Save life in tamilnadu for tomorrow

Project Proposal - 2014

SAVE LIFE IN TAMILNADU

For

TOMORROW

Proposed By

C.Ramachandran, Founder & Managing Trustee

THE GRAHAM KIRKHAM FOUNDATION IN INDIA

No.3/1418, Thamarakki Road, Idayamelur Post,

Sivagangai Tk & Dt, Tamilnadu State, India. Pincode – 630562

Telephone/Fax: +914575-237292 Cell: +919976069263

Email: [email protected]

Introduction:

The Graham Kirkham Foundation in India, was registered under Indian

Trusts Act of 1882 with Reg. No – 85/2012, dated on 27th July 2012. Today, as a

national level development trust (NGO), it extends its services to over thousand

children, youth and women through various projects on education, healthcare, self

employment, sustainable livelihood and advocacy.

Title of the project: SAFE LIFE IN TAMILNADU FOR TOMMORROW

Area profile:

Proposed operational area: 32 Districts of Tamilnadu state, India.

Context analysis:

Life Threats caused by Methane Extraction and Radiation.

Methane Extraction Project In Cauvery Delta Districts:

Destroy of “Rice bowl” of Tamilnadu.

Coal bed Methane extraction Project in Cauvery Delta region in Tamilnadu. Another

disaster from central Government.

The Cauvery Delta Coal-bed methane extraction project is currently undertaken by

Great Eastern Energy Corporation Ltd (GEECL), a private company based in Gurgaon,

Haryana. The Project aims to extract methane gas from coal-bed using environmentally

destructive method of hydraulic fracturing in the cauvery river basin. The company

received license to explore and extract CBM from THANJAVUR, NAGAPATTINAM and

TIRUVARUR districts which are the major rice cultivating area of Tamilnadu.

The company Methane Gas Extraction: It is also called Hydraulic fracturing - or

"fracking". It involves forcing water, sand, and chemicals into super-deep wells and then

recovering the gas released during the process.

The Districts of Thanjavur, Nagapattinam, and Tiruvarur are knowm as the Granary of

South India, thanks to the fertile lands of the Cauvery Delta. If we say that these lands

are the major reason that the people of tamilnadu are blessed with food everyday, it

would not be an exaggeration. These regions are now on the verge of an extreme

ecological destruction due to the recent permit granted by the UPA Government to

Giants like Reliance to extract methane from the beds of the delta. We can switch to

alternate energy sources for our needs but can we eat money or food?

In this project comes to existence, then the entire cauvery delta will be destroyed. The

effects include

From this project, Delta region of Tamilnadu will pollute, ground water depresses,

agriculture activity comes to standstill, and People of the region will suffer from

various ill-diseases.

During the extraction process polluted water will release to ground surface, which

mix with drinking water source. As with all carbon based fossil fuels, burning coal

bed methane releases carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere and contributes

to global warming.

CBM production also involves leaks of fugitive methane into the atmosphere.

Methane is rated as having 72 times more effect on global warming than CO2.

Over 25 years, Analysis of life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions of energy

sources indicates that generating electricity from CBM, as with conventional

natural gas, has less than half the greenhouse gas effect of coal.

Land will lose its fertility and much more.

Nuclear power plants in Koodankulam:

Koodankulam nuclear power plant is a nuclear power station located in

Tirunelveli district of Tamilnadu state in southern part of India. The plant’s first reactor is

the first pressurized water reactor belonging to the light water reactor category in India

and 21st nuclear power reactor in country. Construction on the plant began on 31rst

March 2002 but faced several delays. The plant was commissioned 6 years after the

scheduled date and 12 years after the construction of the plant began. Original cost of

the 2units was Rs. 13171 crores but it was later revised to Rs.17270 crores. Russia

advanced a credit of Rs. 6416 crores to both the units.

Following expected issues caused by the nuclear power plant are threatening innocent

people in Tirunelveli District.

Radiation can penetrate deep inside the human body where they can damage

biological cells and thereby initiate a cancer. If they strike sex cells, they can

cause genetic diseases in progeny.

Other radiation problems- Transporting radiation materials to and from the plant

is highly risk. If any accident happened in any place, it would lead to prolong

radiation spread. Its impact will be unimaginable.

Reactor accidents – If any reactor accident will occur, very high radiation doses

can destroy body function and lead to death in 60 days. But such noticeable

deaths would be expected in only 2% of reactors melt down accidents. There

would be over 100 in 0.2% of melt downs.

