"Report on the Visit to the SILENT VALLEY" എന്ന താളിന്റെ പതിപ്പുകൾ തമ്മിലുള്ള വ്യത്യാസം

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I visited the Silent Valley area in the Mannarghat Taluk of Palghat District, Kerala State in October, 1979 along with Shri M. K. Dalvi, Additional Inspector-General of Forests, Shri N. D. Jayal, Joint Secretary, Forestry and WildLife, Shri J. C. Varmah, President, 'Forest Research Institute and Colleges, Prof. A. Abraham, Chairman, Kerala State Committee of Science and Technology, Shri P. M. Abraham, Agricultural Production Commissioner, Kerala, Shri K. K. Nayar, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kerala, Prof. H. Y. Mohan Ram, representing the Indian National Science Academy, Dr. K. Ganapathy, Director, Kerala Forest Research Institute, and several senior officers and scientists of the State Forest, Revenue and Agriculture Departments. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) which is in charge of the Silent Valley Hydro-electric Project (SVHEP) had made the necessary arrangements for the visit and was represented in the discussions by several of its senior officers. Prior to visiting the Silent Valley area, I visited the Kerala Forest Research Institute at Peechi and had discussions with the staff of the Institute on their findings on the possible impact of SVHEP on the specific ecological features of the Silent Valley area including flora and fauna. I also held discussions with the Staff of the Government of India - SIDA Ground Water Project at Coimbatore on the ground water conditions in Palghat and Malappuram districts. My views on the various issues connected with the implementation of the Silent Valley Hydro-electric Project are summarised in this report,

I visited the Silent Valley area in the Mannarghat Taluk of Palghat District, Kerala State in October, 1979 along with Shri M. K. Dalvi, Additional Inspector-General of Forests, Shri N. D. Jayal, Joint Secretary, Forestry and WildLife, Shri J. C. Varmah, President, 'Forest Research Institute and Colleges, Prof. A. Abraham, Chairman, Kerala State Committee of Science and Technology, Shri P. M. Abraham, Agricultural Production Commissioner, Kerala, Shri K. K. Nayar, Chief Conservator of Forests, Kerala, Prof. H. Y. Mohan Ram, representing the Indian National Science Academy, Dr. K. Ganapathy, Director, Kerala Forest Research Institute, and several senior officers and scientists of the State Forest, Revenue and Agriculture Departments. The Kerala State Electricity Board (KSEB) which is in charge of the Silent Valley Hydro-electric Project (SVHEP) had made the necessary arrangements for the visit and was represented in the discussions by several of its senior officers. Prior to visiting the Silent Valley area, I visited the Kerala Forest Research Institute at Peechi and had discussions with the staff of the Institute on their findings on the possible impact of SVHEP on the specific ecological features of the Silent Valley area including flora and fauna. I also held discussions with the Staff of the Government of India - SIDA Ground Water Project at Coimbatore on the ground water conditions in Palghat and Malappuram districts. My views on the various issues connected with the implementation of the Silent Valley Hydro-electric Project are summarised in this report,

===Description of the Area===

===Description of the Area===

3) Attapadi Reserve Forests 12,000 ha.

3) Attapadi Reserve Forests 12,000 ha.

Thus, a total of about 39,000 hectares of reserve forest area is available in this region. The hydro-electric project will need about 845 hectares out of which 830 hectares will be submerged under the reservoir. I was informed that out of this 830 hectare area, 300 hectares are under grassland and the remaining 530 hectares are under forests. It has also been estimated that in the 530 hectares of forest land, the number of trees which have grown to the size of 125 cm. GBA is about 3,442.

Thus, a total of about 39,000 hectares of reserve forest area is available in this region. The hydro-electric project will need about 845 hectares out of which 830 hectares will be submerged under the reservoir. I was informed that out of this 830 hectare area, 300 hectares are under grassland and the remaining 530 hectares are under forests. It has also been estimated that in the 530 hectares of forest land, the number of trees which have grown to the size of 125 cm. GBA is about 3,442.

