11 October 2014. Responding to a petition moved by the Fishermen Association of Nayachar the National Green Tribunal (NGT) has on October 10, 2014 restrained construction of proposed thermal power plant on Nayachar.(copy of order attached) It may be recalled that some 7 to 6 years back the then government of West Bengal was hell bent to establish a chemical hub on Nayachar. Massive protests defeated the design and the Left Front was eventually ousted from power in 2011 elections. To the dismay of many people the new government led by Trinamul Congress (TMC) announced establishment of a thermal power plant on Nayachar striking a deal with the same company which was involved in the construction of the chemical hub. The Fishers and concerned citizens protested. Dakshinbanga Matsyajibi Forum (DMF), in association with its friends and associates, helped in organising public consultations and survey of the island. A Public Interest Litigation (PIL) was lodged by the fishers residing on the island. The petition was taken up by the NGT. The Union Environment Ministrys report submitted to the NGT stated The Nayachar island should be left as such so that it serves as a natural laboratory for understanding the ecology of mangrove succession which is little understood. At best, the island can be used for promoting ecotourism and restoration of existing aquaculture farms without major alterations or ecological damage. The Dolphin-shaped Nayachar Island is 15.8 km long and 4.5 km wide and is located in the Hoogly river system opposite the Haldia port. Formed by the siltation process over a period of sixty years, the island faces a continued threat of land degradation. The island, which did not have inhabitants until 1980, is now home to about 400 fisher families doing both capture and culture fisheries. The island is endowed with over 10 species of mangroves.
Posted on: Wed, 15 Oct 2014 04:21:47 +0000
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