Paryavaran Mitra April 2009 to March 2010 Report

Paryavaran Mitra

502, Raj Avenue, Bhaikakanagar Road, Thaltej, Ahmedabad 380059

Ph: 079-26851321, 26851801

Telefax: 079-26851321

E-mail: paryavaranmitra@yahoo.com

Website: www.paryavaranmitra.org.in

Index

Page no.

1. The four major areas of activities

(A) Environment Public Hearing .4

(Environment Clearance Process)

(B) RTI .8

(C) CDM .8

(D) Academic Inputs/ Public Awareness .10

(E) Other Activities .12

(F) Achievements .16

2. Policy level intervention .17

3. Legal Action .19

4. Advocacy

a) Media Advocacy .19

b) Legislative Advocacy .23

5. Capacity Building .24

6. Work of Enviro-Paralegals .27

7. Publications .38

8. Internal to Paryavaran Mitra

a) Changes in internal structure of PM .39

b) New initiatives .39

c) Student internship .46

Annexures

List of Annexures Page No

1. List of intervened EPHs

2. List of RTI Application

3. Suggestions/views/comments on Genetically Modified Seeds/Crops in India - discussions in the Parliamentary Standing Committee

4. Comments on BT Brinjal at Public consultation at Ahmedabad on date 19.01.2010

5. Comments on Draft Plastic (Manufacture, usage and Waste Management) Rules, 2009.

6. Comments on proposal for a National Environment Protection Authority

7. Comments on “National Hazardous Waste Management Strategy”

47

60

64

65

66

67

69

1. THE FOUR MAJOR AREAS OF ACTIVITIES

(A) Environment Public Hearing (EPH):

Objective: To create awareness regarding environmental legislation among people, networking of organization working in environmental issues and strengthens public participation in decision making process along with local self government.

Our participation in environmental hearings depends on following three conditions:

� Lack of awareness in the area where the environmental issue comes up and the environment public hearing takes place.

� Absence of NGOs or other groups active in the area, who can raise the issue, protest and pursue the case. Or,

� If the issue is too complex and serious and demands planned strategic intervention, despite the presence of active NGOs or other groups.

As part of our work on strengthening the system of EPH, different means are used i.e we send our comments on the EIA reports, personally attend the public hearings, collaborate with local organizations, and conduct meetings with residents of surrounding areas to raise their issues and to participate in the hearings.

Main issues regarding EPH,

• EIA report has not been prepared properly as per guideline of government and given TOR by Expert Appraisal Committee. Data manipulation is common in all reports. Even, many annexure are not visible on report uploaded on website.

• Procedural mistakes of different types are seen in many cases. i.e. construction is started/completed without environment clearance, EIA report prepared during monsoon season, data not collected during one season.

• Local residents are unaware about the public hearing procedure & voluntary organizations does not have right to speak in EPH. So, people do not take part effectively.

• Local voluntary organization takes it is environmental issue, not belongs to their work. Sometimes they agreed with us after long conversation.

• Venue of EPH is far from project site which is violation of basic guideline of EIA Notification.

• In many cases without presentation of project by project proponents EPH procedure starts so people who present there are not able to understand projects and their consequences

We intervened in 64 Environment Public Hearings during month of April 2009 to March 2010. Our intervention had three different aspects.

1. As a plausible stake holder, we studied Environmental Impact Assessment reports and sent written presentation (views/objections/comments) for all 64 projects-whose public hearing we attended, to Gujarat Pollution Control Board (list of which is annexed). We also sent letters to Ministry of Environment and Forest in the case of violation of MoEF guidelines and EIA Notification 2006 after public hearings of M/s.Gulbrandsen Chemicals Pvt Limited, Padra, Dist: Vadodara, Met Trade India Ltd- Anjar, Dist: Kutch, Kachchh Steel Pvt Ltd, Abdasa, Dist: Kutch, Torrent Pharmaceutical Ltd, Kadi, Dist: Mehsana

2. We approached local organizations, groups, individuals, informed them about the environmental effects of industrial projects in their respective areas and motivated them to participate in EPH. We coordinated with 22 different organizations.

3. We visited 67 affected villages and made people aware about their right to participate in decision making process (EPH). This awareness is done through field work. During this time we conducted meeting with local NGO, Sarpanchs and villagers in those villages which were going to be affected by the upcoming projects.

List of intervened Environment Public Hearings (Annexure-1)

� Important Environmental public hearings

(1) M/s. Gulbrandsen Chemicals Pvt. Limited

Ground water of Padra region is worst polluted and colored due to industrial pollution. Most of chemical industries are coming, expanding in this region. A pre-EPH meeting was done at Padra on 19.05.09 with a group of active people. During EPH of Gulbrandsen chemicals affected people conveyed their concern in writing and orally but were not replied satisfactory by project proponent or Gujarat Pollution Control Board during the public hearing. Due to this people were angry and the chairman of the EPH committee left the place along with Gujarat Pollution Control Board officer.

Even the opinion of the chairman regarding the EPH was not received. Reading of the EPH minutes has not been done and gratitude has also not been shown regarding EPH. This was the violation of the EIA Notification 2006.

2 members of Paryavaran Mitra were personally present in this EPH. Complains from local people were received by Paryavaran Mitra and on this basis we wrote a letter for cancellation of EPH of this project.

This unit has finished its construction work and started production while it is still awaiting Environmental Clearance. We have again written to Ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi on 4Th November 2009 to draw their attention and also put demand to take legal actions against this unit and to stop project activity and construction work immediately.

(2) Met Trade India Ltd

Environment Public Hearing of Met Trade India Ltd. was held on date 1.10.09 at Kutch in which we sent our written submission to Gujarat Pollution Control Board.

After EPH minutes was not uploaded on the website of GPCB. A letter was written to GPCB to draw their attention but no action was taken by GPCB. So, a letter was written to Ministry of Environment and Forest on date 12 October 2009. Also we have found some contradictory information in proceeding of Met Trade India Ltd i.e. letter of Sarpanch was not included, where letter was included there it was not fully translated, EIA notification was violated as the project had started construction work.

(3) Torrent Pharmaceutical Ltd, Indrad, Kadi

Environment Public Hearing for Torrent Pharmaceutical Ltd was held on 27.10.09 at Indrad, Kadi. We found many misleading information in EIA report of Torrent Pharmaceutical Ltd especially in land, water and environment baseline monitoring as wind rose diagram of Dahej plant was put for Kadi unit.

Also project proponent did not reply satisfactorily to our written submission (comments/opinion/suggestions).

In this regards we wrote a letter to secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi on date 4th November 2009 demanding a fact finding committee by ministry.

(4) Ambuja Cement, Junagadh

EPH of Ambuja cement was held on 5.02.2010 at Junagadh for proposed expansion of limestone mining in Kukras, Aanandpara, Betali, and Rampara villages. EPH Venue: Far from project site- The venue of EPH was 31 km away from the project site. Paryavaran Mitra wrote letters to GPCB and inspired people to protest on this issue and write letters about the distance of venue from project site. Due to these efforts 4 buses were put in all 4 affected villages to bring local people to the EPH venue.

There are many other issues with this project too which are as follows

• Compensation, Obstruct the path for other farmers

• Illegal mining- Illegal mining in total 145-78-37 (Hector) land including private agricultural land, government grazing land, lands of public societies was done by the company in Rampara village of without any stamp duty or royalty paid to Govt. For this violation, the company had paid penalty of Rs. 5 crore. (By Mines Department, 16-10-2009)

• Criminal record: FIRs- 50 FIRs are filed against this project in Junagadh.

• Also the company did violations of Environment Clearance conditions, received many notices i.e show cause notices to this project under various environmental laws and closing down water and electricity connection from Gujarat Pollution Control Board.

PADRA - KHAMBHAT Extension

Paryavaran Mitra started developing new groups in Padra and Khambhat region. Padra Region In Padra, we have developed group of 15 people and now they are working actively in this area. We were organized capacity building training programs to develop group member’s skills. Villages: Luna, Dudhwada, Munjpur, Karkhadi, gavasad, Dabhasa, Umariya, Mahuvad, Dhobikuva, Akalbara, Chokari. Main Environmental problem of the region 1. Many new industries are coming to the region 2. ECP canal - compensation, inefficiency, etc 3. Ground Water pollution 4. Industrial pollution - Air, water and soil 5. Dumping of hazardous solid waste The main areas of working are: 1. To take part in EPHs 2. Collecting information about Environment condition and industrial pollution

through RTI application 3. Informing monitoring agencies in case of pollution problems 4. Write letters to different authorities 5. Spread awareness among local people

Khambhat Region

To find out Environmental problems i.e. Air, water pollution, local development employment related problems a frequent visits to different villages of Khambhat district was done by members of Paryavaran Mitra. 22 people were identified as a future group in the region. Villages: Kalamsar, Kanakpura, Pahoriyapura, Jahangirpura, Bajipura, Paladi, Sokhada, Malasoni, Lunej, Daheda villages were visited during the field visits. In these villages main industrial units are - rice mills, GIDC, Cambaycam, J.H. Kharawala, Prizium. Main issues found in these villages are due to following reasons, 1. Expansion of old projects, 2. Upcoming projects, 3. Kalpasar and its industrial projects, 4. Government' planning to discharge polluted industrial water of Naroda, Vatva

and Khambhat into Kalpasar through drainage line. Problems due to current industrial pollution 1. Frequent gas release problems from industries causing eye and throat

irritation 2. Whole Sokhda village was once evacuated due to these gas releases by

industries. 3. Releasing effluent in open during normal days and rainy season. 4. Bring down polluted water underground by reverse bore wells. 5. Health related issues of workers working in dye industries.

(B) Right to Information Act 2005

• Total 20 Applications including follow up and new RTI Applications by members of Paryavaran Mitra.

• Meeting of Mahiti Adhikar Pagla Samiti on 20.05.09 at Paryavaran Mitra Office.

List of RTI Applications done by members of Paryavaran Mitra as Annexure-2

(C) Climate Change and Clean Development Mechanism projects

• CDM research work:

A comparative study of legal framework of CDM in India, Brazil and China was done. This gives idea of legal system for CDM projects and revenue and also role of Government in CDM in these countries. It also suggests what measures should be taken by Indian government for transparency in CDM Projects

• Comments to UNFCCC - Call for inputs on efficiency in operation of CDM and opportunities to improve it.

• Collaboration with CDM Watch-Germany in month of September 2009.

Ms Eva Filzmoser from CDM Watch visited Paryavaran Mitra. She was studying CDM projects in Gujarat, India on behalf of her organization.

16 November 2009 CDM workshop

After collaboration with CDM watch Germany a workshop on CDM was jointly organized by CDM watch and Paryavaran Mitra with other organizations. The objective for this workshop was to bring together all those who are working on CDM issue and give in puts in COP-15 which is going to be organized in Copenhagen, Denmark during 7-18 December 2009. More than 80 representatives of NGOs, activists and citizens of Armenia, Bangladesh, India and Uganda remained present in it.

• CDM paper for advocacy at Bangkok Climate Change Talk 2009

A paper was prepared on the basis of research work done in CDM India, Brazil and China, which contains involvement of Paryavaran Mitra in CDM and suggested measures at policy level for CDM projects.

• Participation in Bangkok Climate Change Talks 2009

Participated in meeting of the Ad Hoc Working Group on Further Commitments for Annex I Parties under the Kyoto Protocol (AWG-KP) the Ad Hoc Working Group on Long-term Cooperative Action under the Convention (AWG-LCA) which took place between 28 September and 9 October 2009 at Bangkok, Thailand.

At UNFCCC Paryavaran Mitra became a member of CAN-Climate Action Network. Under this network a group on CDM was formed to give direct suggestions to UNFCCC.

Also met Mr. Shyam Saran (India’s foreign secretary) twice and had talk about issues and questions related to CDM.

• Comments on CDM projects at Validation Stage to UNFCCC

1. Fuel Change to Natural Gas At Aditya Birla Insulator, Halol.

2. Fuel change to biomass briquette in boiler at Sun Pharma.

3. 9.6 MW Wind Energy Project at Jamvadi & Navagam & Kalavad, Jamnagar, Gujarat, India of Rohit Surfactants Pvt. Ltd.

4. 1.2 MW Wind Energy Project at Visvada, Porbandar, Gujarat, for Hotel Golden Emerald.

5. Wind power project at Gujarat by Powerica Limited

6. Steam optimization by installation of double extraction condensing turbine at Birla Cellulosic

7. Fuel switch from fossil fuel to Biomass in industrial process at industrial premises of Italica Floor Tiles Ltd at Morbi, Gujarat, India

8. 21 MW Wind Power Project by Indian Oil Corporation Limited in Gujarat

9. 8.45 MW bundled wind energy project in Gujarat

10. Grid connected, combined cycle power project of capacity 374.57 MW at Gujarat, India

11. Wind Power project at Gujarat Powerica Limited

12. Natural Gas Based Co-generation and Trigeneration Project at UCIL in Dahej, Gujarat

13. Waste Heat Recovery from Hot Blast Stoves of ESSAR Steel Hazira Limited

14. Installation of Top Gas Recovery Turbine at the Blast Furnace of ESSAR Steel Hazira Limited

15. 6.0 MW Small Scale Bundled Wind Energy Project in Gujarat-India by M/s Elecon Engineering Company Limited and Prayas Engineering Limited

We also sent our comments on special call for greenhouse gas emission reduction through Wind Energy Generation Technology (Bundle – I) for CDM projects.

(D) Academic inputs

Throughout year academic institutes as a part of their student curriculum invites Paryavaran Mitra for lectures. We are sharing our experiences with various issues with the students.

Invited By Academies

Sr. No

Date Organizer and venue

Subject Role/Target group

1 29.04.09 Centre for Environment Planning and Technology University

Evolution of different Environment project prepared by post graduation student

Jury

2 4.08.09 Hemchandracharya North Gujarat University, Patan.

Political Science and legal framework

M.S.W students

3 7.08.09 J.C. Kumarappa Mahavidhyalay, Bhavnagar

Environmental problems in Gujarat and solutions

M.S.W students

4 1.10.09 L.D. Engineering college, Ahmedabad

Climate Change : An Indian Perspective from NGO point of view

Engineering students

5 26.11.09 Nirma University, Ahmedabad

Expert lecture on International Issues associated with CDM projects

Chemical and Environment Engineering students

6 25.01.10 Gujarat Vidhyapith, Ahmedabad

Global Scenario and Perspective on Environment Protection and Action

MSW-II/ Resource person

7 11.01.10 12.01.10 29.01.10 02.02.10

Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI)

EIA Module PGDM-NGO/ Resource person

8 19.3.10 Eklavya Foundation Indian Constitution Secondary school children

Invited By Organizations

Sr. No

Date Organizer and venue

Subject Role

1. 28.06.09 Senior citizen Club, Saraspur, Ahmedabad

Old age people and climate change

Speaker

2. 30.06.09 Anhad Programme on occasion of Vasant-Rajab Jayanti

Speaker

3. 22.09.09 24.09.09

NEG FIRE, Pune One year fellowship program in Maharashtra using RTI as basic tool

Lecturer

4. 2.12.09 BISAG, Gandhinagar

Lecture on climate change Resource person

5. 13.12.09 DSK, Nani Devti RTI and climate change Resource person 6. 18.12.09 Eco-Sarjan Bioremediation of

polluted sites Resource person & Panel member

7. 7.01.2010 Various organizations of Kutach

Industrialization and Mundra – strategy meeting

Resource person

8. 16.01.2010 Anandi, Devgadhbaria

Meeting for developing impact assessment tool

-

9. 20.01.10 Bharuch Youth Resource Centre -Janvikas

Youth festival 2010 10. 27.01.10 Godhara Youth groups

Co organizer 11. 08.02.2010 Youth Resource

Centre –Janvikas Youth festival 2010 Youth groups

Co organizer

Tagore hall Ahmedabad

12. 12.2.10 13.2.10

Paryavaran Vikas Kendra-Rajkot and Paryavaran Mitra

marine life & environment

Secondary school of Chanch & Dataradi, Rajula

13. 14.2.10 Dalit Shakti Kendra

Climate change, RTI, & Democracy.