===2. The Socio-economic Benefits of the SVHEP Project===

===2. The Socio-economic Benefits of the SVHEP Project===

The Silent Valley hydro-electric project was conceived primarily to increase the availability of electrical power in Kerala State. The project site chosen in the Silent Valley Reserve Forest is ideal for the generation of hydel power. Unlike a thermal power station, hydel power generation does not result in atmospheric pollution. Being a clean and renewable source of energy. hydel sources of power should always be utilised to the maximum possible extent. It is hence not surprising that the original idea for a hydel project in this area was suggested as early as in 1921, although the Project was finally approved by the Planning Commission at an estimated cost of Rs. 24.88 crores on 15th February, 1973. In October, 1976, the National Committee on Environmental Planning and Coordination (NCEPC) requested that the work on this project may be suspended until an ecological impact analysis is made by a Task Force set up by it for the ecological planning of the Western Ghats. This Task Force strongly recommended that the project should preferably be abandoned. If, however, this is not possible, a series of safeguards were suggested. The Kerala Government opted for the suggestion of introducing safeguard's and proceeded with the necessary enactment. The Kerala State Legislature was of the unanimous opinion that the Project is of crucial importance to the State and a resolution was passed by the Legislature expressing anxiety on the continuing delay. An all-party delegation from Kerala met the then Prime Minister, Shri Morarji Desai, on 7-4-1978 and pressed for early clearance of the Project. The former Prime Minister in his letter dated 14th May. 1978, informed the then Chief Minister of Kerala that in view of the action by the State Government to enforce the several safeguards suggested by the NCEPC Task Force, he has no objection to the State Government going ahead with the implementation of the Project.

The Silent Valley hydro-electric project was conceived primarily to increase the availability of electrical power in Kerala State. The project site chosen in the Silent Valley Reserve Forest is ideal for the generation of hydel power. Unlike a thermal power station, hydel power generation does not result in atmospheric pollution. Being a clean and renewable source of energy. hydel sources of power should always be utilised to the maximum possible extent. It is hence not surprising that the original idea for a hydel project in this area was suggested as early as in 1921, although the Project was finally approved by the Planning Commission at an estimated cost of Rs. 24.88 crores on 15th February, 1973. In October, 1976, the National Committee on Environmental Planning and Coordination (NCEPC) requested that the work on this project may be suspended until an ecological impact analysis is made by a Task Force set up by it for the ecological planning of the Western Ghats. This Task Force strongly recommended that the project should preferably be abandoned. If, however, this is not possible, a series of safeguards were suggested. The Kerala Government opted for the suggestion of introducing safeguard's and proceeded with the necessary enactment. The Kerala State Legislature was of the unanimous opinion that the Project is of crucial importance to the State and a resolution was passed by the Legislature expressing anxiety on the continuing delay. An all-party delegation from Kerala met the then Prime Minister, Shri Morarji Desai, on 7-4-1978 and pressed for early clearance of the Project. The former Prime Minister in his letter dated 14th May. 1978, informed the then Chief Minister of Kerala that in view of the action by the State Government to enforce the several safeguards suggested by the NCEPC Task Force, he has no objection to the State Government going ahead with the implementation of the Project.

===3. Safeguards Proposed by the State Government for the Ecological Protection of the Area===

===3. Safeguards Proposed by the State Government for the Ecological Protection of the Area===

The Government of Kerala has enacted the Silent Valley Protected Area (Protection and Ecological Balance) Act of 1979. in pursuance of this Act, the Kerala Government has also constituted a Silent Valley Environmental Monitoring Committee, on 3rd October, 1979. The State Government officials stressed that the steps taken by Government will be adequate to ensure that the labour force numbering over 3,000 who will be employed during the construction phase of the Project lasting 6 to 7 years, do not indulge in the destruction of the non-project part of the Silent Valley Reserve Forests. For example, it was pointed out that the fuel wood needed by the families of the construction labour would be provided entirely from the trees in the area which will be submerged by the reservoir. After the construction phase is over, only 6 to 7 staff members will work in the dam site. It was also pointed out that a sum of nearly Rs. 1.5 crores has been provided for environmental monitoring work and that a considerable amount of research will be initiated on all aspects of the Silent Valley ecosystem. The officers of KSEB feel that the package of protective and punitive measures being introduced by the State Government may render the ecological fears to be unfounded. In any case they are convinced that the social benefits in terms of power generation and irrigation will more than compensate the possible harm that may result from widespread human interference in the project area.

