AFP reported that local farmers have refused to give land for the energy companies that want to build coal based power stations on the land that she and two generations of her family have farmed for more than 50 years. Ms Rajni Ramakan Patil, farmer, said that "Even if you give us gold, we won't leave this place. This is our land."
Ms Rajni and five other families from the village of Poinad cultivate a small parcel of land on the flat and fertile plains near the coastal town of Alibag. The land, used for sowing rice crops and growing vegetables like okra and white onions, is among 8,500 acres earmarked for the construction of four giant thermal power plants.
Activists opposed to the development fear it could destroy the livelihoods of thousands of people in the area, pollute the clean air and soil and create health problems among the poor farmers and their families.
Mr Satish Londhe, who is spearheading the villagers' fight against the proposals, said that "They only know how to sow, how to manage fields, how to harvest, how to fish."
According to the International Energy Agency, more than half of the world's energy demands by 2030 will come from India and its fellow emerging economic powerhouse China. But while China was reportedly building two new power stations per week, India's energy infrastructure has struggled to keep pace with rapid growth.
Maharashtra Energy Generation Limited, TATA Power and the other companies involved in the proposed plants say the 7,700 MW produced will ease supply problems. The villagers and environmentalists supporting them accept the need for more electricity but question whether coal is the answer.
With concern about high levels of greenhouse gas emissions from the burning of fossil fuels, they want renewable energy, which currently supplies about 25% of India's electricity, to be given greater priority.
According to Greenpeace India, wind, solar and tidal power could provide up to 35% of the country's power by 2030, with less environmental damage and social consequences.
(Sourced from AFP)