Youth from different parts of Gujarat / Resource person

14. 11.2.10 & 20.2.10

CEE Capacity Building Programme for ITI Principals on EMF

principals of I.T.I / Resource person

15. 19.2.10 CEE Meeting on Climate change

Resource person

16. 25.2.10 Vaibhav Analytical Services

Rights & Rules of pharmaceutical industries.

Students of M.Sc.(env)/Resource person

(E) Other activities:

Letters to various Authorities

� A letter was written to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Manmohan Singh & speaker of Loksabha Ms. Meera Kumar for the Breach of privilege in Loksabha on date 15.06.09. (There are no environmental Courts in Gujarat as per information given by Government of Gujarat but in assembly question it was said that there are environmental courts in the state.)

� A letter was written to Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Minister of State, Ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi to discuss environmental issues in 7Gujarat specially CDM and Kyoto protocol on date 15.06.09.

� Letters written to Chairman-Gujarat Pollution Control Board, State Expert Appraisal Committee - SEAC & State Environment Impact Assessment Authority-SEIAA, Gandhinagar, Secretary-Ministry of Environment and Forest- New Delhi & collector Baroda on 20th May, 2009to draw their attention on worst environmental conditions of Padra.

� Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd. was granted environmental clearance on 14.08.09. As per EC the company was obliged to post its six monthly compliance status report on the company’s website. The report has not been uploaded on the website. Moreover, such a report was not uploaded on the website of the Ministry of Environment and Forest. So a letter was written to MoEF to draw its attention towards this issue.

� Gulbrandsen Chemicals Company was releasing toxic gases in Padra which affected agriculture and vegetation on that region. In this regard a presentation against it was submitted with signature of 34 farmers on date 26.07.09. Also Paryavaran Mitra wrote to Gujarat Pollution Control Board in this regard on 3.08.09.

� In Padra ECP channel untreated effluent was released by Kiri Organics. Mr. J.P. Patel wrote a letter to District Collector Vadodara about the issue and sent a copy to Paryavaran Mitra. On the basis of it Paryavaran Mitra wrote to Industries Commissioner Gandhinagar to take appropriate action on date 27.11.09.

� Letter for Cancellation of EPH of GMDC held on 17.11.09 for violation of EIA Notification

� Letter to MoEF for delay in uploading EPH Minutes of Surat super yarn on website of Gujarat Pollution Control Board

� A letter to Gujarat Pollution Control Board- Gandhinagar for complaining about pollution due to copper company in bhuvaldi(Tal.dascroi) under survey no. 31 on 17/2/2010.

� A letter to Gujarat Pollution Control Board- Gandhinagar for complaining about pollution due to copper company in bhuvaldi(Tal.dascroi) under survey no. 31 by by bhuvaldi & zanu gram Panchayat on 22/1/2010.

� A letter to forest & environment department for cutting down trees from chandkheda highway by bhupenrabhai Bhatia on 22/1/2010.

� Letter asking details of EIA & compliance reports of industries having EC located at Padra taluka under EIA -10(2).

� A letter to secretary Ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi regarding violation of EIA notification by mayor dye chem. Ltd.

Membership in Millet Network � Millet is a food to marginalize people. Millet network was formed to bring

back millets to marginalized farmers field. Currently it is working to bring back millet crop into National Food Security Bill. Paryavaran Mitra is now member of this group. As a part of activity of this group, Paryavaran Mitra met Gujarat MPs and these MPs agreed to support Food Security Bill in parliament. Also participated in consultations at Chandigarh and Delhi.

Letters to various Authorities

� A letter to secretary Ministry of Environment and Forest, Letter for Cancellation of EPH of GMDC held on 17.11.09 for violation of EIA Notification

� Letter to MoEF for delay in uploading EPH Minutes of Surat super yarn on website of Gujarat Pollution Control Board

� A letter to Gujarat Pollution Control Board- Gandhinagar for complaining about pollution due to copper company in Bhuvaldi (Tal.Dascroi) under survey no. 31 on 17/2/2010.

� A letter to Gujarat Pollution Control Board- Gandhinagar for complaining about pollution due to copper company in Bhuvaldi (Tal.Dascroi) under survey no. 31 by Bhuvaldi & Zanu gram Panchayat on 22/1/2010.

� A letter to forest & environment department for cutting down trees from Chandkheda highway by Bhupenrabhai Bhatia on 22/1/2010.

� Letter asking details of EIA & compliance reports of industries having EC located at Padra Taluka under EIA -10(2).

� New Delhi regarding violation of EIA notification by mayor dye chem. Ltd.

Contribution in National Environment Awareness Campaign

This is the program of Ministry of Environment and Forest

Lecture on climate change & its impact was given in a seminar of climate change & its awareness as an expert which was organized by Nehru foundation- Ahmedabad

• A lecture was given in Gadhavada vibhag krushiseva mandali. Organized by satlasana on 20/2/2010. Around 200 farmers & other people were present.

• On 22/2/2010 a lecture was given at naroda organized by Samrthan trust- Ahmedabad, around 51 women participated.

• On 22/2/2010 a lecture was given at sargasan village organized by Somnatha trust- Kalol, which was with school children.

• On 27/2/2010 a lecture was given at halwad organized by Samrthan trust- Halwad & Ahmedabad, around 45 women participated.

Public Hearing on Land and livelihood: 7th February 2010

Land acquisition and land grabbing either by government or industries is the burning issue. Most of movements came together in this one platform which was heard by a neutral panel comprised by member planning commission Dr. Saida Hamid, Chairman Gandhi peace foundation Ms. Radha Bhatt, Vice chancelloer Gujrat Vidhyapith Mr. Sudarshan Iyengar, mr Sanjay Parekh well known senior supreme court advocate.

PM was involved in entire process from the beginning to make successful this public hearing.

NGO meeting with GPCB: 11th February 2010

It is the first time in the history of GPCB to call a meeting of NGOs to know environmental issues in Gujarat under chairmanship of Mahesh Pandya

(Paryavaran Mitra). PM submitted long list of suggestions to improve functions of GPCB. Chairman GPCB promised to have review meeting after 3 months.

Kevadia Visit : 20 – 21 March 2010

A visit of Kevadia Colony Rajpipla, Dist:Narmada by team of Paryavaran Mitra where Narmada Dam exists. The main purpose behind this visit was to know the problems of Narmada Dam affected people.

The main problems identified were poor compensation for land, bad quality of land furnished to land looser, poor package of R&R, compensation problems for guides, etc.

Violations and Suggestions on EIA Notification 2006 and amendment 2009

A Committee was constituted by MoEF under the Chairmanship of Shri J. M. Mauskar, Additional Secretary, to examine the comments received on the proposed draft amendments dated 19-01-2009 to EIA Notification, 2006.

After our wide experiences in EPHs, we prepared data of comparison of clauses of EIA Notification vs. its violations gave suggestions and sent it to Mauskar Committee on date 26.02.2010.

This document contained two main things,

i. Violations and suggestions on EIA Notification 2006 and 2009.

ii. Some recommendations on Environment Clearance Conditions.

We are planning to challenge it in Gujarat High Court.

Environmental status of Padra, Khambhat, Rajula and Jhagadia

Paryavaran Mitra is trying to compare Environmental status of Padra, Khambhat, Rajula and Jhagadia. For this we are collecting primary and secondary data based on field visits and environment clearance, EIA reports, information received under RTI and by other means from government departments.

Main purpose of this work is to find out environmental conditions being worsen due to pollution in these 4 regions.

(E) Achievements

Compensation to Farmers: � In Bhachau Taluka of Kutch, Power Grid Corporation of India was fixing poles

and points in farms without buying or acquiring land. Due to our efforts, District Magistrate of Bhachau-Kutch gave order on date 4.11.09 to give compensation of Rs. 1,00,000/- per pole and compensation for crop and trees to the farmers. And this compensation should be provided to each village from Bhachau to Mundra Taluka.

� Gujarat State Petronet Limited was laying pipeline in Bhachau Taluka for which proper compensation was not given. Due to Paryavaran Mitra’s intervention farmers received proper compensation. Compensation amount of Rs. 24000/- was given instead of Rs. 1200/-

� In Dabhasa village of Padra taluka Nova Dyechem Company had closed down the path of 13 farmers leading to their fields.

� A letter with signature of 13 farmers was submitted to district collector Vadodara on 22.7.09. Also Paryavaran Mitra wrote to district collector Vadodara about same on date 3.08.09. Due to this fruitful effort these 13 farmers got justice and the path was again put opened for them.

Removal of hazardous Solid waste:

� Prepared a letter on 17.08.09, for Mr. Natwarbhai Padhiyar, presenting problems of throwing hazardous solid waste on roads by Cadilac Chemicals Pvt. Ltd in Padra. Paryavaran Mitra also wrote to Gujarat Pollution Control Board and Industries Commissioner Gandhinagar for the same on date 8.09.09. a detailed report was asked by district collector Vadodara in a meeting of Local Crisis Group.

� Paryavaran Mitra wrote letters to GPCB, Department of Environment and Forest-Gandhinagar, Collector Vadodara about hazardous solid waste (HSW) dumped illegally on the roadsides and in farms in Munjpur village of Padra-Vadodara. After our intervention Gujarat Pollution Control Board removed the illegal HSW from roadsides and farms.

� EPH venue at close proximity - Earlier EPH were arranged at Taluk place far from affected villages in Padra-Vadodara. Now there is more awareness and public participation is increased in this area. Due which EPHs are arranged at project site or in nearer village.

� Announcement of EPH- Local affected people living in interior part or villages are mostly unaware about EPHs. Paryavaran Mitra constantly inspired local people to demand for proper announcement about EPHs in such villages. Now in Padra region announcement of EPH is done by auto-rickshaws and in local TV channel in affected villages before 1-2 days of EPH.

2. POLICY LEVEL INTERVENTION

Policy comments

Sr. no

Date Department Subject

1 25.05.09 Director HSM Division, Ministry of Environment and Forests, New Delhi

Comments on National Hazardous Waste Management Strategy. (Annexure-C)

2 11.07.09 Additional Director, Ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi

second meeting of expert committee for finalization of CMZ notification

3 26.08.09 Secretary, MoEF, New Delhi

Meeting at MoEF for proposed draft amendments in EIA Notification 2006

4 16.10.09 Ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi

Comments on proposal for a National Environment Protection Authority (Annexure-D)

5 11.11.09 Ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi

Comments on Draft Plastic (Manufacture, usage and Waste Management) Rules, 2009. (Annexure-E)

6 19/01/2010 Shri Jairam Ramesh, Hon’ble Minister of State, MoEF

Comments on BT Brinjal at Public consultation at Ahmedabad on date 19.01.2010 (Annexure-F)

7 24/3/2010 Parliamentary Standing Committee LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT

Suggestions/views/comments on Genetically Modified Seeds/Crops in India – discussions in the Parliamentary Standing Committee (Annexure-G)

• Participated and contributed in second meeting of expert committee for finalization of CMZ notification at Ministry of Environment and Forest, New Delhi.

• Participation in the meeting at MoEF for proposed draft amendments in EIA Notification 2006.

• Also we wrote letters on 18.10.09 to Mr. Jairam Ramesh, Environment Minister, Ministry of Environment and Forest demanding a notification on CDM.

Public consultation of BT Brinjal

MoEF organized public consultations on BT Brinjal to incorporate it in our agriculture and food. In Gujarat this consultation was organized by CEE- Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad on date 19 January 2010 at CEE. After which there was change in venue but no public notice in any newspaper was given by CEE. So, we wrote a letter on date 18 January 2010 to Shri Jairam Ramesh, Hon’ble Minister of State, MoEF and a copy to CEE for giving public notice in 2 Gujarati and 1 English newspaper and then conduct Public Consultation.

After our letter public notices were given in 19th January 2010 newspapers. Also PM participated in this public consultation and submitted comments on BT Brinjal.

We also send our suggestion to Parliamentary Standing Committee formed for GM Crops in India.

3. LEGAL ACTION

1. We gave inputs in the case against Nirma limited Bhavnagar.

2. Also helping in OPG power (Kutch) case ongoing in High Court put by fishermen of Mundra, Kutch.

4. ADVOCACY

a. Media Advocacy

Sr. No.

Date Name of Media Issue

1. 14.04.09 Gujarat Samachar Announcement of Public Hearing on Paryavaran Mitra Divya Bhaskar

2. 15.04.09 Indian Express NGO holds Public hearing for self in a bid of transparency

D.N.A NGO Opens itself to public scrutiny

Ahmedabad mirror Paryavaran Mitra is first Ngo in country to turn transparent

Economic times Voluntary organization provided an example presenting their financial records to public

3. 1.05.09 Bhoomi putra Article on Public Hearing on Paryavaran Mitra Around the Nature

4. 30.05.09 D.N.A OPG power plant opposed (EIA report was silent about 6000 fishermen in the area and impact on marine ecology)

5. 5.06.09 Times of India Detail about Drawing and Elocution competition by Paryavaran Mitra on 5 June 2009-World Environment Day

Divya Bhaskar

Gujarat Samachar

Gujarat Samachar Special courts for solving Environment related cases as per Gujarat Government while there are no such courts (finding of an RTI application)

6. 6.06.09 D.N.A Drawing and Elocution competition programme by Paryavaran Mitra on 5 June 2009-World Environment Day

D.N.A Do we have Environmental courts?

