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The ONGC, which proposes to take up shale gas exploration in the Krishna-Godavari basin in Andhra Pradesh, has been accused of violating certain provisions of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and also Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) notification, 2006, by the Human Rights Forum.
Forum general secretary V.S. Krishna said here on Monday that the ONGC was preparing the ground for exploration of shale gas in the Krishna-Godavari basin and it had identified certain sites in East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna districts. Public hearings were also conducted at these sites, the latest being at Alamuru in East Godavari district last week, "but unfortunately no attempt is being made to educate the public about the devastating consequences of such exploration, especially on water security and food security. Toxic chemicals, many of them carcinogenic, will be used in the process of exploration and methane will also be emitted into the air."
Krishna said that in view of these perils many of the European nations were not taking up shale gas exploration and instead banking on renewable sources of energy. India should also follow suit, he pleaded.
Violations
He said the ONGC, the project proponent, had identified two sites in Krishna district, two in West Godavari and one in East Godavari district. Public hearings were conducted in November and December, 2016, in Krishna and West Godavari districts and at the East Godavari site last week.
But, he alleged, the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) had not yet given environmental clearances and the Pollution Control Board had also not yet given the go-ahead. "The ONGC has already started the work on the project at two of the sites - Andaluru in Veeravasaram mandal of West Godavari and Modugumudi of Mandavalli mandal in Krishna district. The approach of the ONGC authorities is most unfortunate," he said.
He appealed to the MoEF to cancel the terms of reference conditions granted for the project and also to halt further appraisal of the project.
He said the HRF would continue its campaign against shale gas exploration and he appealed to the Union Government and the State Government "not to convert the two Godavari districts, the celebrated rice bowl of the State, into a toxic gas bowl."
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