Radioactive waste produced by nuclear power plant- The radioactive waste

products from the nuclear industry must be isolated from contact with people for

very long time periods. The bulk of the radioactivity is contained in the spent fuel,

which is quite small in volume and therefore easily handled with great care. This

"high level waste" will be converted to a rock-like form and emplaced in the

natural habitat of rocks, deep underground. The average lifetime of a rock in that

environment is one billion years. If the waste behaves like other rock, it is easily

shown that the waste generated by one nuclear power plant will eventually, over

millions of years (if there is no cure found for cancer), cause one death from 50

years of operation.

Outlet of the highly boiled water discharged by the plant would destroy the plants

and animal stocks living in the ocean. People thought that their livelihood like

fishing nearby coastal area would be eliminated within few years by the outlet of

boiled water.

Indian Neutrino Observatory in Bodi West Hills Region:

The Proposed site for Indian Neutrino Observatory is located in the Bodi West Hills Region, about 2 km from the nearest village pudukottai in pottipuram Panchayat, Theni District of Tamilnadu. The nearest major city is Madurai about 110 km away. It is also the nearest airport and a major railway station. The India-based Neutrino Observatory (INO) is an effort aimed at building a world-class underground laboratory to study fundamental issues in science. It is a mega-science project under the XII five-year plan of Government of India with an investment of about 1350 crores, jointly funded by the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE) and the Department of Science and Technology (DST).The ambitious INO proposal has already drawn the worldwide attention of both national and international scientists. Once completed it will be the largest basic sciences project in India.

The primary goal of the laboratory is the study of neutrinos from various natural and laboratory sources using an iron calorimeter (ICAL) detector. It is envisaged that such an underground facility will develop into a centre for other studies as well, in physics, biology, geology, etc., all of which will make use of the special conditions that exist deep underground. At present, nearly 26 institutions and about 100 scientists are involved in the INO collaboration with Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, being the host institution. This large collaboration is the first of its kind in the country and is expected to grow further. The impact of the INO project is very same of nuclear power plant projects.

Lessons Learnt from the previous movement activities of People: Here below kindly find pointed reasons for the failures of so called People Movements

against above said projects:

Although the Movements had very strong base at the concern District level,

large scale mass support over all Tamilnadu state has not been created (see

more) A hand full of NGOs and people leaders is enjoying sole ownership of the

movement. They are not ready to take the issues in to large scale mass

beyond the geographical limit of the above said projects.

Communal card is playing key and crucial role to divide the unity of the

people. It was powerful campaign carried forward by BJP which is now

ruling party at Central Government of India that Christian community has

ignited the issues and fueled till date. It branded the movements working

against said issues are against holistic development of the country.

Caste card is also strategically applied by the politicians. They spread

propaganda that issues in connection with atomic power plants are for the

fisher folk communities. Problems in relation with methane gas are for

farmer communities. As the results of this, general public is not paying

good attention on the issues.

Some groups are capitalizing the methane social issue, Which is a wrong,

Bad Sign !!!

Some fake movements are just opposing only GEECL Projects. But not ONGC,

GAIL and NLC Projects. This shows their true colour and face, their intention is to

capitalize money from private players, and not to genuinely save Cauvery basin!!!

Legal interventions against the above told issues were not obtained favorable

judgments from Supreme Court. (see more)

Pooulagin Nanbarkal (friends of the earth) a group of environment activists

registered a case in Supreme Court bench but it told that the court could

not intervene against the Govt. activities and its policies.

Media do not give enough attention on these issues. (see more)

Press some times wrote news articles on the radiation spread by the

atomic power plants, substandard safety measures in the plants,

accidents happening in it and evils and loss caused by the Methane

project. Many intellectuals are in favor of said projects. TV channels have

tightened their lips and eyes.

General public unaware on the radiation, mysteries behind the projects and

never mind the scientific impacts.(see more)

Majority of the population are illiterates and they are unable to understand

the scientific truths of atom, half life period of the uranium wastes

produced by the atomic plants and atom physics. Frequent and

continuous power cut in tamilnadu affected all communities walking from

various level of development. Both Central and State Govt. carried out

campaign that atomic power plant is required to meet the needs of the

power in the State. Although cost of power produced by these plants is

always greater than wind, thermal and water units, Govt. and atom

scientists gave a false justification that atomic power is very cheap and

cost effective. Innocent general public accepted this argument blindly and

irrationally.

