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Imphal Times Supplementary issue 2 Editorial Yamuna and AoL: selective environmentalism? Imphal, Friday, March 11, 2016 NIVEDITA KHANDEKAR the event. CNN IBN managed to contractor had illegally levelled and ahead to the Akshardham temple, it At the outset, a disclaimer: Having give a positive touch by raised land on both the western and was the UPA government that covered Yamuna pollution and other showcasing the young performers eastern bank of the river blocking allowed the Commonwealth Games Wasting the nature’s gift environmental issues related to who will appear at the event (). Zee an active Yamuna channel in the village to come up bang in the Mother Nature is not so cruel. The moment when the people of water, I am against any kind of News, not surprisingly, gave it a process. middle of the floodplains. The entire this land started crying for water, she pours it from the sky. But construction – temporary or different twist on its ‘Taal Thok Ke’ Also consider this: “Some Yamuna falls in the ‘O’ zone of the we are so cruel to her that the blessing was sabotage by wasting permanent – on river floodplains, asking “If Kumbh can be held on photographs show heavy debris, Delhi Development Authority’s it at streets and other filthy potholes. In a world where technology not just in the case of the Yamuna Ganga banks why not a cultural fest iron junk and other construction (DDA) Master Plan for Delhi. And had reached its height, where leaders of the western nations but for that matter, the flood plains on Yamuna banks?”. India TV too material belonging to DMRC lying government after government, both talk about building modern cities under the sea or somewhere of any other river or the catchment ran shows that were indirectly in the Sarai Kale Khan to Mayur at the Centre and at Delhi, have only at the sky, we in this portion of the earth do not know how to of any water body. supporting the event, though Vihar stretch, near Lalita Park and worked to shrink and deteriorate it make good use of what Mother Nature has gifted us. It is a So, I should have been happy to discussing the objections raised by the old pontoon bridge. Let DMRC further. known fact that during dry season people of this region faced see almost all the news channels environmentalists. remove all debris and other So the question that comes acute shortage of water and during rainy season the place is taking a huge interest in what has And then, there was the ‘Press construction material. In the event obviously to one’s mind is: Why normally flooded with the rain water. This phenomenon has been now been termed as a controversial Conference’, the ‘interview by of default, the managing director of have the channels woken up only experiencing by the people for the past few decades. No people event – the World Culture Festival many’ format programme, featuring DMRC shall personally appear now? It is nobody’s case that the of this generation have ever heard our great great grandfather (WCF) to be organised by the Art Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on ABP News before the tribunal on the next date channels cannot take on the facing such a disastrous phenomenon. This clearly shows that of Living foundation (AoL) of Sri on March 9. of hearing,” said a bench headed government agencies violating any the present crisis of water is the creation of this generation. Sri Ravi Shankar opposite Mayur Almost all the channels covered the by NGT chairperson Justice norms. Or is it easy to target an NGO One cannot simply blame on the mass deforestation as a result Vihar Phase I in East Delhi. issue. Times Now went with almost Swatanter Kumar on July 22, 2015. and easier to neglect what of the drastic situation being faced by the people. Politicians With environmental activists nil coverage but did carry a detailed But no channel has ever discussed government agencies are doing to and those who are running the government cannot make their pursuing the matter at the National news report when the NGT gave a this issue. No channel has ever damage the floodplains? way out of this by blaming the citizens for not following the Green Tribunal (NGT) and almost all nod. And it did carry taken up such a topic for its prime Now that the NGT on March 9, 2016 orders of the government. Draughts and floods which were once news channels vying for the latest environmentalists’ version in that time debate. Incidentally, the finally gave permission to the event only learnt through geography books and newspapers have now development and/or newest angle report (Plea to stall Sri Sri event channels’ websites do carry stories with Rs 5 crore fine imposed on the become routine event of this little state since the last two three related to the event/NGT case, rejected - too). sent out by PTI or IANS on this AoL for restoration of the river bank decades. As for the Imphalites from a small child who can read viewers were led to believe that the So why am I not happy about the issue but the channels’ own and flood plains after the event, it and write to those who hold top post in the government temporary construction as claimed extensive coverage? content never or rarely figured the seems the programme will go ahead. departments or those doing doctoral degree in any discipline, by AoL on the Yamuna flood plains, Over the last three decades, Delhi Yamuna. So will it be expecting too much that everyone knows that the kind of flood or draught that we the where the event is to be held, is a has continuously witnessed the In another case, the NGT has been the same news channels – which people of Manipur are facing every years is a man made one massive violation of environmental destruction of Yamuna floodplains, repeatedly taking the Delhi endlessly debated the created by lack of proper planning on water management. Every laws. the very lifeline for the city. Be it government to task over its failure environmental damage to Yamuna time when the people faced such a situation there will be hue But is it actually so? Is the AoL construction of Delhi Metro lines, to remove the DTC bus depot from floodplains, which gave more than and cry from the side of the general public demanding the event the only violation taking place its depots and even the residential the river bed. The print media has usual attention to an event from the government for a proper water policy for the state. Even at the on the Yamuna floodplain? Is it ‘all quarters on the Yamuna been reporting this as routine environmental angle and which state assembly, some of the MLAs had brought up the issue and is well’ for the rest of the Yamuna floodplains; be it the Akshardham stories, special stories and have in general a poor track record drew the attention of the government for proper management floodplains, at least in Delhi? It is temple or the Commonwealth sometimes even an editorial/opinion of covering issues from outside of water by framing a water policy. Concerned Ministers in the indeed intriguing to see the sudden Games village. Examples abound. piece. metro cities – that they will do government every time assured to look into it but nothing visible interest that television channels are Before the NGT was created, it was Incidentally, the UP link road, the equally good follow up post the action was seen taken up. This is perhaps those in power showing in environmental activism. the Delhi High Court or the NH 24 and the Ring Road- event? That is, keep checking and responsible or looking after this section of department – say , The problem: Why have the Supreme Court that heard cases Nizamuddin bridge T-point fall on covering to see if the AoL has for example the Irrigation and Flood Control Department (IFCD) channels woken up only now? related to the Yamuna. the daily driving route of scores of actually restored the flood plains and Public Health Engineering Department (PHED) seems to be “But is it actually so? Is the AoL The NGT regularly hears cases television journalists, and in some as promised during the NGT deliberately waiting for occurrence of flood or draught. Everyone event the only violation taking place against government authorities cases television anchor/editors, hearing. knows that when there is flood the Ministers or the authority of on the Yamuna floodplain? Is it ‘all abusing the Yamuna floodplains – who either reside in Delhi and drive Also, will it be too much to expect the government department looking after it are entitle to spend is well’ for the rest of the Yamuna the DTC bus depot near to work to Noida or live in Noida/ that these television channels will huge amount of money in the name of taking up relief measures. floodplains, at least in Delhi? “ Nizamuddin bridge; the upcoming Ghaziabad and drive to Delhi. The now cover all Yamuna related cases This fund utilized, only benefitted to those who are actually During this week (especially extension to the Barapulla Elevated massive space occupied by the in the NGT with equal gusto? That assigned to utilize it. So, if no draught or flood no special package starting Sunday right up to March Road connecting the Sarai Kale L&T site office just near the they will also rigourously debate or huge fund to utilized it at which they can manage to arrange 9, 2015, when the NGT gave a nod Khan end with Mayur Vihar and the Nizamuddin bridge – Ring Road T- the DMRC dumping debris or to get their share.