athirappally is definitely something which affects a lot of people, and i will definitely sign the petetion..
but, this email is to raise another point.. we all know that there is a power crisis and the need to build new plants or other sources of power.. the government has taken a good step in that direction by setting up the wind energy plants at attappaady (if i recollect correctly).. so, when we oppose the athirappilly hydel project citing environmental reasons, we cannot shy away from thinking about the power problem.. *i always have believed that opposing something without pointing out alternatives (if the problem being addressed by that something is worth addressing) would be a regressive step*.. so, i suggest that we start thinkin in parallel abt how the power problem can be solved.. let me cite an example of something very close to my homeplace.. the pathalam BSES thermal power plant is closed down (and the government pays lakhs of rupees every month for maintenance charges as laid out in the agreement that was signed for setting up of this plant, during the Nayanar government when Sharma was the vydyuthy minister) because the power is too expensive for the government to buy.. right down the street, in the same ward, there is an aluminium plant by IAC (Indal) at Alupuram which has been closed down for want of power.. this, i consider, as one among the most unfortunate virodhabhasams.. i was very surprised about this and tried to dig deep into the matter.. from what i understand, the government isnt buying power from BSES because it gets it cheaper when taken from the national gird... and the IAC cant function because the government says that it would charge an additional 2 rupees per unit if it decides to bring in power, for its use, from outside the state.. i dont know further details though.. but from what i understand. 1. thermal power is not really the way to go.. it is shortsightedness or vested interests that causes the opening up of a lot of thermal power plants during the ek nayanar government.. i still remember quarter page ads every week regarding the inauguration of thermal power plants during the last year or so of the nayanar goivernment.. 2. hydel power is the way to go.. because of the abundance of rivers in kerala, and because hydel power is very cheap too and hence, what i consider as a good way forward would be to identify sites where we can have hydel projects with minimal environmental problems.. hope that greenyouth will discuss this issue too.. deepak On 8/2/07, Ranjit Ranjit <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > in solidarity > > > -- Deepak P http://deepakp7.googlepages.com/ --~--~---------~--~----~------------~-------~--~----~ greenyouth mailinglist is the activist support mailinglist for kerala To post to this group, send email to [email protected] -~----------~----~----~----~------~----~------~--~---
