Check ecological threat due to Orissa port: Greenpeace
September 23rd, 2010 - 9:25 pm ICT by IANSNew Delhi, Sep 23 (IANS) Activists of environment group, Greenpeace, Thursday accused the central government of inaction over checking the threat of ecological damage posed by a port in Orissa and sought immediate action.
Demanding action to prevent environmental damage due to the Dhamra port in Orissa, Greenpeace activists released documents to prove the alleged negligence and double standards of the United Progressive Alliance (UPA) government.
“Vedanta was rightly punished for violating the law, but are there different rules for different corporations? Why not extend the law to this joint venture (Dhamra port) between Tata Steel and L&T,” asked Ashish Fernandes, oceans campaigner with Greenpeace India.
The green group is opposed to the port due to its proximity to the Bhitarkanika and Gahirmatha protected areas in Orissa and the threat posed to the critical habitat for endangered Olive Ridley Turtles and other wildlife.
“If (environment and forests minister) Jairam Ramesh is serious about enforcing the law impartially, then he and the UPA government owe the public an explanation,” Fernandes said.
The green activist claimed that over 20 national politicians, earlier this year, wrote to Ramesh asking him to take action on this issue.
“On April 1, a report of the ministry’s regional office in Bhubaneswar re-confirmed after a site inspection that the port was in violation of the Forest Conservation Act. On May 5, the ministry gave a clean chit to Dhamra port,” said an activist, producing documents obtained through right to information applications.
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- 'Green violations by Tata Steel, L&T were overlooked' - Dec 16, 2010
- Greenpeace opposes ports near turtle nesting sites - Apr 15, 2010
- Olive Ridleys may delay mass nesting at Odisha beach - Feb 03, 2012
- Orissa bans fishing near turtle nesting sites - Nov 01, 2011
- 50,000 endangered turtles nest in Odisha's Rushikulya beach - Mar 01, 2012
- 10 held for fishing near turtle nesting site - Jan 08, 2011
- 1,654 crocodiles in Orissa park - Jan 16, 2011
- Wildlife institute to monitor Olive Ridley Turtles in Orissa - Jun 09, 2010
- Jairam Ramesh: politics of compromise or middle path? - May 12, 2011
- India junks Vedanta's mining bid on environment concerns - Aug 24, 2010
- US firm to remove oil from sunken Mongolian ship (Lead) - Oct 09, 2009
- Orissa moves SC against denial of green nod to Vedanta mining project - Apr 01, 2011
- Conservationists want tougher steps to save marine life - May 21, 2010
- Environment ministry committee to discuss mining projects report - Aug 20, 2010
Tags: campaigner, clean chit, critical habitat, ecological damage, ecological threat, environment group, environmental damage, forest conservation act, green group, greenpeace, greenpeace activists, information applications, jairam ramesh, national politicians, olive ridley turtles, orissa, progressive alliance, tata steel, vedanta, violating the law