Forward

Advocate Girish Raut, an Environment activist in Mumbai invited me for a discussion with activists from Ratnagiri district about the possible impact of the ‘Jaitapur Madban Nuclear Power Plant’. Later, I had a detailed discussion with many of these activists and witnessed how the local people as well as the groups from Mumbai opposed the project vehemently and how the government was trying to suppress the people’s struggle aggressively. The Bharatiya Paryavaran Chalval and Janahit Samiti, Madbanasked if the Jamsetji Tata Centre for Disaster Management (JTCDM) could do a ‘Social Impact Assessment’ of the project. With its commitment to social justice and environmental sustainability, the institute has always stood by vulnerable people and people in distress. Hence we decided to do a ‘Social Impact Assessment’ of the project. Two students of JTCDM, Mr Deepak Yadav and Mr Shaktisagar Dhole opted to work on this research as part of their internship.

The pilot visit to the Jaitapur Madban was an insightful experience. All along the road, were slogans against the proposed plant. There were a number of black flags hoisted in the houses in these villages and I met quite a few people and local leaders who strongly opposed the project. The land acquisition process had been initiated in the villages by the State government and land acquisition noticeswere sent to five villagesMadban, Varilvada, Nivel, Karel and Mithgawane. The villagers, however, protested against the process of land acquisition and refused to accept the cheques given as compensation.People’s protests havetaken the form of Morcha and Dharna, in the villages, the district headquarters as well as in the state capital, Mumbai. Peoples’ opposition was taking the form of a social movement.

During the course of data collection, we understood that there was a lack of transparency and that the government officers were not open to sharing information. Though it was such an important project, not much information was available either on websites or in print. In the given time period, it wasnot possible to file RTIs to collect information. Hence it was decided to focus on people’s perceptions and making it a people’s report.

This report is thus an outcome of the effort to document people’s perspectives about the impact of the ‘Jaitapur Madban Nuclear Power Project’. It must be noted that this report is based on discussions with villagers in the vicinity and provides an informative situational analysis of the social impact of the project throughpeople’s perspective.

Our sincere thanks

To Bharatiya Paryavaran Chalval and Janahit Samiti, Madban who helped conceptualize this study.

To the respondents, the people of Ratnagiri and Jaitapur, who shared their stories and gave us information

To the members of the Gram Panchayats, the local leaders and activists of Rantnagiri, who aided the completion of this study.

To various activists and scholars from Mumbai --Advocate Girish Raut, Mr. Adwait Pednekar, Mr. Satyajeet Chavan, Mr. Madu Mohite and many morefor their insights on environmental issues and social justice

To Mr. Shakti Sagar Dhole and Mr. Deepak Yadav, students of Jamsetji Tata Centre for Disaster Management (JTCDM) for data collection

To Mr Gavankar and his family for facilitating our stay and work in Madban

To Ms. Niti Mishra and Ms Neha Kohli’sfor editing and completing this report

To all the staff and faculty members of JTCDM and TISS for their support.

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Mahesh Kamble

Assistant Professor and officiating Chair,

Jamsetji Tata Centre for Disaster Management

Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Deonar, Mumbai 88

August 15, 2010

Location Map

(Courtesy:mapsofindia.com)

CHAPTER 1

POWER OR DISEMPOWER?

Introducing the Proposed Power Project and the People

1.1Nuclear Power

The use of nuclear power, its pros and cons have been the subject of considerable debate. Nuclear power is considered to provide clean fuel. Unlike coal based thermal power, it does not emit airborne wastes, polluting particulates such as oxides of sulphur and nitrogen and green house gases during power generation. Nuclear power plants do however generate solid waste in the form of spent fuel and some process chemicals, steam and heated cooling water. But the solid waste produced by it is relatively small in mass and volume as compared to the electricity produced. A nuclear power plant also requires relatively less amount of fuel as compared to a coal-fired power plant which requires millions of tons of fuel each year ( 13/04/2010; Ramey J, 1973).

However, there is a lobby of scientists and activists who reject this claim, believing that under the garb of confidentiality,many truths are hidden. They believe that information about nuclear energy, its impact and costing is not transparent. They are concerned about the long term impacts of radiation on health and on possible damage due to minor leakages or massive accidents. These beliefs are strengthened by the experiences of Hiroshima- Nagasaki, Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, Jadugoda and Pokhran. Environmentalists are also concerned about the disposal of radioactive waste that is generated by the mining, processing and use of nuclear fuel. To summarise, the aspects of nuclear power plants which are of prime concern are: the thermal effects resulting from the discharge of the power plant’s cooling water into a nearby lake, river or estuary; the controlled release of low level radioactive effluents; the potential release of radioactivity as a result of a catastrophic reactor accident; and the necessary storage of high level radioactive wastes. Currently, there are no universally acceptable methods for the storage and disposal of these wastes and there is concern that buried wastes might leak into groundwater and eventually make it into surface waters or into drinking water supplies. ( 13/04/2010; Ramey J, 1973)Thus use of Nuclear Power has been controversial for a long time.

