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Darryl D’Monte on the crumbling infrastructure in Mumbai Pankaj Sekhsaria’s Take on the river Yamuna R K Pachauri on the stupendous growth of TERI and the way ahead

04 INR 50 USD 9.99 CAD 10.99 0762825 27834 LookingLooking BackBack toto changechange tracktrack

Ever wondered, What is the extent of environmental damage in India since Independence?

How many billions has the damage cost us?

What are the causes and what can be done to reverse the degradation?

More questions than answers! Looking back to change track renews the assessment of India’s management of the country’s key natural resources. The title explains that while in some cases irreparable loss to the environment has occurred, in others, there still remains time to halt, reverse, and minimize the damage.

Released by Prof Amartya Sen in Bangalore, the book was presented to Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, at the launch of India Council of Sustainable Development in January 2007.

p The title assesses the damage and offers remedial Year: 2007 action on the following sectors: 20.5 x 25 cm; 147p Hardback Air ISBN: 81-7993-104-8 Water Cover price: Rs 650.00 / US $50.00 Solid Waste Management Forests Biodiversity

A must have for all policy-makers and policy changers alike, the set of three publications also articulates the urgency to initiate change before it is too late to change track.

GREEN (Growth with Resource Enhancement of Environment and Energy) India 2047 is one of TERI’s most ambitious projects. Initiated to address India’s energy and environmental issues, it seeks to conceptualize a green and sustainable future in the next fifty years, after studying the policies and programmes that shaped its first fifty years of independence.

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TERI Press The Energy and Resources Tel. 2468 2100 or 4150 4900 Institute Fax 2468 2144 or 2468 2145 Darbari Seth Block India +91 • Delhi (0) 11 IHC Complex, Lodhi Road E-mail [email protected] New Delhi – 110 003 http://bookstore.teriin.org From the editor’s desk

A number of incidents have been reported in recent months, which provide a strong indication of the damage that human beings are inflicting on the ecosystems that make up the earth. Just towards the end of December 2006, a news report described the vanishing of the Lohachara Island in the Sundarbans in India. The same report reminded its readers that eight years ago an uninhabited island in the Pacific atoll nation of Kiribati vanished beneath the waves. On 30 December 2006, another report highlighted the findings of a prominent scientist’s study of the Arctic region in Canada about the sliding of a large sheet of ice from the northern part of that country as a result of climate change. While scientific evidence is growing on the multiple impacts of climate change round the world, it is heartening that awareness on this subject has grown substantially in recent times, as a result of which the media finds it relevant to report on these incidents, since they address the concerns of readers worldwide. Perhaps these trends provide hope that the human race might actually bring about significant changes to create solutions that could solve the growing and critical problems of this planet created by past patterns of growth and development. Climate change is only one aspect of the deviation that our past patterns of development have been from what would constitute a sustainable approach. While leaders of several faiths have throughout history highlighted the importance of human beings living in harmony with nature, the drive towards greater and greater material consumption has blinded human society to the impacts our actions could have on the very basic life-support systems that have served all life forms for thousands of years. Now that science and the spread of knowledge reveals in precise detail and with high level of certainty the various problems that we have created for the earth’s ecosystems, it is time for us to bring about shifts that would restore as early as possible, at least to a reasonable extent, the balance that we have destroyed in the past. There would, of course, be several voices of opposition and interest groups that would fight any such shift in development paradigms, but if we are to ensure the sustenance of all forms of life, our choices are very limited. These choices do not necessarily mean a retreat to living in caves or a return to a pastoral form of existence, but they essentially call for development and use of new technologies and changes in our behavioural patterns so as to utilize our natural resources efficiently and act towards their regeneration by purposeful action. The world today has enough intellectual and technological capital to bring about such shifts, but a prerequisite would be the articulation of such goals as part of national and international actions. As TERI celebrates 25 years of its existence in Delhi as a research institute, these issues appear stronger, larger, and more relevant to our endeavours. Hence, the year 2007 provides a unique opportunity for this institution to re-dedicate itself to the larger goal of devising means and initiating action for human society to attain a path of sustainable development.

R K Pachauri Director-General, TER I MailboxMailbox Managing Editor R K Pachauri Editorial Board I am a grateful subscriber to TerraGreen, Leena Srivastava R K Batra the work of which is crucial to human Rajiv Seth survival. Keep up the good work! Editorial Team Roshni Sengupta Sucharita Sengupta Subrat Kumar Sahu Jeff Knaebel Design/Illustration Social activist Tamal Basu Pune Production T Radhakrishnan R Ajith Kumar The cover story comes at a very Marketing & Distribution pertinent hour. Even in international Aarti Khosla Sandeep Sood politics, war is not only about power Prema Mahadevan tilts, but also development and ...... Distributors Domestic environment costs. From damage to the CNA, New Delhi environment, there will soon be a shift International News Service Mumbai Overseas of trend to wars over the environment. For North America and Canada Disticor Magazine Distribution Services Water riots are already occurring right 695 Westney Road South Suite 14 here in Delhi on a fairly regular basis. Ajax,Ontario Yet, people and the government are not Canada L1S 6M9 Head Office viewing them as something deeper than TERI a law and order situation. Its high time TERI Press Darbari Seth Block, IHC Complex magazines such as yours bring these Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110 003 I find TerraGreen very informative. Tel. +91 (11) 2468 2100 or 2468 2111 matters to the larger public in the right Fax +91 (11) 2468 2144 or 2468 2145 perspective. However, I would like to see some stories Regional Centres on the water issue. Southern Regional Centre TERI,CASiteNo.2 Arun Vishwanathan 4th Main, 2nd Stage Domlur Shaju Peter Bangalore – 560 071 Research scholar E-mail [email protected] Panchkula North-Eastern Regional Centre Jawaharlal Nehru University TERI, 503 Orion Towers Christian Basti,GSRoad New Delhi Guwahati – 781 005 TerraGreen has been an eye-opener of sorts. Western Regional Centre Hope you can keep it up for more time to TERI Radio empowering people! Hope floats. F-9, La Marvel Colony come! Dona Paula Please accept my congratulations on Panaji – 403 004 (Goa) publishing the story. In future, I would E-mail [email protected] Manzoor Ali Affiliate Institutes really like to see several such stories Research Scholar TERI NorthAmerica appear in TerraGreen. Suite 6432, 6th Floor Jawaharlal Nehru University 1001 Pennsylvania Avenue Washington DC, 20004 Veenu Mangat New Delhi USA E-mail [email protected] Chandigarh TERI Europe

27 Albert Grove ...... London SW20 8PZ, UK E-mail [email protected] Overseas Representation TERI Japan C/o IGES Nippon Press Centre Building (8th Floor) 2-2-1, Uchisaiwai-cho, Chiyoda-ku Tokyo, Japan – 100-0011 E-mail [email protected] TERI South-East Asia Unit 503, 5th Floor Menara Mutiara Majestic 15 Jalan Othman, Seksyen 3 4600 Petaling Jaya Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia E-mail [email protected] TERI Gulf Centre Printed and published by Dr R K Pachauri for The Energy and Resources Institute, Darbari Seth Block, IHC Complex, C/o Gulf Research Center Lodhi Road, New Delhi – 110 003, Tel. +91 (11) 2468 2100 or 2468 2111, E-mail [email protected], P O Box 80758, Dubai, UAE Fax +91 (11) 2468 2144 or 2468 2145, Web www.teriin.org/pub, and printed by him at International Print-O-Pac Ltd, E-mail [email protected] C-4 to 11, Phase-II Extn., Noida.  The Energy and Resources Institute. All rights reserved.

http://www.teriin.org/terragreen CONTENTS

News ...... 4 Features...... 9 • Eyeing the fish • Cleaning up the waste • Solving India’s energy, water, and environmental challenges • Pushing the applecart In Conversation...... 20 COVER STORY Debate...... 36 India shining • Should business have social responsibility? India shining • Does business walk the CSR talk in India? Special Reports...... 40 • The sea is rushing in: will the Sundarbans survive? • After the deluge

