Published in Dwarka Express on 30.7.22

The week that ended on 30^th July s022 witnessed three important days to note. One is International Day for conservation of Mangroves on 27^th, World Nature Conservation Day on 28^th and International Tiger Day on 29^th, In a way, the emphasis of all the days is to save the natural resources only. Mangroves, nature conservation or tigers, the ultimate purpose is to see that our natural habitats are preserved for posterity. The days are celebrated just to draw attention of the people of the dire need to save Nature and the objective is said to be achieved as the reports pour in from various parts of the world to mark the day with the events that took place in their respective regions. In many a case, it is just like remembering the day and drawing attention but nothing more may be achieved. For instance, the tiger population is not going to increase just by celebrating the Tiger Day. So, as for as common man is concerned, it may appear as a festival day and may just think, “Christmas come but once a year”. A question may arise regarding such celebration obviously. Environmentalists and naturalists may lament in frustration, ‘What is the use of celebration if on one hand we destruct habitat in the name of amendments to the existing laws and accommodate some locals to encroach the preserved habitats. A recent change to Environmental Impact Assessment is one such step in as much as it allows the polluting Industries and infra structure projects within 100 sq. kms of the border areas, without public consultation. While this is an argument against the Government steps, it also should not be forgotten that in another case the eco sensitive areas in western ghats were identified by policy makers as prohibited areas for conversion of land use, especially in Karnataka, much hue and cry are made by locals against the draft notification. So, the obvious inference is that common man is not concerned about the deteriorating environmental degradation. Only a few environmentally conscious few are showing concern to the need for sustainable development. Much more needs to be done to create awareness about the sustainability. But at the same time, a few also feel that the need of the hour is political will coupled with alertness among people to timely intervention on any onslaughts on nature alone could do justice to Mother nature! Or else, it is life as usual and the international days may not have much influence on common man!

Published in Dwarka Express on 23.7.22

Environmental Impact Assessment Amendment 2020 (EIA 2020) rules have come to stay! When the EIA 2020 draft was circulated in a hurried manner by Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF &CC) in the neck of the moment with no time given for review or public opinion. Lacs of mails objecting to many of the modifications of EIA 2006 flooded the ministry in less than a month, from nook and corner of the country, proposing a lot of changes.

As per EIA 2020, public consultation is not needed for projects concerning nation defence and security. This implies that the area near the border area will be not available for public consultation. It further defines the border area is defined as an area falling within 100 KMs from the border. Considering that India shares a border with Bangladesh, China, Pakistan, Nepal, Myanmar and Bhutan, covering a total distance of about 15000 kms and the total prohibited area works out to 15 lacs sq kms, precisely this area is nearly 50 % of India’s total land area of 32 lacs sq kms, excluding deserts.

The strange part of this arbitrary choice of massive land area is that the majority of the entire length of border areas fall in the Eco-sensitive Himalayas. Even if road projects alone come alongside the border areas, (already many road projects and tunnels including Char Dham road are nearing completion) these will destroy the delicate ecosystem of the Himalayas on the one hand and harm the rich biodiversity of the Himalayan area on the other.

Public consultation is very much required before going for any project. Under B2 category industries (exempted under EIA 2020), many large-scale projects are listed and in some activities like minerals, Pellets, cement plants, Synthetic rubber Petro Chemical and the like, complete freehand is given for projects falling even under MSME units as per definition given in the EIA 2020. This gives a blanket permission to MSME Sector for the activities listed.

As per MSME unit definition proposed by Hon Finance Minister Smt Nirmala Sitaraman to revive the economy affected due to COVID 19, the units with turnover of Rs 10 Cr to Rs 100 Cr are also coming under MSME. Going by definitions, literally a small industry will no longer remain as a small one. Obviously all B2 Units including MSME units will be exempted from public consultation. Even the public hearing appears to be a formality now and by restricting the number of days for huge projects, the people’s welfare is relegated to the backseat and people’s right to express is deprived. Environmentalists lament that EIA 2020 may do more harm than good!

