Sustainable Development

Is Sustainable development possible in India?

 
Today, as India continues on its way towards achieving better standards for all its citizens, we tend to forget that development cannot take place without due consideration of the environment.

As more areas are opened up for industries, housing and infrastructure development, the industrial lobby is riding rough-shod over environmental concerns raised by NGOs and wildlife activists. There is a tendency to overlook most, if not all, of the issues that affect the environment and wildlife survival, by those who are responsible for implementing policies. This begins with lopsided planning of infrastructure and industrial projects. These projects often get the necessary approvals from all regulatory bodies by appropriate lobbying, greasing of palms and political backing. If and when activists object to such projects, they (the projects) are referred to the judiciary, which can turn out to be a long drawn process. Highly paid lawyers then ensure that the industry’s point of view is explained in a manner that makes the activists appear as obstacles or hindrances to development of the society and the down-trodden. The sons-of-soil argument is forwarded for offering jobs to the affected persons and a compromise formula worked out. 

And when the project is promoted by the government itself, you can understand how effective the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) can be in its objections to the project. Does anyone remember what happened to Mr. Jairam Ramesh?

The recent news of the apex court’s approval for the passage of the Dedicated Freight Corridor (DFC) through the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, is one such example.

The apex court, in good faith, has taken into consideration the project authorities’ commitment towards mitigation of the adverse effects of the corridor on the wildlife and has suggested several measures during the construction phase.  

Sanjay Gandhi National Park
The SGNP, for people who are not aware, forms an important green belt within Mumbai city’s boundaries and is connected to Tungareshwar Wildlife Sanctuary. Dispersal of wildlife between SGNP and TWS is critical to ensure that gene pool diversity is maintained and the animals do not in-breed. The dedicated double freight corridor will connect Vadodara with JNPT, cutting off the dispersal route between SGNP and TWS for small mammals. (Refer article in TOI, dated Sep 09, 2013).
As the article rightly points out, remedial measures mentioned by DFC, such as high fencing and under-passes for the animals may be poorly designed or may not even be constructed. Just think about it: would the animals use under-passes over which huge double-decker freight trains move to and fro, at high speeds and short intervals? The scenario is unnerving even for humans.

The fact that the wild life reserves are under attack is also evident from the reported construction of a Viscose Fibers factory in the close vicinity of Karnala Bird Sanctuary, without obtaining necessary clearances. Now, do you require any further elaboration on how this case too shall proceed?

Five minutes to midnight
Can the earth’s ecosystem sustain such unplanned and unrestricted development?
R.K. Pachauri, head of the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) speaking in Delhi mentioned “we have five minutes to midnight” for fighting against environmental disaster.
The rate at which India is moving, it would be more appropriate to say, “Two minutes to midnight”, (Iron Maiden).

The extent to which we are polluting the environment can be seen from the attached photographs. The Thane creek, stretching from Kalwa bridge right up to Vashi, is littered with garbage (includes plastic bags, bottles, thermocole plates and glasses, items from Ganesh immersion and construction debris in polythene fiber bags). 

It is time to stop this degradation. As we pray to Vignahartha (Lord Ganesh) to remove obstacles in our path to success, let us ensure that we do not displease Dharti Mata (Mother Earth).

The earth does not belong to us; we belong to the earth