Comments...... 45 >> page 24 • Emissions trading: taking giant steps • Go organic! • Regrowing the forest People Power...... 54 • Making sense of nature, Finger prints the Sanskriti way >> page34 Book Reviews...... 58 • Catastrophe awaits • The big fat conservation crisis Breakthroughs...... 60 COVER PHOTO : BHASKAR HAZARIKA NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NE China cracks down on Kite festival fatally United to prevent herb species, and only 600 are polluting power injures birds extinction left in India. About half of projects Mumbai: As a large Raipur: Concerned over these inhabit Kashmir’s Shanghai: SEPA (State number of people the gradual extinction of Himalayan mountain range Environmental celebrated makar herbs at several places in at altitudes of about Protection Agency) of sankranti, the harvest the Dhamatari region of 3000 metres (9800 feet) in China, in a statement festival, in Mumbai, the mountainous region of released on its website, many concerned citizens Ladakh and upper has stated that it shall and doctors in Mumbai stretches of Himachal not approve new power set up mobile clinics to Pradesh. plant projects by four treat hundreds of birds ANI major companies unless that get injured, the projects comply with sometimes fatally, due to Power projects thin environmental frenzied kite flying on green cover safeguards. The this day. Every year Kullu: The construction companies have already pigeons, crows, eagles, of the 800-megawatt been on the blacklist for and parrots get seriously Parvati Power project in severe violations. The injured or killed after Himachal Pradesh has government is stepping getting struck or Chhattisgarh, the state led to confrontation up efforts to enforce entwined in the sharp forest department between the local people regulations as it feels threads attached with officials have joined and the government. that such violations have kites. hands with the tribals Villagers are concerned become a bottleneck for ANI for the conservation of about the damage to the social and economic herbs. The forest ecosystem due to felling development. Migratory birds department’s concern of trees, as well as the grapple with Kashmir holds significance loss of livelihoods. Mercury poisoning in winter considering the fact that Locals have also accused Delhi hospitals Srinagar: The most 44% land area is covered the power companies of New Delhi: High level well-known wetland of by forest. Since the dumping their rubble of mercury – a lethal forest is rich in the near their settlements, heavy metal – has been production of gum, leading to pollution and found in the indoor air fruits, and honey, an damage to property. of selected hospitals, effort is being made to Power companies claim hinting at persistent process these forest that they have fulfilled exposure of healthcare products and later all government norms staff and those visiting market them. In this and criteria. The forest such facilities, according direction, about 4000 department is levying to a new research hectares of land has been fines from companies released by Delhi-based declared as protected whose actions are environmental group area and the utilization leading to deforestation Toxics Link. Data shows of herbs is being or dumping rubble. that an average hospital Kashmir, Hokersar, is promoted. ANI releases three kilograms facing a peculiar crisis. ANI of mercury in the The cold wave has River Gomati in environment each year. frozen the wetlands, Snow leopard skin Dwarka drying The internationally making it difficult for recovered Dwarka (Gujarat): acceptable levels range migratory birds to locate Kathua: Police in the In the absence of between 0–0.4 µ/m3. food. Wildlife officials Kathua district of Jammu administrative attention, are breaking the layers of and Kashmir recovered the River Gomati in ice and providing feed in two snow leopard skins Dwarka in Gujarat is on this world-class wetland from two persons at the verge of extinction, spreading over 13.75 km. Lakhanpur. The two as saline water and sand Hokersar plays host to arrested persons have been thrown up by the five lakh birds every identified and booked Arabian Sea is year, and some of the under the Forest Act and converting the river into species come from Wildlife Act. They were a quagmire here. Siberia, Afghanistan, trying to smuggle the Dwarka, which is a China, Central Asia, and leopard skins out of the famous pilgrim centre, North Europe. state. Snow leopards are a attracts lakhs of tourists ANI rare and endangered annually. But now,

4 TerraGreen January–March 2007 NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NE instead of finding a free- research programme in Award winner Rajendra to identify effective flowing river, pilgrims 5000 villages to promote Singh, who came down investment programmes to are being confronted ‘more crop and income heavily on the support efficient transport with filth. Prior to 1985, per drop’ of water; government for diverting systems and innovative there was a sand-filled training of water masters the Hirakud Dam water financing options to meet ground where the river in each Pani Panchayat; from agricultural fields future needs and its results flows now. In 1989, the and institution of an to industries. This would be distributed sand was removed and award for the best Pani diversion could lead to through publications, a dam of stone was Panchayat. the parching of country workshops, and constructed at the ANI 50 000 acres of farmland. seminars. mouth of the sea to stop ANI ANI the sand from entering Controversial Sardar the river again. The Sarovar Dam Bhopal victims Mobile company stone dam has been completed boycott Tata products erects tower at repaired annually since Narmada Valley Bhopal: Hundreds of Mohenjodaro then. However, after (Gujarat): Construction victims of the 1984 Karachi: A Pakistani 1999, this repair work of the controversial Bhopal gas tragedy hit mobile phone service was stopped and the Sardar Sarovar Dam in the streets to protest company has erected a sand is moving into the the Narmada Valley was against Tata group’s offer transmission tower at a river again. completed on 31 to clean up tonnes of protected site in ANI December 2006. While toxic waste lying in an Mohenjodaro, the cradle abandoned complex. of the 5000-year-old 2007 is the They say that it is an Indus Valley Civilization. ‘Water Year’ effort to let the company The issue came to light New Delhi:The off its liability. The when officials of the Government of India has protestors said they federal archaeology announced the year 2007 would shun Tata tea and department and as the ‘Water Year’ with a salt, and request UNESCO visited the view to address water- shopkeepers to stop their world heritage site. related issues and to sale. According to the Dawn, launch a massive ANI construction activity awareness programme all continued in spite of over the country. Some authorities hailed the ADB study seeks department orders to of the important completion of the dam sustainable transport stop the activities. activities planned during as an answer to the system ANI the Water Year 2007 thirst, irrigation, and Islamabad: The ADB would include a meeting power needs of millions (Asian Development Bank) Pakistan blames India of the National Water in the vast, parched is beginning a set of field for smog regions in the west of the studies of select cities Islamabad: SUPARCO country, Narmada across Asia to help develop (Space and Upper Bachao Andolan activist blueprints for sustainable Atmosphere Research Medha Patkar continues urban transport systems in Commission) of Pakistan to protest to highlight the region. The studies – has claimed that excessive the dilemma of displaced expected to be completed coal-burning at India’s poor tribal farmers. by April 2008 – would be thermal power plants has ANI undertaken by a team of caused smog in their international specialists in territory, resulting in Protest by Orissa Pakistan, Bangladesh, massive economic losses farmers China, Nepal, and Sri amounting to over Bargarh:Thousands Lanka. According to the Rs 25 billion per annum. of farmers in Orissa have ADB, the studies would try According to the Dawn, protested against the state SUPARCO officials government’s decision to informally shared these release dam water to findings with Indian Resources Council, industries. Farmers from experts several times, but chaired by the prime Sambalpur, Bargarh, India claimed that the minister; a national Bolangir, and smog in Pakistan’s Punjab congress on Jharusuguda were joined was the result of massive groundwater; farmers’ by renowned social vehicular pollution. participatory action activist and Magasaysay ANI

TerraGreen January–March 2007 5 NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NE