1.2 Nuclear Power in India

The website of the Nuclear Power Company of India chalks out the trajectory of the nuclear energy sector in India.The Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd (NPCIL) was established in 1956 under the administrative control of the Department of Atomic Energy with the objective to design, construct, operate and maintain nuclear powers stations for the generation of electricity. The first nuclear power station, Tarapur Atomic Power Station (Maharashtra) wasestablished in 1969. This was followed by a series of nuclear power plants being established in other parts of the country - Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat, Karnataka, etc. NPCIL currently operates many nuclear reactors in the country with a total power generation capacity of 4,120 MW. The company is planning to set up an additional 2,660 MW capacity through five more reactors. The Government of India has approved nuclear power plants in various other locations, including Jaitapur, Ratnagiri in state of Maharashtra. ( accessed on 1/4/2010).

1.3 Jaitapur Madban Nuclear Power Plant

A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between NPCIL and the Government of Maharashtra was signed on 25th September 2006 for the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Plant. India and France signed a bilateral agreement in September 2009, according to which the two countries have agreed to work together for ‘peaceful use of nuclear energy’. The NPCIL signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with a French company, AREVA for the purpose of setting up a nuclear plant at Jaitapur. The project proposes to set up six reactors of 1650 MW eachfor the plant. According to the terms of agreement, AREVA will supply two European pressurized reactors which will use uranium oxide or a mixture of uranium and plutonium as fuel. The MoU provides for the supply of two nuclear reactors, anddiscusses the setting up of six at a later date. ( accessed on 5/4/2010).The total cost of this project was estimated at over Rs. 50,000 crores. The Government of Maharashtra did a survey for the project and proposed the site of Jaitapur and surrounding villages. Two villages, Madban and Varilpada were identified for the project site, andthree others, Karel, Niveli and Mithgawane were identified for township purposes under the project.

Approximately 968 hectares of land will be acquired in five villages for constructing the nuclear power plant and the township. The rehabilitation for the Project Affected Persons (PAP) will be done according to the Maharashtra Project Affected People Rehabilitation Act 1999. The Divisional Commission, Kokan District would issue a notification under the Act to initiate the proceedings.A baseline survey of the families affected by the land acquisition process has been proposed to prepare a database of the affected families in the villages. The survey was to be conducted under the supervision of the District Collector, as per the MoU between the Government of Maharashtra and NPCIL. The website of NPCIL has sparse information about the progress of the project. It mentions that pre-project activities for which the Government has given an in-principle clearance have been initiated at the Jaitapur site and these include activities related to land acquisition ( accessed on 1/4/2010).

1.4 Social Impact Assessment (SIA)

Social Impact Assessment (SIA) isa part of the formal planning and approval process of developmental projects before they are implemented. It is a process of analyzing, monitoring and managing the social consequences of policies, programmes and projects ( on 1/04/2010).

"….(SIA) includes the processes of analysing, monitoring and managing the intended and unintended social consequences, both positive and negative, of planned interventions (policies, programs, plans, projects) and any social change processes invoked by those interventions. Its primary purpose is to bring about a more sustainable and equitable biophysical and human environment" (International Association for Impact Assessment).it can be defined in terms of efforts to assess or estimate, in advance, the social consequences that are likely to follow specific policy actions (including programs and the adoption of new policies), and specific government actions.

It is a process that provides a framework for prioritizing, gathering,analyzing,and incorporatingsocial information and participation into the design and delivery of developmental interventions. It ensures that development interventions take into account key relevant social issuesand incorporate a participation strategy for involving a wide range of stakeholders. SIA theory accepts that social, economic and biophysical impacts are interconnected and that change in any one of these domains will lead to changes in the others. It is for this reason that SIA also has clear linkages to Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and other forms of impact assessment. It originated as a socio-economic component of EIA, and has since expanded and developed considerably. Typical applications of SIA include considering the likely impact of new industrial activities, construction, land use or resource management practices and so on. SIA often forms part of a broader social analysis or assessment, and can play an important role in understanding the interactions between projects and environmental hazards that are crucial in ensuring the sustainability of development gains.

SIA uses a collection of tools and approaches. A wide range of social science methods can be used in carrying out SIA and a numberof data-gathering techniques are employed, depending on the purpose and context. Most of the evidence is collected via primary data from the affected area by means of survey research, informant interviews, oral histories and participatory group exercises. Secondary data also provides valuable information. This includes census data, geographical data, maps, national and local government statistics, documentation from non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and community-based organizations, local histories, newspaper reports and where available, previous social science research ( accessed on 1/04/2010).

