OPG's Divide and Rule ploy defeated as Court decides not to withdraw PIL

UK Based OPG Group has been trying to illegally start construction on a power plant in Bhadreshwar village in Mundra coast. British company OPG Power Ventures Plc, or OPG as it is known, has also been accused of breaching environmental laws and being complicit in violations against local people in India. OPG, a power-supply company is planning to build a 300 MW coal-powered power station on the Mundra coast of the State of Gujarat. The Mundra coast is known as an ecologically-sensitive zone, with an abundance of mangroves, corals, and wildlife. The coastal waters also provide the source of income for the ten thousand fishermen who live within 5kms of the proposed plant.

Fisher-folk of Bhadreshwar village had approached the Gujarat High Court in August regarding the OPG Power plant issue. In their PIL, they had explained how the project is not in public interest and the company has been providing false and misleading information to the public/ Govt authorities. They also alleged that the company has been trying to start construction work illegally even without the mandatory Environmental Clearance and the district administration has remained a mute spectator to the company's violations inspite of repeated complaints from fisherfolk and other local communities. The fisher-folk have prayed that the Hon. High Court put an end to all these illegal activities of OPG group.

Realising that their game in Bhadreshwar is about to end, the OPG group has been allegedly resorting to various unfair and unethical means to subdue the fisherfolks' struggle.

Several fishermen, including those who were not present during the clashes in August, have been falsely implicated in criminal cases and jailed for over 2 months.

In the second week of Nvomenber, the president of the Kutch Zila Machimar Association, Suleiman Ali, wrote to the fisherfolks' advocate and 11 other authorities, including the OPG company asking for withdrawal of the PIL. Quoting him from his letter(written in English), "I have come to the conclusion that the scope of the OPG Power project at Bhadreshwar and the implementation and the operation of the project will not effect any fishermen and / or members of our association and people living in Bhadreshwar and surrounding villages and their villagers". Fishermen wonder, who wrote this letter in Corporate Style English for Suleiman Ali who doesn't know English.

Angered by this letter, fishermen representatives attended court yesterday(26th Nov) and submitted an affidavit saying that their PIL needs to be pursued in the interest of 23,000 people. Quoting from one of the affidavits, "I have come to know that our President Shri.Manek Haji Suleiman Ali has, against the inteest of about 23,000 people, joined hands with OPG Company and written a letter asking for withdrawal of the PIL. We have not given any authority to Sulieman Ali to withdraw the PIL. The people of our village are against OPG Power project. All of us want to pursue the PIL in the interest of justice and interest of village people"

During the hearing, the Government Advocate(on behalf of Kutch Collector) court submitted Suleiman Ali's letter and argued that the PIL be withdrawn. But, the court accepted the Fisherfolks' argument that the company was trying the "divide and rule" ploy and one man's betrayal cant stand in the way of larger public interest and the lives and livelihoods of nearly 23,000 people. Favoring the fisherfolks' plea to allow the PIL to continue, the court has issued notices to all respondents, including OPG.

Tension grips Mundra village over proposed power plant

Express News Service, Aug 28, 2009

Ahmedabad The situation at Bhadreshwar village in Mundra taluka of Kutch district remains tense after 30 fishermen were arrested by the local police on charges of rioting a few days ago. The issue concerns the persistent protest by the local fishermen against the proposed 300 MW thermal power plant by OPG Power Plant at the village. The locals fear the proposed plant will harm the environment in the area and will lead to the loss of livelihood for nearly 20,000 fishermen, salt-pan workers, pastoralists and farmers in Bhadreshwar, Luni, Hatdi, Pavdiara, Sangad and other neighbouring villages.

They allege that the OPG has made several attempts to start the construction work since July this year, even before obtaining the mandatory environment clearance. The attempt by the company on August 23 led to clashes between the private security guards hired by the company and the local fishing community. C M Jadeja, Sub-Inspector, Coastal police station, Mundra, said, “The fishermen were arrested under various sections of the Indian Penal Code and have been sent to the district jail after their two-day police remand got over.” Kaushik Ayachi, president, Bhadreshwar Salt Association, confirmed the fishermen’s contention and said, “The OPG has increased its activities on the proposed site especially in August, leading to escalation in the situation. The district administration has done nothing to resolve the issue.” Earlier, the public hearing conducted by the Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB) for environment clearance of the proposed project on May 29 had witnessed strong opposition by the affected community. Earlier, Ayachi had told Newsline, ”Nearly 4,000 acres of salt pans in the area within 10 km radius of the proposed power plant, affecting at least 1,500 families, will become unsuitable for pursuing our traditional livelihood.”

