Tata Steel condemns Greenpeace for agitating in Mumbai today

Mumbai, August 20 (ANI): Tata Steel on Wednesday condemned the Greenpeace activists for agitating in front of Bombay House, Tata headquarters in Mumbai today.

They said it is a clear indication of an organization, which is trying to gain publicity for itself through agitations instead of addressing the issues they have, across the table.

Tata Steel 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.

Since 1994 various studies have been conducted on the nesting habits of the Olive Ridley Turtles along the coast of Orissa, including in the Gahirmatha area. Based on these studies it can be clearly established that the port limits of the upcoming Dhamra port are clearly outside the turtle nesting area as well as the National Marine Sanctuary and the Bhitarkanika National Park.

Tata steel added that the National Environmental Appellate Authority, who had visited the site, has also confirmed this.

DPCL is working in partnership with IUCN, the World Conservation Union, to explore all possible ways to avoid any harm that the port development may cause to wildlife in the area.

Various steps are being undertaken to ensure that adequate protective measures are deployed as per their advice.

Tata Steel has had discussions with Greenpeace on Dhamra Port and the issue of turtles. All issues stand clarified. Tata Steel would be willing to engage in further discussions, should Greenpeace desire to do so.

Greenpeace activists today staged a demonstration outside the headquarters of Tata company in Mumbai against a port that the company is planning to set up in Orissa.

The activists claimed that the building of the port would adversely affect the turtle population in the region.

The building of the mega port at Dhamra in Orissa will destroy the turtles taking an entire fragile and significant eco system with them.

The protesters said they had written numerous letters to Ratan Tata, Chairman of the Tata Group requesting him to change the location of the port but in vain and therefore they were forced to form a human chain in front of Tata headquarters.

Around 90,000 Tata customers and over 200 international scientists and academics and other international groups have written to Ratan Tata asking him to change the location of the port. (ANI)