The opposition to the Athirapilly project on the Chalakudy River has been growing since the last seven years by the Kada tribals, dalit populations living in the project impact area, the local self governments depending on the river, the farmers in the downstream areas, Thesouthasian reproduces a letter by a representative of the movement to the president of the Congress party highlighting the impact of the project.

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After the famous Save Silent Valley Movement of the eighties which led to the declaration of the pristine area in the Western Ghats as a National Park by none other than the most environmentally conscious Prime Minister India has ever had; Smt Indira Gandhi, the highly environment conscious state of Kerala is once again engaged in a struggle to save one of the most beautiful rivers in the Western Ghats, the 130 km small but heavily dammed Chalakudy River, her magnificent Waterfalls – the Athirappilly Waterfalls and rapids and her unique biodiversity rich forests from further destruction by a seventh large dam , the 163 MW Athirappilly Hydro Electric project.

The movement to save the river is also because, the drinking water and irrigation needs of more than five lakh people depending on the river downstream of the proposed dam would be severely impaired due to the new dam. As you are well aware, dams make the most significant alterations in river flow. The river flow is severely altered already due to the six dams upstream affecting the downstream canal releases to the 14,000 ha ayacut of one of the best operating Major irrigation projects in Kerala creating frequent water conflicts. Since Athirappilly project is envisaged as a Peak load station, the sharp fluctuations in river flow due to the peaking operations will further worsen the water availability to downstream populations

The 163 MW Athirappilly HEP has been admitted to be economically, socially, technically and ecologically unviable at all forums. It is also one of the least efficient power projects envisaged in Kerala which can contribute to hardly hardly 1% of the daily power demand of the state.

The ecological significance of the remaining forests of Chalakudy river basin for the Anamalais region of the Western Ghats, one of the internationally identified eco regions for long term conservation cannot be understated. The forests that face submergence and diversion due to the project are a vital ecological link connecting the surrounding Wild Life Sanctuaries and the Indira Gandhi National Park in the east. Recognised as an important Wild life movement area , reputed institutions like the Asian Nature Conservation Foundation ( ANCF), National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources ( NBFGR), French Institute of Pondicherry ( FIP), Kerala Forest Research Institute ( KFRI), etc. have already pointed out the long term conservation value of the Vazhachal Forest Division within which the project area falls for elephants, fishes and biodiversity. The project area is the home of all the four species of Hornbills in the Western Ghats, a very rare phenomenon. This river basin is also the only home to the primitive hunter gatherer negrito Kada tribe just 1500 left on earth, who have been constantly displaced for the dams upstream. Around 300 are under the threat of displacement for the proposed project.

Several experts have pointed out that Chalakudy River being one of the better studied rivers in India and with more than two third area of the catchment under Forest Department (though in a highly fragmented state due to dams and plantations), chances of participatory restoration of the river are higher compared to other rivers.

Considering the uniqueness of the river basin and considering the increasing global level policy significance to maintain the environmental flows of rivers, we have been constantly appealing to the Government to take steps to revive this river basin as a sample case for India rather than aiding its further destruction. For the last five years, we have been working among communities in the Chalakudy river basin for the evolution of a participatory and decentralized river restoration plan which is a unique venture even to India. Unfortunately, the dam project would destroy any chances of river restoration efforts.

The opposition to the project has been growing since the last seven years by the Kada tribals, dalit populations living in the project impact area, the local self governments depending on the river, the farmers in the downstream areas,

environmental, hydrology, fisheries experts etc. During the course of the last 15 years, four DPRs were prepared by KSEB, some times to rectify serious flaws and at other times to include or change deliberately fabricated data. Two Environment Impact Assessments (EIAs) have been conducted for the project both inadequate and based on false and unreliable data. The project has been ridden with problems right from the conception stage itself to even the blatant violation of the EIA Notification 1994 and its amendments. Two times the High Court of Kerala had to intervene to conduct the mandatory public hearings. Inspite of the massive opposition to the project at the 2006 court ordered Public Hearing, the KSEB and the KSPCB sent a highly manipulated PH Panel Report to the MoEF and finally managed to obtain the clearance on 18^th July 2007. The issue is in the most critical phase with the decision of the Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) to start the work by March 2008.

Against all the above, We appeal to you to immediately intervene to take necessary action to withdraw the environmental clearance based on a fabricated EIA and flawed procedure to the inefficient and unviable Athirappilly HEP and instruct the State Government to take steps to restore the Chalakudy river.