J D Kalyani, Regional Officer, Kutch, GPCB, said, “The proposed plant has not yet received the environment clearance.” Asked about the allegations that the company has started work at the proposed site, Kalyani said, “The situation is so tense there that I can’t send my men to verify the claims. They too may end up being beaten up.”

Kutch District Collector R R Varsani blamed both the parties for the tense situation. “I have no role to play in this. Though the district administration has not checked it firsthand, but I have read in the local newspapers that the company officials have started soil testing at the proposed site, which in my opinion they shouldn’t have done. Similarly, the local fishing community must not take the law into their own hands. Both the parties are responsible for precipitation in the situation,” he said.

Violent twist to the hitherto nonviolent struggle by Fisherfolk against OPG power plant

Click here Sign a Petition to urge the Government officials to stop the illegal and fraudulent activities of OPG Power Plant.

Fisherfolk in Bhadreshwar village and nearby villages have been opposing the 300 MW OPG power plant proposed in Bhadreshwar Village for several months. The local communities mainly feared the harmful impact of the power plant upon their health and livelihoods and the company’s EIA report created grave concern about loss of livelihoods of nearly 20,000 fisherfolk and salt pan workers. See Likely impact of Industries on Fishing

The public hearing for the Environment Clearance of the project held on May 29th 2009, witnessed unprecedented opposition by Fisherfolk, Salt pan workers and other members of the local communities. After the public hearing, several representations have been made to various authorities such as the GPCB, MoEF highlighting the fraudulent methods being used by OPG in order to get Environment Clearance for the project. See Public hearing for OPG Power Project in Bhadreshwar village, 29th May, 2009.

Since July, the fishing community had been put under lot of pressure due to several attempts by OPG to start construction activity even before Environmental Clearance was given for the project. On August 5th, several trucks arrived at the project site and they were gently asked by representatives of the Fishing community not to start construction as clearance had not yet been obtained. A Letter was issued to the local Panchayat to ensure that no construction is started without Environmental clearance.

However, the company made another attempt on August 9th to start construction and this time brought private security guards with them. The representatives of the fishing community got legal notices issued to the company not to start construction without clearance and to government officials not to abet the unlawful activities of the OPG group. See Community Gears up to Stop Illegal Activity by OPG Power Plant

Inspite of these efforts, no action was taken by the Government authorities to enforce law and the company, in its desperation to start construction hired and stationed 15 persons from the local community as security guards in the project site on August 22nd. This led to a clash on August 23rd between member of the fishing community and the security persons, which led to 7 people getting injured and two motorcycles being burnt. Among the persons injured were four members of the Fishing community, 2 members of Luni village, and 1 person from Bhadreshwar village.

In response to a complaint filed by the father of the injured person from Bhadreshwar village, the Mundra police have arrested 31 persons from the Fishing community.

Community Gears up to Stop Illegal Activity by OPG Power Plant

Click here Sign a Petition to urge the Government officials to stop the illegal and fraudulent activities of OPG Power Plant.

The proposed 300 MW coal based thermal power plant promoted by M/s OPG Power Gujarat Pvt Ltd. in Bhadreshwar Village, Mundra Taluka, Kutch is not in public interest and being opposed by representatives of the affected local community due to the following reasons:

1. The company has tried to hide the impacts of the project by misguiding the public and the authorities about the location of the project and falsely stating in their EIA report that there is no habitation with 5 km radius of the power plant and that the nearest village Bhadreshwar is 5 km away from the project. But, in reality, air and water pollution from the power plant is likely to

a. Detrimentally impact the health of 20,000 villagers who live within a 5 km radius of the power plant
b. Affect marine life and affect the livelihood of 6000 fisherfolk residing on Randh Bander, which has the second highest Fish production in Kutch.
c. Pollute the salt manufactured in salt pans adjacent to the power plant thereby rendering the salt unfit for consumption or sale and depriving the salt pan owners and nearly 13,000 salt workers of their livelihood
d. Affect ancient historical and religious sites in the area, i.e. the Chokhand Mahadev temple, the 1500 year old Jain Vasai temple and pilgrimage centre and the Dargah Sharif, all of which are located within a 5 km radius of the power plant.
e. The project will also negatively impact the reserve forest area and a fledgling afforestation project being carried out by the Adani group, both of which are located within a 5 km radius of the power plant.

Thus, the company claim that there is no habitation in 5 km radius of proposed power plant is totally false and an attempt to mislead the authorities. See below the map of the 5 km radius area of the power plant.

* Click on the image to see the full size image.



2. The company has violated the provisions of the EIA Notification by submitting a false and misleading EIA report. The EIA report attempts to mislead the people and the Hon’ble members of the Environment Clearance committee both as to the location of the thermal power plant as well as its true impact on the health and livelihood of the local community and the environment.

