ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE : NATURAL RESOURCES 23
(i) First was the scrapping of the silent valley project in Kerala.
(ii) Second example is Koel and Karo project in Bihar. This was also given up due to
opposition from local people. They held that it would have displaced several
thousands of Santhal tribals in the area.Four Major Projects
The four major projects which have generated much controversy are as under:
(i) Sardar Sarovar Project, Gujrat.
(ii) Narmada Sagar Project, M.P.
(iii) Bodhghat Project, M.P.
(iv) Tehri Dam Project in U.P.
Although the above projects have been given environment clearance, struggle is still on
the force of the Govt. to drop these projects. A brief description of these projects and their
possible effects are as under:
- Sardar Sarovar (SS) Project
This project is near Navagam in Bharuch district of Gujrat.
It is one of the costliest projects affecting villages in three states—M.P., Maharashtra
and Gujrat. If it is carried out, its effects would be as under:
(i) About 245 villages will be submerged, of which about 193 in M.P. alone.
(ii) Over 75,000 (nearly 50,000 in M.P. alone) people will be evicted.
(iii) Additional displacements is likely to be caused during social and environment
rehabilitation work undertaken to repair the dislocation and damages caused by
the project.
It is evident that compensatory afforestation and setting of wildlife sanctuary will
displace or affect other villagers in the area. The relevancy is evident from the fact that it
has been officially admitted that nearly 43,000 ha of land will be needed for rehabilitation
of SS oustees.
- Narmada Valley Project (NVP)
It claims to be the world’s largest river valley project. It has attracted the greatest
attention. The 30 big dams and over 3,000 medium and minor dams are envisaged at cost
of Rs. 25,000 crore. Its effects are anticipated as under:
(i) It would displace over one million people, mostly tribals.
(ii) It would submerge 56,000 ha fertile agriculture land.
(iii) Total forest areas nearly 60,000 ha. will be destroyed.
(iv) Nearly 25 species of birds will be deprived of their habitats.- Bodhghat Project
This project is on Indravati river in M.P. The project is in heavily forested Bihar
district. Its effects are anticipated as under: