Published in Dwarka Express on 15.11.22

The farmers are fuming. Women are weeping but the project is all set to take off. The Parandur Airport at Tamilnadu’s Kanchipuram district, not very far off from Chenni Airport  is being promoted as a Greenfield project and farmers, environmentalists and women are raising their voice. “Raise your voice, it counts” the popular saying has gone with winds and the green fields which was the livelihood of thousands of families are expected to be in crossroads. Compensation, resettlement and the like are the normal garb under which decision makers hide themselves and make tall claims that the development projects are being impeded by the NGOs in false plea. Farmers and locals from 13 villages will be losing their precious agricultural lands. Nearly 3000 families are depending on the agriculture income in this area. About 4500 acres are farming area will be converted into airport and soon the land will be handed over to adanis and ambanis under the guise of greenfield ventures. A 1000 houses will be razed down. The DPR is being ready for a project cost of Rs 10000 Crore and the feasibility reports envisage that for every Rs 100 spent, it will fetch Rs 300. Another argument in favour of an airport seems to be that the present airport at Meenambakkam Chennai which is just 60 KMs away from the proposed one will not be able to cater to the need of ever-growing air traffic which is expected to grow to 3.50 crore from the present level of 2.2 crore within next 7 years. Any everyone knows that the present airport was modernaised and expanded recently. Why the planners could not envisage the growth potentials at that time? This question remains unanswered. Environmental NGOs like Poovulagin Nanbargal say that Tamilnadu has many airports which could be developed into international airports to address the growing traffic. They also say how an airport at Parandur will not only destroy agricultural lands but also evaporate the natural waterbodies in the identified areas. Already Chennai faced the devastating floods in 2021 and before also, and one of the reasons was poor augmentation of water sources in the nearby districts.

Ekanapuram, the worst affected village among these 13 notified villages will completely vanish from Indian Map soon. 2000 locals from this village are planning to conduct a protest march to the Secretariate on 17^th Oct 2022. Will the policy makers listen and change their stance?

We have seen that in the history of Independent India, the policy makers never listen to common man but they comfortably ignore the fact that nature does not listen to anyone and when it shows, the damage will be too late and irreparable and irrevocable

Published in Dwarka Express on 8.10.22

It’s a vending machine with a difference and the launch goes viral in social media though the same was launched 4 months back on the World Environment Day on 5^th June 2022 in Greater Chennai Corporation jointly with Tamilnadu Pollution Control Board. You just insert the Rs 10 coin and a yellow cloth bag will pop out. Entitled ‘meendum manjappai’ in Tamil meaning ‘yellow bags again’ means that use of cloth bags again’. What is so significant about yellow cloth bag. What is the background? Not long ago, all stores & shops used to give typical yellow coloured carry bag for buyers as a compliment. The bags used to carry the advertisement about shops or occasions. In every marriage house, guests used to get a complimentary yellow bag consisting of Coconut, betelnut, blowse piece for ladies, sweets etc. This yellow bag is religiously preserved by tamilians to re use for purchasing vegetables and provisions in their day today life. In fact a ethnically dark complexioned Tamil guy was always depicted wearing a dhoti, carrying an yellow bag in hand and wearing bright ash lines on the forehead. All said and done, a Tamilian is always admired by other states, especially in North for simplicity. When it comes to the question of austerity and eco-friendly way of living, the people of Tamilnadu always stand tall. The reusable yellow bag concept has slowly vanished with the changing lifestyle preferences. Now in an effort to revive the concept, the Tamilnadu govt started promoting the same and appealed to everyone to use yellow bag instead of polythene bags. Why yellow colour in particular? Yellow is always related to prosperity and wellbeing. Thus the bag gained importance in 20^th century, though this concept is well intertwined with the Tamil culture. The viral spread of plastic carry bags slowly evaporated the ever-known culture of manjappai. With the Centre banning the single use plastic from July 2022, the yellow bag concept is picking up. Grasping the opportunity, the shops and marriage houses have started re introducing the bags in bigger way. It is a welcome step and not only bring back the forgotten habit of reusability of cloth bags but also bring a sense of austerity at times consumerism and materialism are in the peak.

Published in Dwarka Express on 1.10.22

A video from Dwarka Delhi has gone viral in media! Yes, that’s e-dahan of Rawan. Curiosity growing, everyone in social media wanted to know how the same is done practically. All Dwarka Residents Federation (AIDF) claims that this is the second year that they are trying e-Dahan of Rawan. The king of Sri Lanka, Rawan, an otherwise multi-talented demon, might feel happy from heaven (if his ‘hell’ term is over!) only to see that large effigies with loaded crackers will never be again burnt at least in coming years, if not immediately. Festival season is on and all over the country, idols of Ganesha have already reached our waterbodies and Durga Maa are waiting for visarjan.

Come September, the celebrations go full swing everywhere, even if economy doesn’t envisage wastage of huge junk of Indian worth. While it is also true that the festivals give employment to many, perishable products also pose a big challenge. As usual the distant murmur of environmentalists seldom becomes ultrasonic! If the Indian festivals go eco-friendly, obviously, this will add to the traditional flavour of festivals. Holi was once celebrated with natural colours. The plastic plates and polythene bags will be replaced by reusable plates and bags for distributing prasad. Idols will never be made of Plaster of Paris but clay soil. Burning of Rawan effigies will go on electronic mode. Silent Diwali all over the country will bring back the glory of pre-dynamite era. History indicates that when Ram returned to Ayodya, there were lightings not bombs and crackers. In South, demon Narkasura’s killing does not have any evidence of celebrations with crackers. There is someone whispering, ‘these environmentalists have no work. How could we sacrifice the grand gala celebrations? Crackers pollution is not a big deal, when compared to Industrial pollution’. When Industrial pollution is challenged in Green Courts, the protagonists of development denounce the petitions, on the plea of hampering development. Someone recently quipped, ‘who would live in polluted Capital, we are shifting to Bangalore!’

So.. when Banglaore is also polluted, where to go?

Published in Dwarka Express on 24.9.22

Rogue Elephant attacks agriculture lands! Villager killed by an elusive leopard! Headlines in media like these are quite common nowadays. Time and again, villagers living near forest areas. Making an attempt to re-introduce cheetah or celebrating world rhino day can definitely inspire everyone to do some conservation efforts. Especially the forest departments and the concerned Ministries attempt on such occasions to do some constructive awareness programs. Perhaps, while observing conservation days, arranging a quiz contest, conducting a rally or a painting competition may help creating awareness. To certain extent, such acts may enthuse the environmentally conscious people to awaken the society which is otherwise ever pre-occupied, given the hunt for livelihood is the major concern for any individuals. However, many of us realize or are not able to do anything about the ever-depleting natural resources or the shrinking natural habitats. Re-introducing a few cheetahs not commensurate with sufficient forest cover, are reportedly eliminating the leopard population. Continuous mining activities or commercial use of forest lands will just only erode the pristine natural jungles and will prove detrimental to the conservation efforts. Recently a Supreme court decision to disallow conversion of forest lands in western ghats had received strong demonstrations in Karnataka by the locals and contractors. If the policy makers are serious enough to stop depletion of natural resources or control habitat shrinkage, serious attempts must be made to snatch the encroached forest lands from private contractors who tend to create concrete jungles under the guise of ecotourism or amusement parks. However, the recent amendments in Forest conservation act and EIA 2020 only will do more harm than good!

Published in Dwarka Express on 17.9.22

Lalbagh is ‘recreated’ in Yelahanka in North Bengaluru. Atleast this is what the local MLA S R Viswanath, who is also the chairman of Bengaluru Development Authority says when he wants to open this forest area to public domain in the name of ‘Tree Park’. The proposed multipurpose park will have a spread over 350 acres on the lines of Cubbon Park and Lalbagh. Named as ‘Atal Bihari Vajpayee Park’ the Tree Park is being developed at Jarakabande Kaval, off Yelahanka. “This is going to replace the existing butterfly park which is naturally beautiful. Was that needed?” asks Shantala Rakagopalan, an environmental enthusiast who is not happy with the decision. It appears that the MLA is bent upon converting the natural urban forest into tree park indirectly indicating that this place is going to be converted to a park open to public like any other park. One wonders the logic behind naming it as Tree park when there happens to be trees in any park. According to Muniratna, Horticulture Minister, the Government is waiting to get a nod from Centre’s Ministry of Forests, Environment and Climate Change to conduct the ground-breaking ceremony of the Tree park. The MLA wants to ignore the voice of environmentalists against the conversion of the forest area into a park. According to him, environmentalists are making a fake claim of 300 species of butterflies and ants in this area. ‘This implies the loss of breathing space, encouragement to changing natural landforms to suit anthropocentric needs and then of course the swarming of humans who complain about development that would affect corruption and concretisation. And finally, what little of life sustaining environment is left is destroyed with celebration and pomp of naming, bombastic claims and show of stupidity in all possible forms, says Srikanth Gopinath, who is a nature enthusiast. On the one hand Government is giving a clarion call to save nature and forests, but on the other hand, they make efforts to convert the forest areas into public accessible park areas. Whether the MoEF&CC would give permission to do the same, only time has to answer

Published in Dwarka Express on 10.9.22

When it is raining cats and dogs, it appears that the Social media has time for fun. At least this is what one feels, that too when the whole Bangalore city is floating literally. Bangalore “IT Guys are victims of their own deeds, who asked to put everything on clouds!” reads a e-card which has gone viral. Another card reads, “Bangalore must be the only tech Hub in the world where software developers travel two hours to get to their office so that they can build Apps to deliver groceries in 10 minutes!”. Jokes apart, it is true that the city confronted unprecedented rains in the last few days, with the resultant break down of all government machineries. No one could do anything except playing the blame game effectively. Always, it so happens that the opinions of environmentalists and scientists are ignored as over-reactive or not pragmatic.

Once known as the lake city, the IT Hub is now left with a few lakes which are also in brink of vanishing point. It is due to some relentless citizen activists that the left over lakes are having some breathe still in them. And lots of residential complex have come up in the last few decades to replace the lakes. We built the residential complexes on lakes and now we want that drinking water should be available in these complexes. You can’t have the cake and eat it too! In fact, in May 2022, there was a warning of heavy rains by September. The meteorological department predicted heavy rains in September. But no one heeded to these early warning signals. The IT Hub is floating, Whitefield is now ‘bluefield’ and outer ring road has submerged below the flooded water. Bangalore is inundated with waterlogging everywhere.

The lakes, Rajakaluves (water canals), ponds, rivers, marshes, grasslands and floodplains must be immediately restored on war footing and encroachments must be stopped forthwith. It is reliably understood that the Govt has released 1500 Crore for construction of drains. If Bangalore has to be saved from disaster, the Government must take steps to immediately fix the accountability on the corrupt officials on the one hand and listen to high power advisors from environment and technical background to rebuild the city’s ecosystem. All projects in violation of the RMP 2015 must be stopped immediately or else the once known paradise city will slowly get converted into a hell

Published in Dwarka Express on 3.9.22

As we bid adieu to Lord Ganesha, the celebrations culminated as usual with the visarjan carried out all over India. In Bangalore, the BBMP has made meticulous arrangements all over the city to address the issue of immersion of the idols. An apartment in Bangalore spares Rs 50000 plus to procure a life-size Ganesh Idol, but it does not care to ensure that the idol is eco-friendly. South India has a rich tradition and the lifestyle in the past had always been simple and eco-friendly when many had not even heard of the term ‘eco-friendliness’. In fact, the entire South from time immemorial, had been using clay made idols which used to be immersed in the rivers and waterbodies. There never used to be an idol made of plaster of Paris using chemicals once upon a time. Come Dasshera, Durga Ma will decorate the pandals and party halls in the same way and take leave in ponds and waterbodies. Year after year, the most antagonized environmentalists will make a lot of noise pollution in vain against the move of people in conducting the programs in this way. One of my activist friends was vociferous against usage of SUP and also littering, during festivals, though her voice was unheard or least cared. The organisers of such melas, festivals and cultural events comfortably forget all the laws to protect the environment. She laments, ‘what is below dignity to bring vessels from home to collect Prasad in common functions in apartments.’ Prompt comes the reply, ‘it doesn’t look gracious on festival occasions to bring vessels to public areas’  In the past, we have heard how our sacred rivers are flooded with the broken idols of Lord Ganesh in the past. We have also experienced how in cities like Ahmedabad, people left idols on the banks for lack of space for immersion. We do not say that there is all round callousness. But, there is no conviction or political will to address to the concern. The same society which was once naturally eco-friendly has entered into an era which is materialistic but talks tall about saving environment in air-conditioned auditoriums but are not comfortable in thinking why we need to revert to the life which they were well accustomed to, once upon a time.  Entire North is going to burn and blast Rawan during Dasshera and we are all going to witness it. The personification of the ‘Elephant-headed’ God signifies the very purpose of living and signals the need for being close to nature. There are rules, there is awareness, but these are comfortably forgotten when people’s agenda is something different. No wonder why Indian forests are shrinking and why quality of life is deteriorating day by day.

Published in Dwarka Express on 22.8.22

A tender coconut seller was seen in Merina Chennai, freely distributing the banned straw for his customers, a vegetable vendor in Malleswaram, Bengaluru freely hands plastic carry bag to the buyer. When asked about the ban on use of plastic carry bags, the innocent vendor blankly looks at us . Neither the buyer cared to tell him that it is a banned item. The situation appears to be the same almost in the entire country. 50 days is gone after the blanket ban on Single use plastics (SUP) came into force. Enforcement of the ban on 19 SUP items is yet to take off or at least  appears to be an uphill task. It appears that many have not taken it seriously. Even earlier occasions also several state Governments like Karnataka and Delhi proposed ban on the SUPs but the states have seen that the usage of SUPs was not stopped effectively. Going by available data, in the whole country, the plastic generation amounts to nearly 42 lacs tons per annum and SUPs count for 10-35% only. In most of the states the SUP generation has been effectively stopped. It is the need of the hour to enforce the laid down norms effectively. But whether the usage of the already available SUPs is a clear indication that the same is ignored yet. One important aspect in the process of the ban is stopping of manufacturing. Many violating industries in small scale segment are being penalised for not stopping the single use plastic. This is indeed a good step and will be still better if the Government proposes some concessions and subsidies for the owners of these small units, who have lost their breadwinning activity. It is  true that change cannot come overnight. It is a process and active participation, continuous monitoring and creating awareness periodically are the keys. Like the displays in TVs for cigarette smoke ban, it is important that the media ads from Govt can create good impact. But it is not seen or felt that the Government creates enough awareness to awaken the sleeping Rip Van Winkles

Published in Dwarka Express on 13.8.22

While the nation is excited to celebrate the 75^th Independence Day, with fun and fervour, joy and patriotism, it is also pertinent that the rulers and people alike deliberate on the substantial issues that are conspicuous and showing threat to the very existence of the democracy. Indian population has surpassed 1.4 billion and the unabated growth coupled with the depleting natural resources is posing threat to the prospective future of the nation. While the life expectancy of the average Indian is hovering around 70, thanks to the improved medical facilities, one is still at a loss to comprehend whether the situation is conducive to the overall livelihood. The global warming is staring at every global citizen. In India, time and again, huge challenge is posed to environment due to the frequent changes in the acts that are ‘presumably’ against development. Whenever an environmental activist starts voicing his views, he is castigated as disruptor. In India has seen Guru Das Agarwal who has sacrificed his life to save Ganga. History has explained already how Bishnoi community sacrificed many lives to save nature. We also have seen rural womenfolk embracing trees to save them from felling. Today, thousands of cases are pending in NGT and other courts in one pretext or other to fight against the onslaughts to environment. In Karnataka, even the court verdicts to protect the eco sensitive zones (ESZ) are protested by locals. In Delhi AQI is crossing the permissible limits quite often. More than 16 lac people are dying every year in India due to pollution related diseases. It is high time that the states and centre jointly think of addressing the environmental issues. Water table is depleting already. Deforestation in the name of Infra development projects including mining also continues.  We celebrate all important days to emphasize conservation. For instance, this week alone, the world is celebrating World Lions day on 10^th August and World Elephants day on 12^th August. But literally we are seeing elephants that intrude human settlements while Lions population is just limited to Gujrat. We need to revisit the entire subject in the interest of posterity. The real freedom is achieved by doing all these. Freedom from all evils of the society is not achieved freely, it needs hard work and sacrifices from all concerned !

Published in Dwarka Express on 6.8.22

One has to visit Cambridge Public e-School, Kaveripattinam, Krishnagiri Dist, Tamilnadu to believe what I say below. Yes, one can call it literally an Organic School and the architect behind this venture is C T Sanatkumar, who proudly shows us his organic farm in his school which is managed by the students. Students in his school try their little hands in organic farming during their school days. Sanatkumar is the founder of the school. Moving enthusiastically around the school in his automated wheel chair, he commands respect and appreciation from everyone. Once Hon Abdul Kalam visited him and felt honoured to move his wheel chair. South Express talked to him to know more about his work. He becomes emotional when he talks about organic farming. Right from ploughing the land, students involve in seeding, de-weeding, watering and harvesting vegetables. One wonders whether there is any other way, one philanthropist could groom the future citizen of India. South Express wishes him long life and achieve many more laurels.    

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!