Tata Group hits out at Greenpeace protests

Mumbai: Tata Steel has condemned protests carried out by Greenpeace activists demanding a halt to the construction of Tata's Dhamra port in Orissa which the environmental group says threatens the Olive Ridley sea turtles, an endangered species.

The activists blockaded Bombay House, the Tata Group's headquarters, on Wednesday calling on the company to demonstrate corporate environmental responsibility. But Tata Steel, in a release, stated that it was a "clear indication of an organisation which is trying to gain publicity for itself through agitations instead of addressing the issues they have across the table".

Tata Steel says it is aware of certain concerns being voiced about the future welfare of turtles in the Bay of Bengal as a consequence of the development of a port in Dhamra, off the coast of Orissa.

Company cites studies

The company sought to draw attention to various studies since 1994 on the nesting habits of the Olive Ridley turtles along the Orissa coast, including the Gahirmatha marine sanctuary. The studies clearly established that the port limits of the upcoming Dharma port are clearly outside the turtle nesting area as well as the Bhitarkanika Park, the release stated, adding that the National Environmental Appellate Authority had visited the site and found nothing objectionable.

The release said Dhamra Port Company Limited is working in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), an organisation which brings together countries, organisations, experts and scientists, to explore all possible ways to avoid any harm to wildlife in the area.

Various steps are being taken to ensure adequate safeguards are deployed in accordance with the IUCN's advice, the release said.

"Tata Steel has had discussions with Greenpeace on Dhamra Port and the issue of turtles. All issues stand clarified," the company said, adding it was ready to engage in further discussions.

Deepest port

The Dhamra port is being built by Tata Steel under a 50:50 partnership with Larsen & Toubro. Situated between Haldia and Paradip, it will be the deepest port in India, capable of accommodating super cape-size vessels. The location of Dhamra is in close proximity to the mineral belt of Orissa, Jharkhand and West Bengal.

Greenpeace has been campaigning for several years against the port and says it would endanger the Olive Ridley sea turtle whose nesting grounds at Gahirmatha are threatened by the deep water port, barely 15km away. If constructed, the port will disturb the fragile ecological balance, thereby pushing this species one step closer to extinction, Green contends.