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Dear all, The state of Kerala, which was spared from the ravages of coal power plants all these days, is now facing the threat of a large size coal power plant (about 2,400 MW) in an eco-sensitive area in Kasaragod district. The proposed project site at a village called Cheemeni in Hosadurg taluk is nestled in green surroundings with lush green valleys, streams, cashew nut plantations, and is not too far from Western Ghats.  The site has no railway _link_ nor the state any coal deposits, but the state govt. seem to be keen on the proposal. The information as to where the coal would come from, how etc. are not known at this stage. A gas _base_d power plant has also been thrown in as an alternative; just in case the opposition to coal power plant becomes too huge to handle. Like all other places facing the threat of a coal power plant, Cheemeni also is facing many threats even to its survival as a good human habitat.  But the people have already started a movement against the project. I was invited to address two public meetings and to provide them with an overview of the pros and cons of coal power stations. I attended these two meetings on 27th Sept. 2009  and 12th Jan. 2010. Dr. Ashok Kundapur also attedned the first meeting on 27th sept. Dr. Ashok Kundapur and I spoke to a group of activists on 27th Sept. and discussed various aspects of a coal power plants and how the movements against coal power plant have developed in different parts of the country. Dr. Ashok Kundapur talked about health impacts in the meeting on 27th Sept. Two public meetings on 27th Sept. (at Kanhangad, the taluk HQ) and 12th Jan.(at Cheemeni) attracted a good number of people. The implications of coal power plants were explained to the people. Information dissemination meetings at the local engineering college and higher priamry school at Cheemeni were also arranged on 12th Jan. wherein students evinced keen interest on various related issues. Dr. RVG Menon of Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishat (KSSP, roughly meaning 'Kerala Science Literature Council') and Mr. Neelakandan, an activist, also particiapted in the meeting on 12th Jan meeting. Dr. Menon was of the opinion that Kerala has been doing its best in reducing losses and on DSM front; not much scope is left in these areas; Kerala has much less agricultural load; not much discrimination between rural and urban areas; and the demand is growing due to increase in economic prosperity. Hence, he said that it is the stand of Kerala Shastra Sahitya Parishat that a large coal power plant is necessary in Kerala as a temporary measure until a suitable alternative in the form of renewable energy is found viable. I have raised quite a few points againts this stand, and I am yet to get satisfactory repsonse for my questions. Mr. Neelakandan is heavily against Coal power plants, and vehemently argued against it in the public meeting. I have suggested to Dr. RVG Menon and Mr. Neelakandan to consider a regional level workshop in Trivandrum where NGOs and individuals from the different states can come together, discuss various related issues and send suitable recommendations to the state govts. and the union govts. The executive committee of the National Federation Against Coal Power and Greenpeace may like to consider Trivandrum as the venue for our next meeting, and discuss the same issue with KSSP. Regards Shankar Sharma Consultant to Electricity Industry Doorvasapuram Post, Thirthahally Shimoga District, Karnataka - 577432 Phone: 08181 203 703 / 296 402 & 94482 72503 This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it