3. The project is proposed to be set up in a CRZ area which is impermissible under the provisions of the CRZ notification, without prior clearance from Ministry of Environment and Forests.

The project faced strong opposition during the public hearing held on May 29th, 2009, See Public hearing for OPG Power Project in Bhadreshwar village, 29th May, 2009.

Detailed Memoranda have been sent to the Gujarat Pollution Control Board and MoEF officials, and also Honorable Minister of Environment and Forests, Shri.Jairam Ramesh with full details of the above issues seeking rejection of Environment Clearance for the Project.

While the local community is vehemently opposing the project for the above reasons, the company officials are violating Environmental laws by attempting to start construction of the project even before the GPCB clears the project. Legal notices have already been issued to Company officials not to start construction without Environmental Clearance and to the District administration not to abet the unlawful activities of the Company.

Govt to probe alleged CRZ violation by Mundra Port

Source : The Hindu, dated August 12, 2009

Mumbai (PTI): The Centre may send a team to Mundra Port Trust in Gujarat to ascertain whether the private port developer has violated the Coastal Regulatory (CRZ) norms, Minister of State for Environment and Forest Jairam Ramesh said on Wednesday.

"The Ministry has only given in-principle nod for the development of the Mundra Port. If they (the private developer) has started the work, it is a violation of the Coastal Regulation Zone Act," he said here.

Mr. Ramesh was answering a query from an environmental NGO from Kutch at the public hearing on CRZ management notification, 2008 here. This is the first public hearing on the notification.

Mr. Ramesh said the ministry had been following two steps for approval -- in-principle and final -- but had decided to do away with the practice and from now onwards there would be only approval or rejection of a project.

After receiving several complaints about violation of CRZ Act from fisherfolks and environmental NGOs, Mr. Ramesh said during the last 18 years, the Centre had made 25 amendments but there seemed to be no people-friendly results.

To bring about pro-people amendments in the Act, a committee had been formed under noted agriculture scientist M S Swaminathan, the Minister said.

"We will take suggestions from fisherfolks and NGOs in Mumbai, Chennai, Goa and Bhuvaneshwar before taking a final decision on the proposed changes in the Act," Mr. Ramesh said.

To curb violations of CRZ as well as the Environment Act, the Centre has proposed National Environment Tribunal which is expected to be operational by December, he said.

Mr. Ramesh said his Ministry has unutilised funds of around Rs 11,000 crore, collected in form of penalty over a period of time. Of this Rs, 900 crore is from Maharashtra.

The amount under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority will be utilised as per the apex court directives, he said.

"We will be giving Rs 1,000 crore to the state governments as an initial amount for reforestation," Mr. Ramesh said.

NEAA directs Gujarat Government to secure livelihoods of Mundra Fisherfolk

Nearly 10,000 fisherfolk are at threat of being displaced by the development of Adani port and SEZ along Mundra coast. Apart from the threat of displacement, the issue of decline in fish production due to pollution caused by the port activities and the SEZ industries has cast a doubt on the future of the fishing community.

When the Water Front Development Project’s public hearing came up in Nov 2008, the fisherfolks had raised their concerns about the likely loss of livelihoods and the threat to fishing due to the project. They had also pointed out the indiscriminate destruction of mangroves in the area and questioned the genuineness of the environmental clearance process as the Adanis had been carrying out construction activities for the project for the past six months without environmental clearance.

In spite of these objections, the project was given environmental clearance by the MoEF (Ministry of Environment and Forests) in January 2009. In response, the fisherfolk launched an agitation under the banner of Machimar Adhikar Sangharsh Samiti (MASS) demanding that the state Government take measures to ensure that the livelihood of fisherfolk is protected.

The fisherfolk also approached the National Environment Appellate Authority in February 2009 in Manjalia Ahmad Ishak & Ors vs. Union of India & Ors where a prominent legal firm ELDF (Enviro Legal Defence Firm) represented the Fisherfolk and highlighted the issues.

In its judgment dated July 22, 2009, the NEAA has directed the Gujarat Government to ensure that any proposed activities of the Adanis' Water Front Development Project do not hinder safe access of fishermen to the sea through the traditional access including their use of bandars(Fishing Settlements). This is a significant order in view of the fact that the Mundra Port and SEZ Ltd., in its affidavit, claimed that there are no transient settlements or bandars in the project area. However, the NEAA refused to stay the ongoing constructions as sought by the petitioners on behalf of the fishing community. The petitioners had also raised the issue of violations by the Mundra Port and SEZ in the form of mangrove destruction, blocking of creeks and the start of construction prior to receipt of requisite permissions. In this regard, the NEAA has not given any ruling but has stated that the petitioners are at liberty to approach the concerned statutory authorities in this regard.

