Click to play videoKakrapalli: A thermal power plant, to be set up in Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh, has local people up in arms protesting, alleging that they will be deprived of their livelihood, even as two persons died in police firing.
The Environment Ministry has on Tuesday refused to lift its suspension order on East coast Energy on the proposed Srikakulam power plant.
The project, claims activists, threatens Andhra Pradesh's wet lands. Bahar Dutt traveled to Ground Zero to see for herself
The land has been listed as a wetland of international importance, a nesting site for spot billed pelicans and painted storks, two globally threatened species. And East coast Energy's planned to build a 2600 MW thermal power plant here has run into trouble.
Over 5000 men and women from surrounding villages were opposing the project, insisting the power plant has drained the wetland, thus destroying the fragile ecology and inundating their paddy fields with water.
"They have built a embankment to divert water, its now flooded my fields," said a farmer.
The livelihood of area supports workers, who extract salt from the wetland and over 1000 fishermen, now hangs in balance.
People at Kakrapalli claim they use traditional methods of catching fish but now with the setting up of power plant and wetlands drained, fish catch has declined and consequently the peoples livelihood.
EAS Sharma the main petitioner in the case has alleged many environment violations.
"This is a project where construction started without prior environment clearance given, which is a violation of the EPA and Water Act of Andhra Pradesh prior permission for taking up any construction activity," said Sharma.
East Coast Energy however has denied any foul play, insisting they haven't broken any law.
While Jairam Ramesh has issued a showcause notice to company, violent protests have already led to the death of two people.
For Jilakshmi it's about getting used to life without her husband, killed in police firing.
But the questions are being asked about how her husband died as the police claim they only used rubber bullets.
But there is a larger question of whether development needs to be so aggressive and at the cost of local people and their livelihoods.
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