Underground nuke comes from both natural New method for cell, provided stability to waste safe for only and human generated earthquake warning the reactions by adding 1400 years sources such as coal-fired Washington: gold clusters to the Washington: Within the power plants and Researchers have platinum electro- next 1400 years, municipal waste developed a new and catalyst. minerals intended to incinerators – collects on better method to predict ANI entrap nuclear waste for foliage. When the foliage earthquakes. The system hundreds of thousands dies, it falls to the forest uses a micro-tremor data Call to save world’s floor and decomposes, (data for quakes with a 100 genetically distinct and the mercury enters magnitude of between species the soil. Since it binds –1 and 5) to analyse and London: Scientists have strongly to organic estimate the complete called for saving 100 of molecules, mercury is stress tensor and the world’s weirdest most prevalent in the top monitor changes in the creatures that have been several inches of soil. magnitude of stress and both identified on the As such, by comparing the instability of faults, the mercury content of making earthquake burned soil with predictions more valid. ANI of years may break down, warned a research Scientists remove team from the University impediment to fuel of Cambridge and the cell technology Pacific Northwest Washington: National Laboratory. Researchers at the US Presenting their findings Department of Energy’s in the journal Nature, the Brookhaven National researchers said that Laboratory have used nuclear magnetic stabilized platinum resonance, or NMR, unburned soil, it was electro-catalysts for use shows that the effects possible to estimate how in fuel cells. Platinum of radiation from much mercury was is the most efficient plutonium incorporated released when forests electro-catalyst for endangered list and been into the mineral zircon burnt. accelerating chemical found to have few close rapidly degrades the ANI reactions in fuel cells relatives, making them mineral’s crystal for electric vehicles. genetically unique. For structure. This could Dead birds fall from However, in reactions making the list, scientists lead to a cracking of the skies during the stop-and-go first produced an mineral as soon as 210 London: Two towns, in driving of an electric car, enormous evolutionary years, well before the two separate continents, the platinum dissolves, tree showing the radioactivity decays to have reported the which, in turn, reduces relationship between safe levels. mysterious dropping of its efficiency as a every known mammal ANI thousands of dead birds catalyst. This is a major species of the planet. from the sky. The impediment for vehicle- Then they selected Forest fires fuels incident took place in animals that were most mercury emissions Western Australia and genetically distinct, and Washington: A study Austin, Texas. cross-referenced with the by researchers at the Veterinarians in both World Conservation University of Michigan countries have been Union’s Red List of has revealed that forest unable to establish the endangered species to fires release more cause of death, despite give the species the mercury into the carrying out large ‘globally endangered’ atmosphere than number of autopsies on scores. previously thought. the birds. Officials have ANI According to researcher ruled out the theory of Abir Biswas, whose death due to a severe application of fuel cells. The Stern Review brainchild this study was, storm, but are still But now, scientists have, causes concern forests act as mercury working on the toxic under laboratory London: UK’s premier traps because mercury in poisoning theory. conditions that imitate economist Sir Nicholas the atmosphere – which ANI the environment of a fuel Stern, in a scathing

6 TerraGreen January–March 2007 NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NEWS NE indictment of the Snow leopard fitted cores in the region where deputy chairman of the environmentally with satellite collar in the Gulf Stream enters the Planning Commission of destructive path of Pakistani mountains North Atlantic Ocean, India, Dr Montek Singh development being Islamabad: One of the called the Florida Straits. Ahluwalia. He was followed by the world world’s most endangered speaking at the India– today, warns of ‘devastating and elusive animals, the Komodo dragon Japan Energy Forum economic consequences’ if fertilizes herself organized by TERI and the world did not act on London: In a unique NEDO (New Energy climate change in a evolutionary and Industrial detailed report prepared phenomenon, Flora, a Technology for the UK government. captive Komodo dragon Development The report states that in the UK has managed Organization) during carbon emissions have 6–7 December 2006. already pushed up global Dr Ahluwalia was temperatures by half a addressing a gathering of degree Celsius. Further, Sir energy experts and Stern also concludes that potential investors from melting glaciers will India and Japan. increase food risk owing to declining crop yields, primarily in Africa, and Elephant tusks that up to 40% of species recovered could face extinction. Agartala: In yet another case of elephant Warmer oceans could poaching, five elephant lead to climate change snow leopard has been tusks weighing over five dangers fitted with a satellite collar United Kingdom: to track its movements in UK scientists have northwest Pakistan. Conservationists and to fertilize herself international experts without male help. trapped a 35-kg female and Though self-fertilization attached a high-tech GPS is fairly common in (Global Positioning reptiles through a System) device. The collar process known as has already fed back parthenogenesis, this is unprecedented data on the the first time that it has movements and habitat of occurred in the case of a the leopard after it was Komodo dragon. released into the wild. India–Japan Energy kilograms were recovered Europe’s ‘Little Ice Forum held in New from three poachers. discovered that global Age’ linked to Delhi Acting on a tip off, the warming is creating a weakening of Gulf New Delhi: Agartala police set a trap climate time bomb by Stream and nabbed the poachers storing enormous amounts Paris: A study published who were attempting to of heat in the waters of the in the scientific journal smuggle the tusks to north Atlantic. The upper Nature explained why Bangladesh. According 1500 metres of the ocean Europe experienced what to official estimates, from western Europe to is popularly known as the there are around fifty eastern US have warmed ‘Little Ice Age’ close to 470 elephants left in Tripura, by 0.015 °C in seven years. years ago. suggesting a steep A temperature rise of water It put the blame on decline in their of this magnitude is weakening of the Gulf population. Tripura enough to warm the Stream, which is the forest officials suspect atmosphere by almost 9 current responsible for the the hand of extremists in °C. Such enormous balmy weather in the ‘We need greater such incidents, as this temperature changes might Mediterranean. Evidence publicity in Japan of would fetch them a large stifle marine life and came from the sediment energy projects under amount of money. accelerate climate change. way in India,’ said the ANI

TerraGreen January–March 2007 7 8 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> Feature

EyeingEyeingEyeingEyeingEyeing thethethethethe fishfishfishfishfish

ore often than The fate of one of India’s most beautiful not, the cacophony freshwater fish species, the golden surrounding mahseer, hangs in balance as overfishing larger species, Msuch as the tiger and the elephant, and habitat destruction continue tends to drown out the growing fears unabated. Roshni Sengupta brings to regarding the extinction of smaller but equally vital species such as a large you the story of the mahseer, on the verge variety of fish, insects, and flora. The of an inglorious death.* golden mahseer is one such species, in need for urgent conservation, action, and care. The mahseer – a sport fish – is endemic to the lotic (streams and rivers) habitats of Uttarakhand. The abundance of the fish, over the decades, has declined rapidly owing to the killing of the fry, fingerlings, and brooders by destructive methods of fishing like dynamiting, poisoning, and electrocution. >> Feature

Losing its feeding and wintering habitat in the from the Pindari glacier; the Bhagirathi, arising from Ganga, Yamuna, and Sharda river systems, the mahseer the Gaumukh glacier; and Bhilanganga, a tributary of has been a silent victim of hydel-power projects in the Bhagirathi, arising from the Khatling glacier are past. Needless to say, some of the new projects being epitomized in wildlife and environmental literature as planned for these mahseer habitat areas would spell abodes of the mahseer though the fish is not known to doom for this beautiful fish species. occur in large quantities here. Corbett was once informed by the keeper of the inspection bungalow at Losing the mahseer Rudraprayag that there was good fishing in Mandakini Jim Corbett, in 1944, opined that fishing for the mahseer and Alaknanda in spring season before the snow in a well-stocked sub-montane river is the most advanced and the fish retreated to the lower stretches fascinating of all forms of sport, a sport fit for kings. of the rivers. The yellow-finned golden mahseer (Tor putitora) is a Presently, the best habitat for the mahseer in the fresh water carp belonging to the family Cyprinidae, Ganga river system lies between Karnaprayag and occurring widely all along the foothills of the Himalaya. Rishikesh as well as its major tributaries, the Mandakini It is the most prominent among the 11 species of and the Nayar. The species is subjected to illegal gill- mahseer that occur in Asia, nine of which can be found netting between Rishikesh and Haridwar leading to a in India including the black mahseer (Tor chelyniodes) gradual dwindling of the fish population, which once and the red-finned tor mahseer (Tor tor). occurred rather widely in the river stretch along The eggs of the mahseer, comparatively heavier than Haridwar. The sluice gate in the canal is responsible for those of the rohu (Labeo rohita) the reduction in mahseer numbers as and the catla (Catla catla) are well. The fish have to cross the gate to demersal (capable of sinking in enter the main river. Fishing, in the the mud). Therefore, the Overfishing, past, and now the polluted waters presence of mud on the riverbed, from Dehra Dun, garbage, and heavy instead of sand or gravel, could polluted waters, siltation caused by the collection of prove dangerous for the species. sand and boulders have led to the Information on spawning, drastic decline of the mahseer in the though scattered and confusing, garbage, and Song river, the only tributary that indicates the July–September provides the mahseer with a secure period as the best time for the heavy siltation habitat for spawning between fish to grow. Also, meticulous Rishikesh and Haridwar. data collected over the years by have led to During 1960–65, a barrage was conservationists and experts built at Dakpathar, about 6 km below point towards the fact that some Kalsi to divert river water to a 14.3- fish may spawn four times during drastic decline km power channel to the Dhakrani one breeding season. and Dhalipur power stations. As a Lakes in Kumaon Himalaya of the mahseer. result, less water remained in the were stocked with golden mahseer mahseer habitat that occurs between by Sir H Ramsay around the year the barrage and the Tons–Yamuna 1858. Bhimtal, Naukuchiatal, confluence, thereby depriving the fish and Saat-tal were stocked with of a primary spawning area. The fingerlings transported in earthen vessels from the Gola Ichari dam constructed across Tons, and the Chibro river. The mahseer was introduced into Nainital, brought and Khodri power houses that use water from Tons, all the way from the Kosi river. Today, Bhimtal retains have also affected the availability of water above some leftover mahseer while Nainital, Saat-tal, and Dakpathar. Naukuchiatal have lost most of their treasure. The Ramganga reservoir, built across the Ramganga Dynamite spells doom river in 1976, boasts the best mahseer population in The unlimited availability of dynamite used in hydel Uttaranchal while the species has reached extinction projects has made things even more difficult. Dynamite is status in Nanaksagar due to uncontrolled fishing openly misused by people to kill fish. Dhaba and restaurant practices in their major spawning habitat – the owners in towns along the banks of the Yamuna today Nandhour river. According to a report by the NCF– complain of the decreasing size of the fish that the local WII (Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysore and the fishermen supply them with. While fish from the river Wildlife Institute of India, Dehra Dun), the Thumaria, weighed 5–10 kg about 15 years ago, an average catch Deoha, and Dhora reservoirs have little or no mahseer today yields fish weighing nothing more than 100–200 gm. left. There are more dams in the offing in the Yamuna The Pindari river, a tributary of Alaknanda, arising drainage, namely the Lakhwar dam (below the