This Order comes as a huge relief to atleast thousand fisherfolk families and it is perhaps for the first time that the NEAA has passed such strict binding orders in its history of twelve years since it was created in 1997.
Sign a petition to save Mundra Coast and stop displacement of Mundra Fisherfolk

Sign a Petition to stop the displacement of Fisherfolk

Click here and leave us a comment with your name or email id, location to show your support for our demands.

Your support will help us to insist upon the Government and Industry to accept our demands.

Write to us at mass.kutch@gmail.com

CMZ a threat to beaches - NDTV 24 X 7 Report

Click below to see the NDTV Report, "CMZ a threat to beaches".

MASS joins the rest of the fishing community in opposing the CMZ Notification and seeks restoration of CRZ notification, 1991 in its original form.

Gujarat's Mangrove under threat - NDTV 24 X 7

See the complete story "Gujarat's Mangrove under threat" on NDTV 24 X 7, which reports on extensive environmental damage allegedly caused by the Adanis' Mundra Port and SEZ. Or Read the Transcript

Gujarat, the state which has India's longest coastline is home to one of the country's largest ports and special economic zone. One which will occupy over 60 kms of the coast.

This is the stark reality of what is happening here in Gujarat, at one of India's largest ports. Hundreds and hundreds of mangroves hacked with complete disregard and apathy in a zone that is high eco-sensitive and protected.

The strip of land was originally part of the port plan but later dropped because of mangroves. A crucial cover that protects the coast from erosion and storms.

An example of how much of the development on our coasts takes place haphazardly. Unlike in the West where port projects are based on environment studies and rights of coastal communities is respected.

Ironically, 20 years ago India came out with forward looking policy -- the Coastal Regulation Zones or CRZs.

In 1989, CRZ was introduced before UN's Climate Change Convention, but since then the CRZ policy has undergone 21 changes effectively diluting it.

So, now rural land 200 metre from the sea is no longer a no-development zone. Now, storage facilities for LNG and petrochemicals are allowed.

Then the environmental clearance authority for ports was transferred from the Ministry of Forests to the Ministry of Surface Transport and Shipping.

As a result regulator and regulated became one.

A conflict of interest ensued since the regulator and the regulated became the same. At Mundra port a top government official had warned against damage to the coast.

A 2006 report used satellite pictures to issue this warning:

The Adani Private Port at Mundra and other projects pose a threat to the neighbouring mangroves. Controversy regarding the gradual and smooth destruction of mangroves near Mundra was raised again and again. The industrial development.. has already caused serious damage and the process of degradation continues by intentional and unintentional approach of the industries," wrote H S Singh, former Chief Conservator of Forests (Research), Gujarat.

"They first blocked the creek, stopped the water from flowing in. The mangroves died and they dumped dredged sand on it. Following which, they tell the government the land is 'unsurveyed wasteland', give it to us," said Bharat Patel, Marine Environmentalist.

Allegations, the Adani group has denied in the past.

But the worst hit over 10,000 fishermen. Today with coastal belt sold to the port their livelihood is gone.

"We kill fish, we eat fish. Fish is our only source of livelihood. We want the sea and the shore. Nothing else," said Haroon Siddique, fisherman.

"The industrialists are happy. But one day the government will have to think about us. We will fight till death. We won't leave them," said Ibrahim Majalia, fisherman.

Core of that battle perhaps, already lost.

Also read:Ecological significance of the Mundra Area, Proposed Inductries on Mundra Coast , Likely Impact of proposed Industries on Traditional Fishing, Our Demands

Public hearing for OPG Power Project in Bhadreshwar village, 29th May, 2009.

The public hearing for EIA clearance for OPG’s power plant in Bhadreshwar was held on 29^th May 2009. The venue was Chokhanda Mandir, Bhadreshwar village, Mundra Taluk. The Gujarat Pollution control Board Regional Officer, J.D.Kalyani and Kutch Additional Collector Shri.Vaghela chaired the meeting. OPG project director Mr.Padmanabhan and company officials were present. Also, officals from Detox corporation, the Surat based agency that carried out the EIA were present.

A huge number of people numbering over 2000 persons from affected villages participated in a 2 km rally which ended in the venue of the public hearing. This included traditional fisherfolk, Salt pan workers, Pastoralists, farmers and other villagers from Bhadreshwar, Sangad, Wandi, Luni, Hatdi, Pavdiara and other villages, likely to be affected by the project. The venue was filled to capacity and there were more people waiting outside trying to participate in the public hearing.

Shri.J.D.Kalyani gave an outline of the environmental clearance process. The project details were presented by an official of Detox corporation. After his presentation, several locals held the mike and explained their view on the project, listing out various issues in the proposed power plant.

