Dapoli villagers protest nuclear power project in Konkan
Residents of Vanoushi and Dumdev in Dapoli taluka vow to resist a proposed nuclear power project on their land near Aghari and Bhivbandar.
The announcement of a nuclear power project planned for the Aghari and Bhivbandar area in Dapoli taluka of Ratnagiri district has caused a stir across the Konkan region. Opposition from local residents to the proposed project has been steadily intensifying in Dapoli taluka.
Villagers from Vanoushi and Dumdev held an important meeting together at a temple. Everyone present at the meeting spoke with one voice, demanding that the destructive project must not come up on their green and naturally rich land under any circumstances. The villagers also prayed that the project would not come to their area.
A large crowd gathered at the meeting, which was attended by chakarmani residents who had returned to their village from Mumbai for the Ganeshotsav festival. Their strong support has given considerable strength to the local movement.
The meeting has marked the start of an organised protest. It is learnt that a larger general assembly of the gram panchayats of Vanoushi and Dumdev villages will be called in the coming days. This upcoming assembly will decide the strategy going forward against the nuclear power project after addressing all necessary issues. The whole of Dapoli taluka is now watching this fight closely. The gram panchayat assembly will also decide what stance neighbouring villages will take on the protest. Both villages have said clearly that they strongly oppose the nuclear power project to protect their land and their rights, along with the natural beauty of Konkan and the livelihoods of farmers.
Villagers say that local farmers in the proposed site and several adjoining villages have for generations depended on cultivating mangoes, cashew, areca nut and paddy, as well as traditional fishing, for their livelihood. They expressed firm resolve that they will not let the fertile farmland built by the hard work of their ancestors, their livelihoods, and the paradise-like beauty of Konkan be destroyed under any circumstances. Declaring a complete ban on the sale of land, villagers openly warned that they will never allow any conspiracy to sell off land in the name of the project and destroy the green Konkan to succeed. A larger general assembly will soon be called to decide the future direction of the movement.
