Site Selection The task on analysis of alternative site is based on environmental considerations. This is based on site survey, review of available data. In addition to this following criteria’s are also important for setting up of Soda Ash Project:

 Availability of land

 Proximity to sea

 Proximity to infrastructure facilities like road, rail etc.

 Proximity to major raw material availability like Chemical Grade Limestone, Salt, Coke etc.

For setting up of proposed Soda Ash Project, the following probable locations were identified and studied in various districts of :

Site 1: Manamora village, Jodiya Taluka, District, Gujarat

Site 2: village, , , Gujarat

Site 3: Kuranga Village, Taluka, Devbhumi Dwarka (earlier District Jamnagar) District, Gujarat

Site 4: Malpur village, Jambusar Taluka, District , Gujarat

Since the Toposheets of above sites are restricted, the locations of the alternative sites considered are shown in Google Earth Image Fig. 1.0. The comparisons of the identified sites are given below Table 1.0:

Table 1.0 Comparisons of the Identified Sites Sr. Parameters Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 No. 1 Location Manamora village Suthari village Kuranga village Malpur village Jodiya taluka Abdasa taluka Dwarka taluka Jambusar taluka , Kutch District, Gujarat , Gujarat Gujarat (earlier District Jamnagar), Gujarat 2 Latitude/ 22°49’22.03”N 22°59’41.12”N 22°1’35.67”N 22°4’31.55”N Longitude 70°28’58.33”E 68.58’31.97”E 69°11’0.57”E 72°32’22.00”E 3 Distance from None within None within None within None within interstate boundary 10 km radius 10 km radius 10 km radius 10 km radius 4 Source of Water Sea, Sea, Gulf of Kutch Sea, Sea, Gulf of Khambhat 5 Approx. Distance 15km 3.5km 1.0km 6.0km from sea 6 Source Chemical Mines located in Mines located in Mines located in Mines located in Porbandar Grade Limestone Porbandar at distance Porbandar at distance (at distance @ 50 km) at a distance of 550 km and and Distance @ 250 km and 450 km and Jamnagar and/or Jamnagar district Jamnagar district at a Jamnagar district @ district @ 400 km (nearby areas as well as at distance @ 500 km 150 km a distance @ 130 km) 7 Source of Salt and Nearby Saltworks @ Nearby Saltworks @ Nearby Saltworks @ 200 km Nearby Saltworks @ 20 km Distance 50-60 km 200-225 km 8 Land availability @ 800 Acres @ 1000 Acres @ 1000 Acres @ 500 Acres 9 Type of Land Government Wasteland Private Irrigated Government Wasteland Private Land and Private Irrigated Agricultural Land and` Private Un-irrigated Agricultural Land land

Sr. Parameters Site 1 Site 2 Site 3 Site 4 No. 10 Approach / @ 4 kms from SH 25 @ 4 km from SH @ 0.5 km from NH 8E @ 5 km form SH connectivity from Highway 11 Approach / @ 30 km @ 25 km @ 4 km (by road) @ 20 km connectivity from nearest railhead 12 Religious, None within None within None within None within archaeological, 10 km radius 10 km radius 10 km radius 10 km radius tourism sites 13 Forest Reserve Forest @ 1 km Reserve Forest @ 1 km Reserve Forest located at - @ 500 m distance 14 Ecologically Marine National Park Sandhan river Gaga Wildlife Sanctuary Dense Mangrove ecosystem - sensitive areas and Marine Sanctuary @ 500 m @ 6.4 km @ 1.5 km @ 8.5 km Sparse/Dense Check Dam on Kuranga Lake Govt. of Gujarat is planning to Mangrove Sandhana River – @4.5 km develop huge water reservoir @ 3 km Adjoining on Gulf of Khambhat to collect Salinity ingress Bund @ Mangrove Nil/Negligible Mangrove – Nil fresh water from upstream 1.0 km rivers under name of Kalpsar Project 15 Habitations Less populated Heavily populated Less populated Less populated surroundings, surroundings, Two surroundings village surroundings, village located village located at a distance of villages located nearby located at a distance of at a distance of @ 4.0 km the site @ 500 m @ 2.0 km @ 1.5 km 16 Rehabilitation and High High Comparatively much less High Resettlement

Fig. 1.0: Location Map Showing Identified Sites

Based on the above analysis, the Kuranga (Site-3) has emerged as the most suitable project site and therefore, selected for setting up the proposed Soda Ash Project.

 Availability of sufficient land (Government wasteland and Unirrigated Agricultural land) for Soda Ash Plant and captive power plant

 No notified ecologically sensitive places within 5.0 km radius;

 No mangrove eco-system;

 No forest land within the proposed plant site;

 Less populated surroundings,

 Proximity to Sea i.e. Arabian Sea @1.0 km

 No major river in the vicinity;

 Proximity to railway linkage- nearest railway station is Kuranga (@4.0 km by road);

 Easily accessible by road;

 Proximity to availability of major raw materials i.e. limestone, salt, coke etc.