The issues are listed below:

1. MASS Leaders raised the issue of the fisherfolk. Randh Bhadreshwar Bander, which is situated 5 km from Bhadreshwar village and home to over 5000 fisherfolk has not been mentioned anywhere in the OPGs’ report, which is supposed to provide details of habitations in a 10 km radius. In fact, as per the latittude- logitude of the power plant provided in the EIA report, the power plant is coming up exactly on Randh Bander. Since 2004, the fisherfolk have been submitting memoranda to the district administration to recognize the Bander land as a Fish landing centre. A Gujarat Government report of 2004 recommends that the Randh Bander be developed into a modern fish landing centre. In this situation, the OPGs are planning to install a power plant and a desalination plant which will discharge pollutants in the air, highly saline water and warm water into the sea, which will affect the marine ecology. Fishing is the sole occupation of the traditional fisherfolk and deprived of it they will perish. To pacify the fisherfolk, the company officials promised to provide water to the fisherfolk from the desalination plant. But, the fisherfolk were unanimous in opposing the OPG power project and exclaimed, “We will bear lathi and bullets, but we will not let the OPGs near our land ”.

2. Villagers of Bhadreshwar dismissed the claim that the OPG power project is 5 km away from the nearest habitation. Within 5 km of the power project are the 5000 fisherfolk in Randh Bander, Bhadreshwar village with a population of over 6000 and over 5000 salt pan workers. Also, as per revenue records, the land on which the power plant is proposed, has not yet been procured by the OPGs. Local villagers asked, “When the land is not yours, how can you seek permission to build something on it?”. The company officials had no reply to these questions.

3. There are nearly 5000 acres of salt pans in the area around the proposed power plant. The salt pans produce over 5000 tonnes of salt every month valued at over 15 crores. Already, the salt pans are facing difficulties due to pollutants that emerge from industries, 10 kms away, that burn around 400 tonnes of coal per month. Now with a power plant hardly 2 kms away, that burns around 90,000 tonnes of coal per month, the salt pans will be seriously affected and the salt produced will be unsuitable for consumption and the salt pans will be forced to close down. Bikha Bhai, speaking on behalf of the salt pan association stated, “We have been pursuing our traditional livelihoods for decades. Now this project is threatening to snatch our livelihoods from us. We are against this project and our fight will not stop with this public hearing. If the project is cleared at the state level, we will go to the central government. If it cleared there, we will go to the courts. If it is still cleared, 10,000 of us, including salt workers and fisherfolk in this area will lay down our lives before this project is implemented”.

4. Traditional pastoralists also opposed the project on the grounds that the project will adversely affect them and their livelihoods.

5. The Sarpanch of Bhadreshwar viillage, Shri.Umar bhai took a strong stand against the project, on behalf of all the communities in Bhadreshwar Village. He said that companies like OPG state that they will take precautions, but in our experience, nothing is done in reality to protect the local environment. He quoted the example of the Adanis who had given several promises but nothing was implemented. He stated that this is not a question of Hindu-Muslims, the entire village is with the fisherfolk and united in opposing the OPG project.
6. As a sign of their Gandhian protest against the OPG power project, none, not even one of the 2000 people touched the food, not even water that was kept next to the venue, in a OPG food stall which looked deserted.
7. Soni Ben from lok Adhikar Manch said that widows in the area had been long demanding for 5 acres of land each, from the collector. But the collector refuses to even meet them But, when industries ask for land, the collector eagerly agrees to their demands. She said that the project will be of no use to the village and hence she is against the project.
8. Smt. Usha Ben Thakkar, ex-MP, Kutch, who had served on the Fisheries board condemned the plan to build the power plant in Bhadreshwar, stating that fisheries will be badly affected. Other leaders like Shri.Haresh Thakker, Dalit leader Shri.Valji Bhai opposed the plan to construct the power plant in Bhadreshwar and suggested that the p[ower plant be constructed in Little Rann of Kutch or other barren lands which were available in plenty in Kutch.
9. Panchayats of eleven affected villages submitted letters opposing the OPG project.

Even though the hearing was held on a Friday, a holy day for muslims, hundreds of muslim fisherfolk turned up at the hearing to raise a voice to protect their livelihoods. At the end of the meeting, the people from Bhadreshwar and neighbouring villages shouted, “We will give our lives, but not our land” in a clear and unanimous message to all the authorities, the OPG company and the Government that the people are not in favour of the project and they will strongly oppose any move to implement the project.

Voice of the Mundra Fisherfolk

An Open letter to Respected Shri.Gautam Adani - Chairman and CEO of Adani Group and Respected Shri.Arvind Gupta - Managing Director and CEO, OPG Group.