10 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> Feature

Aglar–Yamuna confluence) and the Kishau dam on went well with the habitat culture and physiology of the Tons, which could make more dynamite available to fish species. The NCF–WII report has presented some local fishermen. The Ramganga river basin and recommendations that could protect the future of this reservoir, within the Corbett Tiger Reserve, most beautiful variety of fish. The most prominent demonstrate great potential for mahseer conservation. among them is the need to start a campaign to end Yet, even these habitats have suffered as a result of dynamiting and prohibit the use of bleaching powder, dynamiting in both the tributaries and in the upper gill nets, and electricity to kill mahseer. Conservation reaches of the river. education could be carried out by non-governmental The ongoing conservation plan of the Uttarakhand organizations, anglers’ associations, rafting camps, and government, however, is a welcome step in the right the media. The presence of anglers would definitely direction. The state plans to lease out 2-km stretches deter fish poachers, thereby making a firm case for the of the Ramganga river to anglers’ associations for promotion of angling as a hobby. conservation of the river ecosystems and the mahseer, by The report also recommends research and extension. This plan has till now left out an extremely monitoring of the rivers and streams, as experts have vulnerable stretch of the river around Domunda, where always expressed concern over the lack of knowledge poaching is still rampant. about the fish fauna in Uttarakhand. A good field The river Sharda, with its tributaries Saryu, East identification guide for future researchers and Ramganga, Lohawati, and Ladhiya, has 200 km conservators is absolutely essential for building a secure of mahseer habitat between Kaladhunga and Tanakpur. tomorrow for the rest of the fauna as well. A mahseer The construction of a barrage at Banbasa, in the 1960s, conservation plan should be an integral part of the new

Traditional methods of fishing went well with the habitat culture and physiology of the fish species.

and at Tanakpur, in the late 1990s, has led to the loss of hydel projects that are being planned in Uttarakhand. a large stretch of spawning habitat below Banbasa for The mahseer must be brought under the purview of the fish population, now largely confined above the the Wildlife Protection Act even if it means creating a Tanakpur barrage. Even though netting and destructive new schedule to include all mahseer and other locally fishing practices are rampant along the entire stretch, abundant species such as nilgai, wild pig, black buck, the possibilities of conservation are immense in the black bear, and leopard. Villagers too have to be Sharda river basin. The proposed Pancheshwar Hydel educated about not using destructive fishing methods. Project, however, poses a threat to this habitat of the Uttarakhand, which is being promoted as an magnificent species. environment-friendly state, must start with a proper sewage treatment plan for its capital Dehra Dun, whose The future? untreated effluents and sewage are presently released in Incremental and rapid increases in human population the Suswa and Song rivers, which ultimately take them with a concomitant increase in demand for fish, to the holiest of the Indian rivers – the Ganga. changes in methods of fishing, and habitat alteration have led to the decline of the mahseer, which was once the prized catch for all those fishing for sport as well as consumption. In fact, the Ladhiya–Sharda confluence in 1937 was said to be so alive with fish that, in one evening itself, enough fish were caught to * This story is based extensively on Golden mahseer and other feed a camp of 30 people, and in 1938, 125 fish were sport fish conservation in Uttaranchal, a report by AJT caught in the Nandhour river in one day! Johnsingh, A S Negi, and Dhananjai Mohan, Nature Traditional methods of fishing such as the use of Conservation Foundation, Mysore, Wildlife Institute of India, line and hook, cast nets, nooses, basket traps, and Dehra Dun, 2006. ( Uttaranchal has now been renamed ichthyotoxic plants like Timura (Xanthoxylum armatum) Uttarakhand. )

TerraGreen January–March 2007 11 >> Feature

CleaningCleaning upup thethe wastewastewaste

As we move into times of rapid technological growth, our landfills are being subject to some harsh treatment by unsafe disposal of electronic waste. Ashutosh Vaidya* tells us how his company is making a contribution in ensuring that India does not become an e-waste junkyard.

The looming problem of e-waste discarding old unused electronics, maybe because it was In a world of technological advancement and countless an expensive purchase or it occupies relatively less gadgets, the temptation to acquire the latest models is space. Second, there is no risk of immediate pollution overwhelming: a slimmer mobile phone with new from an unused device. features, a sleeker desktop, new music systems, Environmentalists say that e-waste is slowly televisions, and so on. However, the downside of the degrading landfills and rivers all over the world, posing constant quest for better gadgetry is the rapidly piling a serious threat to life. According to Albany, the hazardous waste in our landfills. New York-based international association of electronic For electronics, technology change is extremely recyclers, Americans dispose of 2 million tonnes of rapid. Users quickly move on to newer models and electronic products a year – including 50 million discard the old, thereby generating electronic waste or computers and 130 million cell phones – and, by 2010, e-waste. Unlike other pollutants – for example, plumes the country would be discarding 400 million electronic of smoke or visibly polluted waters – e-waste is not very units annually. As for India, no data is available for the visible beyond looking like a heap of junkyard waste. amount of electronic waste generated. However, due to Fortunately, a couple of factors act as negative catalysts the boom in the IT and consumer electronics industry, to e-waste build-up. First, as users, we are slow in e-waste generated in India in the coming years may be

12 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> Feature of mammoth proportions. Hence, now is the time to technically competent disposal agencies identified, and take action. a complete process for disposal of e-waste has been A recent study by the EPA (Environment established. Protection Agency) shows that electronic goods make All the e-waste generated within Wipro is recycled up approximately one per cent of the municipal solid through certified agencies. The company also makes waste stream. Research in Europe has shown that sure that the recycling process is rigorously monitored. e-waste is growing at three times the rate of other Product specifications, manufacturing processes, and municipal waste. The only way out seems to be waste disposal methods at Wipro meet all pollution to recycle and reuse old electronic gadgets. control norms laid down by the Government of India. At present, the WEEE (waste electrical Customers can avail and electronic equipment) Directive of the European of this facility from Union – to which India too is a signatory – is various locations across What users can do to considered as the guideline to deal with the problem the country – reach as reduce e-waste from of e-waste in most countries. It defines what Delhi, Lucknow, Jaipur, waste electronic equipment is and provides methods Chandigarh, Bhopal, computers? Pass on used computers to of reuse, recycling, recovery, treatment, and disposal. Chennai, Coimbatore, other users E-waste recycling is a new industry. As a result, there is Hyderabad, Kolkata, a lack of awareness among the generators (manufacturers Bhubaneshwar, If your needs have outgrown your current computer, it of electronic equipment), re-sellers, and the end-users of Mumbai, Ahmedabad, does not mean that it can no electronic equipment. Most users dispose off these Pune, Bangalore, and electronic equipments to scrap dealers, who after retrieving Cochin – by paying a longer be used at all. Remember, there are users their material value (by using crude methods of recycling nominal charge towards who are just beginning to like burning strong acids for recovery of metals) let the freight and logistics. remaining residue into the municipal waste stream. Wipro’s PC factory use computers. They will benefit from your donation. There is no foolproof system to ensure that the has been awarded the There are agencies that e-waste generated by corporate houses, large first prize for Excellence establishments, or individuals reaches recyclers who use in Quality and second facilitate this. Ensure your discarded appropriate, eco-friendly technologies for treatment and spot for Environment computers are recycled disposal of e-waste. Unorganized recycling is a labour- Management for 2005/ intensive process and developing countries, with the 06 by the Electronic Many companies offer free recycling of your old unit; ready supply of cheap labour, are prime locations for Industries Association of you just have to pay the recycling global e-waste. In the absence of stringent India—the apex body laws and controls in other parts of the world, India is representing and shipping charges on it. Use this facility to safely recycle one of the obvious choices for disposing of e-waste. The promoting Indian the computer so that it does need of the hour, therefore, is to create proper channels electronics and IT for e-waste collection ensuring that it reaches hardware manufacturers not generate e-waste. government-authorized recycling units. in the country and overseas. The E-waste management at Wipro environment Wipro, as an environmentally conscious organization, management system at Wipro was evaluated for always strives to comply with all applicable compliance on a host of legal and statutory environmental laws. As part of such efforts, the requirements and on approaches such as framework, company launched an e-waste disposal service on pollution control, preparedness, monitoring, 1 September 2006 and has successfully institutionalized occupational safety, environmental reporting, and soon. it since then. Suitable disposal mechanisms have been identified, service points created across the country, * Ashutosh Vaidya is Vice President, WIPRO Personal Computing