Published in Dwarka Express on 16.7.22

Do we have any doubt that Western Ghats is an ecologically sensitive zone (ESA) and needs protection? Sometimes, even the obvious facts need legal validity. When there is a tug of war going between locals and the Govt in declaring a place as eco sensitive zone, the simple way is to seek expert opinion. In the case of Western Ghats, the same thing happened. A working group under the leadership of Kasturirangan was constituted in 2012 to study the western ghats to strike a balance between the aspirations of the locals for development of the fragile western ghats area and the environmental activists who bat for preserving the environment and biodiversity of the Ghats. The panel report recommended a blanket ban on mining, quarrying, thermal power plants and factories. It also recommended that any infra project has to be assessed for environmental and wildlife damage before permission is given. Before issuing notification on the basis of findings, a draft notification was circulated which declares 46832 KMs in Western Ghats coving Gujrat, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka and Tamilnadu as ESA in Western Ghats region. The majority of the proposed ESA lies in Karnataka. No wonder that the Union Govt, MoEFCC draft notification is facing a strong protest in Karnataka. From 2013, after the panel’s recommendation has been under vehement criticism. There is restriction on construction of new townships and permissions for polluting industries since then, has done no good than harm. A decision support and monitoring centre for western ghats is to be established by the Environment Ministry to assess and report the status of ecology of western ghats on regular basis. If implemented in letter and spirit, the ESA of Western Ghats will be protected for posterity, but if ignored, the Western Ghat will turn into a concrete jungle soon.

Published in Dwarka Express on 8.7.22

E Waste is one of the fast-growing menaces in the world. And that too, when the electronics become an integral part of education even in schools. In Karnataka, it is reported that about 1387 tonnes of e-waste is lying uncared in 5000 schools. Recently the Department of State Education Research and Training has decided to call for tenders to lift the E Waste. The highest bidder will be awarded the contract. Well, that is fine. The schools will wipe out the obsolete computers, UPS, projectors and so one which have become a head ache for the school authorities. Especially after pandemic, digital revolution has taken place and this has resulted in updating the hardware inventory which were becoming outdated. Karnataka State Pollution Control board has also contemplated on clearing the e-trash in many offices. Scrap dealers and aggregators find enough wealth in e-waste. It is told that in a discorded laptop, one can find metals like gold, silver, lead etc. the e-waste handlers segregate the metal components and make money out of it. The modern gadgets have very short shelf life. Whether it is a smart TV, a Smart phone or a laptop, we just have to throw it in a year or two. The technology upgradation is going at rocket speed. Given the circumstances, going forward, we are going to have a gloomy picture. If we do not have a system in place, the e-waste handling is going to be a formidable challenge. On the one hand, an electronic device getting obsolete is inevitable, but if aggregations, segregation and recycling goes on simultaneously as an Industry, there will be better employment scope along with reduction in e-waste dumping, resulting in greener future.

Published in Dwarka Express on 1.7.22

Why Sadguru focusses on soil? Why there is no growth in organic farming activities? These pertinent questions need logical answer for those especially in urban areas where there is a spurt in the process of concretisation. We comfortably forget the importance of soil. Today’s soil was once a rock and over millions of years it takes to form topsoil. And today’s rocks may take another million years to become soil. Soil is an important part of the ecosystem. The soil texture is decided by the relative proportion of sand, silt and clay that make the soil. Humus is the organic matter that has been decomposed by soil microflora and fauna to the point where it is resistant to further breakdown. The soil acts as the medium for micro-organisms that add value to the quality of soil. It is not just farmer who depends on the soil for his farming activity. If alone the soil is losing its quality, sooner than later the homo sapiens will be deprived of food. Lot of awareness is being crated all over the world about the importance of protecting the quality of soil. Nevertheless, the human activity has done much damage to the quality of soil. The recent decades have seen the slow deterioration of the quality of soil, thanks to the artificial additions of chemicals and change in lifestyle. Time has come to revisit the approach to protecting the soil. Organic farming is slowly catching up. Hopefully with the support of all stakeholders the farming revolution by way of organic fertilizers, crop rotation and adding natural nutrients will reverse the situation and ensure protection of this important element of the ecosystem

Bye Bye Single Use Plastic!

By the time this newspaper goes on print, Single Use Plastic would have bid Adieu! It is good that Govt took this bold but belated step to tame the shrew. The saying goes, ‘Better late than Never’ should work well in this case. We hope that the system will stabilize soon and people will extend support for this great cause to environment. Initially there will be reluctance, lack of alternatives and revolt from Industry may be there. But this is applicable to any rule that would be enforced. However, there must be encouragement to new entrepreneurs and MSMEs to produce alternatives. There are millions of workers in this Industry who will lose job if not properly planned. Nearly one third of the plastic used in India are Single Use plastic. Everyone is advocating ban of Single Use Plastic. If we replace the SUPs with Single Use biodegradable alternatives, that may also not be a solution. This only will amount to change of use from dry waste to wet waste generation. What is needed is a clear understanding of Reusable alternatives. Grandma’s cloth bag is a better alternative than ‘use and throw’ alternatives.