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Residents of Komallapudi Agitate Against Shale Gas Exploration in Andhra Pradesh

Reported by

Rahul Maganti

Legal Review by

Edited by

Updated by

Published on

May 6, 2017

May 17, 2022

Edited on

May 6, 2017

State

Andhra Pradesh

Sector

Industry

People Affected by Conflict

72

Households Affected by Conflict

Land Area Affected (in Hectares)

10

ha

Starting Year

2015

Location of Conflict

Komallapudi

Modumudi, Kalavacherla

Krishna

Reason or Cause of Conflict

Petroleum and Gas

Shale Gas

Land Conflict Summary

In 2015, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) announced that it would take up shale gas exploration in the Krishna Godavari Basin. ONGC started acquisition** **for each well on lease from farmers in the East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna Districts. ONGC proposed to undertake exploratory drilling in five wells in the three districts for a cost of Rs 217 crore. In 2017, the proposal was approved. However, the plan triggered fears that the project would pose a threat to the natural resources and the farmers in the region who depend on these.

Several activists and environmentalists argue that the drilling process would involve large amount of water, leaving little for farming and household consumption in the area. They also added that the drilling could cause mild tremors in the area. The process of fracking or drilling oil, many argue, may lead to contamination of drinking water and soil with toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. Fracking has been banned in several countries like France, Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland and some parts of the US.

In 2017, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change granted Environmental clearance to ONGC to go ahead with the project. However, locals protested against the commencement of the project and pointed out several environmental risks they would be exposed to, like the release of harmful gases like methane and radon. A public meeting was held with the local residents from the villages of Kommalapudi and Modumudi in Krishna District, and Kalavacherla of East Godavari district. A human rights activist from Amalapuram, Y. Rajesh, , said that the local Mandal revenue Officer had conducted a public hearing at Kalavacheruvu village** **without identifying the project site. As part of public consultation for environment clearance, the relevant authorities need to identify the project site. If the villagers disagree to give the identified site, the relevant authority has to look for alternate land. This process was not followed.

On 26 November, 2019, the ONGC wound up its shale exploration programme, including the one in Krishna, midway after spending five years and hundreds of crores of rupees, concluding that India may not have enough commerciallyextractable shale reserve.

Fact Sheet

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Refusal to give up land for the project

Opposition against environmental degradation

Complaint against procedural violations

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Private

Type of Common Land

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Details of sources (names of accused, names and numbers of any lawyers, names of any police officers contacted)

Status of Project

Original Project Deadline

Whether the Project has been Delayed

Significance of Land to Land Owners/Users

Whether the project was stalled due to land conflict

Source/Reference

Total investment involved (in Crores):

217

Type of investment:

Cost of Project

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

Yes

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Legal Data

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Environmental Laws

Legislations/Policies Involved

Electricity Act, 2003
Section 3 (1) [The Central Government has the powers to take measures to protect, improve the quality of the environment and prevent, control and abate environmental pollution]; Section 3 (2) (iv), (v) & (viii) [The measures taken by the Central Government may include- setting standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from any source; Partial or complete restriction of certain areas from certain industries, processes and operations; Examining manufacturing processes, materials and substances that can cause environmental pollution]; Section 6 (2) (e) [The Central Government has the power to make rules restricting or prohibiting industries to be established in certain locations, and regarding processes and operations]
Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006
Para 2 [Offshore and onshore oil and gas exploration activities shall require prior environmental clearance from the concerned regulatory authority]; Para 7 III. [The Prior Environmental Clearance (EC) Process for New Projects includes the stage of Public consultation]
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
Section 16 [Function of the Central Board shall be to promote cleanliness of streams and wells]; Section 17 (1) (b) & (n) [Function of the State Board to advise the State Government on matters of prevention, control or abatement of water pollution and regarding location of any industry which can pollute a stream or well]; Section 24 [no person shall cause or permit any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter into streams and wells]; Section 25 [Prior consent of the State board to be taken for the establishment of such industry, process and operation that can pollute streams and wells]; Section 33 [Boards have the power to file an application to courts to restrain apprehended pollution of streams or wells]
Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Section 7 [Prior intimation to be given to State Biodiversity Board for obtaining biological resource for commercial utilization]; Section 18 [Functions and powers of the National Biodiversity Authority to regulate certain activities and issue guidelines for access to biological resources, and for fair benefit sharing]; Section 23 [Function of State Biodiversity Board to advise the State government on conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of the benefits]; Section 24 [State Biodiversity Board has power to restrict certain activities violating the objectives of conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity and equitable sharing of benefits]
Electricity Act, 2003
Rule 3 [The Central Board or a State Board may specify more stringent standards for any specific industry, operation or process]; Rule 5 [Factors to be considered for Prohibiting and restricting certain locations for establishment of industries and the carrying on of processes and operations in different areas]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

