Ramdas Janardan Koli

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The Ramdas Janardan Koli is a Koli leader from Maharashtra, India, known for leading a landmark environmental justice case against major public sector corporations to protect the rights of his Koli community. Ramdas Janardan Koli is a 76-year-old traditional Koli leader from Uran Koliwada in Raigad district, Maharashtra. He has fished for over six decades. He is a leader of the Paramparik Macchimar Bachao Kruti Samiti (Traditional Fishermen Save Action Committee). Ramdas Janardan Koli has stated they are not against development, but it "cannot happen at the cost of our lives." He has compared the impact on his Koli community's livelihood to a "sophisticated" Jallianwala Bagh massacre, emphasizing the slow, devastating effect of the projects.

The Landmark Legal Case

Mr. Ramdas Janardan Koli representing 1,630 Koli families from four Koli villages, and filed a case before India's National Green Tribunal (NGT) in 2013 against the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust (JNPT), Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC), and others.
  • The Grievance: The Koli community argued that port expansion and construction activities had destroyed mangroves, narrowed navigational creeks and severely damaged their traditional fishing grounds and livelihoods.
  • Key Legislation: The case relied on laws protecting traditional rights and the environment, including The Mahul Creek (Extinguishment of Rights) Act, 1922 and the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ) Notification.
  • Remarkable Aspect: Ramdas Janardan Koli and Koli community members argued the case themselves without lawyers, a rare feat against well-resourced corporate opponents.

The NGT Judgment and Its Impact

On February 27, 2015, the NGT delivered a historic verdict in favor of the Koli community.
  • Compensation Awarded: The tribunal ordered JNPT, ONGC, and CIDCO to pay ₹95.19 crores (approx. $15.3 million USD at the time) in compensation to the 1,630 affected families.
  • Broader Significance: The judgment was celebrated as a major victory for environmental justice and the rights of traditional Koli communities. It strongly criticized the environmental regulators for failing in their duties and emphasized the application of the "polluter pays" principle.
  • Environmental Orders: The NGT also mandated the restoration of destroyed mangroves and the removal of obstructions blocking tidal water flow.

Current Status: Awaiting Final Outcome

Despite the 2015 NGT victory, the Koli community has not yet received the awarded compensation.
  • Case in Supreme Court: The corporations (JNPT and ONGC) appealed the NGT decision to the Supreme Court of India in 2015, where the matter remains pending.
  • Recent Activity: Supreme Court records show the case is still active, with procedural orders being passed as recently as 2024. The compensation amount has been directed to be held in a fixed deposit until the final resolution.

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