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LATEST NEWS UPDATES | Nuclear threat to Badopal wildlife -Bhaskar Mukherjee

Nuclear threat to Badopal wildlife -Bhaskar Mukherjee

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published Published on Jul 17, 2013   modified Modified on Jul 17, 2013
-The Times of India


BADOPAL (FATEHABAD): The undulating semi-arid landscape of Badopal village, about 10km from Fatehabad town, is a haven for blackbucks. About 500 blackbucks, deers, neelgai (blue bull) and other species inhabit the area, which has abundant food and other sources necessary for the survival of these animals.

However, this habitat faces an uncertain future ever since Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited (NPCIL) acquired around 185 acres of land near Badopal to set up a residential colony for its nuclear power plant at nearby Gorakhpur village. The project developers also started putting up metal fencing around the acquired land to keep it free from trespassers and animals.

Fencing of the perimeter proved to be a major threat to the blackbucks, which are an endangered species, and other animals that live in the area. Eight blackbucks have died in the last 12 days after getting entangled in the metal fencing while trying to cross the boundary as they fell prey to stray dogs.

Death of blackbucks has caused lot of consternation among local residents especially the Bishnoi community, which is known for protecting and worshipping animals. They lodged a strong protest against NPCIL and even gave an ultimatum to the Fatehabad district administration to remove the metal fencing on the land near Badopal.

Local residents and animal rights groups also moved the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to seek the removal of fencing. On Monday, the principal bench of NGT ordered a stay on further installation of the metal fencing around the proposed residential colony site.

"The area with green grass and trees is like heaven for blackbucks. They roam here freely, feeding on the vegetation. Not even a single villager has disturbed them in their natural habitat. This area is marked naturally for wildlife only. But the poor creatures are dying in quick succession after the NPCIL started putting up fence around their area to earmark the land acquired for the colony," said Remeshwar Delu, state president, Akhil Bharatiya Jeev Raksha Bishnoi Sabha (ABJRBS).

He said, "When the Bollywood actor Salman Khan was arrested for allegedly killing a blackbuck near Jodhpur, it was mainly due to the vigil of Bishnoi community, which pursued the case relentlessly. Now, it is the turn of NPCIL to be taught a lesson as because of it eight blackbucks have died recently in our area. We will not rest until police take action against NPCIL authorities as per the Wildlife Act, 1972 for being responsible for causing the deaths of blackbucks."

Bhagatgiri, priest of Radha-Krishna temple at Badopal, said, "Everyone knows that Bishnoi community worships blackbucks and deer. We worship all animals - from an ant to an elephant. Badopal area is known as the 'Bishnoi dharam ka gaon' (the village of Bishnoi community)."

Apart from the fencing, there are other reasons too for the deaths of blackbucks in Badopal, said Vinod Karwasra, district chief of People for Animals (PFA). "There were about 1,000 blackbucks and an equal number of deer and neelgai here five years ago, but now around 500 are left. Some of them died due after being attacked by stray dogs."

Vinod said the animals have no other place to relocate in the surroundings. "Where will these animals go? This is the only safe habitat for them, but now NPCIL is grabbing it," he remarked.

Remembering old days, Vinod said the area was teeming with wildlife as it had peacocks, rabbits, blackbucks and deer. "However, it has changed with the rise in population, which has shrunk the animals' habitat. Blackbucks and deer used to visit the houses of villagers without fear, but all that has changed now," he stated.

Anticipating the affect of metal fencing around the acquired land near Badopal on wildlife, the wildlife inspector of Fatehabad had written a letter to NPCIL and district administration to stop putting up metal fencing and pillars to demarcate the site. However, the project developers continued with the fencing work.

Radheysham Dharnia, district president ABJRBS, said, "A 25-member committee has been formed by us to press for suitable action against NPCIL."

Rameshwar Delu, a senior member of Haryana Janhit Congress, is leading the agitation. "Our main demand is that a census of the wildlife of this area should be conducted. We are not against the nuclear power plant, we are only protesting to save the local wildlife. They (NPCIL) can select any other land for the colony. Why they are keen to take this land only? This area should be converted into a sanctuary so that everyone can visit here to see the rare species from close."

Bowing to the pressure of local people, NPCIL has agreed to remove the mental fencing and has also requested the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, to send a team of its experts to study the area and suggest ways to protect the endangered species. Two WII scientists -- Bilal Habib and Gautam Kumar -- will visit Badopal from July 23 to 25 and prepare a report about relocation of animals and also suggest ways to protect them.

Badopal sarpanch Joginder Singh has lent his support to the protesting locals. "I am with the protesters. I also oppose NPCIL for selecting this site for its residential colony. They can select other land for this purpose."

However, the district PFA head is miffed at the locals for not lodging a protest earlier when they were given compensation for the land acquired by NPCIL in July 2012. "There was not a single dissenting voice during the public hearing on July 17, 2012, from among the locals who attended the public hearing for granting the compensation. It seems while accepting the cheques they had forgotten about the wildlife of the area," Vinod pointed out.

When contacted, NPCIL plant project manager T R Arora said, "Let the WII scientists come and visit the area. We are not against the villagers and we share their concerns about wildlife too. We will follow the directions from the higher authorities after the experts submit their report."

Land at Badopal village is being acquired for the housing colony of Haryana's first nuclear power plant at Gorakhpur village

Gorakhpur was finalised as project site by NPCIL for setting up a nuclear power plant of 2,800MW capacity

According to Haryana Power Generation Corporation Limited, the power plant will have four units of 700MW each

On July 26, 2011, the Haryana government had enforced Section 6 of the Land Acquisition Act to take land for the project

The project is likely to see an investment of Rs 12,000-14,000 crore

The project will be set up over around 1,400 acres and additional 150 acres have been acquired for residential colony at Badopal

The site for the nuclear plant was selected after a high-level land-selection committee, comprising NPCIL engineers, visited Gorakhpur, Kajalhedi and Kumaharia villages in Fatehabad district in early 2010

The site was found suitable in terms of availability of land, water and distance from populated places.


The Times of India, 17 July, 2013, http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/home/environment/flora-fauna/Nuclear-threat-to-Badopal-wildlife/articleshow/21113136.cms


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