Dear Gautam Bhai / Arvind Bhai,

Fishing is our sole livelihood that has sustained our community for centuries and deprieved of it, we will perish.

Adani Mundra Port,SEZ and the OPG Power Plant will do just that.

Is that what you want?

Listen to our voice: Our Demands .

Machimar Adhikar Sangharsh Samiti

Fishing in the Mundra Coast

The Kutch coastline accounts for the longest coastline of Gujarat and is home to 3500 fishing families. Mundra in the southern region of Kutch is the smallest block with a coastline of 72 kms stretching across 10 coastal settlements, home to nearly 10,000 fisherfolk.












The fishing community comprises of Muslims. Waghers as they are locally known is derived from “Wah! Gher” in Kutchi i.e. an expression of applauding the skilful laying of net to trap fish which is believed to be a skill mastered by the community people. The lives of the people are intricately linked with the sea and the beach and the people are self sufficient and independent.













The Banders are at a distance of 7-80 kms from main villages. Families from 3-4 villages might settle on a Bander. This practice has been in vogue for centuries. But the fisherfolks’ rights over this land are yet to be established. Says Ibrahim Kaka,
“We have been fishing on these coasts for 200 years. There is plenty of evidence to prove that we have been fishing on these coasts for so many years. But, our land is yet to be regularized.” People live in shelters made of gunny bags and other easily available material such as plastic sheets. This is the only protection against weather conditions that are quite harsh. Heavy winds, high temperature upto 45’ C and low temperature upto 5’C. The entire family shifts to the bandar for 8-9 months in a year. All the family members are involved in one way or the other in the fishing occupation. In-spite of the adverse conditions, they manage to survive, and earn their livelihood, which in itself is a testimony to the strength and endurance of the people.


Livelihood




Pagadia Fishing
The Pagadia fishworkers stay in thevillages and enter into the sea on foot to lay net and catch fish














Fishing by Motorised Boats
The boat owners use their wooden or fibre boats to enter deep into the sea using oil engines and lay the net
manually. The boat fish workers stay at settlements close to coasts for eight-nine months every year and come to live in the villages only during monsoon.














The entire family plays a major role in the fishing occupation. Women perform the only value additions done to fish here, viz., sorting and drying. Women are also involved in selling fish at local markets and in house to house retail sale of fish.










Annual Fish production by the traditional fishing in the Mundra coast is estimated to be nearly 12,000 MT valued at nearly 60.8 Crores (At current market prices). Each family should have substantial revenue, if they were able to sell directly to the market.

The Adanis and the OPGs say(in their Environment Impact Assessment Reports) that there is no significant commercial fishery in the Mundra area. This is misleading and perhaps the result of a lack of understanding of the fisheries of India. Small Scale “artisanal” fishing contributes around 40% of the marine fish production in India. Such small scale fishing may appear “non-commercial” or “subsistence” However, the reality is that such small scale fishing is a full time occupation and around 75% of the employment in fishing is from the small scale sector. Also this fishing is not for “subsistence” (i.e., self consumption), but for the market. The fish caught by the small fishermen of Kutch, including the pagadiyas, go to distant internal markets (Fresh fish to Bombay, dry fish to the North East) as well as for export (Shrimp and Lobsters to Europe and Japan, dried “Bombay Duck” to Sri Lanka.

Ecological Significance of the Mundra Area

Gulf of Kutch is one of the few coastal zones in the world having rich bio-diversity. It comprises of mangroves, Coral reefs, Mudflats, Seaweeds, Commercial Fishes and several rare marine species. Click on image to see Full Size Image. The mangroves of the gulf are the second largest after the Sunderbans in the mainland of India. Gulf of Kutch is the only place left along the Indian coast after Gulf of Mannar where live corals occur. In 1982, parts of the Gulf area were declared as a Sanctuary and Marine National Park. Recently, scientists have discovered patches of live corals near Mundra coast. Thus, the Mundra coast is an ecologically sensitive zone as it supports vast areas of Mangroves, Corals and associated ecosystems.

Destruction of any of the above components of the fragile ecology will disrupt the entire ecosystem. The mangroves help the ecosystem by contributing to the oxygen Budget and in Soil Conservation. Mangroves and Corals are the nursing grounds for a variety of economically important fishes, exotic coral fishes and innumerable flora and fauna. The gulf also abounds in more than 210 species of algae. These algae in combination with corals and mangroves provide a conducive ecosystem for diverse flora and fauna.