7. 9.06.09 D.N.A RTI cases pending before GIC (not sufficient number information commissioner appointed)

8. 13.06.09 Rakheval Public hearing on Paryavaran Mitra

9. 19.06.09 Doordarshan A programme on Biodiversity

10. 7.08.09 DNA An article on BRTS buses

11. 23.08.09 Divya Bhaskar Article on Ozone layer and protection delivered by Mr. N.M. Patel in Climate Change Lecture Series

12. 28.08.09 DNA Concept of No Horn Day in Ahmedabad on 5th September 2009 by two interns at Paryavaran Mitra - Leonie and Kasia

13. 31.08.09 Times of India Campaign of No Horn Day

14. 1.09.09 DNA No Horn Day program at Sir LA Shah Law College

Sandesh Announcement of No Horn Day program at M.N. Shukla B.Ed college

15. 2.09.09 Indian Express Campaign of No Horn Day

Ahmedabad Mirror No Horn Day program at M.N. Shukla B.Ed college

Sandesh Announcement of No Horn Day program at School of Law, MG Science and Big Bazaar Gujarat Samachar

16. 3.09.09 Gujarat Samachar Campaign of No Horn Day

Ahmedabad Mirror No Horn Day program at Gujarat University, MG Science college and Street play at Big Bazaar

17. 4.09.09 Gujarat Samachar Celebration of No Horn Day in Ahmedabad on 5th September 2009

18. DNA Celebration of of No Horn Day program at St. Xavier college, Gujarat Law college, Nanavati Law College

19. 5.09.09 Gujarat Samachar Announcement of No Horn Day rally at M.N. Shukla B.Ed college

Divya Bhaskar Celebration of No Horn Day in Ahmedabad on 5th September 2009

20. 6.09.09 Divya Bhaskar Article on No Horn Day in Ahmedabad celebrated on 5th September 2009 Sandesh

Jayhind

DNA

Ahmedabad Mirror

21. 16.09.09 DNA Article on Climate of Poverty on the occasion of Ozone day

22. 21.09.09 Chitralekha Concept of No Horn Day in Ahmedabad on 5th September 2009 by two interns at Paryavaran Mitra - Leonie and Kasia

23. 14.10.09 Divya Bhaskar High level of Noise due to high Decibel fire crackers

24. 22.10.09 Gujarat Samachar Bangkok Climate change talk 2009

25. 25.10.09 Sandesh Need of CDM Notification for environment protection

26. 25.11.09 DNA Article on 16 November 2009 CDM workshop at Delhi

27. 28.11.09 Doordarshan Vikaspath on urbun development

28. 2.12.09 Divya Bhaskar View on option of Carbon credits to reduce carbon from environment

29. 3.12.09 Mail today Dow Jones has no green nod for Dahej plant Upcoming Dow Chemicals plant at Dahej and violations by GACL

30. 6.12.09 DNA Comments on who will buy Gujarat’s green credits

31. 9.12.09 DNA Live audio session with students and experts about Copenhagen

32. 21.12.09 GTPL Lokmanch - Discussion on climate change

33. 20.01.10 Divya Bhaskar Public hearing on BT Brinjal

34. 21.01.10 Gujarat Mitra Youth Festival in Bharuch by Yuva Vikas Kendra

35. 25.01.10 DNA Climate change Lecture series : Food security

36. 5.02.10 Divya Bhaskar Seminar on Global warming by ISAR

37. 06.02.10 Abhiyan About BT Brinjal

38. 8.02.10 TOI Citizen Public Hearing Public hearing on the issue of arbitrary land allotment by state government to Industries

Indian express

Sandesh

Gujarat Samachar

Ahmedabad Mirror

DNA

39. 18.02.10 Gujarat Samachar Lokvichar : Garibmela

40. 20.02.10 Abhiyan Public hearing on land issues

41. 22.02.010 Sandesh Public consultation on CRZ

42. 11.03.10 Gujarat Samachar Lokvichar : Celebration of Swarnim Gujarat

43. 16.03.10 Different newspapers

Environment condition of Gujarat

44. 28.4.10 TOI Save power, light up only lamps on Gujarat day

b Legislative Advocacy

In the current session of Gujarat Assembly we provided details to opposition party and with that information they presented about following issues,

Environment condition of Gujarat

Improper implementation of environmental laws

Inefficiency of implementing agencies

Report of government officials and inactiveness of implementing agencies

Inadequate staff at Gujarat Pollution Control Board

Violation of laws by big industries

Opposition leader in Gujarat Assembly had raised issues on environment four times.

1. During vote of thanks to governor.

2. Discussion on environment and forest budget.

3. Discussion on climate change budget.

4. Discussion on proposed motion under 101 rules of assembly.

5. CAPACITY BUILDING

• Workshop/meeting/seminars attended

Sr. No

Date Organizer and venue

Subject Role

1. 26.05.09 to 28.05.09

Wada na Todo Abhiyan, New Delhi

Annual State & Campaign Co-Ordination Meetings

Participant

2. 10.06.09 Janvikas A Meeting of all units with Christian Aid to give overview about Janvikas

Participant

3. 12.06.09 Janvikas Meeting with Mr. Ram Kishan from Christian Aid at Paryavaran Mitra to discuss about past and future activities

Participant

4. 17.06.09 Development Support Centre, Bopal At AMA

Award distribution ceremony for Rural development and best journalism

Participant

5. 18.06.09 Meeting at Paryavaran Mitra Office

representative of World bank came to Paryavaran Mitra to understand climate change issues in Ahmedabad Name??

Stakeholder

6. 20.06.09 Gantar Visit of salt pan workers at Kharaghoda

Expert

7. 24 to 26.06.09

Janvikas SDC, Christian Aid, Janvikas Impact assessment tool workshop

Participant

8. 29.06.09 Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Vapi

To discuss on Illegal hazardous waste dump site at Vapi

Stakeholder

9. 18.07.09 Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Gandhinagar

Discussion of Illegal hazardous waste dump site at Vapi

Stakeholder

10. 26.09.09 Co organized by Janvikas, Janpath, Unnati at AMA

Citizen report published by Social watch

Stakeholder

11. 10.11.09 Bhaskar Group Visit of Bhaskar print planet, Vasna, Ahmedabad

Stakeholder

12. 25.10.09 Millet Network, Discussion on upcoming and Campaigner

Chandigarh proposed National Food Security Bill, that will be discussed in the Parliamentary winter session 2009

13. 17.12.09 Program on Women’s economic, social and cultural rights Wada na Todo Abhiyan

Enhancing Knowledge Through Shared Learning: An Exchange on Women's Right to Livelihoods

Participant

14. 18.12.09 Eco-sarjan Solid Waste Management Participant

15. 07.01.2010 & 08.01.2010

SETU & Kutch Nav Nirman Abhiyan, Kutch

Kutch Coast- People, Environment and Livelihood

Resource person

16. 18.01.2010 AMA, Ahmedabad VANI, EDI, JANPATH, JANVIKAS, Sajjata Sangh, UNNATI

Strengthening Voluntary Action: Towards Developing Enabling State Policies

Stakeholder

17. 18.01.2010 JATAN BT Brinjal Stakeholder

18. 19.01.2010 AMA, Ahmedabad CEE-MoEF

Consultation on BT Brinjal Stakeholder

19. 25.01.2010 Mahendi Navabjang Hall, Paladi, A’Bad

Present conditions of Naxalite affected area

Coorganizer

20. 7/2/2010 organized by various organizations

publc hearing on land issues of Gujarat at Gujarat Vidhyapith

Coorganizer and co-ordination

21. 11/2/2010 Paryavaran Mitra Gujarat Pollution Control Board invited NGOs those who are working in the field of environment & industrial pollution issues.

Coorganizer and co-ordinations

22. 11/2/2010 Gantar “Bal Adhikaro no Swikar” Stakeholder

23. 18/2/2010 Meeting with SDC & CA.

Meeting for PM activities Stakeholder

24. 4/2/2010 CBGA & Wada Na Todo Abhiyan

Meeting on 11th five year plan.

Stakeholder

25. 15/3/2010 CEE public consultation on Coastal Regulation Zone

Stakeholder

26. 29/3/2010 Navsarjan trust Rally of Dalit Adhikar at Vadodara

Participant

Activity organized by Paryavaran Mitra

Sr. Date Organizer Subject Role

No 1. 14.04.09 Paryavaran Mitra A public hearing on

Paryavaran Mitra Organizer & speaker

2. 19.05.09 Paryavaran Mitra A Meeting with local people of Padra for awareness

Organizer & speaker

3. 2.12.09 Paryavaran Mitra, Charkha office

Press conference-Bhopal day Organizer

4. 5.12.09 IIM Vatva, chosar, gyaspur Site visit

5. 12.12.09 Wada na Todo Abhiyan

People’s mid term appraisal of 11th five year plan Environmental conditions of Gujarat

Resource person

6. 16.12.09 Peoples Training And Research Centre

Lecture on Asbestos hazard Co organizer

Team members of Paryavaran Mitra participated in various seminars and programs as part of their capacity building efforts.

Srno

Date Organized by Subject Role

1 22.06.09 to 26.06.09

Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi

Understanding EIA participant

6. Work of Enviro-Paralegals

Rajula

18 Village visit:

Rajula, Victor, Patwa, Pipavav, Rampara-1, DAtardi, Kathivadar, Uchaiya, Khakhbai, Aadsang, Bhachadar, Khera, Chanch, Samdhiyala-1, Visaliya, Mahuva, Bherai, Vad, Kadiyali, Ningala-1

April 2009

Grazing land encroachment – Rampara-2 village

• A case was filed in Gujarat High Court in case of encroachment of grazing land by Pipavav Port in Rampara-2 village. The order received was not Satisfactory so it was decided to go to Supreme Court.

Illegal construction

• In Kharediya river illegal construction work of road was done by Pipavav Shipyard Ltd. In this regard written presentations and applications were done to government but no actions were taken. So it was decided to do further proceedings.

May 2009

Complain of pollution affected of villagers - Aadsang village

• Helped in preparation of written application to Mamlatdar-Savarkundala and Mamlatdar-Rajula and for the stone crusher affected people of Aadsang village.

Grazing land - Patva

• Meeting with local women of Patva village of Amreli in case of grazing land being utilized by Nirma Cement Plant. Later it was decided to form a group to save the grazing land.

Guidance - Datardi village

• People of Datardi village were guided about where and how to complain illegal theft of river sand/minerals from the river.

June 2009

Land acquisition and compensation - Uchaiya village

• Farmers and local people of Uchaiya village were guided to ask for compensation as per reform policy for their agriculture land.

Check Dam issue

• Village visits of Samdhiyala, Mahuva, Dudheri to know current situations and guidance was provided to give legal and planned fight on this issue.

• Innocent people were threatened and caught and put into jail. Local lawyer and paralegal Navchetan Parmar visited the place and 23 people were bailed without lawyer fees.

July 2009

Grazing land encroachment – Rampara-2 village

• After discussion with Sarpanch of Rampara-2 Gram Panchayat, Gram Panchayat members and local people it was decided to go to Supreme Court and a resolution was passed in Gram Panchayat in this regard.

• Earlier a meeting with Collector-Amreli was done regarding this grazing land issue. Saline and waste land at some another place was proposed instead of this controversial grazing land. Meeting with locals to make them vigilant in this issue and guidance was given to submit a memorandum to Collector and also to arrange a Gramsabha to prepare an oral/written presentation.

• No development works or social welfare works were done by Pipavav port for affected villages-Rampara-2 and Bherai. In this regard local people were guided to convey this issue to concern authority.

• Two RTI applications to Mamlatdar-Rajula

o For getting information of controversial grazing land of Rampara-2 village was done on date: 6.07.09.

o For getting meeting minutes and visit report of Collecter – Amreli’s visit of this controversial grazing land.

Land acquisition

• Farmers of Uchaiya, Bhachadar, Vad etc were suggested not to sell their agricultural land to companies. And if Government starts land acquisition all the farmers should do movement against this.

Compensation

• Gas pipeline of GSPL was to be passed from Pipavav, Ningara-1, Bherai, Bhachadar, Uchaiya, Vad etc villages. Farmers of these villages were explained to ask for proper compensation.

August 2009

Salt pan workers

• A meeting with local people of Chanch and Victor villages namely Vallabhbhai, Kanjibhai, Jadavbhai, Manubhai and other local leaders for the issues of migration of salt-pan workers.

Complain of pollution affected of villagers - Aadsang village

• In May 2009 there was same problem and also letters were written to Mamlatdar of Savarkundala and Rajula but no action was taken. So again a presentation was prepared for Collector Amreli and Gujarat Pollution Control Board-Gandhinagar.

Grazing land issue

• Construction of check dam is planned in Samdhiyala-1 village. A meeting with local people was arranged to explain grazing land protection.

Grazing land encroachment – Rampara-2 village

• An RTI Application to Mamlatdar office-Rajula on 12.08.09 to get information of different meeting regarding controversial grazing land of Rampara-2 village.

September 2009

Salt-pan workers issue

• Fishermen and saltpan workers of Chanch village were guided to do write letters in the issues of land lease and renewal.

Air pollution issue

• Due to air pollution caused by stacks of goods of Ultratech Cement and Pipavav Port especially of cement, coal, urea – of in Pipavav railway Yard agricultural land is being polluted. In this regard written presentation was done by Lakshmanbhai vagh and Lalabhai Vagh. Also a memorandum was submitted to Deputy Collector – Amreli & Gujarat Pollution Control Board-Gandhinagar.

Land acquisition

• There is possibility of land acquisition for GIDC in approximately 14 villages- Devka, Ningala-1, Kadiyali, Bherai, Pipavav, Hindorana, Bhachadar, Vad, Uchaiya, Dhara no nes, Chhatadiya ect of Rajula Taluka. In this regard village visits were done to collect information of how much agricultural land will be acquired, and their names will be abolished from Revenue record. Also local people were guided to prepare a memorandum regarding land acquisition, a rally and other activities.

November 2009

Air pollution issue

• Stack material for export & Import of Cement & Coal is stored in the Pipavav railway yard so, the agricultural land nearer to the yard being polluted &

many of the health problems found in nearer village. Rampara villagers given a written complain to the Deputy collector of the Rajula.

Land acquisition

• Farmers of the Uchaiya, Dhara no nes, Vad, and Bhachadar conduct a meeting related to the possibility of land acquisition for GIDC & to prepare a memorandum regarding land acquisition, a rally and other activities. & planning to given a memorandum in December 2009.

• The Farmers & Gram Panchayat is not satisfied the order given by the high court of the Gujarat related to the enrichment of the Grazing land of the Rampara – 2 by the Pipavav port. So, members of the gram Panchayat conduct a meeting related to the taken a case in to the Suprime Court & collect a local fund for this case.

December 2009

Land acquisition

• To conduct a meeting to the villagers of the patva for taking a part in the the Nirama company ( Mahuva) andolan”.

• Farmers of the Bherai, Kadiyali, & Nigala – 1 conduct a meeting related to the possibility of land acquisition for GIDC & to prepare a memorandum regarding land acquisition, a rally and other activities. & planning to given a memorandum.

• Farmers of the Uchaiya, Dhara no nes, Vad , Bhachadar, Bherai, Kadiyali, & Nigala – 1 given a memorandum of land acquisition for GIDC to the Assistant Collector of Rajula & others Governmental Department on 22 December 2009.

Salt-pan workers issue

• Saltpan workers of Victor & Bherai para villages were guided to do write letters for the demand of waste land for salt pan work & not given this waste land for the Industrial development.

