Hydrocarbon: Protestors say "desertification" threat looms

Protests against the Hydrocarbon exploration and extraction project continued today at Neduvasal village near here urging the Centre to shelve the project immediately to "protect" agriculture and the people.
Protestors gathered at the Amman temple grounds in the village and raised slogans against the project.
They held placards alleging that the entire district will face the "eventuality of desertification," if the project sets in motion. They urged the Centre to withdraw the nod for hydrocarbon project and protect agriculture and the local people.
The protest is on for the fifteenth day today despite the State government's assurance yesterday that it will not implement any scheme inimical to the interests of farmers. The government had also urged the protestors to withdraw their stir.

On February 15, the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs had approved award of contracts in 31 contract areas of discovered small oil and gas fields including Neduvasal.
On February 27, seeking to allay the fears of protestors said, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas had said strict environmental norms will be followed during the proposed oil and gas exploration and production at domestic small fields including Neduvasal.