Back, protect delta, CM Edappadi K Palaniswami urges Centre

Armed with “additional facts” to strengthen his case against oil and gas exploration in the delta region, chief minister Edappadi K Palaniswami on Monday sought the Centre’s support to declare the belt an “ecologically sensitive agricultural zone”. On Sunday, the CM sprung a surprise by announcing in Salem that the Cauvery delta would be declared a protected agriculture zone.
A delegation of AIADMK MPs and senior officers, led by senior minister D Jayakumar, presented a letter from the chief minister to Union minister for environment, forests and climate change Prakash Javadekar in New Delhi. Ministers Dharmendra Pradhan (petroleum and natural gas) and Pralhad Joshi (parliamentary affairs) were also present.

In the letter, a copy of which is available with TOI, EPS requested the Centre to stop future plans for exploration and mining of hydrocarbons in the delta. “It is our strong view that the ecologically sensitive Cauvery delta region should be excluded from any exploration, development and production of hydrocarbons in future,” the CM said. The Centre is requested to add a provison excluding the region from the purview of the January 16 amendment notification, he said.

“The negative aspect of hydrocarbon projects outweigh advantages claimed by the proponents. Pipeline failures, accidents, spills and explosions can lead to property and ecological damage, loss of life and adversely impact health and habitat in a densely populated agrarian belt,”
The delta region is known for its rich archaeological and cultural heritage, with famous monuments like Brihadeshwarar temple of Thanjavur, the Gangaikonda Cholapuram temple, the Navagraha temples, the Velankanni church and the Nagore Dargah dotting the region. EPS said it was apprehended that hydrocarbon exploration will destroy the cultural heritage of the country.
“There will be a good response from the Centre in four days,” Jayakumar told reporters later. Agriculture department sources said discussions on legal aspects were on.
In the letter, the CM pointed to additional facts (based on empirical reports) and said it would “clearly reinforce the need to preserve the ecologically sensitive agricultural zone of delta region”, which contributed more than 32% of state’s food production. Based on an expert committee report, the state had observed in 2015 that exploration of coal bed methane (CBM) would cause the risk of sea-water intrusion in the delta. “The exploration of hydrocarbons would detrimentally affect the livelihood and food security of the state… It is apprehended that the exploration of hydrocarbons will adversely affect sub-surface water, including causing possible damage to borewell shafts. Further, criss-crossing of gas and waste water pipelines will detrimentally affect the natural surface and sub-surface features now existing in the delta,” the CM said.