Air pollution issue

• Stack material for export & Import of Cement & Coal is stored in the Pipavav railway yard so, the agricultural land nearer to the yard being polluted & many of the health problems found in nearer village. So, the Lakshmanbhai vag, lalabhai Vag & other villagers given a written complain to the Deputy collector of the Rajula under the C.R.P.C. Section 133 under public Nascence.

January 2010

Coastal Environment Awareness Seminar

• A Coastal Environment Awareness Seminar was held 0n 12/1/2010 and 13/1/2010 in secondary schools of Dataradi and Chanch of Rajula in which knowledge of marine life & marine environment was given.

Land acquisition for GIDC

• There is possibility of land acquisition for GIDC in approximately 14 villages- Devka, Ningala-1, Kadiyali, Bherai, Pipavav, Hindorana, Bhachadar, Vad, Uchaiya, Dhara no nes, Chhatadiya ect of Rajula Taluka. In this regard village visits were done to collect information of how much agricultural land will be acquired, how many farmer workers will be diminished & which problems will be faced etc. Also local people & farmers were guided to prepare a memorandum regarding land acquisition, a rally and other activities.

February 2010

Violation of Land Acquisition Act

• GSPL Rajula received permission to lay down pipelines in year 2005 but it started its work in year 2010 which was violation of Land Acquisition Act & it also affect on farmer’s right. For that an application was prepared by paralegals for local people and submitted to district collector on 20/2/2010.

• A letter to D.G.P, Gandhinagar & DSP Amreli for protection of land to Gujarat State Petronet by farmers on 20/2/2010.

March 2010

• Local people of Uchaiya, Bhachada, Vad, etc. villages affected by Videocon Power Project were suggested to do agitation against it.

• Gujarat Pipavav Power Corporation & Torrent Power Company is starting a power plant in collaboration at Rajula. There are problems of compensation of already acquired land and future acquisition. Affected farmers were asked to submit for written application & oppose it.

Compansation

• Gas pipeline of Gujarat State Petronet was to be passed From Pipavav, Ningara-1, Bherai, Bhachadar, Uchaiya, Vad etc villages. Farmers of these villages were explained to ask for proper compensation.

• Gas pipeline of Gujarat State Petronet was to be passed from Rajula. Meeting with related officer in case of proper compensation of land, trees & agriculture and also written assurance was taken on 50/-Rs stamp paper to refund it within 15 days.

Paralegal Meetings – Rajula

Monthly co-ordination meeting with paralegals

1. 14/7/09 & 19/7/09

discussion of formation of paralegal association

2. 20/8/09 active work of paralegal association and paralegals

3. 10/1/10 Meeting with paralegals of Rajula regarding capacity building & their work

4. 12/1/10- 13/1/10

Field visit of Rajula regarding environmental issues Coordination with Paralegals of Rajula

5. 10/3/10, 11/3/10

Field visit of rajula regarding environmental issues & Coordination with Paralegals of Rajula

Jhagadia

36 Village Visit:

Vala, Valpor, Dolatpura, Shankoi, Kadwali, Randedi, rajalwala, Talodara, Kantipada, Kadwania, Kanchanpuri, Navagam, Bhotnagar, Mota sorva, Hingoriya, Rampor, Kuvarpara, Galiba, Vakhatpura, Bandabeda, Umarkhada, Bhalod, Baleshwar, Gundecha, Dholi, Mohanpari, Anadara, Damlai, Amaljar, Vankhuta, Chaswad, Dhorakuva, Daria, Umalla, Bhilwada, Patar, Vanakpor,

April 2009

Land Acquisition:

• Gathered information procedure done after resolution of land acquisition passed in Gramsabha of Sultanpura and conveyed it to local people.

Forest Land:

• On the issue of forest land, submitted a written presentation to Collector in collaboration with farmers of Bhotnagar village.

Grazing Land:

• Submitted a written presentation to Regional office to notify new grazing land in Hingoriya and Vakhatpura villages.

May 2009

Water Pollution:

• Submitted written presentation to GIDC to take immediate steps in case of water pollution by industries during monsoon season.

Mining

• Illegal digging of soil was being done in the land of a tribal. Due to intervention of paralegals this digging was stopped.

Land Acquisition

• Visit of GIDC office was done and a written presentation was submitted to GIDC in case of land acquisition.

June 2009

Pipeline:

An Application was submitted to GIDC to repair leaking water pipeline.

Quarry

Visit of quarry affected people of Kadwali and Rajalwada village done to understand environmental impacts and health of locals.

July 2009

Land acquisition & Compensation

• Visit of Revenue Department to meet land acquisition officer in GIDC land acquisition issue as there were still pending compensation cases.

• Visited TDO office in case of future land acquisition issue due to upcoming paper mill In Hingoriya village. There is risk of livelihood of people depending on the land. There is a strong oppose for this project in the village.

Grazing land Issue

• A meeting with Sarpanch of Bhojpur village to get information of current grazing land situations. Also made him know that 40 acre land is required per 100 animals.

Water problems

• Visited and discussed water crisis issue in a affected village Randedi due to industrial area of Jhagadia. Also made them aware how to present this issue in GIDC.

Right to Information Act

• Furnished the knowledge of RTI Act to a youth organization of Katipada village and also helped them in preparing RTI application.

Forest Land:

• On the issue of forest land, helped locals of Bhotnagar, Katipada, Debar and Kharatha village in filling up form.

August 2009

Land acquisition and compensation

• Submitted written presentation to regional officer for land acquisition in case of compensation issue in GIDC Jhagadia issue.

• Land acquisition is being done in name of afforestation by an upcoming paper mill project in Hingoriya which will affect livelihood of people of this village.

Forest Land

• In the issue of forest land a rally was organized and memorandum was submitted to Collector, Mamlatdar, and regional officer of Rajpipla.

Other issues

• There are issues of illegal digging in grazing land and filing of ponds in Fulwadi, Randedi and Selod village. In this regard information was gathered.

• Information was given to locals of Vankhuta village on whom, how and where to present water related issues.

• Explanation was given to Mota Sorva villagers on health related issue.

September 2009

Forest Land

• Efforts were made for people farming in forest land of Vala, Kesarva and Khalak villages so that these people can get their rights for forest land and/or ownership of the land.

Grazing land

• Efforts were made to in Dholekham and Kochbar village in grazing land encroachment issue and submitted a presentation to Collector Bharuch. Due to which land encroached was successfully taken back.

Air pollution

• In Amod village there are problems of particulate matter due to mining of GMDC. A meeting was done to discuss about this problem, its effects & planned to present this issue in front of Government.

Land acquisition and compensation

• Submitted written presentation to regional officer for land acquisition in case of compensation issue in GIDC Jhagadia issue.

• Grazing land and Government waste land was given for mining lease in Hingoriya village. Though this work is still in action the land is planned to give to private companies i.e. Adani port- Dahej, J.K. Paper mill, SKNL etc. for industrial use in the name of plantation. In this regard a written presentation was prepared to save this land from industrial use and avoid problem related to it.

October 2009

Environment Public Hearing

• Visited Padvariya, Guliya Faliya, Aamod, Gundecha and Damlai villages for awareness regarding upcoming EPH of GMDC Bharuch.

Illegal Mining

• Explained people of Rupaniya village about illegal mining in their region and whom to and where to contact on such cases.

• Visited Mamlatdar Office of Jhagadia and submitted a presentation about illegal mining work in this Rupaniya village.

Land acquisition

• Visited land record office of collector office to find out details of how much Government and grazing is asked by the companies in name of plantation in Mota Sorva village.

Forest land

• Visited District Forest Office, Rajpipla to fill up & submit forest land forms (which lands belong to whom, how much land was under the cultivation of each person, etc) also presented problems in obtaining forest land.

November-December 2009

Forest land

• Advocacy for land rights of farmers of Vala, Kesarava and Khalak farming in agriculture land. Prepared letters for District Forest Officer and forest rights committee.

Illegal mining

• Prepared a letter for illegal mining in grazing land of Ratanpur village and submitted to Collector Bharuch and geologist office, Bharuch.

Village land to industries

• In Hingoriya village grazing land and government waste land is given to industries for the purpose of industrial plantation. The land given to these industries (Adai port-Dahej, J.K. Paper Mill, SKNL). This land provides fodder to kettle also it is livelihood for local people as farming is being done on it. This land is rocky and there are 32 mines and gives employment opportunity for villagers. Villagers are demanding for mining lease in this land. To save these land.

To protect this land from being given for industrial purpose a meeting was held with the affected people of Hingoriya, Mota-sorva, Samarpura, Kadvali, Aabakhadi and Rajalvada and prepared a memorandum for Collector Bharuch.

EPH - GMDC Jhagadia

• Awareness meeting for environment public hearing of GMDC Jhagadia with local people. Prepared written comments for the EPH.

January 2010

Village land to industries:

• In Hingoriya village grazing land and government waste land is given to industries for the purpose of industrial plantation. The land given to these industries (Adai port-Dahej, J.K. Paper Mill, SKNL). In this regard a memorandum was prepared and submitted to Mamlatdar of Jhagadia.

Pollution problems due to Quarry:

• Suggestions were given to people of Kadwali and Hingoriya village on issue of air pollution due to quarry.

• Also conditions of NOC i.e. water sprinkling, daily cleaning, tree plantation are not complied. In this regard a letter was written to GPCB Bharuch.

Compensation:

• Written presentation to industries commissioner Gandhinagar for remaining compensation for land acquired by GIDC Jhagadia.

February 2010

Village land to industries- Hingoriya

• A memorandum submitted to Collector Bharuch in this regard.

Right to Information Act

• Filed a second appeal in case of grazing land encroachment and pond conservation RTI. In this RTI information was not furnished even after order of First Appellate Authority.

Forest Land issue

• A letter to DFO office-Rajpipla for getting forest land.

NREGA

• A demand for work was done to Hingoriya Gram Panchayat under NREGA-National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme.

BPL

• An application to DDO for demand of preparing new BPL list and remove fraud names from it.

March 2010

• Prepared an application about frauds in check dam and NREGA.

Paralegal Meeting

On 14.06.09 and 22.06.09 a paralegal meeting was held for discussion of formation of paralegal association.

Paralegal meeting was held on 13 October 2009 for monthly expanses, monthly reports of paralegals, and follow-up of formerly activities.

7. PUBLICATIONS

� Paryavaran Mitra March April 2009 contain articles on Green Party, Climate change Lecture Series, Earth hour, River pollution, Public Hearing on Paryavaran Mitra and its summary, etc.

� Paryavaran Mitra May–June 2009 contain articles on Ownership of Natural Resources, Details about climate change lectures, Padra Environment Public Hearing 's experience, environmental issues related to Kutch region, Expert group report on EC process, role of media & laws in protection of environment, article for children, etc.

� Paryavaran Mitra July-August 2009 - This issue contains articles about Climate change Lecture series (IPR, Bio-medical waste, Ozone layer & protection, ISO 14001), solar energy, CSR, Green Economic Zone, Green Tribunal, Environmental problems & planning for development etc.

� Paryavaran Mitra September-October 2009 - contain articles on Climate change lecture series (Effects on Agriculture, rain water harvesting, Mitigation efforts by Europe, Role and perspective of Environment Consultants in EC process, etc), Study the environmental impacts first, No Horn Day, how effective EIA Notification is?, etc.

� Paryavaran Mitra November December 2009 contain articles on Copenhagen Climate Summit, Audit of Forest Department-CAG Report, New Standards for Ambient Air Monitoring, Green tribunal Bill, SEZ, Climate change lecture series, etc.

� Paryavaran Mitra January-February 2010 contain articles on Climate Change Lecture Series, part of CAG report, ban on using plastic, and climate change related article.

� Mausam Parivartan : Nisnantoni Najare (Climate Change Lecture Series : Note from Experts) this publication is published jointly by Paryavaran Mitra and youth resource center and it contains report from the lectures organized under Climate Change Lecture Series twice in a month.

� Draft of case studies of Paryavaran Mitra – 7 case studies of Paryavaran Mitra is prepared by Shaveta Sharma. Case studies on malls, Eco development fund, CDM, Kharicut Canal, Mahiti Adhikar Pagla Samiti, Salaya-Mathura pipeline case, RTI Writ petition.

8. INTERNAL TO PARYAVARAN MITRA

(a) Changes in the internal systems of Paryavaran Mitra

� Ms. Hiral Patel joined us in September 2009 and discontinue on February 2010. She had environment science background.

� Paryavaran Mitra Team Evaluation on date 2.08.09 by

o Mr. Mahesh Pandya - Paryavaran Mitra o Mr. Vijay Parmar - Janvikas o Mr. Naresh Tabhani- Gujarat Pollution Control Board o Ms. Persis Jinwala - Mahila Swaraj Abhiyan o Mr. Darshan Parekh – Akshar Consultant

(b) New initiatives

Public hearing on Paryavaran Mitra - 14th April, 2009

Objective:

• To invite the stake holders to critique our work, give their opinion and give us suggestions and recommendations.

An Effort for a transparent engagement with our stake holders by eliciting their active participation.

Believing that Public Hearing as an accountability mechanism is not only applicable to industries but just as equally or even more to NGOs, Paryavaran Mitra decided to subject itself to a Public Hearing. The objective of the Public Hearing were decided to be twofold-

1. A public disclosure of its expenditure and work done over the last 10 years to be evaluated by its stakeholders and in the process

2. Draw feedback for its future direction.

Paryavaran Mitra followed the same procedure as given in the guidelines for organizing EPH, complying with the mandated norms of this mechanism, which pertained to-

• Informing the stakeholders about the hearing

• Providing information to stakeholders which is to be presented in the hearing

• Making presentation of the information in the hearing

• Providing forum to participants to raise their questions and opinions.

• Making provision for participant’s comments to be sent after the hearing also

Around 250 participants from a cross section of the stakeholders of Paryavaran Mitra- students, NGOs, industries, media, academicians, legal fraternity and government officials attended this programme.

Center for Governance Studies (CGS), a joint program of Janvikas and Entrepreneurship Development Institute (EDI) supported Paryavaran Mitra in preparing for and organize this public hearing.

Sr. No.

Stakeholder Category

Feedback forms submitted Total Attendance

1 NGOs 26 60 2 Individual 16 46 3 Academic 10 20 4 Industry 8 17 5 Media 3 15 6 Lawyer 1 14 7 Consultants 7 13 8 Government 2 11 9 Students 6 33 10 Paralegals 12 15

Total 91 244

Feedback on current activities and suggestions for future activities – A synopsis

Stakeholder Category

Feedback on Current Activities and suggestions for future activities

NGOs • Continue work on Global warming and CDM

• Arrange awareness programs in urban areas, schools, villages on environmental issues using electronic media

• Publish books for children on environmental issues in local language

• Involvement of local people participation

• More PILs for effective implementation of Environment Protection Act

• Work on carrying capacity of Gulf of Kutch Consultants / Lawyers

• Continue advocacy for Environment Protection with government to take action and work at District level

• Arrange programs for local public on Global Warming

• Engage more NGOs in each environment aspect Media • Arrange programs for local public especially on RTI Industry • Plantation activity – one person- one tree

• Arrange awareness programs at School and University level and in Industries (Environment day, Safety Day, etc).