The Government of Kerala has enacted the Silent Valley Protected Area (Protection and Ecological Balance) Act of 1979. in pursuance of this Act, the Kerala Government has also constituted a Silent Valley Environmental Monitoring Committee, on 3rd October, 1979. The State Government officials stressed that the steps taken by Government will be adequate to ensure that the labour force numbering over 3,000 who will be employed during the construction phase of the Project lasting 6 to 7 years, do not indulge in the destruction of the non-project part of the Silent Valley Reserve Forests. For example, it was pointed out that the fuel wood needed by the families of the construction labour would be provided entirely from the trees in the area which will be submerged by the reservoir. After the construction phase is over, only 6 to 7 staff members will work in the dam site. It was also pointed out that a sum of nearly Rs. 1.5 crores has been provided for environmental monitoring work and that a considerable amount of research will be initiated on all aspects of the Silent Valley ecosystem. The officers of KSEB feel that the package of protective and punitive measures being introduced by the State Government may render the ecological fears to be unfounded. In any case they are convinced that the social benefits in terms of power generation and irrigation will more than compensate the possible harm that may result from widespread human interference in the project area.

The ecological viewpoint expressed by a large number of scientists, newspapers, Friends of the Trees and enlightened organisations like the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad, is equally emphatic on the totally unwise nature of going ahead with this project. The major arguments are as follows:

The ecological viewpoint expressed by a large number of scientists, newspapers, Friends of the Trees and enlightened organisations like the Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parishad, is equally emphatic on the totally unwise nature of going ahead with this project. The major arguments are as follows:

1) Last chance for preserving an undisturbed rain forest: The Silent Valley reserve forest is perhaps the only remaining undisturbed tropical rain forest left in the Kerala State as well as in peninsular India. The flora and fauna of this area are quite unique and 23 mammalian species including three endangered species, i.e., Tiger, Lion-tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Langur, have been recorded. The Kerala Forest Research Institute has undertaken a detailed study of the possible impact of the hydro-electric project on the wild life of the area. Dr. V. S. Vijayan and Dr. M. Balakrishnan who have undertaken this study are firmly of the view that the Silent Valley Reserve forest represents the last chance for preserving for posterity a unique tropical rain forest, which is as yet relatively undisturbed.

1) Last chance for preserving an undisturbed rain forest: The Silent Valley reserve forest is perhaps the only remaining undisturbed tropical rain forest left in the Kerala State as well as in peninsular India. The flora and fauna of this area are quite unique and 23 mammalian species including three endangered species, i.e., Tiger, Lion-tailed Macaque and Nilgiri Langur, have been recorded. The Kerala Forest Research Institute has undertaken a detailed study of the possible impact of the hydro-electric project on the wild life of the area. Dr. V. S. Vijayan and Dr. M. Balakrishnan who have undertaken this study are firmly of the view that the Silent Valley Reserve forest represents the last chance for preserving for posterity a unique tropical rain forest, which is as yet relatively undisturbed.

3. Alterations in Micro-environment: Ecologists anticipate that impounding a large water surface within the forest, will lead to alterations in the micro-environment of the area. They are of the view that a Monitoring Committee of the kind set up by the State Government will not be able to arrest ecological and geological damage, since the damage which will occur with the establishment of the Project will be due to factors beyond human control. They hence feel that the natural evolutionary processes extending over a period of 50 million years which have resulted in the unique biological wealth of this tropical evergreen rain forest would be lost in case human interference on the scale proposed for implementing the Project is allowed. Possible seismic disturbances as a result of impounding of large quantities of water cannot also be ruled out. The landslides in the Nilgiris brought about by the current pattern of domestication of mountain eco-systems for human use also serve as a grim warning about the shape of events to come. Have we the right to deny to future generations the fruits of millions of years of natural evolution, just for adding about 7% additional power to Kerala's vast energy resources?

