STOP THE PROPOSED UCG PROJECT IN CHINTALAPUDI

 

PROTECT OUR 32 VILLAGES, OUR LAND, OUR WATER AND OUR FUTURE

 

WE, THE PEOPLE, STRONGLY OPPOSE THE PROPOSED UNDERGROUND COAL GASIFICATION (UCG) PROJECT

 

We, the residents of Settivarigudem, Recherla, Chintalapudi Mandal, Eluru District, Andhra Pradesh, and residents of the 32 villages and surrounding communities that may be affected by this project, strongly oppose the proposed Underground Coal Gasification (UCG) project.

 

OUR MESSAGE IS CLEAR:

 

WE DO NOT WANT THE UCG PROJECT IN OUR REGION.

 

This is not merely a farmers' issue.

 

This is not merely a land-acquisition issue.

 

This is an issue concerning our villages, our families, our livelihoods, our environment, our water and the future of our children.

 

Our land is not just a piece of property. It is where we grow our food, earn our livelihood, raise our families and build our future.

 

Our water is not replaceable.

 

Our agricultural land is not disposable.

 

Our children's future is not negotiable.

 

WHY WE OPPOSE THE UCG PROJECT

 

A project of this scale raises serious concerns about the potential impact on:

 

- Agricultural land and farming

- Groundwater and drinking water

- Irrigation and water availability

- Soil and land stability

- Crops and agricultural productivity

- Livestock and grazing areas

- Ponds and fisheries

- Local livelihoods and businesses

- Public health

- The surrounding environment

- The long-term future of our villages

 

We believe these concerns must be taken seriously before any project-related activity is allowed to proceed.

 

UCG HAS A DOCUMENTED HISTORY OF SERIOUS ENVIRONMENTAL PROBLEMS

 

Our concerns are not based only on speculation.

 

There are documented cases where UCG operations have resulted in serious environmental harm.

 

One important example is the Linc Energy UCG operation near Chinchilla/Hopeland, Queensland, Australia.

 

Following an investigation, Queensland authorities charged Linc Energy with serious environmental harm. The company was subsequently convicted and fined A$4.5 million. The case involved environmental damage associated with the UCG operation, including underground fracturing and the escape of gases.

 

The consequences continued even after the operation stopped. Linc Energy went into liquidation, and the Queensland Government became responsible for ongoing monitoring and remediation of the former site.

 

Government monitoring has reported contamination at the former UCG site, including detection of UCG-related contaminants in groundwater.

 

This experience demonstrates that the potential consequences of UCG cannot simply be dismissed as theoretical.

 

If problems occur here, who will bear the consequences?

 

Who will protect our groundwater?

 

Who will restore damaged agricultural land?

 

Who will compensate families for lost livelihoods?

 

Who will pay for long-term monitoring and remediation?

 

And what happens if the company stops operations, becomes financially incapable of remediation, changes ownership or abandons the project?

 

WE CANNOT ALLOW OUR VILLAGES TO BECOME AN EXPERIMENT

 

We are not against development.

 

We are against development that places the land, water, livelihoods and future of local communities at unacceptable risk.

 

Economic benefits cannot justify putting the basic resources on which thousands of families depend at risk.

 

If this project is truly beneficial to the people, then the people must be given complete information, independent scientific evidence and a genuine opportunity to question and oppose it.

 

Development must not mean that local people sacrifice everything while others receive the benefits.

 

OUR DEMANDS

 

1. STOP THE PROPOSED UCG PROJECT

 

We demand that the proposed UCG project in our region be stopped.

 

We do not want UCG activities in our villages and surrounding areas.

 

2. RESPECT THE VOICE OF ALL 32 VILLAGES

 

This issue must not be treated as the concern of only a few farmers or landowners.

 

Every potentially affected village and every affected community must have a meaningful opportunity to express its views and objections.

 

3. DO NOT PROCEED WITHOUT MEANINGFUL PUBLIC PARTICIPATION

 

No irreversible project activity should proceed without a transparent, lawful and meaningful public process in which affected people can understand the proposal, ask questions and record their objections.

 

4. PROTECT OUR AGRICULTURAL LAND

 

Thousands of families depend directly or indirectly on agriculture.

 

Our productive agricultural land must not be sacrificed for an industrial project against the clearly expressed wishes of the affected communities.

 

5. PROTECT OUR GROUNDWATER

 

Groundwater is essential for drinking, agriculture and livestock.

 

We demand complete transparency and independent scientific assessment regarding the potential impact of UCG activities on groundwater, drinking water sources, irrigation and surrounding water resources.

 

6. PROTECT OUR SOIL AND LAND

 

We demand independent assessment of potential risks including land subsidence, underground fracturing, gas migration and long-term changes to soil and land stability.

 

7. PROTECT LIVELIHOODS

 

Any impact on agriculture, livestock, fisheries, ponds, local businesses or other livelihoods can affect entire families.

 

The Government must ensure that people's livelihoods are protected.

 

8. FULL TRANSPARENCY

 

All relevant project information must be made publicly available, including:

 

- Project boundaries and maps

- Land requirements

- Environmental assessments

- Groundwater studies

- Water requirements

- Risk assessments

- Proposed technology

- Government approvals

- Safety measures

- Emergency plans

- Rehabilitation and restoration plans

- Compensation and livelihood protection measures

 

9. LEGALLY ENFORCEABLE GUARANTEES

 

Every promise made to the people regarding land, water, compensation, environmental protection, safety, rehabilitation and restoration must be provided in a clear, legally enforceable written agreement.

 

Verbal assurances are not enough.

 

10. RESPONSIBILITY FOR ANY DAMAGE

 

If groundwater, agricultural land, crops, livestock, fisheries, homes, health or livelihoods are affected, there must be a clearly identified party legally responsible for compensation, restoration and long-term remediation.

 

11. RESPONSIBILITY EVEN IF THE PROJECT CLOSES

 

If the project fails, stops operating, is abandoned, or the company changes ownership or becomes financially incapable of meeting its obligations, the responsibility for restoring our land, water and environment must not be transferred to ordinary citizens or taxpayers.

 

12. PROTECT FUTURE GENERATIONS

 

We are not making this demand only for ourselves.

 

Our children and future generations have the same right to clean water, healthy land, a safe environment and a secure livelihood.

 

We have a responsibility to protect what we inherited and pass it safely to the next generation.

 

THIS IS OUR COLLECTIVE VOICE

 

32 villages.

Thousands of families.

One common concern.

One clear demand.

 

We call upon the Government of Andhra Pradesh, District Administration, Ministry of Coal, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, and all relevant authorities to listen to the people and take our objections seriously.

 

We request the authorities to stop the proposed UCG project and protect the land, water, livelihoods and future of the affected communities.

 

We urge every resident, every family, every farmer, every worker, every young person, every elder and every concerned citizen to support this petition.

 

DO NOT REMAIN SILENT.

 

Sign this petition.

 

Share it with your family, friends and communities.

 

Let the Government know that the people are united.

 

NO UCG IN OUR REGION.

 

OUR LAND. OUR WATER. OUR LIVELIHOOD. OUR FUTURE.

 

GO BACK UCG!

 

GO BACK UCG!