A promising future! E-waste management is a complex issue that is now innovation into the eco-friendly design of products. being subjected to detailed study and analysis. Currently, Many countries insist on the elimination of hazardous disincentives for the recycling business include high substances in the manufacture of electronic equipment. handling costs, transportation, disassembly, and recovery Computer manufacturers have already started making of electronic wastes. This discourages private ventures efforts to reduce polluting chemical components. Efforts into the recycling and recovery business, resulting in the are also under way to do away with the use of PVC and lack of adequate recycling infrastructure. A ban on brominated flame retardants in the next few years. e-wastes in landfills and incineration would stimulate

TerraGreen January–march 2007 13 >> Feature Solving India’s energy, water, and environmental challenges Even though faced with immense energy and environmental challenges, India is on its way to economic self-sufficiency and progress. What can India do to get over the insurmountable problems of energy, water, and environment? Ed Ring* provides a few solutions. safe assumption because much of the energy consumption in Europe is for heating during winters that are much colder. Let’s assume that India’s per capita energy consumption will need to be at least 50% of that currently enjoyed by the Europeans. Taking into account projected population increase, India’s annual total national energy production will need to quadruple from 25 quadrillion BTUs to 100 quadrillion BTUs. Water production per person does not need to increase presently, but overall supply would still require to keep pace with population growth, meaning India will eventually have to divert 667 km3 (cubic kilometres) of water per year, up from 500 km3 diverted currently. The problem with India’s future water challenges isn’t one of supply but one of uneven distribution. The North and East of the country enjoy abundant supplies of water, but the South and West of India are relatively arid. It is important to note that if the proposed aqueducts, reservoirs, and pumping stations were built, India’s major river interlinking projects could move water in large volumes in a relatively o ensure that India has adequate energy and cost-effective manner. The biggest ongoing expenditure, water supplies in the future, the first step is to once the systems are in place, would have to be borne in predict India’s population. Let’s assume that it terms of the energy required to run the pumps. is going to peak at about 1.3 billion people. Statistics, however, tell a hopeful tale. To pump This might underestimate reality to some 1 km3 of water up a 250 m lift – which is what it would take Textent, but everything that follows could be proportionately to get water from the Ganges basin to the Deccan Plateau – increased based on higher population projections. would only require 100 megawatt-years of power. Further, Next, we need to determine how many million BTUs in order to lift 50 km3 of water per year from the Ganges (British thermal units) of energy per year and how many m3 basin upwards 250-m into aqueducts flowing South and (cubic metres) of water per year, on an average, are required West, which is more than the most ambitious of the India’s to sustain the current lifestyles of citizens of a fully current interlinking projects, would only require about industrialized country. Currently, again on an average, each 5 gigawatt-years of electricity. This amount of electricity Indian citizen consumes 25 million BTUs of energy and represents only about one-half of India’s current total annual close to 500 m3 of water per year. In the EU, which provides power consumption! a useful comparison, the average energy consumption is well Water supply in India, regardless of whether or not there over 150 million BTUs per citizen per year, and water are a few interlinking projects in process, would have to be consumption is just over 500 m3. managed overwhelmingly, making use of decentralized It is safe to assume that India will have the opportunity solutions. Both innovative and traditional methods can to employ more energy-efficient ‘leapfrog’ technologies as it combine, evolve, and proliferate through information industrializes, meaning that it will not be necessary to enlightenment through Internet communications, to increase per capita energy consumption all the way to the produce thousands of water management projects, such as levels of the consumption by the Europeans. This is also a installing cisterns in buildings, building contour bunds to

14 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> Feature

collect and percolate run-off, refilling underground aquifers costs, conventional photovoltaics are economical in the long with run-off, and constructing smaller but numerous term. The greatest cost to their manufacture is energy, which new reservoirs. It is important to emphasize that can be produced by photovoltaics themselves. Conventional as India generates more energy, more and more water will be photovoltaics now have an energy payback of 20+ to one. required. India is challenged not only to redistribute water Other than photovoltaics, solar electricity via solar– on a national scale, but also to use water more efficiently. thermal arrays is surprisingly cost-competitive and space- One tends to overlook the fact that a decisive efficient. The space efficiency of solar energy collection units contribution to water supply and storage would come from (electric and thermal) enables decentralized energy reforestation. India has lost about 90% of its forest cover. development. Alternative technologies are applied to each Watersheds need to be reforested everywhere so that springs home or building such that they are ultimately designed to will flow again and water tables will rise. Forests moderate collect and store solar, wind, or even geothermal energy. In a heat, increase cloud formation and rainfall, protect topsoil, modern green structure, thermal energy from any source and nourish aquifers. You want more fresh water? Then can be stored on site and converted back into electricity, as reforest India. well as used for space and water heating. Thermal energy Not only land but offshore reforesting is also vital for can even be used as an energy source for refrigeration. India. The best way to protect India’s coast from tidal surges Clearly, the design of buildings to acquire and store energy is is to replant mangrove forests. Mangrove deforestation has another area where technology, tradition, and innovation occurred on a massive scale worldwide, and it is high time can significantly address India’s future energy challenges. that this phenomenon was reversed. Just as the potential for nuclear power to address India’s Most projections of India’s future energy supplies are energy needs may be overstated – including the risks therein almost completely reliant on increasing conventional energy – the potential for biofuel seems to be overstated as well. production. They are conservative as well. An interesting Biofuel can be an important supplemental fuel, but even at side note is that India’s most ambitious plans for nuclear 2500 barrels of fuel per km2 per year – which would be an power do not amount to more than about excellent yield – there is not enough land in India. This 3% of the country’s projected energy production. India makes it difficult to rely on biofuels to even replace cannot plan to simply double its energy production; it must conventional fuels, let alone provide the fuel necessary to quadruple it. Conventional sources of energy (including quadruple India’s energy output. Biofuel crops cannot really nuclear power) are not the only answer. A breakthrough is emerge as a comprehensive energy solution. Such crops required, and that breakthrough is almost here. make sense in arid regions where any crop is a welcome There is only one source of renewable energy that can bulwark against desertification, but under no circumstances be harnessed quickly. It can also produce should a forest be cut down just to grow biofuel crops. 50 quadrillion BTUs or more of energy per year. That Addressing India’s energy and water needs requires source is solar energy, photovoltaic energy in particular. servicing five interrelated sectors: agriculture; India needs a photovoltaic array on every rooftop. Today manufacturing; transportation; buildings and shelter; and photovoltaic cells worldwide produce, at the most, waste management. In all these areas, synergy of green and 10 gigawatt-years of electric power annually, which at innovative technology can provide answers. Often solutions 3416 BTUs per kilowatt-hour is equal to only emerge from traditional practices as much as they do from 0.3 quadrillion BTUs. Given that the global energy scientific breakthroughs, and working within all these production is over 400 quadrillion BTUs, photovoltaic dimensions is necessary to quicken progress. India power today seems to be a drop in the ocean. Every industrializing at a rapid pace should be a source of photovoltaic array on the planet, right now, would, in sum, inspiration for all, meaning that it can leapfrog obsolete only light up an area of about 200 km2 (square kilometers). legacy technologies that have often hampered innovation in But that is about to change. the West. Photovoltaic manufacturing relies on supplies of To produce so much more energy and to collect and polysilicon that has never been reliable. But there are new distribute so much water, India’s challenges are daunting but designs that require far less silicon, or no silicon at all. These achievable. The key is to balance large-scale projects – often next generation photovoltaic cells are called ‘thin skin,’ a expensive and difficult to manage ecologically – with smaller catch-all term describing several technologies using a projects that can be adopted at the level of individual homes thinner coating of photoelectric material. It is vital that or communities. And at both levels, the solutions will be photovoltaic technology be the top priority of India’s easier if there is a faith and reliance on India’s world-class alternative energy research and development community, as intellectual and scientific community to provide assistance well as for investment in manufacturing. There is no other through ultra modern and innovative technology. plausible way to produce, within a decade, sufficient energy to lift the Indian economy to sustainable prosperity. Even if * Ed Ring is the editor and publisher of EcoWorld, a California- the thin film breakthroughs do not occur, India should invest based online resource. He publishes articles and commentary on in polysilicon manufacturing for the production of the status of species and ecosystems, and also covers clean conventional crystalline photovoltaics. Even at their current technology and alternative energy aspects. EcoWorld’s website is .

