Published in Dwarka Express on 28.5.23

The “climate” will never listen to homo sapiens, for sure!  The planet Earth is warming up. Sooner than later, the global temperature is likely to surge to record levels. The world meteorological department predicts that there is 66% chance that the annual average near surface temperature will be breaching the set goals by the Paris Agreement. It was decided during Paris Agreement that the global nations together would endeavour to keep the global temperature within 1.5 degree above the pre-Industrialization level. This ambitious target does not seem like achievable. Every year the global climate convention takes place, the latest being COP 27 at Egyptian coastal resort city of Sharm el-Sheikh from Nov. 6 to Nov. 18, 2022. The Conventions appeared to be not more than an annual ritual with most of the plenary sessions dedicated to climate related themes.

The global summit was in fact an opportunity for the world leaders to meet and discuss how to protect the planet from warming up due to human activities. There were many themes that included biodiversity, water, gender and transport. A thought was shared that the Climate change has brought to the forefront political agendas as floods, drought, wildfires and extreme weather conditions since these issues affect millions of people as well as economies of under developed countries. The cool phase of La Niña ended in March 2023 and the warming up phase of El Niño is forecast to develop in the coming months. Typically, El Niño increases global temperatures in the year after it develops and so it appears that it will increase pretty well by 2024.

By the way, India’s population breached the 1.42 billion mark to surpass Chinese population recently. We are No 1 in the world now. Is it an achievement to feel proud of? Growing population coupled with depleting natural resources pose a tough proposition to adhere to the global commitments which we have proudly declared in the global convention. Already we have expressed our inability to do away with diesel. How are we going to ensure that we will meet the targets of carbon neutrality or net zero initiatives. The challenges are going to be innumerable and how we are going to ensure protection of our natural wealth such as clean air, drinking water and the carbon sinks is a question which remains unanswered.

Published in Dwarka Express on 21.5.23

According to a leading newspaper, about 8600 lakes out of 18000 lakes in Karnataka are encroached. It is not a surprising news at all. Everyday, we come across some encroachment happens in the country daily. It has become the part of life. Not only lakes, forest lands, buffer zones of forests are also being encroached in pretext or other. When you come to the roadside, you can pretty well see a hawker occupying platform for his petty shop, a juice stall or a workshop for an automobile repair. Encroachment is not the only culpability of street vendors. Even houses and big shops who officially have registered title deed of their properties tend to infringe into the roads, pavements and water fronts to get extra peace of land. Mushrooming of public land starts in a small scale, invisible or insignificant in the initial stages. One by one, encroachers claim the land their right. Marina Beach was once free from street stalls but now the beauty of the world’s longest beach is filled with filth and dirt. One shopping street has peeped almost to the sea. Encroachment has become the order of the day, and many a time, encroachers resort to under the table dealing with local politicians and bureaucrats. Corruption is rampant, by greasing the palms of local bureaucrats, the hawkers manage to pull along.

Legal Immunity, a blessing!

At the same time forget that the street vendors attain immunity from legal support and it will be near impossible to remove the existing encroachers in the name of street selling. Hawking has become legal, in a way. In 2013, the Supreme Court said the already existing street vendors policy should be treated as a law and passed this order. According to national urban livelihood mission, the court also sought a survey of street vendors and distribute ID cards to the identified ones and create hawking zones for them, which is not being done. In July 2014, the High Court of Karnataka issued notice to the Municipality (BBMP) to remove unauthorized encroachments and obstructions on the footpaths in Bengaluru under section 288-D of Karnataka Municipal Corporation Act, 1976. But subsequently, according to Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, street vending was treated legal. The BBMP is said to conduct a survey and issued ID cards to street vendors. In any case no one could be evicted.

In many of the cities we would have come across once atleast that the municipal bulldozers demolish the unauthorised construction and pulled down several roadside shops. But unfortunately in India we have become accustomed to such upheavals due to local vehement protests and agitations by residents against such encroachments. But nothing concrete has happened to stop such encroachments. In Delhi, unauthorised platform shops all were destroyed and removed by a court order in Dwarka. But very soon everything returned and it was like life as usual. In the process we forget that the platforms are for ensuring safety of pedestrians. But who cares. The same pedestrian walks towards the unauthorized fast food van to take a hot and cheap fish fry and he forgets all rules and regulations when it comes to him. So, encroachment has become a social evil!