• We are ready to support – Time, technical and financial – through industries association

Government

• Teach Environmental Law in L.L.B curriculum

• Arrange programs in different cities and in schools and colleges

Academic / Students

• Encourage and facilitate college students to reach out to local people

• Arrange programs at school level, Rural areas and in Industry

• Publish in English / Hindi

• Increase partnerships with educational institutions Individuals

• Focus on Environmental Issues in villages created by industries

• Create Peoples organization for mass movement

• Environmental awareness for people through electronic media and News paper

Celebration of world Environment day- 5th June 2009 Drawing and elocution competition for children

On 5th June, Paryavaran Mitra had organized a drawing and elocution competition for children. This programme was an effort by Paryavaran Mitra with the collaboration of Gujarat Pollution Control Board (GPCB). The venue of the competition was Vasant Nature Hospital near Thaltej Cross Roads.

The objective of this programme was to minimize the distance among slum children with another children group and create awareness about environment in them.

Participants of both drawing and elocution competition were given 3 topics out of which they had to choose one topic. The topics were as follow,

1. Clean Environment for better future 2. Climate change : Effects and solutions 3. Environmental Problems

Drawing competition: participants were given 2 hours to draw on one topic mentioned above. Manav Garima children were provided crayons (color) and other drawing material i.e. pencil, eraser and sharpeners while other children were informed to bring all these material themselves.

Elocution competition: 15 participants took part in this competition. Topics of drawing and elocution competition were same. Students were supposed to speak for 3-5 minutes on any one topic.

Jury for the competition: Members from various organizations and institutions were invited as the jury member for the drawing and elocution competition.

The chief guest of the occasion was Dr. N. S. Varandani, who is the HOD of Environment Engineering Department of L. D. Engineering College.

12 prizes were awarded for drawing competition and 3 for Elocution competition.

No Horn Day - 5 September 2009 – Ahmedabad

Two international law students Leonie Timmers and Katarzyna Tryzpiola (Kasia) from Holland and Poland respectively came to Paryavaran Mitra for their 3 months internship in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.

Both were very much annoyed by higher noise levels, especially noise of horns in Ahmedabad. And they came up with the idea of having no horn for whole day in Ahmedabad

Several meetings with different groups and people were done for getting support and more suggestions. A survey of 100 people about this noise levels was carry out Leonie and Kasia at two different but very busy and noisy streets of Ahmedabad- at Gurukul road and satellite road. And surprisingly Ahmedabadies replied that they are very much annoyed by horn noise and supported the idea of having No Horn Day.

Schedule of no horn day

Date Time Venue & program Monday 31st August

8am -10am Sir L.A. Shah Law College

Tuesday 1 September

11.30 - 12.30 M.N. Shukla B.ED. College

Wednesday 2 September

08.30-09.30 University School of Law 2pm-3pm M.G. Shah Science College 4pm Big Bazaar-Iscon Circle

Thursday 3 September

10:30-11:30 St. Xavier’s College, Psychology Department 2pm-3pm Gujarat College, English Department –

presentation & street play 5pm-6pm M.N. Law College – Presentation & street

play Friday 4 September

9:30-10:30 R.J. Tibrewal college, (Old L.J) 11:15-12:00 St. Ann’s School 1:15 – 2:15 Shrimati Sadguna C.U. Arts College for girls

Saturday 5 September

9:00 Street play at M.N. Shukla B.Ed college 9:30-9:45 formal speech of Mr. Parimal Trivedi 9:50-10:40 Rally from M.N. Shukla B.Ed college to

Thaltej Cross road 10:00 Street play at R.J Tibbrewal college 11:30 Rally IIM Road

On 5th September Street play was performed by Bodhan theater group followed by a silent rally with posters and banners was organized from M.N. Shukla B.Ed college to Thaltej cross roads. All the students of M.N. Shukla B.Ed College prepared banners and slogans saying no horn. Mr. Parimal Trivedi, Vice chancellor of Gujarat University was invited to show flag to this silent rally. A

long human chain was built at Thaltej circle with posters and banners. Two wheeler and four wheelers blowing horn were given stickers and wrist bands to inspire them to refrain from unnecessary using horns.

Also it was announced that 5 students for best slogans and 5 for best posters will be awarded with prize while others will also be given token prize which were given to them on 16 September-Ozone day celebration program by Gujarat Pollution Control Board.

R.J. Tibrewal College was also visited after this rally. A small group of students of R.J. Tibrewal college stood at IIM Cross roads for more than one and a half hour with posters of No Horn Day and No Horn Please. Also stickers were given to people blowing horns. Whenever the poster was shown to a person blowing horn they really sense the mistake of blowing unnecessary horn and few people stopped blowing horns.

Ozone Day- 16th September 2009

16th September is celebrated as World Ozone Day all over world. Gujarat Pollution Control Board celebrated this day with Paryavaran Mitra & M.N. Shukla B.Ed College.

GPCB Public Relation Officer - Shri Naresh Thaker along with Mr. Vasadiya, Ms. Dipali, and Ms. Shivani participated in this program. Also Mr. Anil Patel from Nisarg organization participated in the program.

The venue of the program was M.N. Shukla B.Ed College. The program started at 12:30 pm in the noon. The beginning of the program was with National Anthem Vande Matram song followed by prayers & shlokas.

Students presented information of how Ozone day celebration started in the world and few unheard facts about ozone followed by presentation of Mr. Sanjay Thaker of M.N. Shukla B.Ed College.

A very good play on Ozone formation and its depletion by CFC (Chloro Flouro Carbon) was performed by the students of the college. These students were awarded prizes.

Files containing “Celebration of Ozone Day” were distributed among students and faculty members of the college by GPCB and Paryavaran Mitra.

EIA Training Program 10-12 August 2009

By Paryavaran Mitra in Collaboration with CSE

This 3 days training program was organized by Paryavaran Mitra and Centre for Science and Environment, New Delhi.

The target group for this training program was NGO workers.

Total 22 people participated in it from 15 different NGOs.

Topics covered in the training programs are as follows,

Date Subject

10 August • Environment condition of Gujarat

• EIA: what is EIA?

• Environment Clearance Process in India

• EC Process : screening & Scoping process, TOR 11 August • Data collection process in EIA preparation

• Impact Assessment,

• Basic thumb-rule to evaluate the project feasibility, EMP

• Executive summary

• Class exercise: Evaluate the Executive Summery

• Environmental Lab visit 12 August • Presentation of class exercise on Executive Summary

• Mock EPH

• Post Monitoring

Also we received feedbacks from the 15 participants out of which 14 people found this training very useful to work in their area.

Climate Change Lecture Series

It is an initiative by Paryavaran Mitra for the awareness on climate change-the most important & burning issue now a day. It is running every second and forth Saturday every month. Total 23 lectures were delivered during 22nd November 2008 to October 2009 by different experts on various subjects related to environment and climate change.

No Date Name of the Subject Name of Speaker 11. 25.04.09 'Climate Change and

Intellectual Property Rights'

Dr. Rushikesh Mehta Principal, Maneklal Nanavati Law College

12. 9.05.09 Development Projects, Biodiversity and Role of People

Dr. Kaushik Raval

13. 23.05.09 “Your planet needs you: UNite to combat climate change” A panel discussion

1. Vivek Sheth: Environment Consultant 2. Paras Jha: Media Person 3. Sunil Parmar: Post Graduate Diploma in NGO Management Student, EDI 4. Dhara Gajjar: Member,

Paryavaran Mitra CHAIR PERSON: Prof. J.N. Joshi (Rtd. Prof. Environment Engg. Dept, L.D.Eng. College, A’bad)

14. 13.06.09 Biomedical Waste - Present Burning Issue

Shri Prakash Vaghela (Environmental consultant)

15. 27.06.09 Climate Change-Mitigation Measures

Mrs. Parna Mukherjee (Lecturer, Institute of Law , Nirma University )

16. 11.07.09 “Our role in Global & Local issues”

Representative from GPCB Mr. Naresh Thaker

17. 25.07.09 Environment Management Standards-ISO 14000

Mr. Gopal Shah (environment management Consultant)

18. 8.08.09 Climate Change effects on agriculture

Mr. S.M. Patel (Department of Agriculture)

19. 22.08.09 Ozone Layer and its depletion

Mr. N.M. patel ()

20. 12.09.09 Rain water harvesting Mr. P. D. Vyas 21. 26.09.09 Climate Change

Mitigation : Experiences from Europe

Katarzyna Trizpiola (law student from Warsaw University, Poland)

22. 10.10.09 EC Process: Responcibility and perspective of Environment Consultants

Darshan Parekh (environment Consultant)

23. 24.10.09 Bangkok Climate change talks

Mahesh Pandya (Paryavaran Mitra)

24. 14.11.09 Legal responses to Climate change:

Prof. S.R. Rathod

25. 28.11.09 Introduction to CDM, Climate change and its financial implications:

Rujavi Barhate & Mandar Barhate

26. 12.12.09 Ketan Trivedi (Journalist)

International politics of climate change

27. 26.12.09 Gopal Jain, CEE Experiences of Copenhagen climate summit

28. 9.01.2010

Shri Gopal Shah Climate Change and Technological Challenges

29. 23.01.2010

Ms. Sejal Dand (Director, ANANDI)-

Climate Change and Food Security

30. 13.02.2010

Mahesh Pandya National Action plan on climate change

31. 27.02.20 Bhupat Solanki Experiences of Environment Public

10 Hearing 32. 10.03.20

10 Jayashreeben Joshi Director, ISAR

Role of women in combating climate change

33. 24.03.2010

Dr. Arun RMO, Vasant Nature Cure

Effects of climate change on Health

Student Internship

� Yogen Chaudhari: A student from Centre for Development Communication-CDC. He basically worked on screening of media for environment related news during his one month internship period.

� Saarth Dhingara: An environment Law student from Nirma University. Worked on comparison of EIA Notification 1994 & EIA Notification 2006. His internship period 21 may to 20 June, 2009.

� Mirant Tiwari: A student from Centre for Development Communication-CDC. One month internship period.

� Leonie Timmers: A law student from university of Sussex, UK placed at Paryavaran Mitra through AIESEC for the internship period of July to 10 September. Working on Clean Development Mechanism.

� Katarzyna Trzpiola: A Law student of Warsow University, Poland was placed at Paryavaran Mitra through AIESEC for 53 days internship. During her internship she worked on loopholes in implementation of EIA Notification.

� Megha Upadhya: A law student of Gujarat National Law University came for internship at Paryavaran Mitra. Her internship period was 4 weeks- 9 November to 4 December 2009. She worked on EIA Notification 2006.

Annexure-1 List of intervened Environment Public Hearings

(No EPHs were organized by Gujarat Pollution Control Board in month of April 2009)

Sr No

Date Name of Company Our involvement

1. 12/05/09 M/s.ABG Cement Limited, Village.Mora, Tal.Choryasi, Dist.Surat

• Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution Control Board

2. 12/05/09 M/s. Surya Pigments(I)Pvt.Ltd., Plot No.160,160/p, Karannagar, Tal.Kadi, Dist. Mehsana

• Field visit of 3 villages-Budasan, karannagar, Indrad by a member of Paryavaran Mitra.

• Meeting with 15 people at Budasan village.

• Coordination with NGO-Navsarjan.

• Personal presence of staff member in EPH.

3. 22/05/09

M/s.Rishabh Colors Pvt Limited, Block No.563, 564, 573/A and 574/B, Village.Luna, Tal.Padra, Dist.Vadodara

• Pre EPH meetings with a active group at padra

• Field visit by two members of Paryavaran Mitra in Karkhadi, Chokari, Munjpur, Tajpur, Dabhasa, Luna, dudhwada, Aambaliyara, Aekalbara villages and visited total 50 people.

• Meeting with 25 villagers at Chokari village for all 4 EPH at Padra.

• Meeting with 30 villagers at Munjpur village for all 4 EPH at Padra

• Meeting with 35 local people at Padra.

• Coordination with 2 NGOs Mahisagar Shakti Sangathan- Munjpur and Samajik Nyay Morcho-Karkhadi

• Personal presence in EPH. 4. 25/05/09 M/s. S.D. Intermediates,

Block No.96/B/2, Village.Karkhadi, Tal.Padra, Dist.Vadodara on

• EIA reports were put on the website but they were print lock so a letter was written to Gujarat Pollution Control Board informing them to take actions on it. After our letter new reports were put on the website which were not print locked.

• Pre EPH meetings with a active group at padra

• Field visit by two members of Paryavaran Mitra in Karkhadi, Chokari,

Munjpur, Tajpur, Dabhasa, Luna, dudhwada, Aambaliyara, Aekalbara villages and visited total 50 people.

• Meeting with 25 villagers at Chokari village for all 4 EPH at Padra.

• Meeting with 30 villagers at Munjpur village for all 4 EPH at Padra

• Meeting with 35 local people at Padra.

• Coordination with 2 NGOs Mahisagar Shakti Sangathan- Munjpur and Samajik Nyay Morcho-Karkhadi

• Personal presence in EPH.

• Media Advocacy for EPH 5. 26/05/0

9 M/s.Gulbrandsen Chemicals Pvt.Limited, located at on Coastal Highway, Village.Mujpur, Tel.Padra, Dist.Vadodara

• Pre EPH meetings with a active group at Padra

• Field visit by two members of Paryavaran Mitra in Karkhadi, Chokari, Munjpur, Tajpur, Dabhasa, Luna, dudhwada, Aambaliyara, Aekalbara villages and visited total 50 people.

• Meeting with 25 villagers at Chokari village for all 4 EPH at Padra.

• Meeting with 30 villagers at Munjpur village for all 4 EPH at Padra

• Meeting with 50 local people at Padra and all 50 people participated in EPH.

• Coordination with 2 NGOs Mahisagar Shakti Sangathan- Munjpur and Samajik Nyay Morcho-Karkhadi

• Personal presence in EPH.

• Helped local people in making presentation for the cancellation of EPH.

• Letters written to MoEF by Paryavaran Mitra for the cancellation of EPH.

• Media Advocacy for EPH 6. 29/05/0

9 M/s. OPG Power Gujarat Private Limited, Village.Bhadreshwar, Taluka.Mundra, Dist.Kutch

• Comments sent to GPCB

• Coordination with an organization Bhadreshwar setu kutch

• Bhadreshwar Setu is provided guidance and support to file a case in Gujarat High Court.

7. 30/05/09

M/s. Agrocel Industries Limited, located S.No. 442,443,444 & 452/3p,

• Field visit by a member of Paryavaran Mitra of Avania and Ghogha village.

• Visited 2 local person at Avania village.

Village.Avania, Tal.Ghogha, Dist.Bhavnagar

• Meeting with 15 local fishermen at Ghogha.

