Farmers, Fishermen oppose Nuclear Power Plant at Kowada in AP

THE HINDU                                         Online Edition of India's National News Paper Andhra Pradesh

Friday, June 04, 2010  Farmers, fishermen oppose nuclear power plant plan Ramesh Susarla Environmentalists see threat to Srikakulam and Vizianagaram towns also Burning issue: Environmentalist Jalagam Rama Rao eliciting views from a villager on nuclear power plant at Kovvada village in Srikakulam District. KOVVADA (Srikakulam Dt.): The flourishing economy of this green wetland patch is in for a shock with the Centre proposing a nuclear power plant and land acquisition process set in motion. Predominant fishing and farming community in three gram Panchayats of Ranasthalam mandal is determined to oppose the project tooth and nail. Environmentalists see threat to Srikakulam and Vizianagaram towns also, which are within the striking distance from the proposed site. For 98-year-old Gorle Ramakrishna Naidu the news is a bolt from the blue, but he is determined to stop the project and has become the source of inspiration for more than 3,000 people on the verge of losing their livelihood for good. Nonagenarian farmer Naidu, told a group of environmentalists led by Capt. (Retd.) Jalagam Rama Rao that the proposal had come first in 1992 "but they will build the plant only over our corpses." The environmentalist apprised the people of negative impacts of the nuclear plant for the region. Land Acquisition A large group of militant youth led by Mylapilli Polisu, told The Hindu that land acquisition proposals were at an advanced stage and notices could be issued to people in 2,100 acres anytime by District Collector. Detailing their efforts to save the five revenue villages around Kovvada, Mr. Polisu said they plan 'grama sabhas' in all villages to collect signatures of residents and submit a memorandum to District Collector with a copy to Nuclear Energy Regulatory Board. Entire land identified for acquisition is fertile producing groundnut, coconuts, bananas, in addition to farmers raising teak and cashew nut plantations. Groundwater is so abundant that chillies are grown throughout year as cash crop and half of the population depends on fishing at sea, which is 500 metres from the village centre. Angry Villagers Emotions run high amongst the villagers whenever a team either from the Nuclear Energy plant construction wing or Revenue Department visits them to promise them 'heaven on earth' in return for surrendering their land. At an interactive session with villagers, Capt.(Retd.) Rama Rao said that claims of all Government officials that nuclear power projects were safe was myth as their own manual prescribes no human entry within 1.5 k.m. of the reactor. Beyond 1.5 k.m. and up to 5 k.m. it was no development zone with no compensation paid to the people, he told the gathering. But the worst scenario could be effects of radiation if any on bulk drug factories at Pydibhimavaram that was only 15 k.m. from the proposed site and within controlled development zone. ________________________________________________________