ADB floats $865,000 Action Plan to improve livelihood, environment for rural areas Mundra, new industrial hub in Gujarat

Counterview Desk
The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has come up with a $865,000 dollars "action plan" to improve livelihood and environment in the villages situated along Kutch coast especially in Mundra, which has turned into a major hot spot for industrial development in India. Mundra has one of the biggest private ports of India, owned by Adanis, a special economic zone, also developed by Adanis, and two power plants owned by Tata Group and Adani Group.
The ADB's three year action plan, to be implemented in phases till October 2018, includes:

$100,000 cost for carrying out required studies to identify affected foot fisherfolk and consult fisherfolk through NGOs to improve livelihood and environment of the region,
$40,000 engagement by ADB for appointing specialist marine consultant and assess the results an earlier study undertaken by the National Institute of Oceanography on impact on the sea,
$300,000 required for livelihood improvement plan for foot fisherfolk,
$25,000 for engaging an independent expert to assess the implementation of the livelihood improvement plan,
$150,000 for design and implementation of sludge treatment and disposal measures;
$200,000 as third party monitoring of ambient air quality;
$300,000 for engaging technical support; and
$50,000 as contingency funds.

The ADB, which is one of important financiers of the Tatas' power plant in Mundra, prepared the action plan after making a spot study of rural areas of Mundra following after learning concern expressed by local organizations that their traditional means of livelihood have been affected because of industrial activities in the region.
The action plan is in response to a report by its accountability mechanism, Compliance Review Panel (CRP), to find out changes in livelihood patters in the region and impact on environment. It will be implemented in coordination with the Tata Group's power plant at Mundra, say sources.
The ADB’s CRP had recommended that more livelihood options should be provided to the local people, even as suggesting some environment-improvement measures. It said this should be done on the basis of “adequate and comprehensive” consultations with fisherfolk and expert opinion.
Reacting to the action plan, a local organization, Macchimar Adhikar Sangharsh Samiti (MASS), which claims to represent local fishermen, has said it should not be “restricted only for people who had practiced foot fishing." In a statement, it has added, there should be a proper assessment of the number of people affected because of the impact of industrialization livelihood before implementing it.
Circulating a statement by Gajendrasinh Bhimaji, Sarpanch of Navinal Panchayat, MASS said, the action plan, which is in its draft stage, should confirm with the concerns expressed by the local people, accordance with the CPR. The fishermen, MASS said, faced an "unsure future”, because fisherfolk till now were "self-sufficient communities".

Comments

Why Venezuela govt granting amnesty to political prisoners isn't a sign of weakness

By Guillermo Barreto On 20 May 2017, during a violent protest planned by sectors of the Venezuelan opposition, 21-year-old Orlando Figuera was attacked by a mob that accused him of being a Chavista. After being stabbed, he was doused with gasoline and set on fire in front of everyone present. Young Orlando was admitted to a hospital with multiple wounds and burns covering 80 percent of his body and died 15 days later, on 4 June.

Walk for peace: Buddhist monks and America’s search for healing

By Vidya Bhushan Rawat* The #BuddhistMonks in the United States have completed their #WalkForPeace after covering nearly 3,700 kilometers in an arduous journey. They reached Washington, DC yesterday. The journey began at the Huong Đạo Vipassana Bhavana Center in Fort Worth, Texas, on October 26, 2025, and concluded in Washington, DC after a 108-day walk. The monks, mainly from Vietnam and Thailand, undertook this journey for peace and mindfulness. Their number ranged between 19 and 24. Led by Venerable Bhikkhu Pannakara (also known as Sư Tuệ Nhân), a Vietnamese-born monk based in the United States, this “Walk for Peace” reflected deeply on the crisis within American society and the search for inner strength among its people.

Pace bowlers who transcended pace bowling prowess to heights unscaled

By Harsh Thakor* This is my selection and ranking of the most complete and versatile fast bowlers of all time. They are not rated on the basis of statistics or sheer speed, but on all-round pace-bowling skill. I have given preference to technical mastery over raw talent, and versatility over raw pace.

A. R. Rahman's ‘Yethu’ goes viral, celebrating Tamil music on the world stage

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* Good news for Tamil music lovers—the Mozart of Madras is back in the Tamil music industry with his song “Yethu” from the film “Moonwalk.” The track has climbed international charts, once again placing A. R. Rahman on the global stage.

Bangladesh goes to polls as press freedom concerns surface

By Nava Thakuria* As Bangladesh heads for its 13th Parliamentary election and a referendum on the July National Charter simultaneously on Thursday (12 February 2026), interim government chief Professor Muhammad Yunus has urged all participating candidates to rise above personal and party interests and prioritize the greater interests of the Muslim-majority nation, regardless of the poll outcomes.

Swami Vivekananda's views on caste and sexuality were 'painfully' regressive

By Bhaskar Sur* Swami Vivekananda now belongs more to the modern Hindu mythology than reality. It makes a daunting job to discover the real human being who knew unemployment, humiliation of losing a teaching job for 'incompetence', longed in vain for the bliss of a happy conjugal life only to suffer the consequent frustration.

Four women lead the way among Tamil Nadu’s Muslim change-makers

By Syed Ali Mujtaba* A report published by Awaz–The Voice (ATV), a news platform, highlights 10 Muslim change-makers in Tamil Nadu, among whom four are women. These individuals are driving social change through education, the arts, conservation, and activism. Representing diverse fields ranging from environmental protection and literature to political engagement and education, they are working to improve society across the state.

Why Russian oil has emerged as the flashpoint in India–US trade talks

By N.S. Venkataraman* In recent years, India has entered into trade agreements with several countries, the latest being agreements with the European Union and the United States. While the India–EU trade agreement has been widely viewed in India as mutually beneficial and balanced, the trade agreement with the United States has generated comparatively greater debate and scrutiny.

Trade pacts with EU, US raise alarms over farmers, MSMEs and policy space

By A Representative A broad coalition of farmers’ organisations, trade unions, traders, public health advocates and environmental groups has raised serious concerns over India’s recently concluded trade agreements with the European Union and the United States, warning that the deals could have far-reaching implications for livelihoods, policy autonomy and the country’s long-term development trajectory. In a public statement issued, the Forum for Trade Justice described the two agreements as marking a “tectonic shift” in India’s trade policy and cautioned that the projected gains in exports may come at a significant social and economic cost.

Search This Blog