
Locals on war path:
It is not all smooth sailing for the government, though. Anant Hegde Ashisar, former chairman of the Western Ghats Task Force, who is spearheading the protest, said though the government was actively pursuing the project, the people likely to be affected by it were totally unaware of its drastic consequences.
There are several groups representing stakeholders - from farmers to fishermen - who are on the war-path against the port project. “The government is keeping the public in the dark, some of them told Newskarnataka on condition of anonymity.
Members of the nearby Gokarna, Kagala and Hiregutti gram panchayats as well as fishermen and farmers’ organizations say they have no information about the project. We were unaware of even the public hearing on March 23,, they allege. However, Shobha B, Assistant Commissioner of Kumta refutes this allegation and states most people who are opposing the project are non-residents of the area. While claiming that “The livelihood of the people will not be affected, the Assistant Commissioner said “Even if it does, the KSIIDC has promised alternatives.” “But development is sure in the future,” she asserted
When her attention was drawn towards the protests by fishing community of the region, Shobha said “KSIIDC will be in a better position to speak about it.”
The KSIIDC MD Naveen Raj Singh, however, was clear about the outcomes and impact of the project, when he said, “Everything will be taken care of– we are aware that there are fishermen and people who are dependent on shells and bivalves, people who are living in the vicinity of the project area. However, once the project comes up there will be a rehabilitation package that is in-built in the project cost itself.” “No one will be deprived of their livelihood, rather their opportunities will only increase”, he contended.
On the environmentalists claim that the region is a heritage spot, he said, “Yes, we admit that there are unique characters in the Aghanashini Estuary, but every coastline has an exceptional character. However we must also understand that a port can be only constructed on an Estuary primarily because the connectivity of the region is exceptional. The project will have a minimal effect on bio-diversity, Singh further added.
However, the project would demand deep dredging in the Estuary which is feared to affect large number of shell beds all through the coastline. Singh however brushes off this assertion. One should respond to the need for “development,” he said promised “alternative employment opportunities”.
Singh however denied reports that the establishment of the port would be followed by the construction of a thermal power plant to serve the area.
It is not all smooth sailing for the government, though. Anant Hegde Ashisar, former chairman of the Western Ghats Task Force, who is spearheading the protest, said though the government was actively pursuing the project, the people likely to be affected by it were totally unaware of its drastic consequences.
There are several groups representing stakeholders - from farmers to fishermen - who are on the war-path against the port project. “The government is keeping the public in the dark, some of them told Newskarnataka on condition of anonymity.
Members of the nearby Gokarna, Kagala and Hiregutti gram panchayats as well as fishermen and farmers’ organizations say they have no information about the project. We were unaware of even the public hearing on March 23,, they allege. However, Shobha B, Assistant Commissioner of Kumta refutes this allegation and states most people who are opposing the project are non-residents of the area. While claiming that “The livelihood of the people will not be affected, the Assistant Commissioner said “Even if it does, the KSIIDC has promised alternatives.” “But development is sure in the future,” she asserted
When her attention was drawn towards the protests by fishing community of the region, Shobha said “KSIIDC will be in a better position to speak about it.”
The KSIIDC MD Naveen Raj Singh, however, was clear about the outcomes and impact of the project, when he said, “Everything will be taken care of– we are aware that there are fishermen and people who are dependent on shells and bivalves, people who are living in the vicinity of the project area. However, once the project comes up there will be a rehabilitation package that is in-built in the project cost itself.” “No one will be deprived of their livelihood, rather their opportunities will only increase”, he contended.
On the environmentalists claim that the region is a heritage spot, he said, “Yes, we admit that there are unique characters in the Aghanashini Estuary, but every coastline has an exceptional character. However we must also understand that a port can be only constructed on an Estuary primarily because the connectivity of the region is exceptional. The project will have a minimal effect on bio-diversity, Singh further added.
However, the project would demand deep dredging in the Estuary which is feared to affect large number of shell beds all through the coastline. Singh however brushes off this assertion. One should respond to the need for “development,” he said promised “alternative employment opportunities”.
Singh however denied reports that the establishment of the port would be followed by the construction of a thermal power plant to serve the area.
Environmentalists decry Tadadi Project:
On the other hand, environmental scientists’ decry the move to dredge the estuary and upend the shell beds that have formed over years, and currently provides livelihood to a large chunk of the local population.
Speaking to Newskarnataka.com, Prakash Mesta – an associate researcher at the Indian Institute of Science said, “Shell beds are formed due to ecological succession, which is observed in a process of change in the species structure of an ecological community over decades, or millions of years. The port will require major dredging of the estuary — from currently only a few meters to deep down, so that large ships can enter to load and unload cargo”.
According to the proposal around 80 feet of the seabed will have to be dredged, Mesta said. “The proposal does not specify shells, it only says ‘mud’ will be thrown 30 kms away into the sea. This would only mean that it would be dumped in the ocean which is part of international waters. Will they go ahead with this task. Nothing has been specified," says Mesta.
Mesta also gives a rough calculation of the loss the government will incur. “If the project report is implemented, shells equivalent to 5 lakh trucks per day will be dumped in the outer ocean. The dumping will have to continue for more than 2 years. This is nothing but an immense loss to the government”.
He adds “rather than throwing these shells away, they can be used industrially as one tonne of these shells in the international market is valued at up to $120 or Rs. 7500. The shells contain Calcium Carbonate, a chemical composite used in a variety of applications, although sadly the proposal terms it as Waste material”
Is it feasible after all?
There are 34,545 families living in the area, according to the 2011 Census. At least 30 villages and its residents will be adversely affected if this project is implemented, say environmentalists. The project is also likely to displace nearly one lakh people while the local economy dependent on fishing and tourism will also be adversely affected.
However, the government which is undeterred by the developments, seems all the more keen on taking the project forward by claiming that it has managed to convince a large section of the locals of the benefits of the project. At the same time it is fully aware that the environmentalists as well as local fishermen would continue to oppose the project in an ecologically fragile region, in turn affecting their livelihood to a great extent while also displacing thousands of people. As in many cases in the past, environment and development has become a contentious issue in case of Tadadi too. Will the project see the light of the day or can the local fisher folks and environmentalists have their way and succeed in forcing the government to shelve the project?
There are 34,545 families living in the area, according to the 2011 Census. At least 30 villages and its residents will be adversely affected if this project is implemented, say environmentalists. The project is also likely to displace nearly one lakh people while the local economy dependent on fishing and tourism will also be adversely affected.
However, the government which is undeterred by the developments, seems all the more keen on taking the project forward by claiming that it has managed to convince a large section of the locals of the benefits of the project. At the same time it is fully aware that the environmentalists as well as local fishermen would continue to oppose the project in an ecologically fragile region, in turn affecting their livelihood to a great extent while also displacing thousands of people. As in many cases in the past, environment and development has become a contentious issue in case of Tadadi too. Will the project see the light of the day or can the local fisher folks and environmentalists have their way and succeed in forcing the government to shelve the project?
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