Dhamra port runs into green lobby

Greenpeace camps near port site

The proposed port in Dhamra on the Orissa coast has run into rough weather, with environmentalists led by Greenpeace and the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court opposing the project.

Tata Steel and L&T had recently formed a joint venture to set up the port. Both Greenpeace and CEC are opposing the project on the ground that it will pose a threat to the Gahirmatha beach, which is the world's largest nesting ground of the endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles.

Tata Steel and L&T had proposed to invest Rs 1,500-2,000 crore in building the port, which would have a handling capacity of 25 million tonnes per annum.

The project is to be completed over two phases with the first expected to commence in December 2007. The port will be constructed on a BOT (build, operate and transfer) scheme.

Greenpeace, meanwhile, has anchored its campaign vessel Rainbow Warrior at the Paradip port. Talking to visiting newsmen, Richard Page, oceans campaigner of Greenpeace International, said the port would affect the marine bio-diversity of the state.

Oceans Campaigner of Greenpeace India, Sanjiv Gopal, said the proposed Dhamra port would affect the migratory corridor and congregation of Olive Ridley turtles.

Greenpeace India's Campaign Director Shailendra Yeshwant pointed out that apart from Gahirmatha, the heronry in the nearby Bhitarkanika National Park and its crocodile habitation would also be damaged.

The campaigners said to ensure sustainable development for the state a strategy that integrated conservation and development should be devised.

Similarly, the Central Empowered Committee of the Supreme Court had recently suggested that the state government should look for an alternative site in view of the adverse impact on the Olive Ridley turtle population.

The CEC said: "The proposed Dhamra Port is to be located close to the Gahirmatha National Park. The routes that will be used by shipping will necessarily be through the turtle congregation areas offshore. Oil spills and sundry pollution will inevitably occur in the event of a large port being set up. It is therefore necessary that an alternative site is located for this port."

The site of the proposed port at Dhamra is only about 12 km from the major sea turtle nesting sites at Nasi Islands.

Discharge of ballast water, loaded in foreign countries, from giant cargo ships will adversely affect the mangroves and food base of turtles.

At present, Orissa does not have any port capable of docking large Cape size cargo vessels. However, Paradeep port, which has an annual handling capacity of 39 million mt per annum, has embarked on a plan to deepen its approach channel.

In trouble

• PORT PLANS Tata Steel and L&T have proposed to invest Rs 1,500-2,000 cr on the port project
• GREEN FLAG Environmental organisations have said the port will damage the nesting grounds on endangered Olive Ridley turtles