Monday, May 12, 2014

My interview on Water Issues of Odisha published in Prameya Odia Daily - 13th May 2014

Source:  http://epaper.prameyanews.com/Details.aspx?id=19260&boxid=18477953

Dear Friends/Co-sailors,

Please find my interview published in the Education Plus supplement of the leading Odia daily Prameya.  I find some abrupt cuts in the flow of the interview and hence you may find some information disjoints. 

However, I am hopeful you would find this interview, that talks about various aspects of water issues concerning the state of Odisha, including problems facing Mahanadi and the inter-state conflicts over Polavaram big dam project.

My apologies to friends who cannot read Odia.

Look forward to your comments/feedback.


Thanks & regards,

Ranjan

Sarat Pujari will be missed by people concerned with environment.





Sarat Pujari, the doyen of acting in Odia film industry has taken his heavenly abode. Even though I did not have much connection with him, whenever there was a social cause and wanted to talk to him, he was just one call away. A great actor, humble yet a strong personality, Sarat babu will always be with us through his acting and gentle nature. He is a real star as I call it, whose words never smelled arrogance and ego.

I still remember his support and encouragement during the first ever Environment Film Festival in Odisha that we organised with CSE at Bhubaneswar in 2005. He always has been a supporter of environmental activism...

Rest in Peace, the Legend...

Ranjan Panda
Convenor, Water Initiatives Odisha
Mahanadi River Waterkeeper (Member, Waterkeeper Alliance)

Thursday, May 8, 2014

WIO Update on Water Issues: 9th May 2014: POSCO and Polavaram - The opposition continues

Water Initiatives Odisha (WIO) Update on Water Issues: 9th May 2014

POSCO and Polavaram: The opposition continues

Dear Friends/Co-sailors,

In continuation to our update on the above controversies, we are sharing with you some latest developments.  WIO is keeping a track of the developments and will keep you updated.  Our advocacy efforts are also being stepped up and we request you to join hands with this initiative.

Thanks and regards,

Ranjan
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POSCO to get water from Mahanadi: Down To Earth

People protest Odisha government's decision to allocate water from the Mahanadi and Hansua rivers, saying it will turn large tracts of farms barren in Jagatsinghpur and Cuttack districts… http://www.downtoearth.org.in/content/posco-get-water-mahanadi

Orissa Govt Allows Posco to Draw River Waters Despite Environmentalists Protests: The Citizen

Even before the election results come out, the water resources department of Odisha has given a nod to Posco to draw water from the Hansua Channel of the Mahanadi River system. The steel giant now has another reason to smile… http://www.thecitizen.in/orissa-govt-allows-posco-to-draw-river-waters-despite-environmentalists-protests/

Odisha Govt to Move SC Against Polavaram Project Authority: The New Indian Express

The Odisha Government has decided to move the Supreme Court challenging the Union Cabinet’s decision to set up an autonomous Polavaram Project Authority. The Authority has been constituted for fast tracking implementation of the controversial mega irrigation project over the Godavari river in Andhra Pradesh… http://www.newindianexpress.com/states/odisha/Odisha-Govt-to-Move-SC-Against-Polavaram-Project-Authority/2014/05/08/article2212165.ece

CPI demands white paper from Odisha govt on Polavaram project: The Business Standard

Amid allegations and counter-allegations between the ruling BJD and opposition parties over the controversial Polavaram project in Andhra Pradesh, CPI today demanded a white paper on possible impact of the project on the people of Malkangiri district. "We also suggest the state government to convene an all party meeting over the Polavaram issue so that a united opinion can be built against the controversial project," CPI state secretary Dibakar Nayak said in a statement… http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/cpi-demands-white-paper-from-odisha-govt-on-polavaram-project-114050601378_1.html

Modi’s Polavaram signal leaves Chhattisgarh govt in a fix: Times of India

After BJP's prime ministerial candidate Narendra Modi sought to woo Seemandhra by promising to complete the controversial Polavaram project, his party's government in Chhattisgarh is now in a fix. They have been opposing the irrigation project. The state Congress is silent as party vice-president Rahul Gandhi also backed the project during election rallies in Andhra Pradesh… http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/lok-sabha-elections-2014/news/Modis-Polavaram-signal-leaves-Chhattisgarh-govt-in-a-fix/articleshow/34753193.cms


To save Rivers and Water bodies, please join our campaigns...
--
Ranjan K Panda

Convenor, Water Initiatives Odisha, INDIA
Mahanadi River Waterkeeper (Member, Waterkeeper Alliance, New York)

Mobile: +919437050103
Email: ranjanpanda@gmail.comranjanpanda@yahoo.com

Skype: ranjan.climatecrusader

Water talks to me, I speak for Water...