TerraGreen January–March 2007 15 >> Feature

PushingPushing thethe applecarapplecartt The volatile global energy scenario suggests that a break from the past is long overdue. K Swaminathan* puts forth some recommendations for what the oil and gas sector can do to weather the impending storm.

he corporate scene in India is witnessing a silent transformation. The growth imperative is driving companies to seek a global footprint. Although highly rewarding, overseas forays are fraughtT with high risks and logistical nightmares, such as integrating the sourcing, manufacturing, design, and selling functions into a global supply chain and support network. Since companies operating in the oil and gas sector are the largest – with a strong financial, technological, and humanpower resource base – it is but logical that they should lead the global march of the Indian corporate sector. Moreover, this industry bears the

16 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> Feature onerous responsibility of fuelling the 8% plus per annum infrastructure, and environmental sustainability issues. clip at which the national GDP (gross domestic product) Hydrogen is a promising sustainable solution to our hopes to move ahead. energy needs, especially transportation. However, it is The worldwide oil and gas industry comprises a few very uncertain how the hydrogen economy would evolve major international oil companies representing the since multiple paths of development are available. western powers: national oil companies that mostly Hydrogen generation can be centralized with operate various onshore and offshore assets, refineries, multiple source options: nuclear, coal, or petroleum and and marketing sectors of the industry; several small natural gas. Decentralized production options are players operating mostly in niche areas like stand-alone electrolysers connected to grid electricity, solar- or wind- refineries, specialist service providers in exploration, power-based generators, or petroleum- or biofuel-based drilling and maintenance of onshore and offshore assets, reformers. Technology development for each of these and so on; technology providers; and general contractors options, however, is at a very nascent stage facing big for both the upstream and downstream industries. It has challenges and needing huge investment. strong links with the shipping industry for Another big expediting the LNG (liquefied natural gas) service. challenge is replacement of the Technological challenges existing petroleum- With the era of cheap and easy oil coming to a based close, the industry is increasingly being forced to manufacturing; operate in some of the most hostile environments, storage; ranging from the onshore frozen Siberia deep in transportation; permafrost to deep-sea offshore locations that are distribution; prone to hurricanes and iceberg collisions. retailing Building and operating offshore structures and infrastructure; and installations that can weather winds blowing at 250 the trillions-dollar- kilometres per hour and waves as worth current high as 85 feet or more as generation of encountered in the Gulf of Mexico automobiles, buses, trucks, and in the year 2005 pose formidable The worldwide oil and aircraft. technological challenges. So does In whatever form the drilling of offshore wells 3 miles gas industry hydrogen energy system may inside water going as deep as develop, the technological 9 kilometres and operating at comprises a few major breakthroughs have to be pressures of 20 000 psi (pound per matched by development of square inch). international oil infrastructure and the growth The major challenge confronting of a user base. Unless these the industry is to delay the onset of companies things happen in tandem, the peaking. It is noteworthy that necessary critical mass for production in the North Sea oilfield representing the achieving scale economics and has already peaked. Several niche thus, sustainable forward players are now moving in with western powers. movement would not be innovative secondary recovery achieved and the whole technologies to squeeze out the last programme would run the risk drops from these reservoirs. This of losing steam. Timely presents a huge investment challenge, as some offshore intervention and focused stimulus by the governments wells can singly cost as much as 100 million dollars and the energy industry in the form of infrastructure to drill. investments or research grants are, therefore, necessary.

Why not hydrogen? Environment and climate change With a finite and dwindling oil-and-gas resource base and its Whether global warming and climate change is global demand rising to unsustainable levels, alternative resulting in unfortunate phenomena like unusually energy systems and models are being debated, warm summers and drought in southern Europe or experimented, and worked upon. The challenge before the high incidence of destructive hurricanes in the Bay of planners is to guide the world to a smooth transition from Bengal or Gulf of Mexico is open to debate. Yet, a the current energy system to a new one, taking into account sizeable constituency among global citizens believes it the dependability, convenience, security of supply, servicing has anthropological origins and needs serious attention.

TerraGreen January–March 2007 17 >> Feature

The oil and gas industry would also need to address region-specific geopolitical, demographic, and economic this issue. Industrial behemoths like India and China trends; multilateral regulatory systems like the World may not have to cap CO2 (carbon dioxide) emissions as Trade Organization, the Energy Charter Treaty, the of now, but it may not be long before strident voices Kyoto Protocol, and other agreements and treaties across the world start making demands on us. Moreover, addressing environmental concerns; international law if we are going to see rise of global companies, there is no and arbitration; trends in international trading system; escaping these issues. and other cross border issues. Other environmental issues like marine pollution, Competence in terms of knowledge, negotiating habitat destruction, safety of high-risk installations like skills, and strategy development in all these areas exists refineries, LNG storage, and so on need addressing. within the country but in disparate groups and Another related issue is securing hazardous assets against organizations like some central ministries, industry terrorist attacks. associations, think tanks and research outfits, and few corporate organizations. Each of these entities, however, Economics, trade, and globalization deals with a particular discipline or views things from a Massive imports of oil and gas and other petroleum limited perspective. products to satiate the growth-hungry economy – that Since the largest stakeholder with resources to match is being increasingly serviced by for-ex earned from the requirement is the government and with its global outsourcing and off- controlling interest in industry constituents, the initiative shoring – ensure that we stay has to come from there. The in- plugged into the global economy. depth specialist knowledge Moreover, sustained GDP residing in various national growth of 8% requires gross India and China bodies and organizations domestic savings of more than catering to different disciplines 30%, which exceeds our current may not have to cap needs to be harnessed into savings level. This means more coherent future scenarios. international investments and This would involve debating the trends and departures that increased susceptibility to CO2 emissions international trade and legal would generate multiple obligations. The challenge, as of now, but it may scenarios, identifying therefore, lies in negotiating the disruptions and discontinuities best trade and investment terms. that can have serious For a successful strategy, the not be long before repercussions, and preparing negotiators who represent our risk management strategies to country in trade talks and other strident voices meet such situations. multilateral forums need to be Scenario-building needs to armed with facts and figures, all be an exercise in perpetuity and of which calls for serious research across the world every two years a comprehensive support that needs to be mounted document outlining the findings by the industry. and illuminating the path start making forward needs to be published. Capacity building to take This requires establishment of a demands on us. permanent body of on challenges professionals who would form Sun Tzu, in the famous Chinese working groups that would classic The Art of Wa r , writes, says, bring together specialists in ‘Plan for what is difficult while it is seminars and workshops to easy. The most difficult things in the world must be done debate the future. while they are still easy; the greatest things in the world For a nation on the move, the success mantra must be done while they are still small.’ This clearly revolves around timely moves to develop a desired underlines the importance of research effort to identify future, which is possible only by marshalling all available opportunities while they are still invisible to others and resources and developing an institutional mechanism to also warns about pitfalls well before they are guide and strategize. encountered. The need of the hour is a dynamic thinking group that would assist the industry in evolving its future strategies by monitoring the global business environment—in terms of technology development trends; country and * K Swaminathan is Senior Manager, Safety and Environment Protection, Indian Oil Corporation Ltd.