• Personal presence in EPH. 8. 30/05/0

9 M/s.Associated Dyestuff Pvt. Limited (Unit-III),S.No.466/2, Village Dudhwada, Tal.Padara, Dist.Vadodara

• Karkhadi, Chokari, Munjpur, Tajpur, Dabhasa, Luna, dudhwada, Aambaliyara, Aekalbara villages were visted earlier by two members of Paryavaran Mitra and total 50 people were visited.

• Meeting with 25 people at Chokari and 30 people at Munjpur village for all 4 EPH at Padra was done.

• Field visit for this EPH was done by a member of Paryavaran Mitra along with an intern.

• Meeting with 50 local people at Padra.

• Coordination with 2 NGOs Mahisagar Shakti Sangathan- Munjpur and Samajik Nyay Morcho-Karkhadi

• Personal presence in EPH.

9. 3/6/09 M/s.Usha Breco Limited, Mount Girnar, Tal.Junagadh, Dist. Junagadh

• Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution Control Board

• Project proponents gave false information in a reply given to our questions.

10. 10/6/09 M/s.Meghmani Industries Ltd.,Village.Chharodi, Tal.Sanand, Dist.Ahmedabad

• Comments sent to GPCB

11. 12/06/09 M/s.Jharia Coke Pvt.Limited, S.No.317/3, 316,327/1, at Village.Lunva, Tal.Bhachau, Dist.Kutch

• As same project proponent was proposing 3 different plants at same venue and EIA report was also same except greenbelt requirement. For all the projects 3 different presentation/comments were comments sent to GPCB.

12. 12/06/09 M/s.Maa Kali Metcoke Industries Pvt.Ltd., S.No.286,287,288 & 289/1, at Village.Lunva, Tal.Bhachau, Dist.Kutch

13. 12/06/09 M/s.Shree Salasar Coke (Gujarat) Pvt.Limited, S.No.285,289/2, at Village.Lunva, Tal.Bhachau, Dist.Kutch

14. 15/06/09 M/s.Amreli Projects Pvt.Ltd., S.No.388 P-3, 388 P-4, 395 P-1 & 396 P-1, Village.Savarsamapadar, Tal.Savarkundla, Dist.Amreli

• Field visit by a member of Paryavaran Mitra.

• 15 local people were visited at Savarsamapadar village at Savarkundala.

• Coordination with 3 Paralegals of Rajula.

• Personal presence in EPH. 15. 23/06/0

9 M/s.Krishak Bharati Cooperative Limited(KRIBHCO), Hazira, Dist.Surat

• Comments sent to GPCB.

• Coordination with2 NGOs - Jagruti Education trust, Hada Vistar Action Samiti and 3 local people.

16. 23/06/09

M/s.GSPC-NIKO Resources Limited, Hazira Field, Dist. Surat

• Comments sent to GPCB.

• Coordination with2 NGOs - Jagruti Education trust, Hada Vistar Action Samiti and 3 local people.

17. 26/06/09

M/s. Stermone Chemicals Pvt.Limited, S.No.34, Paldi, Golana Road, Tal.Khambhat, Dist.Anand

• Field visit by 2 member of Paryavaran Mitra.

• 20 local people were visited at Paldi, Sokhada, Golana, Malasoni, Lunej, Daheda, Khambhat villages from which 12 people participated in EPH.

• Coordination with Mukund Pandya- A local leader.

• Personal presence in EPH.

• Venue of EPH was very far and local affected persons of 3 km far from project size were not allowed to raise their issues during EPH.

18. 3/07/09 M/s. Bajaj Helthcare Limited(Unit-II), Block No.588, Savli-Karachia Road, At & Po:Gothada, Tal.Savli

• Field visit of Mahudha, Bahutha, Gothada, Namisara villages by a member of Paryavaran Mitra.

• Meeting with 10 local people at Mahudha village.

• Coordination with Pratikar-NGO.

• Personal presence in EPH. 19. 9/07/09 M/s. Jindal Saw

Limited, Village.Samaghogha, Pragpar-Mandavi Road, Tal.Mundra, Dist.Kutch

• Field visit by a member of Paryavaran Mitra.

• Meeting with 8 local people at Samaghogha village and all participated in EPH.

• Coordination with NGO Bhadreshwar Setu.

• Personal presence in EPH. 20. 17/07/09 M/s.Indian Steel • Field visit of Bhimsara and Moti

Corporation Limited, S.No.370,368/2,366, Village.Bhimsar, Tal.Anjar, Dist.Kutch

Paswari villages by a member of Paryavaran Mitra.

• Meeting with 10 local people at Bhimasar village who actively participated and submitted written objection during EPH.

• Coordination with NGO-Setu-Bhimasar.

• Personal presence in EPH. 21. 21/07/09 M/s.Kumar Organic

Products Limited, S.No.379, Village.Luna, Tal.Padra, Dist.Vadodara

• 2 days Field visit by a member of Paryavaran Mitra along with an intern.

• 2 Meeting with 45 local people at Dabhasa and Luna village from which 20 people actively participated in EPH.

• Coordination with 2 NGOs Mahisagar Shakti Sangathan- Munjpur and Samajik Nyay Morcho-Karkhadi

• Personal presence in EPH. 22. 6.08.09 Kachcha Steel Pvt. Ltd,

Naliya-Abdasa, Kutch • Field work by a member of Paryavaran

Mitra.

• 3 Villages -Gunau, Golay, Gothiya - visited.

• Meeting with 12 people including Sarpanch of Motiber Juth Gram Panchayat.

• Coordination with one NGOs named –SETU

• 50 people participated in EPH who came through 12 people we met at 3 different villages.

• There were no sitting arrangements during EPH. Proper sitting arrangement was demanded.

• Comments sent to GPCB.

• A letter for cancellation was prepared for Motiber Juth Gram Panchayat as little basic information of 2 old ponds was hidden and also Narayan Sarovar Wildlife sanctuary was only 5 km distance for Motiber Gram Panchayat.

• On the basis of this complain a letter on date 14.09.09 for cancellation of this EPH and setting up a fact finding committee was written to Expect Appraisal Committee on Industrial Projects MoEF

23. 8.09.09 Gujarat State Electricity Corporation Limited, Wanakbori Thermal Power Station, Dist.Kheda

• Comments sent to GPCB.

24. 8.09.09 M/s. Indian Oil Corporation Limited, proposed for branch pipeline from Viramgam to Kandla for IOCL District: Rajkot

• Comments sent to GPCB.

• Coordination with ANANDI-Rajkot.

25. 11.09.09 M/s. Austral Coke and Project Limited, Village. Lunva, Tal. Bhachau, Dist. Kutch.

• Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution Control Board.

26. 15.09.09 M/s.Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited, Village.Mevasa, Tal.Kalyanpur, Dist.Jamnagar

• Comments sent to GPCB

• Letter written to Mr. Sursangbhai Chauhan, of Tankariya Jamnagar

27. 18.09.09 Indian Oil Corporation Limited, proposed for branch pipeline from Viramgam to Kandla for IOCL at District: Kutch

• Comments sent to GPCB.

• Total 5 villages named Shikarpur, Vandhiya, Laliyana, Nava Katariya, Juna Katariya were visited.

• Meeting with total 70 people mostly farmers.

• Coordination with NGO SETU.

• All 70 people participated in EPH and conveyed their concerns (comments/ suggestions, etc.)

• Coordination with 2 NGOs Sahjivan-Bhuj and SETU at Bhadreshwar.

28. 18.09.09 M/s. Makevale Acrylics Pvt.Ltd., Village.Moksi,Tal.Savli, Dist.Vadodara

• Comments sent to GPCB.

29. 23.09.09 M/s.Indian Oil Corporation Limited, proposed for branch pipeline from Viramgam to Kandla for IOCL District: Surendranagar

• Field visit by a member of Paryavaran Mitra

• Comments sent to GPCB.

• Ghanshyamgadh, Amarpar, Bajana, Nana Goraiya,

• Meeting with 15 people including Sarpanch, social worker, and farmers.

• Coordination with 4 NGOs named as Samarthan Trust, SWATI, ACT, of

Dhangadhra and Arpan Foundation of Bamniya.

30. 25.09.09 M/s.Indian Oil Corporation Limited, proposed for branch pipeline from Viramgam to Kandla for IOCL at Tal.Viramgam, Dist.Ahmedabad

• Comments sent to GPCB.

• Coordination with NGO named as Anandi.

31. 1.10.09 M/s. Met Trade India Limited, Village.Bhimasar, Tal.Anjar, Dist. Kutch

• Comments sent to GPCB.

• Field visit by a member of Paryavaran Mitra

• 3 villages visited named Bhimasar, Khara Paswariya, Ajapar

• Coordination with NGO-SETU at Kutch.

• Meeting with 20 people including Sarpanch of Khara Paswariya Grampanchayat.

• All 20 people actively participated in EPH.

• A letter was prepared for Khara Paswariya Grampanchayat for illegal construction work which was sent by them to RO, GPCB-Ktuch,Bhuj, District collector-Bhuj, Member secretary-GPCB, Ganchinagar and MoEF-New Delhi.

• A letter was written to Secretary Ministry of Environment and Forest on basis of letter received from Khara Paswariya Grampanchayat demanding cancellation of EPH and set up a fact finding committee.

• Media Advocacy in Kutch Uday Daily newspaper regarding construction work.

• After EPH minutes was not uploaded on Gujarat Pollution Control Board website so a letter dated 7.10.09 written to MS-GPCB but no response was received so again a letter was written o secretary-MoEF on 12.10.09.

• Contradictory and partial information was in EPH proceedings so again a letter was written to Secretary MoEF to take actions against it.

32. 13.10.09 M/s.National Highway • Comments sent to GPCB.

Authority of India,4/6 Laning of Gujarat/ Maharashtra Border to Surat to Hazira port Section of NH-6 at Surat

33. 21.10.09 M/s. National Highway Authority of India, 4/6 Laning of Gujarat/ Maharashtra Border to Surat to Hazira port Section of NH-6 at Tapi

• Comments sent to GPCB.

34. 27.10.09 Ms. Torrent Pharmaceutical Ltd. Indrad, Kadi. Mehsana

• Comments sent to GPCB.

• Filed visit by 2 members of Paryavaran Mitra.

• 3 villages visited named as Indrad, Dhanot, Bileshwarpura

• Visited 15 local people at 3 villages.

• Main thing observed that people were not allowed to raise their issues during EPH by lady Sarpanch’s husband of Indrad village.

• A letter demanding cancellation was written to secretary, MoEF as misleading answers were given by the Project Proponent.

35. 28.10.09 M/s. Exemed Pharmaceuticals, Luna, Padra, Vadodara

• Field visit by a member of Paryavaran Mitra

• 3 Villages visited named as Munjpur, Chokari, Karakhadi

• Coordination with 2 local NGOs named Samajik Nyay Morcho, Mahisagar Shakti Sangathan at Padra.

• Meeting with 15 local people.

• Comments sent to GPCB. 36. 11.11.09 M/s.Zydex Industries

Pvt.Ltd., S.No.462,469,470-472 and 474-479, Padra Jambusar Road, Gavasad, Tal: Padra, Dist: Vadodara

• Comments sent to GPCB

• Field work by member of Paryavaran Mitra

• 5 villages visited - Gavasad, Sandha, Karkhadi, Chokari, Munjpur

• Meeting with 20 people.

• During EPH there were not proper sitting arrangements and affected people could not raise their concerns.

• A letter for cancellation of EPH was prepared for Arvindbhai Padhiyar on

date 20.11.09

• On basis of this Paryavaran Mitra wrote a letter to MoEF and GPCB for cancellation of EPH on date 26.11.09

• In minutes of EPH there were contradictory information given. To draw attention of Ministry of Environment and Forest a letter was written on date 27.11.09.

37. 17.11.09 M/s.Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited-Mata no Madh, Tal: Lakhpat, Dist: Kutch

• Comments sent to GPCB.

• Field work by a member of Paryavaran Mitra

• Village visits of Mata No Madh & Lifri.

• Meeting with total 40 people at these two villages.

• A Gramsabha was arranged for issues related to effects on agriculture, contamination of land, land acquisition and compensation problems, religious place Mata no Madh, etc. 30 people remained present in this Gramsabha.

• Meeting with 10 people at Lifri village and prepared 9 letters for locals for EPH.

38. 26.11.09 M/s.Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited, Amod, Tal: Jhagadia, Dist: Bharuch

• Comments sent to GPCB

• Field work by a membr of Paryavaran Mitra

• 5 villages visited name as Damlai, Morabi, Padvasiya, Amalzar, Amod and New colony.

• Meeting with 26 people at Padwasiya village.

• Meeting with 128 locals along with Sarpanch and social workers at Damlai village.

• 15 letters were prepared for this people. 39. 1.12.09 M/s.Vadinar Oil

Terminal Limited(VOTL), Vadinar, Tal.Khambalia, Dist.Jamnagar

• Comments sent to GPCB

40. 1.12.09 M/s.Vadinar Power Company Limited(VPCL), Vadinar, Tal.Khambalia, Dist.Jamnagar

• Comments sent to GPCB

41. 1.12.09 M/s.Gujarat Mineral Development Corporation Limited, Village.Tadkeshwar, Tal.Mandavi, Dist- Surat

• Comments sent to GPCB

42. 8.12.09 M/s.Mayur Dye Chem Intermediates Ltd., S.No.327 to 334-A, 325, 326, 989, 990, Kharkhadi/Dudhwala, Tal.Padra, Dist.Vadodra

• Comments sent to GPCB

• personal presence in EPH by 2 members of Paryavaran Mitra

• A letter to Ministry of Environment and Forest for misleading information in the minutes/proceedings of EPH

43. 15.12.09 M/s.National Highway Authority of India, widening of existing 2 lane NH-8D to 4 lane divided carriageway form Jetpur to Somnath,Gujarat

• Comments sent to GPCB

44. 29.12.09 M/s.Surat Super Yarn Park Limited, S.No.195, Block No.282, Village.Hathuran, Tal.Mangrol, Dist.Surat

• Comments sent to GPCB

• Field work by a member of Paryavaran Mitra

• Letter to Mr. K.U. Mistry, chairman, SEAC, Gandhinagar for misleading information in Minutes of EPH.

45. 2.01.10 M/s. Cambay Chem Limited, Block No.637, Village.Kalamsar, Tal.Khambhat, Dist.Anand

• Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution Control Board

• Field visit of 8 villages named Kalamsar, Ralaj, Bajipura, Vatra, Pondyapura, Dali, etc

• Pre EPH meeting with 25 affected people.

• Personal presence in EPH

• Letters to different authorities

• Letter to MoEF for delay in uploading EPH Minutes on website of GPCB

• Coordination with NGO Pravah, Navjivan Trust- Borsad, Pochbhai Foundation – Golana, People’s Training and Research Centre-Khambhat.