No items found.

Legal Status:

Out of Court

Status of Case In Court

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Yes

Name of the adjudicatory body

National Green Tribunal

Name(s) of the Court(s)

Case Number

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

No items found.

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Date of Violation

Location of Violation

Additional Information

Nature of Protest

Protests/marches

Public campaign

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Government of Andhra Pradesh, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation of India

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation of India

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Farmers

Information on the use of criminal law

What was the action taken by the police?

How many people did the police detain or arrest?

What is the current status of the detained/accused persons?

Did the person face any violence while in police custody?

If any arrests took place, were the accused persons produced before a judge within 24 hours of the arrest?

If the accused was not produced before a magistrate within 24 hours, or not produced at all, what were the reasons?

Legislation under which the accused was charged

Was the accused person informed of their right to legal representation? Did the accused person have access to legal aid?

In cases where the accused person approached the court for bail, was bail granted?

Why was bail granted or rejected? If granted, what were the bail conditions and quantum of bail?

Were there any other notable irregularities that took place, or other significant details?

Resources

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Images

Image Credit:  

Image Credit:  

Video

In 2015, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) announced that it would take up shale gas exploration in the Krishna Godavari Basin. ONGC started acquisition** **for each well on lease from farmers in the East Godavari, West Godavari and Krishna Districts. ONGC proposed to undertake exploratory drilling in five wells in the three districts for a cost of Rs 217 crore. In 2017, the proposal was approved. However, the plan triggered fears that the project would pose a threat to the natural resources and the farmers in the region who depend on these.

Several activists and environmentalists argue that the drilling process would involve large amount of water, leaving little for farming and household consumption in the area. They also added that the drilling could cause mild tremors in the area. The process of fracking or drilling oil, many argue, may lead to contamination of drinking water and soil with toxic and carcinogenic chemicals. Fracking has been banned in several countries like France, Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland and some parts of the US.

In 2017, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change granted Environmental clearance to ONGC to go ahead with the project. However, locals protested against the commencement of the project and pointed out several environmental risks they would be exposed to, like the release of harmful gases like methane and radon. A public meeting was held with the local residents from the villages of Kommalapudi and Modumudi in Krishna District, and Kalavacherla of East Godavari district. A human rights activist from Amalapuram, Y. Rajesh, , said that the local Mandal revenue Officer had conducted a public hearing at Kalavacheruvu village** **without identifying the project site. As part of public consultation for environment clearance, the relevant authorities need to identify the project site. If the villagers disagree to give the identified site, the relevant authority has to look for alternate land. This process was not followed.

On 26 November, 2019, the ONGC wound up its shale exploration programme, including the one in Krishna, midway after spending five years and hundreds of crores of rupees, concluding that India may not have enough commerciallyextractable shale reserve.

Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Refusal to give up land for the project

Opposition against environmental degradation

Complaint against procedural violations

Other Demand/Contention of the Affected Community

Region Classification

Rural

Type of Land

Private

Type of Common Land

Total investment involved (in Crores):

217

Type of investment:

Cost of Project

Year of Estimation

Page Number In Investment Document:

Has the Conflict Ended?

Yes

When did it end?

Why did the conflict end?