In hope and trust,

Yours sincerely,

On behalf of all the member organizations of the Chalakudy River protection Forum

Sugathakumari S.P.Ravi

Patron Convener

Contact:

Chaithanya, Moozhikkakadavu, Pariyaram. P.O., Chalakudy, Pin- 680721

Ph: 09249898773 / 09249122184

Karthika, Manalattil, Ollur.P.O., Thrissur , Kerala, Pin – 680306

09847283120 / 0487-6524110

cholayar@rediffmail.com, riverprotection@gmail.com

chalakudyriver.org

From time immemorial, the majesty and beauty of Athirapilly and Vazhachal waterfalls have enchanted millions of people from all over the world. But the Government of Kerala and the State Electricity Board are blindly insisting upon their decision to implement the Athirapilli project. This Project, if it is implemented, will be the death of both the waterfalls.

The authorities have pursued their 'schemes' by fielding innumerous lies in the Project documents (revised four times), the two Environmental Impact Studies and through several other documents and submissions. Through this deceit, they went on to 'manage' permissions from the Central Forest and Environment Department (thrice) and the Central Electricity Authority (twice).

The High Court intervened twice to stall the project, and is considering it for the third time at present.

The implementation of the Project is being resisted for the following reasons:
* It will destroy 140 Hectares of environmentally strategic forest land.
* It will affect riverside forests of great genetic diversity, vital elephant paths, and rare species of fish, birds, butterflies and other endangered wild life.
* It will displace and uproot 80 families in two settlements of Kadars – the indigenous people of ancient origin. They are found only in this area and solely depend upon the surrounding forests and the river for their survival.
* Jog waterfalls in Saravati river in Karnataka was the biggest falls in South India. Once it became extinct due to the construction of a dam above it, Athirapilli has been holding that position. If Athirapilli hydel project comes into being, 80 per cent of the water flowing to the concerned dam would be diverted through tunnels and only the rest of the water will be allowed to flow down. This will kill both Athirapilli and Vazhachal falls. It will also push hundreds of families who depend upon tourism for their livelihood into unemployment.
* During summer time, in day time, the water flow would be meager for about 22 hours in a day; and during the one or two hours when the water is let out, it would be 17 times more. Even during rainy seasons, the water flow would be erratic. This will wreak havoc with the functioning of the Thumpurmuzhi Irrigation Project which is one of the oldest and most efficient irrigation projects in the state. This in turn will affect irrigation of more than 40,000 acres of land situated in more than 20 local governments in Trichur and Ernakulam districts. It will also severely affect the availability of drinking water in these areas. Moreover, it remains to be seen how such erratic water flow would affect the lives and livelihoods of people who live along the river and depend on various other vocations.

The major 'benefits' of this fatal Project are the following:
· Though the installed capacity is 163 MW, it will produce on an average 20 MW of electricity (a mere 12 % capacity). That too, during the monsoon seasons when there is an average rainfall. Even now during rainy season, we are selling more than this amount of electricity outside the state. In Edamalayar, during the summer season, though the installed capacity is 400 million units, production goes down to 60 million units.
· While the annual recurring expenses for this project (around Rs.1000-1200 crores) on account of repayment of loan, maintenance, salaries etc will work out to Rs 1500 crores, total revenue from sale of electricity will be only around Rs.500 crores! This means the project will impose an additional annual burden of Rs.1000 crores to the Electricity Board, the government, and ultimately us, the people who pay taxes and bear all the burden - financial and environmental.

What KSEB should have done
* Increase the efficiency of the existing units
* Minimize Transmission & Distribution loss that works out to 22 % during normal hours and 40% during peak hours at present
* Switch over to CFL/LED bulbs and in three years completely do away with ordinary bulbs
* Encourage energy-efficient technologies and machineries in all sectors
* Avoid wastage of electricity

If these measures are implemented in the right spirit, it would be easily possible to meet all the electricity requirements of the state up to 2015. Meanwhile, priority should be given to explore the immense potentials of non-conventional energy sources to solve our energy needs in the long run.

What you can do
* Share some time with the satyagrahis at the satyagraha venue to declare your solidarity with the struggle
* Spread the message of the struggle through your personal and professional networks
* Spread the message of electricity conservation and practice it in your lives
* Make whatever donations you can to meet the expenses to carry this struggle forward
* Write letters to the Chief Minister and other authorities to withdraw from implementation of this project