Thursday, September 23, 2010

Write to Jairam Ramesh – Double Standards | Save the turtles

Dear All,

Is there hypocrisy in the corridors of power? The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) has given a clean chit to the Dhamra port in Orissa in front of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC), even though the port has clearly violated the Forest Conservation Act 1980.

The ministry has contradicted its own regional office, which has repeatedly confirmed this violation for several years[1]. This ministry had earlier punished Vedanta for violating the law,[2] but has shown its double standards in the case of Dhamra. Are rules different for different corporations?

The Dhamra port poses a threat to the fragile ecology and fisheries of the area, the mangrove forests and crocodiles of the Bhitarkanika National Park and the Olive Ridley sea turtles. Minister Jairam Ramesh needs to know that these double standards won't do – the law must apply equally to all.

Can you write to Mr. Jairam Ramesh asking him to implement the law impartially?

http://greenpeace.in/turtle/write-to-jairam-ramesh-double-standards

Public opinion and anger against Vedanta made the government take action. By showing him the depth of public sentiment against the Dhamra project we can pressurise Minister Jairam Ramesh to do the right thing again.

The ministry never acted on the reports of its regional office in Bhubaneswar. Now in a recent affidavit to the CEC[3], the ministry has flatly contradicted its regional office's stand, without any explanation.

It's time the ministry explained its internal contradictions and took a just and impartial stand to save our environment.

Write to Jairam Ramesh and ask him to be impartial:

http://greenpeace.in/turtle/write-to-jairam-ramesh-double-standards

Thanks a billion!

Photo of Ashish Fernandes
Ashish Fernandes
Oceans Campaigner
Greenpeace India



Sources:
1. Regional MoEF letter to Central MoEF, April 1st, 2010 http://greenpeace.in/turtle/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/RegionalMoEF-April-1-2010.pdf

2. Jairam Ramesh denies environment clearance to Vedanta bauxite project, India Today, 24th August, 2010
http://indiatoday.intoday.in/site/Story/110068/Top%20Stories/jairam-ramesh-denies-environment-clearance-to-vedanta-bauxite-project.html

3. MoEF affidavit, May 5, 2010.
http://greenpeace.in/turtle/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/MoEF-affidavit-May-5-2010.pdf



Thank You.



Sathish Kumar Subramanian

Please distribute and create the awareness among people about helping animals - Helping hands are better than praying lips !

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