18 TerraGreen January–March 2007 TerraGreen January–March 2007 19 >> In Conversation

At the cusp of a major milestone, 25 bygone years are a monumental ode to human endeavour and spirit. TERI is at that juncture with a world to look forward to. In a free-wheeling chat with Roshni Sengupta, the Director-General of TERI, Dr R K Pachauri makes some candid confessions and hopes for an even more successful future.

The year 2007 not only marks 25 years of TERI’s TERI has emerged as a large multi-faceted global existence in the capital city but also means more institute, a policy leader of sorts. What are the than three decades of meaningful research and factors that have brought about this tremendous innovation. While 2007 is being celebrated as the development? ‘year of innovation and excellence’ what are the I would say that it is really due to the dedication and first thoughts that occur to you when anyone enthusiasm of all my colleagues in TERI. All I have mentions an achievement of this kind, which is done is to provide them with enough freedom to act, stupendous by any standards? ample encouragement to take risks, move off the beaten The thought that comes to my mind is essentially the track, and identify opportunities as they come along. long way that we still have to go. I certainly feel very One of our strengths has been the relatively young confident that the goal can be achieved. Having reached workforce and people of calibre who are prepared to where we have, we should be prepared to go the extra identify opportunities and accept challenges. We have mile and achieve what we ought to. Opportunities do been able to expand into new areas, scaled new exist and the very fact that we have a responsibility frontiers, and establish ourselves as an institution of towards society gives us impetus to accomplish our relevance to society. objectives. My feelings, therefore, border on excitement for the future and a sense of confidence; there is no Can you pick the single-most important factor reason why TERI cannot rise to greater heights. about the work TERI does that has helped the

20 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> In Conversation institute evolve into such an internationally development without incurring the progressive recognized entity? destruction of our natural resources. We were quite Humanity is facing challenges that are global in nature. successful, through the Green India project, in bringing I think we cannot think in terms of solutions that are this on the radar screens of our policy-makers. But I am narrow or limited to regions. Take the example of not entirely happy with what we have achieved. There is climate change. We have to extend our frontiers and much to do as our policy-makers and the public at large come up with common solutions based on knowledge are still unaware of the kind of dangers that lie ahead if that is generated globally. In 1990, I spent three months we continue on the same path. Nevertheless, this is the at the World Bank as a research fellow during the course area that gives me a great deal of satisfaction and I hope of which I felt that it would be very important for TERI it will make a difference to India at different levels and to set up office in the US. I might mention here that we bring about the requisite changes. received much encouragement from several US politicians, including the erstwhile Vice President The second area, which gives me a great deal of Al Gore who was the chief guest at the launch of TERI happiness, is the development of technologies at TERI. North America. His words on the occasion were These are truly remarkable innovations and have stirring. He said that this was really the kind of vision worked well. Our technology development has been a that institutions around the world should exhibit and shining example of what a research institution can do pursue towards finding global solutions. It reaffirmed and I would be bold enough to say that this is far ahead the faith that what we were of many institutions in India. My attempting was worth its while. colleagues have been able to develop Japan was another opportunity. and establish technological solutions I have some very good friends in Opportunities do that are state-of-the-art. We would Japan who hold fairly important soon see some of these solutions positions in the field of research exist and the very becoming part of our lives. and development. But all of this is based on the philosophy that the fact that we have a On what scale would you place problems of the world today are the specific contributions that not confined to any one location. responsibility TERI, through its work, has We, as an intellectual force, have to made to Indian society? come up with broad-based towards society I learnt over the years that certain solutions. Not only must we initiatives obviously have or are likely consider the global nature of gives us impetus to to have major and long-term impacts problems but also extend our hand on society. One has to persevere and to hold firmly the hands of others accomplish our really work hard over a period of who are working towards solving objectives. My time. And that I feel similar problems. Having said that is at the core of all future solutions. let me also mention that I am less feelings, therefore, Therefore, if one could judge the than happy with what we have been success of any of these initiatives, one able to do so far. We should really border on would feel less than satisfied. But the be doing much more. important thing is that we have to excitement for the persevere even if we meet with TERI has achieved success in mediocre success. terms of projects of wide- future and a sense of ranging areas and designs. If I believe many institutions around you could highlight two of confidence; there is the world do not really pursue the TERI’s most successful philosophy of achievement in terms ventures over the past 25 years, no reason why TERI of what benefits the society. We often what would they be? get satisfied with what we have or do We have had some fairly creditable cannot rise to within narrow spheres. We do not success and as such it is difficult to necessarily go out and measure what single out some. Let me identify a greater heights. impact it has had on society. This is sample case, the Green India where TERI is different. project, which we completed in TERI is a vertically linked 1997 and have been trying to build organization. While we work on on. I believe it is extremely policy matters at the global level, we important for Indian society to understand that we also carry out grass-roots projects. This gives us a cannot continue on the current path of growth and unique character. Our uniqueness perhaps lies in the

TerraGreen January–March 2007 21 >> In Conversation fact that while we have made a positive difference as far What are the areas that you would like TERI to as climate-change policy is concerned, we have also venture into, say, in the coming decade or so? been able to create a model of success at the grass-roots Perhaps a dream for the future? level. These are two distinctly different yet interlinked What I want to define as a dream might sound vague, areas of work. but we have to ensure that we influence Indian society to move away from the present path of development, As the Director-General of a successful institute, which is disastrous to say the least. It has caused have you ever felt that there were things that TERI enormous problems globally, not only as a cause of could have done, over the past decades, but did climate change, but also in terms of inequities that have not for some reason or the other? developed in the use of resources worldwide. We cannot It is difficult for me to identify any specific area, but I possibly pursue the standards of production and must say that there have been times when we have been consumption that have been established by North held back due to lack of resources. Since we generate America. our own resources, our problems are more acute. Let us We need to bring about a shift in the thinking of take the example of regulatory and governance issues. opinion makers, leaders, and the public at large in I personally feel that we could have done a lot more in adopting a model of development that is far more this area. But we are dependent on support from other sustainable, also one that perhaps the rest of the world sources and thus, there have been constraints both in can appreciate and follow. Every little thing that we do the type and level of work. There are other areas of should perhaps address this challenge. If we can do that research, primarily in the field of biotechnology, which effectively over the next few years, we would have are visionary in nature. We could have gone further and served Indian society better. perhaps come up with some solutions. I hope now that TERI is in a reasonably comfortable financial position, With the world changing at a rapid pace, TERI we should be able to break stands at a critical juncture out of some of these as regards what it has to constraints. We should be offer to society and the able to do much more in planet. What is the message future and identify at least We have to bring that you would like to give three or four major streams our readers? of work where we can about a shift I would venture out and say that provide almost guaranteed we are a unique institution, support in the next five in the thinking of whilst also maintaining a certain years or so with some level of humility. We must also tangible results. opinion makers, be proud of what we have achieved and are currently Are you satisfied with the doing. TERI is a rather special progress that TERI has leaders, and the public phenomenon. There are very made over the years? few research institutions of the I realize that 25 years is an at large kind we are anywhere in the important milestone and world. And I would say, without now we should look back at in adopting a sounding conceited, that we are what we have achieved. It is a model to follow and we an occasion to define our model of development represent the research future tasks. I think the institution of the future. We not moment you are satisfied only focus on real problems that the challenge is as good as that is far more afflict all of humanity and need over. TERI’s strength lies in urgent solutions but are also an being able to articulate, sustainable. institution that is not a parasite identify, and accept new in terms of government challenges. These resources. We have been able to 25 years only remind you show our initiative and our spirit that there is so much more to be done and we really of enterprise to be able to generate financial resources. need to perhaps evaluate and reinvent ourselves. One I would like to tell the readers that we maintain a strong area in which we are weak is proper focus on policy- sense of determination to tackle the challenges that still making. We need to emphasize on research and lie ahead. The very fact that an institution like TERI has articulation of important policy issues. thrived in a developing country should encourage everyone to see the merit’s of such institutions.

