September 07, 2008

Environmentalists oppose Monnet power plant in Orissa

According to local environmentalists, the proposed 1,000 MW Monnet power plant at Nisha in Orissa would have a negative impact on the ecological balance in this region.

Participating in a public consultation on environment held at Malibrahman village in Orissa, Mr Prasanna Behera secretary of nature and environment and wildlife society opposed the construction of the thermal power plant saying that the entire ecological balance in the region would be damaged. He said that “The area is environmentally sensitive because of sal plantations over 70 hectares. It is close to the elephant corridor and the Satkosia wildlife sanctuary. The sal forest has been developed by the local population.”

Mr Ranjit Pattanaik, social activist and founder of an NGO called Youth Association of Rural Reconstruction and another local activist Mr Krutarth Singh also voiced the same views.

A section of the villagers, however, have lent their support to the proposed plant with proper environmental and social safeguards and jobs to all the land losers.

The meeting was chaired by the Angul additional district magistrate Mr Bandhu Bilhore and the Pollution Control Board officials, besides Monnet authorities. About 200 people from the locality participated in the consultation held at Malibrahmani School.