Published in Dwarka Express on 14.5.23

Yes! Election fever is here with us also as Karnataka goes for its assembly elections. But our fever is a variant slightly. We administered an environmental poll using Telegram App and the same was responded by 102 persons as at 7 PM on 11.5.23. Several options were given such as a) better garbage management b) planting more trees c) protecting existing trees d) pollution free traffic e) preserving waterbodies f) construction waste control g) stringent encroachment norms h) tab on migratory population i) better roads and infrastructure j) nothing  an work (NOTA).   Interestingly 60% of respondents indicate that the lakes and tanks must be the top concern for the Government, while better garbage management (57%) and planting more trees (44%) are considered for 2nd and 3rd place respectively.  The respondents were asked to choose top 3 concerns, though we are aware that all the above problems are important. The top 3 priorities chosen by Bengalurians Of course, in today’s scenario, any urban area is vulnerable to all concerns enlisted above. Perhaps in other cities, garbage management might have been the top priority, but in Bengaluru, lakes are drawing more attention and it is the need of the hour too.

Historically the lakes are called kere in kannada language. Most of the waterbodies are known to be man-made tanks which were formed during the erstwhile dynasties like Vijayanagara and chola dynasties ensured that there is sufficient water by digging new tanks and deepening the existing tanks. Visionaries like KembeGowda are remembered as the architects of the city as they took a lot of initiatives to save the watr resources. When the 70 Sq km area of Bengaluru has expanded 10 times, slowly 100s of tanks disappeared. Today, an ordinary citizen though do not have time for protecting the lakes, definitely laments about the depletion of these precious waterbodies. It is evident from the response in the survey. Next to waterbodies, a Bengalurian is also concerned with the persistent garbage issue.

Bengaluru had enforced the segregation of waste at source, a decade back. This is being religiously practiced in apartments and gated communities. But the mixed garbage which is spilled in streets is still an eyesore. No little effort by citizens groups is seen to show any positive change in the mindset of the authorities. Citizens are also to blame. However in many unauthorized places, residents conveniently dump wastes and then make a hue and cry that the authorities are in deep slumber.

While planting new trees in massive scale is the 3rd concern of the Bengalurians, saving the existing trees have become a concern has been relegated to 4th place in the survey, and perhaps Bengalurians have now lost hope since the massive tree felling in the name of Metro and road construction is going on unabatedly. Environment cannot be compartmentalized and moreover it has no jurisdiction or borders. If air is polluted it will affect all and if ground water doesn’t get recharged, the human survival will be affected. Waste cannot be eliminated but has to be managed judiciously.

As for as Karnataka elections are concerned, by the time this paper goes for printing, election results would have been announced. Follow on will be a slew of horse trading, if the results indicate a hung assembly. Someone will be lobbying for a ministerial berth while another MLA may be contemplating on some nepotism for his dear and near one. In any case, the burning environmental concerns may hardly draw any attention.

Dr. V Selvarajan

Published in Dwarka Express on 7.5.23

Karnataka state elections are on 10^th May 2023 and political parties are busy with hunting. Hunting of votes and the freebies galore is touching the sky. Castes, anti-incumbency, price rise, unemployment, poverty are the usual political gimmicks used by all parties. While the ruling party uses 6 promises starting with the first letter A, namely Anna (food security), Abaya (social welfare), Akshara (education), Arogya (health), Abhivrudhhi (development), and Aadaaya (income), the main opposition party bats for 5 guarantees namely Gruha Jyothi (family welfare), Gruha Lakshmi (poverty alleviation), Anna Bhagya (food), Yuva Nidhi (youth welfare), and Shakti (women welfare). Well, If Social welfare is important, one has to think of the earth where we live and the environment which enables the living. The manifestos have become just an election ritual.

