November 22, 2008

Environmentalist to oppose water supply to TATA Steel plant in Bastar

BS reported that environment activists are gearing up to protest against the Chattisgarh government's move to supply water from Indrawati River for constructing the plant and meeting the demand of water at the initial stage of TATA Steel’s proposed steel plant in Bastar region.

Mr Sharad Verma president of Bastar Society for Conservation of Nature said that "Any move to give water from Indrawati to the proposed TATA steel plant will be strongly opposed." He added that the society is collecting all details before drawing up a strategy.

Mr Verma said that “Indrawati is considered the lifeline of Bastar as it is a holy river for tribals. The river originates from Rampur Ghumal village in Orissa's Kalahandi district. But a major part of the river flows in Chhattisgarh. About 43% of the tribals in the interior parts of Bastar depend on Indrawati for their livelihood as the river is a major source of irrigation, fisheries and drinking water. The existence of the river is itself at stake as its course is returning to Orissa and merging with Jora nullah instead of entering the Bastar region."

He said that "Water level recedes fast after the monsoon and at many places, Indrawati gets dry as the natural flow diverts into Jora nullah near the state border and returns to Orissa. If TATA draws water, it would set a new precedent as the National Mineral Development Corporation would also demand water from Indrawati for its proposed sponge iron unit coming up in the area."

Mr Manoj Varu deputy secretary at department of water resources said that the TATA plant would get water from Indrawati for 3 years. It would be requiring 4 million cubic meters of water a year.

Meanwhile, Mr Krishna Nandan TATA's project in charge in Bastar, said that "Water from Indrawati would be used only as a stop gap as the company would get water from Sabri for routine use."