The significance of mangroves in coastal ecosystems is undebatable. The Government of India and the Ministry of Environment and Forests recognise that mangrove forests are ecologically sensitive areas and need to be protected and conserved. Mangroves are critical to marine coastal soil conservation, breeding and nursery grounds for fish, crustaceans and other sea life, as well as vital habitat for birds and other wildlife. As per estimation, just 100 cu m of mangrove area shelters 54,600 prawns. Kutch district has been declared the most important mangrove area in the state of Gujarat.

A prominent feature of the Mundra Coast is the vast intertidal zone comprising a network of creeks, estuaries and mudflats. The intertidal zone is unique and very important because the fishermen can land their boats in these natural creeks and also keep them there safe from strong winds and currents. The fisherfolk have complete knowledge of the sea and have been living on the coasts for ages. They are familiar with the creeks of the area and the intertidal zone is important for their occupation, economic prosperity and survival of their families. The creeks also form a natural drainage system which if disturbed might lead to flooding during monsoons.

Scientists have identified vacant sites along the Kutch coast which could be used for industrial development. Along the northern coast, two lengthy stretches are available without any ecologically sensitive zones that could be used for future development of industries. Why use the ecologically sensitive Mundra Coast for Industrial Development when alternative sites are available nearby.

Proposed Industries on the Mundra Coast

Overview of Adanis' Waterfront Development Project:

The Mundra Port as of date has multipurpose terminals, container terminals, Single Point Mooring and back-up infrastructure such as open storage area, covered godowns, chemical and POL(Petroleum/Oil/Lubricant) storage tank farm, and several CFS(Container Freight Stations) operated by private parties on land leased from MPSEZL. Support infrastructure, as existing, comprises connectivity to national network of railways and roads, power supply, water supply and other utilities and services.

The proposed WFDP comprises four port clusters - namely West Port, South Port, North Port and East Port, a Liquified Natural Gas terminal, two shipyards, three desalination plants, associated intake and outfall structures, port interconnecting road/link network and other necessary infrastructure.

The proposed structures are shown on the map below(click image to see Fullsize):

Usage and Capacity

The estimated traffic in these ports is listed below:

Port	No of ships per year by 2013	Nature of cargo
West	850	Coal, Steel Scrap, Chemicals, Dry Bulk
South	220	Dry Bulk and Oil
North	150	Automobiles
East	300	Steel Scrap, Dry Bulk

The capacity of the Desalination plant near West port is 300 million litres per day. Nearly 1.5 times the capacity is discharged into the sea as saline water. Desalination plants of 100 mld, 140 mld capacities are proposed in future.

Overview of OPGs' Coal Based Power Plant Project:

1. A 300 MW coal based Thermal power plant is being proposed.The generated power is supplied to industries and not to the power grid.
2. The total land that has been procured for the power plant is 316 acres.
3. The location of the power plant is shown in Google Earth Image,

4. Indonesian Coal will be brought in through Mundra / Kandla ports located 25/50 kms away. Daily 150-200 trucks are needed to carry coal from the port to the power plant.
5. Desalination plant will be used for supply of potable water/ Dematerialized water for the boiler feed of the power plant.
6. Type of cooling system is NOT a once through cooling system. It is a sea water cooling tower designed to reduce intake of sea water. However, it is not clear whether the cooling system is a closed cycle cooling system or an open system with helping tower as the water balance diagram shows a Cooling Tower blow down of 1500 m3/hr.
7. Nearly 540 lakh litres of water will be drawn from the sea in a day and nearly 360 lakh litres of water will be discharged into the sea in a day.

8. Nearly 9,000 tonnes of Flyash will be generated every month.

9.Acidic gases such as Sulphur Oxide and Nitrous Oxide will be released by the power plant.

Likely Impact of Industries on Traditional Fishing in Mundra Coast

Likely Impact of Adanis' Port and SEZ on 10 Traditional Fishing Settlements. Directly Affected population - Nearly 10000 people.

1. Boat Fishing would be completely stopped as Fisherfolk are likely to be physically displaced from their settlement as the intertidal area is marked for development of Port Backup / SEZ in the project plan.

2. Fisherfolks' access road to the Bander is likely to be blocked due to restrictions imposed for the port/SEZ.

3. Fishing would be affected due to Desalination plants proposed near the coast.

4. Fishing in the region would be affected due to dumping of hazardous wastes from the two Shipping yards proposed.

5. Pagadiya Fishing will be completely stopped as access roads to Fishing grounds will be blocked to restrictions imposed by SEZ and intertidal zone will be filled up.

Full Details of Impact on Fishing

Other Impacts of Project

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What do the Adanis say?
There is no Significant Commercial Fishing in the Area, hence no question of displacement, relief or rehabilitation.


Likely Impact of OPG Power Plant on Traditional Fishing in Randh Bandar. Directly Affected population - Nearly 2000 people.

