1. I wish to thank The Hindu for publishing the article, “A mockery of science, conservation and environmental laws” (May 19). The scientific establishment of India, Tamil Nadu in particular, dealing with marine systems should do some soul-searching. Government documents such as the affidavit filed in the Supreme Court, the Environmental Impact Assessment done by NEERI and similar studies by others in the domain make us wonder whether such exercises are a mere eyewash. The stretch along the east coast of Tamil Nadu to north-west Sri Lanka, including the waters, islands, sediments, the barrier reef and their dynamics, constitute the ecosystem. This will be endangered by the Sethusamudram Ship Channel Project. The needs of the hour is an effective campaign to stop it. – C.B.S.R.Sharma, Puducherry.
2. While it has been proved that the SSCP is not economically viable, the government is going ached with it with the least respect for the economy and ecology. Though, on sediment dynamics of this area, various experts have given different values, NEERI’s EIA has used the values selectively. Nobody seems to know the exact quantum to be dredged for maintenance dredging. – K.R.A.Narasiah, Chennai.
3. After going through the article and many more articles on the SSCP, I feel the tax-payers’ money has been dumped into the sea for no reason. No doubt, the government has to answer uncomfortable questions on why it ignored its own environment laws. I was shocked to learn that corals, which are Schedule 1 species and enjoy the same status as that of tigers, will be killed if the SSCP materializes. Who will be accountable for the ecological disaster? The Alaska experience has taught us that the damage caused to the environment is irreversible and can prove very costly. – Antony Rohan, Chennai.
4. The article was informative and thought-provoking. It was a rare piece that rightly highlighted the environmental dimension of the project. It drove home the disastrous consequences of the SSCP for the region, which is rich in bio-diversity. It also exposed the fact that the project ignores the existing environmental laws of the country. – Anis Ahmad, Faridabad.
5. The SSCP is a classic example of non-sustainable development. The article has advanced genuine arguments against the project. It is different from the holier-than-thou concern expressed by some for legend and myth, and the dangerous communal argument being put forward by the BJP which initially supported the project. The UPA government must listen to the experts and abandon the project. – Vasantha Surya, Chennai.
Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, May 21, 2008 (Letters to the Editor)
Grateful thanks to The Hindu and the individuals who wrote the above letters.
2. While it has been proved that the SSCP is not economically viable, the government is going ached with it with the least respect for the economy and ecology. Though, on sediment dynamics of this area, various experts have given different values, NEERI’s EIA has used the values selectively. Nobody seems to know the exact quantum to be dredged for maintenance dredging. – K.R.A.Narasiah, Chennai.
3. After going through the article and many more articles on the SSCP, I feel the tax-payers’ money has been dumped into the sea for no reason. No doubt, the government has to answer uncomfortable questions on why it ignored its own environment laws. I was shocked to learn that corals, which are Schedule 1 species and enjoy the same status as that of tigers, will be killed if the SSCP materializes. Who will be accountable for the ecological disaster? The Alaska experience has taught us that the damage caused to the environment is irreversible and can prove very costly. – Antony Rohan, Chennai.
4. The article was informative and thought-provoking. It was a rare piece that rightly highlighted the environmental dimension of the project. It drove home the disastrous consequences of the SSCP for the region, which is rich in bio-diversity. It also exposed the fact that the project ignores the existing environmental laws of the country. – Anis Ahmad, Faridabad.
5. The SSCP is a classic example of non-sustainable development. The article has advanced genuine arguments against the project. It is different from the holier-than-thou concern expressed by some for legend and myth, and the dangerous communal argument being put forward by the BJP which initially supported the project. The UPA government must listen to the experts and abandon the project. – Vasantha Surya, Chennai.
Courtesy: The Hindu, Madurai, May 21, 2008 (Letters to the Editor)
Grateful thanks to The Hindu and the individuals who wrote the above letters.