Our scanner captured one glaring factor. There’s no mention of greener initiatives in any of the manifestos! Alas, it appears that there’s no green ideologies for any of the political parties. One fails to comprehend why this serious concern has been overlooked. Don’t we realize that even the Finance Minister of the Centre has highlighted several aspects of green budget and earmarked crores of rupees for green projects under the budget allocation for 2023-24. Prime Minister was mentioning once that the Circular economy should replace the existing linear economy. The circular economy talks about the recycling of waste and this is seen as one of the significant measures to achieve the climate change targets accepted by India in global Climate conference held in Egypt during November 2023. The political parties failed to stress this dire need to save the environment from a long term perspective.

Green Manifesto is the need of the hour. All political parties should emphasize on the need for protecting the green cover, natural resource management and forest conservation. Green cover is depleting day by day. Waste is not managed properly even in small towns and villages. Landfills are growing equal to a mountain. Air quality is deteriorating day by day. Failure of monsoon, man induced change in climatic condition, annual drought and floods still are looming large. Urban waterbodies are drying out and slowly disappearing. In the name of development, infra projects denude the country. Why can’t a political party promise to plant one crore trees every year. Why can’t a manifesto include clean city initiatives? Why can’t a political party promise to create green job and highly dynamic sustainable development, ensuring long term value creation?

Published in Dwarka Express on 30.5,23

It is not that easy to protect the 662 National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries in India. Our conservation efforts depend on how serious we are in protecting these natural forests and its users. Encroachment in reserve forests is nothing new for India forests. Efforts are always made to prevent large scale deviations and intrusions. Quite often, the much controversial mining and Infra development activities are accorded environmental clearances for free access into forest areas. Resultant protests and litigations between locals, environmentalists and proponents of development are not new. Stringent guidelines become necessary to preserve the natural resources. When some stringent measures are initiated against forests being affected by such mega projects, it is quite natural that some innocent people get affected by such orders. One such order by Environment Ministry was in 2022 that ended detrimental for the forest dwellers as any development or construction activities were halted.  Deciding on the petition of  Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union of India, Supreme Court delivered a land mark judgment on 26.4 23 showing justice to the affected villagers. The Supreme court bench headed by Justice B R Gavai and others on 26.4.23 classified 26 activities into 3 categories namely ‘prohibited’, ‘Restricted with safeguards’ or ‘permitted’. This has brought relief to the local villagers and tribals living in the eco sensitive zones in the borders of the National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.

Most of the above natural forests have settlement colonies and villages in these protected areas, both inside and also in the eco sensitive zones (ESZs) which are within one KM of the protected forests, measured from the demarcated boundary of such protected forest as per existing guidelines of 2011. The villagers living in these areas have a right to their livelihood and they need to construct or reconstruct their shelters. Their population also grows and the expanded families also have a right to live. The reality is that such villagers never lead extravagant life but live contented with basic amenities.

The present SC verdict revisited the existing stringent guidelines and permitted certain activities while rejecting certain other activities outright. The activities which were rejected included commercial mining, polluting industries, hazardous chemical producing factories, saw mills etc. However certain other activities such as felling of trees, construction of hotels, resorts and infra structures such as schools and hospitals, introduction of exotic varieties, widening of roads, allowing commercial vehicular traffic in nights, display of signboards are some of the activities which are allowed in the ‘regulated’ activities. Ongoing agriculture and horticulture practices local communities, organic farming, rain water harvesting and adopting green technologies are coming under permitted categories. The clear definition of these 3 categories of activities gives a sigh of relief for the locals and at the same time controls the mining and polluting activities. While this is a people friendly judgment, there is a rider to this judgment that this will not affect the ongoing activities already identified and permitted prior to 2011 guidelines

So according to the petitioners, these relaxations will bring relief to the villagers, settled in the Protected Areas coming under the 6 provisions of Sections 18 to 25A of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. However, one cannot forget that the Indian Board for Wildlife held on 21st January 2002, recommended the “Wildlife Conservation Strategy-2002” which envisaged that lands falling within 10 KMs of the boundaries of National Parks and Sanctuaries should be notified as eco-fragile zones under Section 3(v) of the 1972 Act. However, the same have already been made flexible by reducing the ESZs to 1 KM. While relaxing rules to accommodate the deprived class is appreciable, it also should be borne in mind that such relaxations must do better than harm in the long run.