People do not know that the atomic power plants have been shut down in many

parts of the world (in European countries, America etc.) They are unknown the

worst accidents happened in the atomic power plants in various countries.

Central Government of India and Russian Government are the great partners in

the atomic power project in koodankulam. Local Politicians and national level

corporate sector is the partner in Methane gas project. They use all powers

against the people movement and break the solidarity of the local communities.

(see more)

Many cases were filed under National Security Act on the hundreds of

innocent people and leaders of the Movement. They are in position to face

police and court activities as well as spend large money for that case.

Funds of the NGOs and volunteers involved in the movement were frozen

and their activities were severely disturbed by police and detective

agencies of the Government.

INO project is not familiar for the large mass. Impact of the project

implementation was not revealed clearly. When stones in the hill site were bored

by the giant machines, heavy stone dust was spread around the farms that

destroyed the plants. The dust brought some respiratory diseases and disorders.

Local communities took strong initiatives against the project. Protest movement

of them was darkened.

Rationale:

Collectives, people movements, volunteers, farmer associations and NGOs

working against the Methane gas project, Nuclear power plants and INO should be

brought under an umbrella organization by networking efforts. When the general public

and manpower are consolidated and claim safe life by the large mass based people

movements, the optimum attention of the State and Central Governments will be

attracted that would be pressured them to give up the projects. In addition to this mass

movement can generate great awareness on the issues and lead the general public to

review the projects on scientific truths and environmental impacts. Through the

networking, we will form adhoc pressure groups in each district and corporations. It is

because of prolong awareness is needed to mobilize innocent and illiterate mass.

These groups will move with competent authorities of the State Govt. and pressure

them to drop out the above told projects.

Like minded organizations are having less knowledge on the issues, evil impacts

of the projects and atomic physics. Misconception on the issues has already been

created by the scientists, local politicians and Main Govt. authorities. Improving their

understanding on the given subjects is needed to bring their cooperation and solidarity.

Campaign by various methods should be imparted to mobilize the large mass

into the proposed movements. To attract the mass and give awareness input in easy

means, cultural events and theatre skills should be applied according to the people

mind set. Press and media coverage can play key role in the proposed movement.

Frequent meetings with press and media can yield greater effect. If it is less, we could

not achieve desired results. It is not necessary to note you that strength of the large

mass is the main instrument to pressure both Govts.

Each and every step should be documented in order to monitor and evaluate the

implementation and performance of the collectives. It is the only tool for us for reporting

and learning lessons.

The project should be treated as urgent action because we have very short

period but we have to work fast for carry out all activities given in the proposal. Delaying

can affect the expected outcomes and impacts. We believe that Independence day of

India on August 15th is a golden opportunity for us. Movements against the said

issues on that day will attract the attention of entire nation and turn both Govts

within a day. It is ensured fact that the movement will be the great challenge to

maintain law and order in Tamilnadu State. This situation will surely pressured the

Govt. to hear the demands of the movement and take up some steps which are

anticipated by the movement and network.

We believe, these are the only activities to overcome the failures listed above and

prosperous road for achieve success.

Objectives:

Principal objectives:

Claim radiation free environment in Tamilnadu and ensure safe life for 7 crore

peoples

Safe guard the coastal environment and protect the live stock in the ocean

Protect the farmers from the Methane gas projects.

Specific Objectives:

To collect and bring the activists, movements and NGOs under an umbrella

network for a common goal

To prepare pressure groups to have better understanding on the issues

To spread the campaigns in 32 Districts against Nuclear power plant in

koodankulam, INO project in Theni District and Methane gas project in Cauvery

Delta Districts of Thanjavur, Nagapattinam & Tiruvarur.

To promote peoples’ protest overall Tamilnadu

To document the project activities and the facts of the atomic power plant, INO

and Methane gas project.

