Andhra Pradesh - Srikakulam   

Location of power plant near bird resort opposed

Srikakulam: Environmentalists and bird lovers are opposing location of the 4,000-MW power plant to be set up by the East Coast Energy Private Limited at Kakarlapalle village in Santhabommali mandal in the district as it is in close proximity to a seasonal birds’ resort.

The project is in 8-10 km range from Thelineelapuram which attracts winged visitors from Russia, Germany, Cambodia, Thailand and Singapore. Forest Department officials and environmentalists fear that the thermal plant will cause dust pollution from the fly ash it generates and also noise which will disturb the birds. Besides, the Tekkali creek extending between Bhavanapadu, Meghavaram and Kakarapalli is a major feeding ground for the birds which depend on dead fish.

Noted environmentalist Pathanjali Sastry said that 120 species of birds would be in danger if the present location of the plant was approved. The Naupada and Tekkali swamps in the area were feeding grounds for the royal painted storks and other species of birds. He found fault with the APIIC for allotting land in the ecologically sensitive area. He said fly ash and toxicants generated by the plant would permanently damage fields and water bodies.

District Collector N. Srikanth, however, said an independent agency which looked into the environmentalists’ concerns had given a report that the thermal plant would have no bearing on the seasonal bird resorts.

B.B.R. Murthy, member-secretary, Biodiversity Board of Andhra Pradesh, said that all objections to the power plant location had been forwarded to the State-level inspection assessment committee. Moreover, the Bio-diversity Board had not yet given approval to the project.

East Coast Energy General Manager (project development) K.P. Reddy said that the company would use state-of-the-art technology to bring down noise pollution and radiation to zero levels. He assured the environmentalists that the company would adhere to all the guidelines.

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