Environmental concerns at Jaitapur

The proposed nuclear power plant at Jaitapur in Ratnagiri district of Maharashtra will take over land that currently belongs to the villagers in five different fishing villages: Madban, Varliwada, Karel, Niveli and Mithgavane. Villages along the Konkan coastline in Maharashtra.  The Nuclear Power Corporation of India, NPCIL, has proposed several nuclear power projects to be situated on this single stretch of coast. The total electricity generating power of these plants will be about 33,000 MW.

The project site for the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project is at Madban village, on the coastline.  Fishing trawlers from nearby Sakhari Nate sail close to the site.

In late 2010, French nuclear reactor manufacturer Areva S.A. agreed to supply two 1650 MW Evolutionary Pressurized Reactors, or EPRs, to the JNPP.  The final cost of the project, which will include 6 reactors, is projected to be Rs.60,000 crore, as per state government estimates .

There is security presence along the coast. The fishermen from Nate and Sindhudurg region fish very close to the project site and now fear they will be denied access to the sea. Sakhari Nate brings in 40,000 tonnes of fish annually, which brings over 15 crore of income to the village.

The Konkan coast along Jaitapur has rich marine biodiversity. Dolphins share the sea with other varieties of fishes like the Surmai, Mackerel, and Pomfret.

Majith Govalkar is representative of the people of Sakhari Nate and a fisherman himself. Govalkar seen here throwing a fishing net. The fishermen here fish close to the Jaitapur Nuclear Power Project Site (JNPP) at Madban.

Technologically savvy wooden boats are powered by Ashok Leyland diesel engines.  The helmsman has a sonar screen go help locate shoals of fish, a walkie-talkie to talk to the spotter perched on the boat's highest point and a microphone to alert the boat owner of the day's catch.

The fishing economy of Sakhari Nate is a flourishing one.

Older fisherfolk mending their fishing nets at Sakhari Nate village. The local men spend much of their time making giant dragnets.

Anil Jagannath Tirodkar of Niveli Village shows the marking on the wall created by NPCIL.  The marking suggests that this land will be acquired for the project. Niveli is one of the villages which have been demarcated for the staff quarters for the employees of JNPP.

Eighty-year-old Bhagvati Vasudeo from Niveli village (one of the project affected villages at Jaitapur) lives alone.

Sunset at Bhate beach in Ratnagiri. The beach splits the sea.  There is a White sand beach on one side and a Black sand beach on the other. The area is famous for its beautiful sunsets.