20 August 2025
To,
Member Secretary,
Karnataka State Pollution Control Board,
Bengaluru
Email:ms@kspcb.gov.in
Subject: Call for Kannada translation of Development of All-Weather Multi-Cargo Greenfield Deepwater Port near Ankola, Dist. Uttara Kannada, Karnataka of JSW KENI PORT PRIVATE LIMITED (JSW KPPL) draft EIA Report
Sir/Madam,
It has come our attention at National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF) regarding above mentioned subject.
Karnataka State Pollution Control Board has announced holding of Public Hearing to install JSW Port at Keni, Ankola on 22 August 2025.
It has also come to our attention that 600 page EIA Report circulated in the locality is entirely in English. Most People of the locality within 15 kms radius - we have come to know - can speak and read Kannada which incidently is also State official language. Only summery of is shared in Kannada. And summery is not equivalent to full draft EIA Report translation.
In order to ensure that Public Hearing participation is firmly grounded in full knowledge of contents of each of 600 pages of draft EIA you are advised to make available entire draft EIA Report in Kannada. Failing to do so would deprive local people access to know as exactly what the Port project is all about and in various facets affecting their lives, neighborhoods, environment and livelihoods based on nature such as fishing, agriculture, horticulture, salt pans and lots more.
In this context you are urged to kindly postpone said Public Hearing till Kannada translation is made available to affected Public.
In the absence of translation Public Hearing will be reduced a farce which we must work collectively to avoid and promote atmosphere conducive for informed consent.
Hoping for your considered attention and sensible action.
Thank you.
Yours Truly,
Dr.S.A.Rodrigues
General Secretary,
National Federation of Small-Scale Fishworkers (NFSF)
Copy to:
1. Deputy Commisioner, Uttara Kannada, Karwar
Email:dckarwar@gmail.com
2. Principal Secretary (Environment), Government of Karnataka, Bengaluru
Email:prsfee@gmail.com
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