 

Published in Dwarka Express on 23.4.23

A Jeep with tourists in North east was attacked by one horned Rhino and providentially no one was injured. My own impression about a jungle safari has suffered a change after participating in a Jeep Safari in Sariska. In my young age a lot of trekking was undertaken by me during nature camps in Western Ghats, crazily longing for a tiger darshan. But now, I wonder whether ecotourism is commercialized heavily. Hiring a jeep in Sariska at Rs 3500 for 2 hours made me think, ‘Are we really following norms when we enter into a tiger reserve?

Several thoughts brewed up after sitting in the safari jeep. My jeep was open and there is every possibility that a wild animal, leave alone a tiger, will attack. Why they are taking a risk? Are we taken for a ride by the agencies? Is eco-tourism commercialized? While questions were bubbling up, an abrupt question by the guide whether we want to go to Hanuman Mandir pulled me back to the current moment. The idea of Hanuman Mandir visit was negated by me, because in a Tiger land, I firmly believed that there could be none above a tiger. The Guide took us in a different route and we had no much disappointment as we could have plenty of wild animals like Spotted Deer, Nilgai, Crocodiles, Indian Hare, Jackals besides variety of avians. Yes, the thrill of riding in a dry deciduous scrub jungle is not a small experience though there was bleak chance of tiger sighting. Suddenly there was a commotion. Mobile phone information from similar Safari guides made several jeeps, rounding up a 10 KM area. I could see similar tourists in about a hundred jeeps on various sides of the encircled area curiously waiting for the tiger to come out from bushes. Nothing happened and everyone returned with disappointment.

 Let’s appreciate one thing. No one is permitted in the core areas of a jungle. In more than 800 Sq kms of Sariska, only 20% is open for safari. Same is the situation in any forest. On interaction with the guide, I understood that we have a chance of sighting M-12 (a chest number allotted to each tiger). After my discussion with the guide and seeing that 100 jeeps surrounded an area giving false hope to tourists, I am of the opinion that sighting tiger naturally in the natural habitat is perhaps a kind of a concoction by the ecotourism operators to create a hype and lure more tourists. In one or two locations I saw a PET bottle or a Kurkure pocket. No guidelines or strict instructions were given by tourists to follow the ‘law of the jungle’. Perhaps, the phrase ‘Jungle law’ was rightly coined to indicate the boisterous dictates of an appallingly dominant political parties with brutal majority. Eventually, it is also applicable to such ‘callous tourists’ in forests who are least concerned about the rules

The National Tiger Conservation Authority guidelines in 2012, amended from time to time prohibits tiger safaris in core and critical areas but permits Only in non-core, buffer areas to reduce pressure on wildlife. While a jackal or unpredictable Nilgai was seen just in 30 feet distance, I wonder why a spotted deer even doesn’t shy away human intrusion. Because it has become a routine for them. Even a lion in Gir is undisturbed by a human visitor. For them, its life as usual. Perhaps, they are as domesticated as that of caged animals. A Supreme court enabled CEC panel recommended withdrawing of approvals to allow the safari in fringe areas too. But will the forest conservation act 1980 recently amended, reconsider the decision is a question mark. So, until some good decisions taken in the lines of global best practices, in my opinion Safari is not just like wearing a Safari suit. A Safari if permitted has to bring a change in the mindset of visitors and organizers. It should not be a ecotourism business

DR V SELVARAJAN

Published in Dwarka Express on 15.4.23

On 6.4.23, a question was asked by a BJP Member Sushil Kumar Modi in Rajya Sabha about the area of forests diverted in the last 5 years.  Ashwini Kumar Choubey, the Minister of state in the ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEF & CC) answered that during the last 5 years, various approvals for diversion of forest land for non-forestry purpose including for infrastructure and industrial projects, involving an area of 889.03 Sq. kms have been accorded by the Central Government under the provisions of Forest (Conservation) Act,1980. Or on a comparative term, a forest land equal to Sariska Tiger Reserve (881 Sq kms) has vanished.

