Monday, July 04, 2005
Sri Lanka at sea on SSCP inauguration
By Damitha Hemachandra
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
The Indian government is going ahead with the laying of the foundation stone on Saturday to build the controversial Sethusamudram Project while the Sri Lankan Government has yet not made any official protest nor has it been officially informed about India’s decission to go ahead.
Environment Minister, A.H.M.Fowzie said yesterday that the Indian government had agreed to recommence the technical sessions on SSCP but said that it had not informed the Sri Lankan government about plans to commence the project on Saturday nor was he aware of the Sri Lankan government lodging any protest against the project with the Indian government.
A Media Communiqué issued by the Indian government stated that the state owned Dredging Corporation of India would be initiating the dredging work at Point Calimere, 45 km away from Kodikarai while the recently formed Sethusamudram Corp has been designated the nodal agency for the implementation of the project.
Meanwhile Indian Shipping Minister T.R.Baalu said that a draft agreement for the signing of a MOU between the Suez Canal authorities and the Sethusamudram Corp had been accepted by both, and would be signed after receiving cabinet clearance. He had further pointed out that all environment issues were adequately addressed while approving the SSCP.
While accusing that the charges levelled against the project were baseless, Baalu said that the National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) had taken special care to ensure that the marine wealth, environment and the welfare of the fishermen in the project area were not compromised.
On the contrary, Union of Indian Fisherman Vice President, S.P. Rayappan pledged to stage protests at the inauguration venue on Saturday while Green Peace India too is planning a mass protest and legal action against loss of livelihood to fishermen and damage to environment caused by SSCP.
Dredging of the two channels across the Adam’s Bridge and the shallow of Palk Bank is believed to increase the water flow from Bay of Bengal to the Gulf of Mannar disturbing the inland water balance as well as the eco systems in the Gulf of Mannar.
Environmentalists also warn of severe environment impacts like disturbance to marine life, eco system destruction, increased ocean traffic, coastal erosion and possible climate changes.
Wednesday, June 29, 2005
The Indian government is going ahead with the laying of the foundation stone on Saturday to build the controversial Sethusamudram Project while the Sri Lankan Government has yet not made any official protest nor has it been officially informed about India’s decission to go ahead.
Environment Minister, A.H.M.Fowzie said yesterday that the Indian government had agreed to recommence the technical sessions on SSCP but said that it had not informed the Sri Lankan government about plans to commence the project on Saturday nor was he aware of the Sri Lankan government lodging any protest against the project with the Indian government.
A Media Communiqué issued by the Indian government stated that the state owned Dredging Corporation of India would be initiating the dredging work at Point Calimere, 45 km away from Kodikarai while the recently formed Sethusamudram Corp has been designated the nodal agency for the implementation of the project.
Meanwhile Indian Shipping Minister T.R.Baalu said that a draft agreement for the signing of a MOU between the Suez Canal authorities and the Sethusamudram Corp had been accepted by both, and would be signed after receiving cabinet clearance. He had further pointed out that all environment issues were adequately addressed while approving the SSCP.
While accusing that the charges levelled against the project were baseless, Baalu said that the National Environment Engineering Research Institute (NEERI) had taken special care to ensure that the marine wealth, environment and the welfare of the fishermen in the project area were not compromised.
On the contrary, Union of Indian Fisherman Vice President, S.P. Rayappan pledged to stage protests at the inauguration venue on Saturday while Green Peace India too is planning a mass protest and legal action against loss of livelihood to fishermen and damage to environment caused by SSCP.
Dredging of the two channels across the Adam’s Bridge and the shallow of Palk Bank is believed to increase the water flow from Bay of Bengal to the Gulf of Mannar disturbing the inland water balance as well as the eco systems in the Gulf of Mannar.
Environmentalists also warn of severe environment impacts like disturbance to marine life, eco system destruction, increased ocean traffic, coastal erosion and possible climate changes.