46. 5.01.10 M/s.National Highway Authority of India, widening of existing 2 lane NH-8D to 4 lane divided carriageway form Jetpur to Somnath,Gujarat

• Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution Control Board

47. 8.01.10 Cadila Health Care Limited, Dabhasa Vadodara

• Comments sent to GPCB

48. 19.01.10 National Highway Authority of India, Mokha Cross Road, Anjar-Mundra Highway Road, Dist.Kutch

• Comments sent to GPCB

49. 22.01.10 M/s. Shree Ganesh Chemicals, Plot No.8, Shreenathji Estate-3, B/H Gujcomasol, Narol Vatva Road, Narol, Dist.Ahmedabad

• Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution Control Board

• By our information and co-ordination Students from Law faculty of Nirma University participated as observer in the EPH

50. 29.01.10 M/s. Euro Ceramics Limited, S.No.510,511 & 512, Village.Sikara, Bhachau-Dudhai Road, Tal.Bhachau, Dist.Kutch

• Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution Control Board

• Pre-EPH meeting with people

• 2 villages visted named Sikra and Kabrau.

• Visited 15 people including Sarpanch of Sikra and farmers from which 5 people participated in EPH

• Coordination with NGO Samakhiyali SETU

51. 29.01.10 M/s. Patel Pharmachem Pvt. Ltd., 31, Mahalaxmi Estate, Village.Iyava, Tal.Sanand Ahmedabad

• Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution Control Board

• Co-ordination with Sanand Mahila Vikas Sangthan and Navsarjan

• Meeting with 35 people

• Personal presence in EPH 52. 02.02.10 M/s. Rushil Decor

Limited, S.No.270, Village.Navalgarh, Tal. Dhangadhra, Dist: Surendranagar

• Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution Control Board

• 4 villages visited named Navalgadh, Dholi, Khambhada, Vrajpar.

• Pre EPH meeting with 15 people from which 10 people participated in EPH

• Coordination with NGO- SWATI, ACT

• Cancellation of EPH

• Personal presence in EPH 53. 05.02.10 M/s. Ambuja Cement

Limited, Dist. Junagadh • Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution

Control Board

• 4 Villages visited named as Rampara, Anandpara, Kukrash, Bhetali.

• Field visit by a member of Paryavaran Mitra

• Pre EPH meetings with a active group at Veraval and met 40 people. 60 people participated in EPH with the help of people whom we met.

• Encourage people to write letters to authorities for not following legal provisions in EPH

• Coordination with Rajakbhai Bloch-local leader, Samajik Nyay Samiti,

• A letter to District collect , Junagadh for changing venue of EPH of Ambuja cement company , Veraval as it was too far from project area

• Personal presence in EPH 54. 10.02.10 M/s.Best Value Chem

Private Limited, 437, 438 & 439, ECPL Road, Village.Karakhadi, Tal.Padra, Dist.Vadodara

• Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution Control Board

• Pre-EPH meeting with people of 5 villages.

• Our group is actively working in this region.

55. 23.02.10 M/s. Jaypee Gujarat Cement Plant(A unit of Jaiprakash Associates Ltd.) (Formerly known as Gujarat Anjan Cement Limited),Village.Vayor, Dist.Kutch

• Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution Control Board

• 3 villages visited named as Vayor, Movadi, Karia

• Pre EPH meeting with 15 people.

• 250 people participated in EPH through those whom we met.

• Coordination with Mahiti Mitra-Abdasa.

• Personal presence in EPH

56. 23.02.10 M/s. Jaypee Gujarat Cement Plant(A unit of Jaiprakash Associates Ltd.) (Formerly known as Gujarat Anjan Cement Limited), Village.Baranda,Tal.Lakhpat, Dist.Kutch

57. 26.02.10 M/s. Devram Gordhandas Barai, R.S.No.80/P, Village.Navadara, Tal.Kalyanpur, Dist.Jamnagar

• Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution Control Board

• Field visit by a member of Paryavaran Mitra

• Pre EPH meetings with a active group at Kalyanpura (dist. Jamnagar)

• Personal presence in EPH

• Letters to different authorities

• Visited 1 village namely Kalyanpur in

58. 26.02.10 M/s.Saurashtra Calcine Bauxite & Allied Ind.Ltd.,(SCABAL), S.No.403/P,Village.Ran,

Tal.Kalyanpur, Dist.Jamnagar

which 2 meeting were done with 150 people. All participated in EPH.

• Coordination with Kisan Sangh,

• Memorandum given by affected people to district authority

59. 26.02.10 M/s. Saurashtra Calcine Bauxite & Allied Ind.Ltd.,(SCABAL), S.No.121/P,Village.Hadmatiya,Tal.Kalyanpur,Dist.Jamnagar

60. 26.02.10 M/s. Saurashtra Calcine Bauxite & Allied Ind.Ltd.,(SCABAL), S.No.415/1P, Near Village.Lamba,Tal.Kalyanpur,Dist.Jamnagar

61. 26.02.10 M/s. Saurashtra Calcine Bauxite & Allied Ind.Ltd.,(SCABAL), S.No.415/1P, Near Village.Lamba,Tal.Kalyanpur, Dist.Jamnagar

62. 11.03.10 M/s. Gujarat Fishery Department, Block No.10, Third Floor, Dr.Jivraj Mehta Bhavan, Gandhinagar EPH at Jafrabad

• Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution Control Board

• Pre EPH meetings with a active group of 5 people at Jafarabad out of which all 5 remained present in EPH.

• Personal presence in EPH

• Village visit of Jafrabad. 63. 12.03.10 M/s. Adani Power

Limited, Village.Tunda-Wand, Mundra, Dist.Kutch

• Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution Control Board

• Coordination with Bhadreshwar SETU, YMC-Yusuf Meharali Centre, Sarpanch of Samaghogha village

64. 16.03.10 M/s. Torrent Power Limited, Village.Akhakol, Tal.Kamrej, Dist.Surat

• Comments sent to Gujarat Pollution Control Board

• 4 villages visited named as Akhakol, Karjan, Dhoranparadi, Navi Pardi

• Pre-EPH meeting with 20 people from which 10 people participated in EPH.

• Personal presence in EPH

• Coordination with Backrish Water Research Center & Pravah, Shabbirbhai Jerman- local leader- Nani Naroli, Kalubhai-Local leader- Tadkeshwar

Annexure-2: List of RTI Applications

Sr. no

Date Name of RTI applicant

Subject & department

Objective

1. 15.05.09 Mahesh Parmar Process being done after the direction of GIC to DOEF. Department of Environment and Forest Gandhinagar

To find out what steps were taken after our letter under Mahiti Adhikar Pagla Samti to remove Sanjiv Tyagi as appellate authority and PIO.

2. 23.05.09 Mahesh Pandya First appeal RTI application dated 7.03.09 CIC, New Delhi

To monitor the implementation of the CDM projects an RTI Application was filed, in which partial information was provided.

3. 7.06.09 Mahesh Parmar Grazing and Government barren lands given to pipeline projects & compensation given District Panchayat Office, 1. Ahmedabad, 2. Patan 3. Mehsana 4. Banaskantha

To find out how much grazing land was given to the industry and proper compensation.

4. 9.06.09 Mahesh Parmar Grazing and Government barren lands given to IOCL project & compensation given Indian Oil Corporation ltd. Rajkot

To find out how much grazing land was given to the industry and proper compensation.

5. 23.06.09 Mahesh Parmar Grazing and Government barren lands given to GAIL project & compensation given Gas Authority India Ltd Baroda

To find out how much grazing land was given to the industry and proper compensation.

6. 23.06.09 Mahesh Parmar Grazing and Government barren lands given to ONGC project & compensation given Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Baroda

To find out how much grazing land was given to the industry and proper compensation.

7. 29.06.09 Mahesh Parmar Discharge of treated effluent, discharge point of hazardous solid waste, construction & start of project activity of Nandesari TSDF site, honor ship of this site, duration of ECP project, carrying capacity of this channel, complains received during 3 years and steps taken on it, quantity of effluent being discharged in this channel, extra land acquired for this project and mode of land acquisition, etc Gujarat Pollution Control Board, Baroda

To find out main original source of polluted ground waters at Padra. Weather ground water is being polluted by industries through reverse bore well or ECP channel’s improper maintenance

8. 29.06.09 Mahesh Parmar chemical industries discharging effluents, standards of treated waste, steps taken in case of violation of the standards, charges in case of pollution load, capacity of ECP channel- discharge point, sampling and analysis report, renovation work, steps taken after receiving complains of people, duration of ECP project, carrying capacity of this channel, quantity of effluent being discharged in this

To find out main original source of polluted ground waters at Padra. Weather ground water is being polluted by industries through reverse bore well or ECP channel’s improper maintenance

channel, extra land acquired for this project and mode of land acquisition, etc ECP channel, Baroda

9. 6.06.09 Dhara Gajjar Complain files for providing partial information for earlier RTI Application. CIC, New Delhi

On 19.02.09 RTI Application was done to Ministry of Environment and Forest for information about states/UT which has not formed SEIAA, SEAC and steps taken by MoEF for not implementing SEIAA, SEAC.

10. 6.06.09 Dhara Gajjar Complain files for providing partial information for earlier RTI Application. CIC, New Delhi

To know the regularities of timeframe into the EIA System. To monitor the implementation of EIA notification 2006

11. 6.06.09 Dhara Gajjar Complain files for providing partial information for earlier RTI Application. CIC, New Delhi

To know the regularities of timeframe into the EIA System. To monitor the implementation of EIA notification 2006

12. File inspection 13.07.09

Mahesh Pandya

Information of CDM revenue and projects was asked from MoEF, Bhopal Ministry of Environment and Forest, Bhopal

File inspection of RTI Application done to MoEF, Bhopal.

13. 13.10.09 Pravin Vaghela

Information about United Phosphorous plant GPCB, Bharuch

Information about incident at UPL, unit no. 5, 750 GIDC, Jhagadia on January 2nd 2009

14. 15.10.09 Mahesh Pandya

Actions taken on letter written to PM office regarding breach of privilege in Loksabha, Prime Minister Office, New Delhi

In a 14th Loksabha session held on 17.10.08, a question was asked regarding the pending pollution related cases. In response to this question, Minister of state in the MoEF - Mr. Namo 15. 15.10.09 Mahesh Actions taken on letter

Pandya written to PM office regarding breach of privilege in Loksabha, Loksabha, New Delhi

Narayain Meena stated that the state governments of UP, Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat and NCT Delhi have set up a designated courts to deal with the environment related cases. While in response our RTI to GPCB there is no single environmental court in Gujarat.

16. 15.10.09 Mahesh Pandya

Actions taken on letter written to PM office regarding breach of privilege in Loksabha, MoEF, New Delhi

17. 4.11.09 Mahesh Pandya

Actions taken on letter written to MoEF regarding violation of EC conditions by Gujarat Fluorochemicals Ltd, Panchmahal. MoEF, New Delhi

It was mentioned in conditions of Environmental Clearance issues on 14.09.2007 by MoEF, New Delhi that GFL have to put six monthly compliance status reports on the company’s website but it was not fulfilled. So a letter was written to Joint Director of MoEF to take action on this issue.

18. 26.2.10 Mahesh Parmar

Details of SEZ till Dec. 2009 from it’s beginning in state of Gujarat Industrial Commissionorate Gandhinagar

To know land acquisition status Status of withdrawn SEZ

19. 15.3.10 Mahesh Parmar

Sintex industries ltd - Kalol & IFFCO - Kalol GPCB, Mehsana

To monitor post CDM situation

20. 24.3.10 Mahesh Parmar

Meetings & agenda of Wild life protection board. Forest & Environment Department, Gandhinagar

Number of ecological sensitive sites and forest land recommended to industries

(Annexure-C) Ref: #PM/MP/292/2009 Date: 25 May 2009 To, Dr. Saroj, Room No. 751, Director HSM Division, Ministry of Environment and Forests, Paryavaran Bhawan, CGO Complex, Lodi Road, New Delhi-110003, Sub: Comments on “National Hazardous Waste Management Strategy” Dear Sir, We are Gujarat based voluntary organization working in the field of Environment and Industrial Pollution issue. Since 10 years we are taking active part in whatever policy level consultations. Whenever you call for personal presentation I would like to remain present before you on behalf of my organization. Our comments on above said subjects are as follows,

1. Why only hazardous waste strategy. It should cover the hazardous and non-hazardous both category to clean India.

2. Integrate all waste under one umbrella Act. E.g. Biomedical waste and used lead acid batteries waste and so many other which are not identified.

3. Other waste means municipal waste, debris from construction waste, top tar waste from road, etc.

4. Concept of Resource Tax/Cess shall be much effective for optimal utilization of all resource input to all activities.

5. Why new technologies for recovery, reuse, recycling are not promoted? E.g. Plazma Technology.

6. Apart from this website notice you must have to take public opinion through State Government.

Yours sincerely, Mahesh Pandya

(Annexure-D) Ref: #PM/MP/410/2009 Date: 16

th September 2009

To, Mr. Rajesh Dubey & Mr. Varad Pandey Ministry of Environment and Forest New Delhi Sub: Comments on proposal for a National Environment Protection Authority Dear Sir, It is a very good initiative of Ministry of Environment and Forest to prepare a proposal for National

Environment Protection Authority (towards effective Environmental Governance). Our few

comments and recommendation are as follows,

1. In this discussion paper there is no clarity about amendment in Environment Protection

Act 1986 and EIA Notification 2006, CRZ Notification 1991 and National Environmental

Policy 2006. Because if we accept any of the four option you have to make major

changes in existing statutory norms.

2. We are worried about that till date National Environment Appellate Authority has not

appoint full fledged body even after judiciary order. So, on one hand you have to try out

parallel procedure for NEPA and on the other hand you have to try out sincerely our

existing mechanism.

3. Our humble request that Ministry of Environment and Forest has to carryout at least

State-wise discussion with stakeholder on this discussion paper.

4. There is no clarity about role of National Green Tribunal and composition of NGT.

I would like to remain present whenever you call us for consultation. Yours sincerely Mahesh Pandya

(Annexure -E) Ref: #PM/MP/419/2009 Date: 11 November 2009 To, Secretary, Ministry of Environment and Forest, CGO Complex, Lodhi Road, New Delhi-110003 Sub: Comments on Draft Plastic (Manufacture, usage and Waste Management) Rules, 2009. Sir, We have gone through Draft Plastic (Manufacture, usage and Waste Management) Rules, 2009.

Following are our comments,

1. In section 9(iii) it is stated that “The State Pollution Control Board shall not issue or renew the registration certificate to a unit”. Comment: By intension industries are not doing registration under any act. In that case State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee has to take a suo mato application against all this circumstances.

2. In section 9(iv) it is stated that “every State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee shall grant registration within thirty days of receipt of application, complete in all respect ” Comment: State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee are overburden and are lacking in manpower. So, the timeline should be extended up to sixty days.

3. There should be a penalty clause for violators and impose penalty by collector (district magistrate) on the basis of recommendation from State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee.

4. Also there should be provision to remove dumps of plastics by local self government or State Government or Municipalities. And if they failed than impose penalty on them.

5. State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee has some limitations. There should be a system like Whistle Blower so that any one seeing violation of these rules can inform SPCB and Pollution Control Committee. The person should be awarded.