Interestingly it is claimed that during the last 4 years, 200 tigers have been added to the Indian count, taking the total number of tigers to 3167, almost three fourth of world tiger population. Out of the 889 Sq. kms of the sacrificed forest land, 194 Sq. kms have gone to ROADS, 188 Sq kms for MINING and 133 Sq kms for IRRIGATION. As per the tabled data, the forests have given way to about 26 avenues such as railways, defence etc. which are treated necessary for development.

According to Dr Ullas Karanth, a Conservation Zoologist, who dedicated his life for tiger conservation, we have 380000 Sq kms available for tiger conservation. Even if a set of 5 tigers have a territory of say, 100 Sq kms, India would have a minimum of 10000 tigers by now. He laments over lack of scientific temperament to achieve the same. Besides, the effective conservation of wildlife squarely depends on the political will and the only way it is possible is by increasing the much-needed forest cover. Not only tigers but reports indicate that elephants and wild animals emerge out of the jungles in search of food and water while locals make a big hue and cry for their safety, resulting in man-animal conflicts. This is the reason why scientists and environmentalists become vociferous, seeking tangible solutions, whenever an infra project encroaches forest areas. When affected locals protest, they are branded as pro-environment, anti-development proponents. When places like Joshi Math disappear, then we do a post mortem and conclude that the destruction is due to tunnelling and large infra projects. Environmental Impact Assessment provisions are flexed so that the existing stringent norms do not come in the way of developmental projects. It is emphatic that the environmental clearances are accorded in an equitable manner

Published in South Express on 8.4.23

Sankey is not an isolated episode. History has seen many such episodes. In 18th Century, 363 Bishnoi’s laid down their lives for the protection of Khejri trees in the Khejarli village of Rajasthan. One of the 29 principles of the community speaks about protecting trees and the other  stresses the need for protecting animals. The world renowned Chipko movement had lots of challenges. The unfortunate death due to his 111 days fast unto death agitation of Gurudas Agrawal, an ace environmentalist, engineer, religious leader and professor demanding action against polluting industries of river Ganga evoked lukewarm interest among the bureaucracy and political bigwigs. Bhopal tragedy has not yet faded from our memory. Similar examples are innumerable.

Whether it is citizens’ voice against Char Dham Road project of Himalayas, anti-Sterlite agitation in Tuticorin or Central Vistas of New Delhi, Aravalli agitation, activists are blamed for the activism and condemned as anti-development protagonists. On the one hand our leadership only makes tall claims of voicing our strong views in COP 27 at Egypt and pledges that India will strictly adhere to net zero emissions. On the other, we circumvent the time-tested legal provisions of the land to appease the corporates who are least cared about environmental concerns. When disasters happen and Joshimath’s disappear, expert committees do postmortem just to pile up the papers in the dusted record rooms of Government departments.

Coming back to what happened in Bangalore is astonishingly strange when the century old trees were paving way to the Sanky Flyover construction project in Sankey road , Malleswaram Bangalore adjacent to Sankey tank. It was a peaceful march wearing black shirts to save 55 heritage trees. The protesters hugged the trees and demanded shelving the projects. Signature campaigns were held. All these in non-violent manner. What prompted the law makers to file FIR on April 1st against 60-70 protesters is not clear though the charges indicated that wrongful confinement, unlawful assembly and obstruction of public ways. Under sections 341,141, 149 and 283 of IPC. Threatening people will never silence the lawful people’s movement. History has seen many such onslaughts and may continue to see in future too.. One thing is clear, the residents are determined to take the movement forward. Already many videos have gone viral. Everyone knows that the garden city is slowly losing its charm. Lakes are drying and birds are vanishing. Once known as retirement heaven, Bangalore is slowly becoming a garbage city. Bangalore is no more a garden city with increasing population, mushrooming of IT industries and concrete jungles.

The hasty decision of the Police makes one wonder whether they are unknowingly helping the protesters to ‘make the movement’ go viral. They may also quote the usual excuse, ‘uper se pressure’ (pressure from higher-ups). Interestingly, the local MLA is allegedly against the protests.Perhaps he has forgotten that the election is round the corner. State election has been declared already. Hardly one month is left out. And of course, the politicians are busy hunting vote banks and have no time for all such ‘trivial’ issues. The civic and environmental problems of the city are plenty.  Felling trees will further aggravate the microclimate. Will the officials understand the seriousness of the issues and take corrective measures?

