Government of Andhra Pradesh had taken initiative to promote about 115 Special Economic Zones (SEZs) in the state. Kakinada Special Economic Zone (KSEZ) is among one of these SEZs. It is located about 15 KM North of Kakinada deep water port in East Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh state [1]. The proposed KSE will include industrial cluster of many industries and a deep-water port for importing and exporting petroleum, biotech, agricultural and other products [2]. |
Description:
Basic Data
| Name of conflict: | Kakinada Special Economic Zone, AP, India |
| Country: | India |
| State or province: | Andhra Pradesh |
| Location of conflict: | Kakinada |
| Accuracy of location | MEDIUM (Regional level) |
Source of Conflict
| Type of conflict. 1st level: | Industrial and Utilities conflicts |
| Type of conflict. 2nd level: | Other Land acquisition conflicts |
| Specific commodities: | Land |
Project Details and Actors
| Project details | The port-based multi-product SEZ was conceptualized in 2005. For this purpose about more than 10,500 acres of land has been acquired. The estimated investment in the project is about Rs 40,000 crore for the establishment of industries like oil refineries, power plants, garments and machinery manufacturing units. The goal of Kakinada SEZ is to attract foreign investment [2]. |
| Project area: | 4,047 |
| Level of Investment for the conflictive project | 6,646,856,995 (40,000 crore) |
| Type of population | Rural |
| Start of the conflict: | 2005 |
| Company names or state enterprises: | Kakinada SEZ Pvt. Ltd from India - India Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) from India - Share holder Kakinada Sea Ports Limited (KSPL) from India - Share holders IL&FS Cluster Development Initiative Limited (IL&FS) from India - Share Holders |
| Relevant government actors: | Government of India Government of Andhra Pradesh The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) |
| Environmental justice organizations (and other supporters) and their websites, if available: | Local Villagers Telegu Desham Party (TDP) Communist Party of India Toxics Watch Alliance |
Conflict & Mobilization
| Intensity | HIGH (widespread, mass mobilization, violence, arrests, etc...) |
| Reaction stage | In REACTION to the implementation (during construction or operation) |
| Groups mobilizing: | Farmers Local ejos Landless peasants Local government/political parties Neighbours/citizens/communities |
| Forms of mobilization: | Blockades Development of alternative proposals Involvement of national and international NGOs Land occupation Official complaint letters and petitions Public campaigns Street protest/marches Property damage/arson Strikes Threats to use arms |
Impacts
| Environmental Impacts | Potential: Food insecurity (crop damage), Loss of landscape/aesthetic degradation, Deforestation and loss of vegetation cover, Groundwater pollution or depletion |
| Socio-economical Impacts | Visible: Displacement, Loss of livelihood, Militarization and increased police presence, Violations of human rights, Land dispossession Potential: Increase in violence and crime, Specific impacts on women, Loss of landscape/sense of place |
Outcome
| Project Status | Proposed (exploration phase) |
| Conflict outcome / response: | Compensation Corruption Criminalization of activists Environmental improvements, rehabilitation/restoration of area Land demarcation Repression Strengthening of participation Under negotiation Violent targeting of activists |
| Proposal and development of alternatives: | Different political parties including the Telegu Desham Party (TDP) who was in opposition at that time of agitations was strongly against the project. TDP decided to support the farmers’ cause and fight against the forcible acquisition of lands from them in the name of SEZs and industrialization. They promised that If TDP is voted to power they will cancel all illegal land deals and return the cultivable lands to the farmers [1, 2] |
| Do you consider this an environmental justice success? Was environmental justice served?: | No |
| Briefly explain: | The Controller and Auditor General of India (CAG) had observed that Andhra Pradesh Government is acquiring lands from the farmers but not monitoring the implantations of the projects. Among the 115 projects, only about 37 SEZ's were operational or are in various stage of development [1,2] Although, the land has been acquired for the SEZ, no major industrial activity has taken place. The land has also been acquired illegally and at very low prices. Farmers are without cultivable lands are finding it difficult to earn their livelihood [1, 4]. |
Sources & Materials
| Juridical relevant texts related to the conflict (laws, legislations, EIAs, etc) |
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| References to published books, academic articles, movies or published documentaries |
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| Related media links to videos, campaigns, social network |
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Meta information
| Contributor: | Swapan Kumar Patra |
| Last update | 18/08/2019 |
| Conflict ID: | 1449 |
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