===
Water Initiatives Odisha (WIO) is a coalition of civil society organisations, farmers, academia, media and other concerned, which has been working on water, environment and climate change issues in the state for more than two decades now.



Wednesday, May 7, 2014

WIO Update on Polavaram Dam Project Controversy

Water Initiatives Odisha (WIO) Occasional Update: 8th May 2014

Show political maturity, refrain from rushing with Polavaram project:
WIO asks political parties such as Congress and BJP

Dear Friends/Co-sailors,

As you know, the UPA government’s cabinet has started a very undemocratic precedence by clearing the proposal for constituting the Polavaram Project Authority (PPA) for the execution of the Polavaram irrigation project.  We at Water Initiatives Odisha (WIO) have objected to it from the day one by terming it as “not only illegal but also done at a wrong timing”.

This, as we have pointed out, is certainly a move to woo voters and influence the election process that is going on.  We have strongly condemned this action of the union cabinet and have urged upon the Election Commission to take immediate action, under appropriate clauses, against all the cabinet ministers who have been part of this decision.

The Polavaram project’s clearances – including the forest and environmental clearances – have been mired with controversies. There are several cases pending against this Project, filed by environmental activists and state governments of Odisha and Chhattisgarh.  The cabinet of the outgoing UPA government therefore has no right to take such a hasty decision at this juncture.
 
It has been reported that the proposed Authority will clear apprehensions about the project and instill confidence in both the successor States of Telangana and Andhra Pradesh as also other riparian States of Odisha, Chhattisgarh and carry out the project in a transparent and equitable manner, according to informed sources.  We have our serious doubts over this.  The central government under UPA has miserably failed in settling the matters amicably and in transparent manner.  In fact, it has violated the laws of the land in pushing through this project.

In April 2013, the Union Minister for Water Resources Harish Rawat had said in Delhi that “there would be secretary-level tripartite meeting soon among the three stakeholders - Andhra Pradesh, Orissa and Chhattisgarh - to iron out differences and facilitate an amicable solution”.  “What has happened to that promise?  Have the states, objected to this project, and already agreed to your proposals?”

WIO urges upon the UPA government to scrap the cabinet decision immediately and wait until the next government is formed for any further developments on this project.

The Polavaram dam project is going to bring huge ecological and socio-economic destructions and political parties should stop showing dreams about such unsustainable projects.  Large dams are outdated concepts and the country needs alternatives in smaller structures of power generation and irrigation that would decentralize development and make benefits reach to larger sections of society in sustainable manners. 
WIO has urged upon politicians of Congress and BJP, and all other parties who are promising to support the Polavaram project, to show political maturity and talk about sustainable alternatives rather than such mega projects that come with lot of devastative impacts.

The Odisha government has already reacted to this decision and after we stepped up our advocacy effort has now decided to go to the Supreme Court against this decision.  However, the action of the government so far have been very slow and full of ambiguity. 

WIO is on the job of pressurising the government and working with other groups who are convinced that the Polavaram dam project is going to be a socio-economic and ecological disaster for the region.  We would request all like-minded people to join hands with us in this. 

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You can find links to media coverage of this update at the following links:











--------------
Please contact us for further details.

Thanks and regards,

Ranjan

To save Rivers and Water bodies, please join our campaigns...
--
Ranjan K Panda
Convenor, Water Initiatives Odisha, INDIA
Mahanadi River Waterkeeper (Member, Waterkeeper Alliance, New York)

Mobile: +919437050103
Email: ranjanpanda@gmail.comranjanpanda@yahoo.com

Skype: ranjan.climatecrusader

Water talks to me, I speak for Water...
===

Water Initiatives Odisha (WIO) is a coalition of civil society organisations, farmers, academia, media and other concerned, which has been working on water, environment and climate change issues in the state for more than two decades now.