Published in Dwarka Express on 16.3.23

Garbage, the unmanageable..! Garbage intrinsically is not an issue as long as it is managed professionally, but the bone of contention is that Corporation, municipal or village Panchayats who are entrusted with the responsibility fail to lift the trash on daily basis. One is the EYE SORE seeing the trash and the stray animals or rag pickers skimming the same. The other is the health issues from stinking mixture of dry and wet waste. Plastic and hazardous waste obviously form a part of the trash piled. The officials fail to address the issues promptly on the one hand quoting insufficient manpower while blaming the people who are littering or show the CCTV footages to prove the same. Undoubtedly manpower shortage or lack of civic sense are concerns. A tax payer or a consumer has the right to question the officials on one hand while the officials blame the insufficient budget provision to manage the garbage. The fact is growing population, faster urbanisation and dependence on use and throw materials add fuel to fire.

Garbage burning is a punishable crime! Nevertheless, non-lifting of trash on daily basis result in accumulation or piling up of waste while the more serious concern is burning the same. Come the summer months, the garbage burning become the burning problem in almost all metros and urban areas. The environmentally conscious citizens resort to social media to ventilate their anguish. Almost 10 major fires are reported in cities like Bangalore. While some are extinguished by fire brigades, minor fire incidents remain unattended to. In many a time, residents attempt extinguishing themselves. As per Section 19(5) of the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981, there is a complete ban on burning of solid wastes dry leaves in open places within the jurisdiction of BBMP and other urban bodies like panchayats. The city is provided with sufficient landfill sites. The penalty for garbage burning is Rs 1,000-2,000 for the first time and Rs 5,000 for the second time. There are display boards everywhere, but the interesting part is burning happens right under the display board at times.

Burning is a health hazard! Garbage burning is a source of harmful carcinogens like dioxins, furans and black carbon. These pollutants deteriorate the quality of air and contribute significantly to air pollution and climate change besides affecting human health. It leads to breathing problems and aggravates respiratory diseases such as asthma and bronchitis. People’s health on the one hand and environmental concern on the other, the problem is a serious matter.

Swachh Bharat Mission: Swacch Bharat Abhiyan was a great initiative by the Government of India, with a aim to make the country garbage free. To accelerate the efforts to achieve universal sanitation coverage and to put the focus on sanitation, the Prime Minister of India had launched the Swachh Bharat Mission on 2nd October 2014. When the mission is completing a decade on 2nd Oct 23, we need to revisit the effectiveness of the same and assess the efficacy of the ongoing mission. There is no point in burning the garbage which is the easiest form of disposal. Whether callousness or deliberate attempt to burn the trash, both are unacceptable.

Published in Dwarka Express on 11.3.2023

Stray dog menace cannot be ignored as a stray incident. A recent incident of a preschooler being mauled to death by stray dogs in Hyderabad draws everyone’s attention to the status of the stray animals in India. Legally, there is enough of protection to animals in India and as per Section 3 of the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act, 1960, it is the duty of every person having care or charge of any animal to take all reasonable measures to ensure the wellbeing of such animals and to prevent infliction of unnecessary pain and suffering. This is applicable for all types of animals.

In any civilized society, we may find two kinds of animals, one is stray and the other is pet. Pet care is given more impetus than what they deserve, perhaps. Pet owners go to the extent of getting themselves recognized as pet parents. In fact, they spend more time and money than what they could afford even, treating the pets as their children. Of course, it’s not questionable as there are many emotional aspects attached to pet care.