Brief of the project:

We have already made good contacts with the chief functionaries of the state

level networks. They are ready to convene urgent meetings with their dynamic and

active members of the network and partners. By this project we are going to form two

mass networks that are north and south regions. We will conduct 2 days consultation

meetings with 400 NGOS, collectives and Movements per day for a region. By this

effort, we will cover overall Tamilnadu in support of 800 collectives. Thereafter, 3

motivational Seminars for each 100 participants per day will be conducted for a total of

2 days in 2 regions. Environmental and health impacts brought by the above told

projects will be detailed by the experts. Effects of social and economical life of the

tamilnadu will be discussed. Pressure groups will be organized at District and

corporation level. It will plan the campaign activities and protest movements. In

association with network partners and members, each pressure group will take up

campaigns and cover their districts. Frequent press and media meetings will be

organized and plan the protest movements according to the situation. On August 15th,

large households throughout Tamilnadu will carry out protest movements like hoisting

black flags on the top of their houses/ wearing black badges in their shirts/wearing black

shirts/form human chain in the mass pulling locations etc.

Strategy:

Promotion of solidarity

Networking (see more)

=By the consultation meetings with likeminded NGO, collectives and people movement representatives

=Promote collective movement and NGO initiatives

=Plan and support joint ventures

Formation and strengthening the pressure groups (see more)

=Pressure groups setting among the collectives, Movements and NGOs

=Conduct motivational meetings on need basis.

=planning and preparatory meetings

Preparation towards protest movements

Preparatory efforts (see more)

=Motivational seminars

=plan the campaigns and protest movement at district level

Campaigns in Corporations, District head quarters and important cities

(see more)

=Sending SMS and emails

=Cycle rally/ procession

=Poster displaying

=Distribution of handbills

=Auto rickshaw propaganda

=Public Meetings with street theatre

Protest Movement through dynamic actions

Protest Movement in August 15 Independence day (see more)

=Hoisting black flags in the houses and mass pulling locations overall Tamilnadu

=Wearing black shirts/black badges

=Human chain

=procession

=Press & media meetings

Monitoring, Evaluation and Reporting

Documentation (see more)

=Collect and document field level reports

=Photos and short videos

=News paper and TV coverage

=Social media coverage.

Looking for following changes:

Restriction of anti-people policies of Govt.

Initiating debates in Tamilnadu assembly and Parliament of India

Initiating debates in TV channels

Stopping the establishment of remaining 5 atomic power plants in koodankulam

Staying the INO and Methane gas project

Stopping new atomic or other same projects application in Tamilnadu

Improving safe life of people living in Tamilnadu

Bring challenges against the projects which caused irreparable environmental

damages and defile the eco-system

Creation of better understanding on the environmental and health impacts of the

above noted projects

Continuous mobilization of large mass at state level against the above said

Projects

Better coordination among the collectives, volunteers, people movements and

NGOs.

Budget:

Sl.No Details of the expenditure Amount in INR

1. Consultation meetings with network members and partners 20 participants a meeting @ 10 meetings a day @ 2 days @ 2 regions @ Rs.300 per head for meals = Rs.240,000 Arrangement cost Rs.3,000 per meeting @ 10 meetings a day @ 2 days @ 2 regions =Rs.120,000 TA for the participants Rs. 250 per head@ a total of 800 participants =Rs. 200,000 Travel and accommodation for the coordinating agent =Rs.100,000

6,60,000

2 Motivational seminars 100 participants @ 3 seminars per day @ 2 days @ Rs.300 per head for meals @ 2 regions = Rs.360,000 Rs.3,000 per meeting @ 3 seminars per day @ 2 days @ 2 regions=Rs. 36,000 600 participants a region @ 2 regions @ Rs. 250 as TA = Rs.300,000 Reading Materials 600 participants @ Rs. 1000 for reading materials with file and bag =Rs.600,000 Travel and accommodation for the coordinating agent =Rs.100,000 Honorarium for the experts those who handle the sessions Rs.5000 a seminar @ 3 seminars @ 2 days @ 2 regions = Rs.60,000

14,56,000

3. Campaign activities Rs.900,000 a district for campaign activities @32 Districts of Tamilnadu = Rs.2,88,00,000

2,88,00,000

4. Coordination expenditures at District level pressure groups Rs.100,000 a district @ 32 districts = Rs.32,00,000

32,00,000

5. Token expenditures to the protest Rs.200,000 a district @ 32 districts =Rs.64,00,000

64,00,000

6. Documentation inclusive of press meet Rs.100,000 a district @ 32 districts = Rs.32,00,000

32,00,000

7. Administration and coordination expenditures of the applicant 65,00,000

Total 5,02,16,000

Total grant request is about Rs. 5,02,16,000 (Rupees five crores two

lakhs and sixteen thousands only)

We request you to kindly consider the project proposal positively and

sanction the requested grant as quick as possible.