1. Boat Fishing would be completely stopped in Randh Bandar as Fisherfolk are likely to be physically displaced from their settlement

2. Fisherfolks' access road to the Bander is likely to be blocked by the Power Plant

3. Fishing would be affected due to construction of Desalination plants proposed near the coast.

4. Fishing in the region would be affected due to discharge of sea-water used for cooling into the sea.

5. Pagadiya Fishing will be completely stopped as access roads to Fishing grounds will be blocked to restrictions imposed by Power Plant.

6. Fly ash and toxic gases generated by the power plant will make the area uninhabitable.

There are several Saltpans in the area. THe toxic affluents of the power plant are likely to affect the saltpans.

Location of OPG Power Plant vis-a- vis Fishing Settlement(Randh Bandar)

Click on the image to see the full size image

What do the OPGs say?
There is no Fishing in the Area, hence no question of displacement, relief or rehabilitation.

Our Demands

1. The bandars represent strategic locations from which fishing can take place. They represent the area where the fishing families stay put for 9 months every year. They also represent the areas where fish is dried. Nearly 90% of the fish caught in Kutch is dried and without this space, fishing will not be sustained. The Bander land should be allotted to us and the bander should be declared as a fishing zone.
2. Protection of the 5-7 km wide inter-tidal zone that is vital for fishing. Half the fishermen who are pagadiyas are entirely dependent on this zone. The boat fishermen also become pagadiyas during the June-Aug period and also depend on the inter-tidal zone for three months in a year. 5-7 km wide and 4 km long stretch of Intertidal zone in front of each Bander should be meant for fishing only and not used for any industrial development.
3. The access road from main road to the Bander should not be blocked. Permanent access to the bandars should be ensured. Trucks to take fish from the bandars should be able to freely come and go.
4. Creeks in the Mundra Coast should not be filled or blocked as they are used by us to navigate to fishing grounds. The creeks should be kept open for fishing boats to come and go.
5. The sea routes to the fishing grounds should not be obstructed by ships anchored on the routes to the port. Port operations and shipping should be regulated in a manner that will not affect operations of boat fishermen at sea.
6. Hazardous wastes and oil should not be dumped near the coast. Strict control over marine pollution due to port activities and the effluence from the SEZ industries—establishing a system that will provide fishing communities an opportunity to participate in the monitoring.
7. Highly Saline discharge from desalination plants can be treated and used for salt extraction, but should not be disposed in the sea near the shore as it will affect fishing. No Desalination plant or shipyard should be allowed near the fishing enclaves.
8. Destruction of Mangroves near the Mundra Coast should be stopped as mangroves are crucial for our livelihood. The mangroves destroyed/degraded in the last decade must be replanted to restore the marine resources like shrimp.

Mundra Issue in the press

Centre plans law to protect fishermen Times of India, August 13, 2009

May check if CRZ norms violated at Mundra: Jairam Indian Express, August 13, 2009

Govt to probe alleged CRZ violation by Mundra Port The Hindu, August 12, 2009

SC issues notice to Adani, others on Mundra SEZ Indian Express, August 11, 2009

SC issues notice to Adani, others on Mundra SEZ Live Mint, August 10, 2009

SC notice to Adani, others on Mundra SEZ Hindu Business Line,August 10, 2009

Gujarat asked to secure Fisherfolk's livelihood Mint, July 29, 2009

National body orders state govt to ensure unhindered fishing in Mundra Indian Express, July 28, 2009

EIA clearance hearing for proposed Thermal plant witnesses strong protest Indian Express, May 30th, 2009

OPG Power Plant Opposed DNA, May 30th, 2009

Fishermen protest against Bhadreshwar power project Times of India, June 2nd, 2009

Fishermen Body threatens to boycott elections Indian Express,April 17th,2009

Port a threat to Mangrove forests in Mundra (Gujarat) Mangrove Action Project, Dec 27th, 2008

Mundra Waterfront Project at the cost of 10,000 families? Indian Express, Dec 07th, 2008

How Mundra became India's Rotterdam InfoChange News & Features, December 2008

Impacts of MPSEZL (Mundra Port and SEZ Limited) on environment and people of Gulf of Kutch Mangrove Action Project, Nov 14th, 2008

Satyagraha likely over land allotment to Mundra SEZ Thaindian News, July 10th, 2008

SC Stays construction on Adani Group's Mundra SEZ The Financial Express, July 01, 2008

Villagers veto sale of grazing land to Mundra SEZ India Environmental Portal, May 30th, 2008

Nature lovers upset as axe falls on Mangroves for SEZ Indian Express, March 22, 2008

Mundra SEZ spells displacement for fisherfolk Down to Earth, March, 2007