Now farmers cite eco fears in Tata project

Even as the panel constituted by the Tamil Nadu Government to elicit public views on the Tata titanium dioxide project is yet to submit its report

Even as the panel constituted by the Tamil Nadu Government to elicit public views on the Tata titanium dioxide project is yet to submit its report, a farmers8217; association has moved the Madras High Court seeking an injunction against the company. The association has, in its plea, asked for an Environment Impact Assessment to be done before the MoU for the project is signed.

This is the first time that farmers are seeking legal redressal on the issue of environment impact. The Madras High Court has issued notice returnable in four weeks to the Tamil Nadu Government and Tata Steel. The apprehension of the Kuttam-Theri Tharisunila Vivasayigal Sangam Kuttam Sand Dunes and Dry Land Farmers8217; Association, the petitioner, is that the project would adversely affect the environment and cause extensive damage to vegetation along the stretch of seven revenue villages where the Tatas would be purchasing nearly 10,000 acres of land for the titanium dioxide project. The association has also expressed doubts that the poor farmers might lose their lands cheaply to Tata.

To substantiate its fears, the Association has cited the environment degradation caused in the mining of irudite and ilmanite in some African countries, such as Sierra Leone and Madagascar. It has pointed out that the Government is helping the Tatas acquire the land without even getting an Environment Impact Assessment done. While the panel constituted by the state Government, led by Minister K Ponmudy, toured the affected villages seeking opinion of the residents, other political parties, including allies, the Congress and the PMK, and the opposition AIADMK, simultaneously conducted their own public hearings on the issue.

Meanwhile, a report of a 8216;fact-finding team8217; of the Congress claimed that many farmers in the Sattankulam region 8220;welcomed8221; the Tata project as it would result in economic uplift of the people here. The Congress team was led by PCC president M Krishnaswamy and included some senior legislators. The Congress team8217;s report advised that more compensation be given to the farmers whose lands were being acquired, no land for the project be acquired within a km of residential areas and that sand mining not be permitted within a radius of 500 metres from water sources. Questions are being raised as to why the Government had not yet released the findings of the panel sent to assess public mood on the project, even three weeks after the public hearings.