3. Alterations in Micro-environment: Ecologists anticipate that impounding a large water surface within the forest, will lead to alterations in the micro-environment of the area. They are of the view that a Monitoring Committee of the kind set up by the State Government will not be able to arrest ecological and geological damage, since the damage which will occur with the establishment of the Project will be due to factors beyond human control. They hence feel that the natural evolutionary processes extending over a period of 50 million years which have resulted in the unique biological wealth of this tropical evergreen rain forest would be lost in case human interference on the scale proposed for implementing the Project is allowed. Possible seismic disturbances as a result of impounding of large quantities of water cannot also be ruled out. The landslides in the Nilgiris brought about by the current pattern of domestication of mountain eco-systems for human use also serve as a grim warning about the shape of events to come. Have we the right to deny to future generations the fruits of millions of years of natural evolution, just for adding about 7% additional power to Kerala's vast energy resources?

4) Point - Counter point: The protagonists of the Project are, however, of the view that the mammalian species found in the Silent Valley area occur even more abundantly in a few other regions of the country. For example, they cite a study by Steven Green and Karan Minkwski which shows that the Ashambu hills have nearly 195 lion-tailed monkeys, while the Silent Valley area has only 60 of them. They feel that since à floristic survey of the entire region is yet to be undertaken, it may not be possible to say emphatically that some plant species are unique to the Silent Valley. They further ask why scientists did not take any interest in this area until the initiation of SVHEP, if the eco-system of this forest was so unique ? Thus, for every ecological point, a counter point is given by the Members of the Silent Valley - Scheme Protection Committee.

4) Point - Counter point: The protagonists of the Project are, however, of the view that the mammalian species found in the Silent Valley area occur even more abundantly in a few other regions of the country. For example, they cite a study by Steven Green and Karan Minkwski which shows that the Ashambu hills have nearly 195 lion-tailed monkeys, while the Silent Valley area has only 60 of them. They feel that since à floristic survey of the entire region is yet to be undertaken, it may not be possible to say emphatically that some plant species are unique to the Silent Valley. They further ask why scientists did not take any interest in this area until the initiation of SVHEP, if the eco-system of this forest was so unique ? Thus, for every ecological point, a counter point is given by the Members of the Silent Valley - Scheme Protection Committee.

In my view, the following steps will be advisable in order to achieve harmony between the needs of today and tomorrow and to promote the desired degree of development without the destruction of biological wealth of inestimable value.

In my view, the following steps will be advisable in order to achieve harmony between the needs of today and tomorrow and to promote the desired degree of development without the destruction of biological wealth of inestimable value.

2) The Kerala Forest Research Institute at Peechi may be developed into an international research and training centre for the study of tropical rain forest eco-systems.

2) The Kerala Forest Research Institute at Peechi may be developed into an international research and training centre for the study of tropical rain forest eco-systems.

3) A detailed ground water survey of the Palghat and Malappuram districts should be completed soon and steps should be taken to provide irrigation through the available ground and surface water resources in as much area as possible. I have discussed this with the officers of the Central Ground Water Board. The potential for irrigation through mobilising the available ground water sources seems to be very good. For implementing the irrigation project, a Palghat and Malappuram Irrigation Project Committee may be constituted immediately, jointly by the Central and State Governments. The Central Ground Water Board of the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation can undertake the task of organising the ground water survey and preparing a blueprint for irrigation in co-operation with the concerned Departments of the State Government. Since the present utilisation of draft is only 12 to 15% of annual recharge, arrangements for providing irrigation to 10,000 ha can be made speedily.

3) A detailed ground water survey of the Palghat and Malappuram districts should be completed soon and steps should be taken to provide irrigation through the available ground and surface water resources in as much area as possible. I have discussed this with the officers of the Central Ground Water Board. The potential for irrigation through mobilising the available ground water sources seems to be very good. For implementing the irrigation project, a Palghat and Malappuram Irrigation Project Committee may be constituted immediately, jointly by the Central and State Governments. The Central Ground Water Board of the Department of Agriculture and Co-operation can undertake the task of organising the ground water survey and preparing a blueprint for irrigation in co-operation with the concerned Departments of the State Government. Since the present utilisation of draft is only 12 to 15% of annual recharge, arrangements for providing irrigation to 10,000 ha can be made speedily.