6. Penalty should be imposed on citizens throwing plastic waste anywhere. 7. Please include provision for checking type of plastic bags handled by retailers and

small shop owners i.e. - Dairy product producers are using recycle plastic. 8. Every six month dealers of plastic should submit their stock register to concern authority

(State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee). 9. State Pollution Control Board or Pollution Control Committee should do site inspection of

the Plastic producers and plastic dealers. Yours sincerely, Mahesh Pandya

(Annexure-F) Ref: #PM/MP/457/2010 Date: 18 January 2010 To Shri Jairam Ramesh, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Environment and Forest New Delhi. Sub: Publish a public notice to Gujarati newspapers Ref: Public consultation on BT Brinjal to be held on 19 January 2010 at Ahmedabad Respected Jairam Rameshji, First of all we must have to congratulate you to have public consultation on BT Brinjal. As a part of this public consultation tomorrow on date 19 January 2010, a public consultation is held in Ahmedabad. Earlier it was held at CEE but now there is change in venue of this public consultation. But no public notice is given in the newspapers. So, interested people are not aware about this change in venue and it is possibility that they can not participate in this public consultation. It is our demand that a public notice should be given in 2 Gujarati major newspapers and one in English about change in the venue. Yours sincerely, Mahesh Pandya Cc: Mr. Kartikey Sarabhai, The Director, Centre for Environment Education, Ahmedabad. Ref: #PM/MP/458/2010 Date: 19 January 2010 To Shri Jairam Ramesh, Hon’ble Minister of State, Ministry of Environment and Forest New Delhi. Sub: Comments on BT Brinjal at Public consultation at Ahmedabad on date 19.01.2010 Respected Jairam Rameshji, Many many congratulations for carrying out public consultations on BT Brinjal. Our objections are as follows, 1. No public notices were given for these public consolations in newspapers. When there is

such public consultation being carried out, public notices should be given in newspapers. The

people remaining in this public consultation are due to voluntary efforts of many organizations those who are concern about livelihood and environment.

2. As per para-2 (iii) of EIA Notification 2006 Prior Environmental Clearance is required “Any change in product mix in an existing manufacturing unit included in Schedule beyond the specified range”. Here you are changing this crop all over India and no Environment Impact Assessment is done. It shows that this public consultation is in premature phase. Studies and Impact Assessment must be done before permitting these GM Crops (BT Brinjal).

3. Climate change is a big issue and challenge to us in this new era and instead of adaptation and mitigation measures you are permitting GM Crops (BT Brinjal) which are unfriendly to environment as they need more water and pesticides. To mitigate climate change people are turning to traditional agricultural practices and organic farming while GM Crops need more water and pesticides.

4. On one hand Hon’ble Prime Minister has launched Climate change Action Plan in which National water mission (Para 4.4) is given to ensure integrated water resources management to conserve water. While BT Brinjal will need more amount of water.

5. Also a mission for Sustainable Agriculture in Climate change Action Plan (Para 4.7) is given which says that Agriculture will need to be protected climate change. BT Brinjal is also against this. It is also mentioned that Focus would be on improving productivity of rainfed agriculture while GM Crops need more water.

6. BT Brinjal is economically unfriendly to farmers as they will need to buy seeds every time. Thus it only economically friendly to GM Industries.

We are strongly opposing BT Brinjal at this stage. Yours sincerely, Mahesh Pandya

(Annexure-G) Ref: #PM/MP/496/2010 Date: 24 March 2010 To C/o DIRECTOR (A&O), LOK SABHA SECRETARIAT, ROOM NO. 163, PARLIAMENT HOUSE ANNEXE, NEW DELHI-110001, TELE NO. 23034247/23035509, FAX NO. 23794113, EMAIL agricom@sansad.nic.in Sub: Suggestions/views/comments on Genetically Modified Seeds/Crops in India - discussions in the Parliamentary Standing Committee Dear Sir,

We are Ahmedabad; Gujarat based voluntary organization working in the field of environment and pollution issues in Gujarat. After consultation by Ministry of Environment and Forest and CEE in Gujarat on issue of BT Brinjal we met several farmers. All of them were opposing BT Brinjal. We are putting all collaborative points before you on this issue.

We would first like to draw your attention to a highly successful, large, government-supported programme in Andhra Pradesh called Community Managed Sustainable Agriculture on twenty lakh acres this year, which shows that sustainable agriculture practices in farming, without the use of synthetic pesticides and the like, can improve net incomes and livelihoods of farmers and improve their productive resources without decreasing production. Further, such experiences exist with farmers in Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Orissa, Kerala, Punjab and other states too.

We would like to place our concerns and arguments against GMOs in our food and farming systems in the light of such positive experiences on the ground. The following are our deep concerns with regard to GM seeds in our agriculture:

1. BT Crops indirectly affects beneficial insects: It is not necessary to kill only specific kind of insect by this technology. Some insects are beneficiary for crops. Some insects are useful and part of nutrient cycle which will get damage due to this new technology.

2. Contains substances that never been a part of the human food supply. Our body is habituated with some specific climate base and geography based substances. We are not habituated with these new contents which will come through BT Brinjal. Till we are not aware whether BT Brinjal will be useful to our body or will damage it. Also we have to check whether it will affect our immune system or not. It can produce unknown allergens in food.

3. Antibiotic resistant bacteria are used in developing GM Food can cause negative impact on plant and in human body. It can cause unexpected mutations in an organism which can create new or higher levels of toxins in food. Without long term testing no one knows if these foods are safe or not

4. It is yet unknown whether GM food is safe environment and soil. There are different textures of soil. Each in India the traditional crop of Brinjal is according to climate and soil types. So why we are introducing this new unknown technology? When we have varieties of Brinjal in our country why BT Brinjal.

5. Can cause damage to ecology– this new organism (BT Brinjal) may compete successfully with relatives, causing changes in the environment and ecology.

6. What about individual choice? In this democratic country what about individuals right if the person don’t want to eat BT Brinjal. There should be label or method to identify BT Brinjal.

Without labeling how can person chose between normal Brinjal and BT Brinjal? It is violation of my fundamental rights of food.

7. May mislead consumers e.g. bright red tomato could be several weeks old and contain less nutrition. Without labels it is impossible to trace problems of any kind back to their source.

8. As per para-2 (iii) of EIA Notification 2006 Prior Environmental Clearance is required “Any change in product mix in an existing manufacturing unit included in Schedule beyond the specified range”.

Here you are changing this crop all over India and no Environment Impact Assessment is done. It shows that this public consultation is in premature phase. Studies and Impact Assessment must be done before permitting these GM Crops (BT Brinjal).

9. Climate change is a big issue and challenge to us in this new era and instead of adaptation and mitigation measures you are permitting GM Crops (BT Brinjal) which are unfriendly to environment as they need more water and pesticides.

To mitigate climate change people are turning to traditional agricultural practices and organic farming while GM Crops need more water and pesticides.

10. On one hand Hon’ble Prime Minister has launched Climate change Action Plan in which National water mission (Para 4.4) is given to ensure integrated water resources management to conserve water. While BT Brinjal will need more amount of water.

11. Also a mission for Sustainable Agriculture in Climate change Action Plan (Para 4.7) is given which says that Agriculture will need to be protected climate change. BT Brinjal is also against this.

It is also mentioned that Focus would be on improving productivity of rainfed agriculture while GM Crops need more water.

12. BT Brinjal is economically unfriendly to farmers as they will need to buy seeds every time. Thus it only economically friendly to GM Industries.

13. Gene pollution cannot be cleaned up.

14. GMOs are unpredictable, irreversible and uncontrollable: Genetic Engineering is proven to be an imprecise technology bringing about unpredictable changes through the process of random, forced insertion of alien genes into an organism at the genomic level. This mutagenesis caused by GE is known to lead to a host of environmental and health-related hazards. It has been documented that GM foods cause health effects like allergies, damage to organs like kidney, liver, pancreas etc., affect the immune system, lead to stunted growth and development, impact reproductive health and may even have inter-generational effects. The impact of such foods on an already malnourished population like in the case of India is imaginable. The most dangerous aspect to GM in our agriculture is that this is an irreversible technology – such seeds have a way of spreading and propagating themselves and therefore, it is irreversible and uncontrollable. Given this nature of the technology, the fundamental question that needs to be answered convincingly about this technology is whether alternatives do not exist. For crops with pest-resistant trait like in the case of Bt Cotton, Bt Brinjal, Bt Rice etc., there is ample evidence from lakhs of acres of farms from all over the country that pest management is indeed possible without the use of chemical pesticides or GM seeds. Therefore, the very grounds on which these seeds are being brought in are wrong.

15. GM seeds with their proprietary technologies violate farmers’ rights: This country had seen with the case of Bt Cotton and Bollgard brand technology that the American MNC Monsanto earned nearly ten thousand crores just in the form of licensing fees and royalty charges. This, even without having any patents on these seeds or genes. It had become impossible for state governments and licensing authorities to control exorbitant prices of seeds since no laws exist in this country for this. Further, due to an amendment in the Essential Commodities Act, even the powers vested through the Seeds Control Order were taken away from the state governments. Several states like AP and Gujarat had to resort to quick passage of ordinances so that seed prices could be kept low. As you might be aware, high price of Bt Cotton seed coupled with unsatisfactory results had led to serious distress amongst cotton farmers in places like Vidarbha and even the Planning Commission’s Fact

Finding Report in Vidarbha takes note of this. Further, given the constant push of the agri-business towards a seeds regime governed by more and more rigid ownership rights vested with corporations, farmers’ rights over their seeds and their right to affordable, appropriate, high quality seed would be violated.

16. GM seeds will contaminate non-GM, reduce biodiversity and threaten the rights of non-GM and organic farmers: Instances of contamination of non-GM plant material from GMOs released either through field trials or commercial cultivation galore the world over. There are several papers that indicate and predict that biodiversity will be adversely impacted by the advantage conferred to a GM plant through the GE process. Further, contamination will introduce the new trait into other plants of the same species and related species which was not intended in the first instance. This would violate the rights of non-GM farmers, especially organic farmers, to remain GM-Free.

Further, we are dabbling with this technology for even crops for which we are the Centre of Origin and Diversity, like Brinjal, Rice and Pigeonpea. This is contrary to what we have committed ourselves to at the Convention on Biological Diversity and Cartagena Biosafety Protocol.

17. GM seeds unsuitable for rainfed farmers and pose a greater risk in the era of climate change: The Planning Commission’s Fact Finding Team that visited Vidarbha at the behest of the Prime Minister to understand the rural distress there has concluded that Bt Cotton was not suitable for rainfed farmers and that wrong advisories prompted farmers (the state had only 4% of its cotton grown in irrigated conditions) to opt for incorrect seed choices. It has been found on the ground that with adverse weather conditions like high or low rainfalls, high temperature etc., Bt Cotton has been adversely impacted, compared to non-Bt Cotton. Given this stress intolerance quality of GM seeds, it is clear that it is unsuitable on these grounds too for a majority of our farmers and in this era of climate change.

18. Aggressive marketing of GM seeds “de-skilled” our farmers: It has been documented that Bt Cotton has been marketed in this country like no other seed has ever been through a variety of questionable and unacceptable methods. The allusion to wrong advisories prompting farmers to go in for ‘incorrect seeds’ was made by the Planning Commission too, in the case of Vidarbha. It has been found that this is “de-skilling” farmers to the extent that rational choices for seeds to suit their local needs and conditions are not being made by farmers. Such de-skilling does not augur well for the farmers and their livelihoods.

19. GM contamination of non-GM produce will threaten our trade security: India today enjoys the advantage of supplying non-GM agricultural products to its various markets and your learned self might be aware of the European soy importers offering a higher price for Indian soy given this advantage, for instance. However, release of GMOs of different crops into the environment threatens this advantage that we have in world markets, at a time when a majority of countries around the world reject GM crops/foods. Consumer preference is getting stronger and stronger for non-GM products, as you might be aware. Opting for deliberate release of any GMOs in our farming therefore will adversely impact our trade security. In this connection, we would like to bring to your notice that while GM Rice trials have been banned in India in the Basmati Rice growing belts, after the demand for the same has been voiced by the powerful rice exporters’ lobby, such trials continue in other parts of the country. This is irrational given that exports of other rice have been larger in value and volume from this country compared to Basmati Rice. This ban has to be applied uniformly for all regions and for all trials.

20. GM seeds jeopardize sustainability in our farming: As mentioned earlier, GM seeds will impact diversity in our farms and other areas. Further, GM crops like Bt Cotton have been documented to interfere with soil biological activity adversely, thus potentially impacting productivity. Pest resistance and change in the pest and disease ecology is also documented with such GM crops. It is scientifically foolish to rest our pest management strategy across various crops and for various pests on just a few genes over millions and millions of farmland (“monoculturing of genes”). It has also been seen that Bt Cotton requires more irrigation and more chemical fertilizer use (agriculture scientists are recommending higher use of chemical fertilizers on Bt Cotton, as compared to non-Bt Cotton, even as farmers themselves are

applying more fertilizers on Bt Cotton). A very senior agriculture scientist in the country and Chair of the Agriculture Scientists Recruitment Board had predicted that even a 6% increase in GM crop area in the country would lead to doubling of demand for chemical fertilizers. All of this would seriously jeopardize the sustainability in Indian farming. This will certainly aggravate the crisis that Indian farmers are steeped in, due to spiraling cost of cultivation, erosion of productive resources and higher risks in production.

21. GM seeds pose an increased public financing burden: Going by the Bt Cotton experience and increased recommendation and use of chemical fertilizers, and given the predictions of senior agriculture scientists that even a 6% increase in GM crop area doubling the demand for chemical fertilizers, it is obvious that GM seeds will pose an increased public financing burden for the government. As we know, the huge subsidy being borne in the name of chemical fertilizers in this country has blown up to go beyond the defence budget and most of this fertilizer use is inefficient and unsustainable. It also has greater implications and requires an urgent re-look in this age of Climate Change. In such a context, allowing GM technology with its implications on higher fertilizer use and increase public-financing burden does not make sense. This is true with herbicide-tolerant crops too. As everyone knows, rural employment, especially for the agricultural workers and women exists mostly in the form of de-weeding work in agricultural fields. On the one hand, we have NREGA programme which is trying to create rural employment through outlays of nearly 40,000 crores while on the other hand, India is trying to introduce herbicide tolerant crops like HT Cotton and HT Corn, which will take away existing employment opportunities in farming for the poorest of our workers. This is extremely paradoxical and will only increase the burden on the government to increase its NREGA and similar outlays. This reflects the short-sightedness of our policy makers.

22. GM seeds and the Constitutional authority of state governments over their Agriculture and Health: While states like Kerala have declared themselves GM-Free and Organic and the North-Eastern states have also declared themselves Organic, while some state governments have disallowed field trials of GM crops and some others have questioned such trials without the permission of the state government, the technology itself is such that the Constitutional authority of the state governments will be violated with the entry of such seeds in even the neighboring state. Today, there is no liability mechanism in place for contamination, for remediation and so on which allows for penalties, compensation, redressal etc.

I would like to remain present before committee.

Yours Sincerely, Mahesh Pandya