Tuesday, May 6, 2014

WIO Update on Mahanadi Water for POSCO

Water Initiatives Odisha (WIO) Occasional Update: 7th May 2014


WIO asks Govt. to conduct fresh Environmental Impact Assessments before committing water from Mahanadi and Hansua

Dear Friends/Co-sailors,

We have just come to know, from media reports, that the Odisha government’s water resources department – on 3rdMay - has permitted POSCO to draw water from Mahanadi and Hansua rivers. 

This is unfortunate.  There has been stiff and genuine opposition by farmers and general public against diversion of Mahanadi and Hansua water for POSCO at the cost of drinking water for Cuttack and irrigation water at Hansua.

Any diversion of water from Hansua would lead to serious problems for the local farmers and their farm produces will be affected.

In September 2010, WIO had objected to this move by the government saying it was making whimsical decisions by not doing appropriate study of water availability in Mahanadi and Hansua.  We had said that any change in the original proposal of POSCO would mean having fresh environmental impact assessments and public hearing.  

Even the Meena Gupta committee that inquired into violations of environmental laws by POSCO took cognizance of all these problems and had rightly said:

If water is to be drawn from Hansua Nallah or any other source (other than Jobra Barrage) the Environmental impact has to be assessed and incorporated into the EIA and an opportunity to be heard given to the affected parties ought to have been given to the affected parties. The effect of non-disclosure of this vital information has deprived opportunity for people who are likely to be impacted due to the water drawal.

WIO has been raising these issues with the government and asking disclosure of the assessment studies, if any, based on which these decisions are taken. This is more important in context of the fact that POSCO had earlier rejected the idea of taking water from local sources terming those to be saline.  In the Chapter 5 of the existing EIA it has been mentioned that “This make up water requirement will not be met from the nearby surface streams like Mahanga River or Harua River etc within the study area as these streams are saline due to tidal effect.  The water source will be Mahanadi River near Cuttack about 85 km away from the plant site.”

Changing the plan to go for local ‘saline’ sources means changing technology and a fresh study of the impact of these technology on local environment is also called for.
  
How can the Odisha government give permission to POSCO taking a deviation from the original proposal without going for a complete assessment of the water availability, impacts of the drawal and related construction and other activities?

This is clear violation of environmental laws and the government must roll back this decision, WIO urges.

The media reports that we have come across have reported that permission has been given to POSCO to draw drinking water (from Mahanadi) and for construction (from Hansua). There is no mention about permission of water for production.

If this latest permission does not mention about the water for production then it is another violation. We need a comprehensive assessment of all water that is going to be given to POSCO for all its works and needs.  Most importantly public hearings should be made in Cuttack as well as among farmers and general people dependent on Hansua where the government must present the real figures and impacts.  Then only the government can think of giving any nod POSCO.
  
WIO terms this decision of the government illegal and corrupt.  Further, taking this decision in such a dubious and non-transparent manner while the election code of conduct is in force, the government has proved that it has got scant regards for both the Constitution and the people.

WIO therefore urges upon the Odisha government to immediately withdraw this decision and go for fresh environmental impacts assessments of these new proposals.
-------------- 

You can find links to media coverage of this update at the following links:







--------------

Please contact us for further details.

Thanks and regards,

Ranjan

To save Rivers and Water bodies, please join our campaigns...


--
Ranjan K Panda

Convenor, Water Initiatives Odisha, INDIA
Mahanadi River Waterkeeper (Member, Waterkeeper Alliance, New York)

Mobile: +919437050103
Email: ranjanpanda@gmail.comranjanpanda@yahoo.com

Skype: ranjan.climatecrusader

Water talks to me, I speak for Water...

===

Water Initiatives Odisha (WIO) is a coalition of civil society organisations, farmers, academia, media and other concerned, which has been working on water, environment and climate change issues in the state for more than two decades now.

Thursday, May 1, 2014

Good Morning Thought - 2nd April 2014!

Rivers don't need cash to give us water. Let's not be under the false impression that we can keep killing them as long as we have cash. The monsoon shop may soon shut its doors and won't open despite being lured by our huge cash reserves...


Good Morning!