In an unusual protest, members of the Bundelkhand Nirman Morcha played a cricket match on a large fly-ash island in the Betwa River near the Paricha Thermal Power Plant in Jhansi on Thursday. The activists aimed to highlight what they describe as years of environmental degradation caused by the disposal of industrial ash into the river.
Allegations Against Power Plant
The Morcha alleged that the state-run Paricha Thermal Power Plant, which generates electricity using coal, has been releasing fly ash and other industrial waste into the Betwa River for a prolonged period. This has led to the accumulation of ash deposits, posing a serious threat to the region's ecology.
Ash Islands Formation
According to the Morcha, three large ash islands have formed in the river, each measuring approximately 180 feet by 230 feet and rising nearly four feet above the water level. The depth of the deposits remains unknown. The Betwa River is considered the lifeline of drought-prone Bundelkhand, serving as a major source of drinking water and irrigation.
Symbolic Cricket Match
Bundelkhand Nirman Morcha president Bhanu Sahay said the symbolic cricket match was organized to draw the attention of government authorities and the public towards the deteriorating condition of the river and the Paricha Dam. He claimed this could be the first instance in the country where a cricket match has been played on an ash island formed within the main channel of a river.
Health Concerns
The organization further alleged that fly ash emitted from the plant's chimneys has been affecting nearby villages, with residents facing potential health risks due to continuous exposure to airborne ash particles. The Morcha announced that it is preparing to move the National Green Tribunal (NGT), seeking intervention to address the alleged environmental violations and protect the Betwa River and Paricha Dam.
Plant Management Response
Responding to the allegations, chief general manager of Paricha Thermal Power Plant, RN Srivastava, said that disposal of ash into the river is not a routine practice and is undertaken only in exceptional circumstances when both ash storage tanks reach full capacity. He added that a significant portion of the plant's fly ash is utilized by cement manufacturers, brick-making units, and infrastructure agencies, including NHAI. Srivastava further stated that corrective measures are being implemented to minimize the possibility of ash disposal into the river in the future.