Categories of Legislations Involved in the Conflict

Environmental Laws

Legislations/Policies Involved

Electricity Act, 2003
Section 3 (1) [The Central Government has the powers to take measures to protect, improve the quality of the environment and prevent, control and abate environmental pollution]; Section 3 (2) (iv), (v) & (viii) [The measures taken by the Central Government may include- setting standards for emission or discharge of environmental pollutants from any source; Partial or complete restriction of certain areas from certain industries, processes and operations; Examining manufacturing processes, materials and substances that can cause environmental pollution]; Section 6 (2) (e) [The Central Government has the power to make rules restricting or prohibiting industries to be established in certain locations, and regarding processes and operations]
Environmental Impact Assessment Notification, 2006
Para 2 [Offshore and onshore oil and gas exploration activities shall require prior environmental clearance from the concerned regulatory authority]; Para 7 III. [The Prior Environmental Clearance (EC) Process for New Projects includes the stage of Public consultation]
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974
Section 16 [Function of the Central Board shall be to promote cleanliness of streams and wells]; Section 17 (1) (b) & (n) [Function of the State Board to advise the State Government on matters of prevention, control or abatement of water pollution and regarding location of any industry which can pollute a stream or well]; Section 24 [no person shall cause or permit any poisonous, noxious or polluting matter into streams and wells]; Section 25 [Prior consent of the State board to be taken for the establishment of such industry, process and operation that can pollute streams and wells]; Section 33 [Boards have the power to file an application to courts to restrain apprehended pollution of streams or wells]
Biological Diversity Act, 2002
Section 7 [Prior intimation to be given to State Biodiversity Board for obtaining biological resource for commercial utilization]; Section 18 [Functions and powers of the National Biodiversity Authority to regulate certain activities and issue guidelines for access to biological resources, and for fair benefit sharing]; Section 23 [Function of State Biodiversity Board to advise the State government on conservation of biodiversity, sustainable use of its components and equitable sharing of the benefits]; Section 24 [State Biodiversity Board has power to restrict certain activities violating the objectives of conservation, sustainable use of biodiversity and equitable sharing of benefits]
Electricity Act, 2003
Rule 3 [The Central Board or a State Board may specify more stringent standards for any specific industry, operation or process]; Rule 5 [Factors to be considered for Prohibiting and restricting certain locations for establishment of industries and the carrying on of processes and operations in different areas]
  1. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  2. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  3. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  4. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  5. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  6. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

  7. Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

    Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit. Suspendisse varius enim in eros elementum tristique. Duis cursus, mi quis viverra ornare, eros dolor interdum nulla, ut commodo diam libero vitae erat. Aenean faucibus nibh et justo cursus id rutrum lorem imperdiet. Nunc ut sem vitae risus tristique posuere.

Whether claims/objections were made as per procedure in the relevant statute

What was the claim(s)/objection(s) raised by the community?

What was the Decision of the Concerned Government Department?

Legal Processes and Loopholes Enabling the Conflict:

No items found.

Legal Status:

Out of Court

Status of Case In Court

Whether any adjudicatory body was approached

Yes

Name of the adjudicatory body

National Green Tribunal

Name(s) of the Court(s)

Case Number

Main Reasoning/Decision of court

Major Human Rights Violations Related to the Conflict:

No items found.

Whether criminal law was used against protestors:

Reported Details of the Violation:

Date of Violation

Location of Violation

Nature of Protest

Protests/marches

Public campaign

Government Departments Involved in the Conflict:

Government of Andhra Pradesh, Oil and Natural Gas Corporation of India

PSUs Involved in the Conflict:

Oil and Natural Gas Corporation of India

Did LCW Approach Government Authorities for Comments?

Name, Designation and Comment of the Government Authorities Approached

Corporate Parties Involved in the Conflict:

Did LCW Approach Corporate Parties for Comments?

Communities/Local Organisations in the Conflict:

Farmers

Resources Related to Conflict

  • News Articles Related to the Conflict:
  • Documents Related to the Conflict:
  • Links Related to the Conflict:

Image Credit:  

Image Credit:  

Documented By

Text Link

Reviewed By

Text Link

Updated By

Text Link

Edited By

Text LinkLand Conflict Watch

Other Land Conflicts in Andhra Pradesh

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