The proposed Jaitapur nuclear power project spreads over 968 ha of land and its impact will not be limited to the project site alone butwill extend to nearby areas. The project will impact not only the physical environment but make a long term impact over peoples’ lives, their livelihoods, market and business, social networks, services, health, socio-cultural practices associated with the environment and so on. People living in the vicinity have their own understanding of the impact of the project.One can fairly assume that they are the best judges of assessing the impact of the project on them and their surroundings. People are not unaware about nuclear energy as it forms a part of school syllabus. Recently, the media includingMarathi newspapers and magazines have been writing a lot about nuclear energy and its possible impact, and they have mentioned Chernobyl and ThreeMilesIslands. People were also aware of environmental and social movements in India. People have thus formed their perceptions about nuclear power and its possible impact on the region. These perceptions have a direct impact on their reaction to such a project. Hence, it is necessary to study their perceptions. Their anxieties, fears and prejudices arereflected through such an assessment. Due importance should be accorded to people’s perceptions as they will bear the direct impact- positive or negative- of the project. Moreover, in a democracy it is the right of the people to participate in the decisions that affect their lives.They have a right to be heard.

The present report is designed as a ‘peoples’ report’. It has tried to document the impact of the project on the social life of the people living in the area of impact as the people themselves perceive it. The emphasis is more on people’s perceptions than on reports by government entities, institutions and scientists. This calls for a participatory methodology for data collection.It is very difficult to enumerate and quantify the impact on social and cultural life;hence, the adoption of qualitative methodology for data collection for this research.

CHAPTER 2

METHODOLOGY

2.1 Introduction

This chapter provides details of the tools and methods used to carry out the study. It also describes the study area, data collection tools and respondents.

2.2 Objective of the Study

The objectives of this study are

  1. To assess the existing social situation and people’s perceptions about the possible impact of the project on them.
  2. To examine the impact of the project on health, livelihood, social networks, etc. of the people living in the vicinity through the lens of the people
  3. To understand and document peoples’ feedback and reactions to the proposed project.

2.3 Study Area

Areas lying in the vicinity of Jaitapur and the Ratnagiri district in Maharashtra have been covered bythe study. These villages are about 60-65 km from Ratnagiri District headquarters. The following seven villages were covered in particular

  1. Madban
  2. Mithgavane
  3. Niveli
  4. Naate
  5. Sakhri Naate
  6. Chavanwadi and
  7. Karel

All these villages are in Ratnagiri district and have many features in common. Ratnagiriis a port city that lies along the coast of the Arabian Sea. The district is a part ofthe Konkan region, which is one of the most beautiful areas on this coast. The State government has declared it a Horticultural District and special schemes for the development of horticulture have been implemented. The total population of the district is 15.39 lakhs, majority of whom (91%) reside in rural areas. The literacy rate in the district is 62.7, according to the 1991 census of India. Average rainfall in the region is 3225mm due to the South west monsoon winds in the month of July and August. TheSahyadri Mountains border Ratnagiri on its east. The Ratnagiri district covers an area of 8249 sq km. The major component of the land is rock and soil made up ofigneous rocks. The soil type is lateritic; which is red in colour and rich in minerals. On an average, the pH of the soil is slightly acidic.( accessed on, 9/04/2010).

Agriculture is the major source of livelihood and although more than 71% of the land is fit for cultivation, less than half of it is actually cultivated. Most of the usable land is rendered useless because of the hilly terrain and influx of salt water due to the numerous creeks. Heavy rainfall results in high erosion of the land in the coastal region, but fertile alluvial valleys in the region produce abundant rice, coconuts, cashew nuts, and fruits, including the famous Alphonso mangoes. Rice is cultivated along the valley floors, while cereals are grown on the cultivable land on hill tops. Since agriculture alone cannot be the sole source of livelihood, atleast one able person from each household has migrated to Mumbai either for a job or for business. Hence for many years, Ratnagiri district was said to have a ‘Money Order Economy’.Mango Plantation is a major land use category and the Hapus variety in particular is a major export commodity. Harvesting of the fruit during the summer time involves a large number of casual labourers( accessed on, 9/04/2010). Fishing is also an important livelihood activity.

Most of the houses are made of bricks out of the local igneous rock. To face the huge rainfall the district receives, the roofs are sloped. Houses generally are singularstructures separate from each other. The villages are divided into numerous wadis, that is, clusters of houses, based on geographical locations. Koli, Bhandari and Kunabi are the most commonly found castes. Holi, Ganesh festival and festival of the Mother Goddess are commonly celebrated.

2.4 Data Collection

Examining social equity and distribution of impacts across different groups is an integral part of the SIA process. Assessment of social impact includes investigation of social characteristics like size and location of populations,ecological setting, aspects of the environment seen as resources or problems, patterns of resource use, livelihoods and income, infrastructure, education, public health, and cultural sites. As the SIA was done with the purpose of assessing people’s perceptions and reactions, participation and involvement of communities was of paramount importance. The advantage of using participatory methods is seen in terms of efficiency, effectiveness, reliance and coverage. There is general consensus on the usefulness of participatory methodology in development projects. Willing participation of the people in the development process is a pre-requisite for attaining the objectives of various development programs. Public participation is not only important for organizations in the public, private and non profit sectors, but it also has the potential to change how individuals and communities live and interact. Taking part in local decision-making or discussing future policy can have a transformative effect on how people think about themselves and their role in society (ProVention Consortium 1/04/2010; Kumar, 2002). Moreover, people have a right to participate in making decisions which impact their lives. Hence the study was conducted by using participatory methods of data collection.