We are more concerned with the stray animals. Feeding stray animals is not a sin but a generosity and we do understand. For animal activists, food, shelter and safety of the animals are matter of  animal right, which also cannot be disputed. However, what needs immediate attention is the harm and hardships caused by stray animals to an innocent person who become a victim of animal attacks, most of the time by stray animals. Animal care is as equally important as that of human safety. There cannot be any compromise on either of them. When animals behave or react aggressively, perhaps in their natural animal instinct or due to any occasional provocation, the repercussions are disastrous. Most of the attacks of stray animals on human beings happen due to the basic animal instinct. The Hyderabad child was killed because something must have induced them to perhaps a possible attack or threat. In most cases, it happens to be a defensive act with isolated cases of behavioural dysfunctions

As per 2019 census, total population of stray dog and stray cattle in the country was more than 2 crores. The next census is due in 2024. This is going to be much higher and incidents of attacks and loss of lives also are not going to stop. Animal welfare organisations while ensuring compassion to stray animals, also must ensure that children are safe from ferocious animals.  Timely anti rabies vaccination, adoption of stray dogs by pet owners, public shelters and charity homes, timely intervention by sanitary workers including sterilisation will address the problems to a larger extent  

Published in Dwarka Express on 18.2.23

A beautiful golden plated pen gifted by someone was lying on my table for quite a long time. To use or not to use was my dilemma. If I use, I may not get the refill. Pen refill is not available in the market nowadays. After using the pen, I showed the refill to someone and curiously I asked someone what it was. Prompt came the reply ‘REFILL’. I was reminded of the ball point pen of yester years. The pen was costing Rs 2 in 80’s and refills were available in pockets of 10 pcs. Now the so called refills along with stylish pens reach landfills. One day, landfill will overflow, and perhaps we may not be able to refill. Those born in 50’s might be using ink filled pens. They used to go to nearby stationer to refill the pen. Ink filler was used to pour ink in the pen’s tummy. The 30’s born oldies were heard of carrying in ink bottle and  a wooden pen with nib to choke the same in the bottle and use for writing. Even the school desks were seen having a round portion to keep the ink bottle. Gone are those days of madness? Today anything and everything is disposable, including the old dependents! Recollect your daily use items. From a menstruation napkin, PET bottles, tooth brush, to all cosmetics, battery cells, containers, sachets, hospital syringes, kitchen consumables, packing materials, cello tapes, stickers and many more such items are part of our life. We are unable to get rid of the plastics, though Govt has enforced Single Use Plastic (SUP) Ban from 1^st July 2022. Plastic reusing is literally seen only in slums where one can find your used TV or mobile phone or recycled plastic buckets. Literally slum dweller are the real environment friends. They repair, refill or reuse many items rejected by common man in day today life.

Published in Dwarka Express on 11.2.2023

If anyone climbs up Gazipur (Delhi) landfill, she can very well have a sighting of Qutub Minar’s top at her eye level. This is indeed a true but tongue-in-cheek comment of an environmentalist, who is fed up with the ever-increasing landfills. If alone, waste is properly managed, there is no need to address the economic problem of the country. Waste recycling is critical, given the fact that the population growth is unabated. When PM Modi mentioned about the Circular economy, a term which was much unknown in India, it received some attention from all quarters.

What is circular economy and how it is different from linear economy? In linear model, which has been in existence in India for long, factories, the manufacturers use raw materials, make end products, supply the same for consumption. Consumers use the same and throw them which end up in landfills and oceans. On the contrary the circular economy advocates a model of MAKE, USE, REUSE & RECYCLE again and again.

India desperately needs the circular economy and we have to encourage proper waste management in place. “The Circular Economy gives us the tools to tackle climate change and biodiversity loss together, while addressing important social needs. It gives us the power to grow prosperity, jobs, and resilience while cutting greenhouse gas emissions, waste & pollution control.” – Ellen McArthur Foundation.  Circular economy will be fully operational only when we depend fully on the renewable energy sources instead of fossil fuels. Whatever we extract out from earth will never get replenished and some critics argue that circular economy in true sense is near difficult. But with advancement of science and technology, a day will come when circular economy is feasible in totality.  Better augmentation of resources is not utopian task. India badly needs it. And as the country envisages green growth as the maxim for the new national objective, PM’s statement gathers attention. Budget allocation for green growth is one step towards it. But the implementation rests on the bureaucracy. Also India needs to focus on balanced growth duly incorporating poverty alleviation measures