22 TerraGreen January–March 2007 TerraGreen January–March 2007 23 C O V E R S T O R Y

ILLUSTRATION

hese are desperate times. While a convulsing Sensex, ostensibly driving India’s rise to the top, battles for importance and visibility on the pages of IndiaIndiaIndia cross-cutting newspapers, websites, and IndiaIndiaIndiaIndia Tthe electronic media bazaar, another epic battle – being waged by India’s poor rag-tag farmers – finds no space in newspaper columns, bandwidth on the Internet, or airtime on television. That 100 248 farmers committed suicide between 1993 and 2003, and many more have joined the list since then, does not make for exciting viewing or reading anymore; nor does the fact that 42 000 government schools have no building and over 100 000 schools have only one room. Only one of every 100 girls enrolled in schools in rural areas makes it to Class XII. While policy-makers aspire to a knowledge economy, nearly 40% of our people cannot read or write. A cause As grim stories of rural distress for alarm? Hardly, considering that the mainstream media has done all that it could to salvage India’s lost pride by blowing non-existent trumpets. filter tirelessly into our living As the chasm widens between Bharat and India, and lives and livelihoods lay scattered and ruined, some rooms in this electronic age, rays of hope, however, emerge from the unlikeliest of places. With sustainable rural development as the Roshni Sengupta and guiding principle, a plethora of lives has changed with the effort of a few. The impact is already visible. Sucharita Sengupta bring you Villagers have sensed a new tomorrow with eco-friendly seeds, local germplasm, and easy micro-finance becoming the order of the day. five heartening stories of hope Here are some such stories of grit, determination, hope, and success that can hold a beacon to society and from the countryside. reflect the making’s of a new India—stories that have been forgotten by the burgeoning media industry. These Educative and illustrative, are examples of constructive, positive, and revolutionary work going on in the villages of India—an India mired these stories bring with them in crisis but at the same time displaying the effervescent sheen of hope. great tidings for the future.

24 TerraGreen January–march 2007 COVERSTORY shining!shining!shining!shining!

TerraGreen January–March 2007 25 COVERSTORY

One with the forest Not many have heard of Lok Biradari Prakalp, a ubiquitous movement for change and development initiated by Drs Prakash and Mandakini Amte. Medical doctors by profession, the couple has kicked up a rather backward tribes for a long time to come. glorious storm in a teacup by bringing the Gond tribals ‘The tribals did not believe us at first. They were of central India face to face with the frightened at the sight of a bounties of modern medicine. ‘It strange couple working with all began the day my father, some really awkward bottles, Baba Amte, decided to take us – jars, and syringes. Then me and my brother – out for an something happened that excursion into the tribal areas,’ changed their lives, and ours as recounts Dr Amte with passion well, forever…,’ narrates Dr so deep that it is almost Amte. These men and women infectious. ‘It was in the 1970s. were used to sleeping around a What we saw made our skins bonfire to keep themselves crawl. People did not have any warm through the dark nights in clothes on and ran away at the the jungle. sight of shangers,’ he adds with a Dr Amte tells us about a little smile. child who somehow, in the Baba Amte, ever the believer throes of deep sleep, dragged in action, did not let his sons go ‘The tribals did not himself close enough to a without passing on to them the bonfire and suffered 40% burns. zeal and panache for service. believe us at first. ‘We treated the boy. He Thinking back, Dr Amte lets us They were frightened recovered and more people in on what his father had asked started coming to us.’ him towards the end of that visit. at the sight of a The good doctor built a one- ‘Aren’t they living like animals?— room, thatched-roof hut under a Baba had asked.’ And that is strange couple small clearing, stacked it with when Dr Prakash Amte learnt to food and medicine, and bid see people differently. From working with really goodbye to the world he had travelling across the villages of known. The need for immediate central India and learning tribal awkward instruments. administration of quinine was languages and dialects, Dr Amte Then something imperative in these villages – now joined by his wife, fondly surrounded by dense forests known as Mandatai by the happened that infested with mosquitoes. Gonds – set up what was to As people recovered and word become a beacon of hope for the changed their lives.’ spread, Dr Amte and Mandatai

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and forest guard,’ explains Dr Amte as memories of those bygone days flit across his face. The crusade for rights continued and culminated in the establishment of the first ever primary school in Hemalkasa in 1976. ‘Many of our students today are doctors and teachers. All of them have stayed back to work in tribal areas even though those villages do not yet have electricity,’ says Dr Amte, basking in the humble sunlight of success. Malaria was eradicated from the region especially because of the efforts of Dr Amte and Mandatai. The villagers also saw the first Lok Adalat being organized by the enterprising couple where myriad grievances were shared, discussed, and deliberated upon. The project, not restricted to tribals and their problems, has grown to include orphaned animals. In another first-of-its-kind endeavour, Dr Amte set up an animal orphanage that now houses a rather unique set of creatures such as crocodiles, bears, panthers, and lions. An unlikely family? ‘After spending more than 31 years in the forest among forest dwellers and animals, I have to say that they are my family,’ grins Dr Amte, unable to conceal the genuine joy that pervades his being while talking about unique clan. Hemalkasa may be just another tribal village in the geography of India but it has become a vantage point for development in the true sense. For, it caters to both material and abstract change and yet attempts to preserve the beauty, joy, and truth of tribal life. The people responsible for making such a formidable project successful are young. ‘We went in Baba Amte may well have been the for organic inspiration but the day- to-day work is manned farming on a by a group of 10 young people. The awesome large scale. dedication of Dr Prakash Amte, his wife, And it worked and other project workers has inspired wonders. young men and women from cities and towns to Today we are offer their services to Hemalkasa; for example, were suddenly not strangers anymore. In the words of generating Renuka and Vilas Dr Amte, ‘There was no food. People ate rats, even Manohar who even bears. Some went without food for days, oblivious of surplus.’ know the tribal dialect agriculture and farming.’ by heart! Exploitation by government contractors was A lesson in another problem. Dr Amte, Mandatai, and their motley sustainable community group launched another crusade, and won. ‘These men development – the story and women never saw the six rupees that they were of Dr Prakash Amte and Mandatai – not only lives and supposed to be paid after each day’s work. Our breaths but also sends out very positive signals. Perhaps, complaints led to the suspension of the range officer there is hope in a world that seems to hinge on the precipice of doom. Ask D R Patil, senior Congress

TerraGreen January–March 2007 27 COVERSTORY leader and MLA (Member of the Legislative Assembly) the other two steps to wholesome growth of the village. from the Gadag constituency in Karnataka. ‘We wanted to discourage farmers from holding lavish wedding ceremonies for their children. Hence, the Leading the farmers community marriage system was initiated,’ states Patil. D R Patil is not your regular politician, though the As a result of the success that this drive achieved, Gandhi topi sits nonchalantly atop his crown. The villagers were motivated to reduce expenditures, founder of the Krishi Vigyan Kendra and the pioneer monetarily and in terms of resources, even on funerals and related rituals. The village today has a single of a peasant revolution in his constituency, Patil can graveyard and one crematorium irrespective of caste & be a study in contrast. Till 1969 farmers in his village religions considerations. (and now constituency) were the victims of the worst Unity among villagers was one of the positive forms of exploitation at the hands of marketing offshoots of this initiative...and the rest, as they say, is middlemen. history. Magsaysay Award winner Rajendra Singh too A cotton farmer himself, the fresh graduate decided has made his own contribution to Gadag. D R Patil that he would not take any of this, nor would he allow recounts the time when the villagers were constantly his fellow farmers to be treated like the wretched of the troubled by the continuing lack of water and the earth. Input costs had started rising; a desperate cry for drought situation in the district. Says Patil, ‘Rajendra help could be sensed somewhere. The beginning of the babu’s methods have resulted in a dream come true for year 1972 saw the establishment of the first ever the farmers.’ The 2700 farm ponds in the district are cooperative cotton-spinning mill in the village. today filled to the brim with rainwater rejuvenating the This came as immense help for the beleaguered cotton growers. Now the immediate needs taken care of, these enterprising farmers started dreaming big. The enthusiasm of the farmers for improving productivity in this faraway Indian village led to a concept: sustainable agriculture. The Krishi Vigyan The aquifers were Kendra, established with the unwavering support, trust, and un-meditated hard work of D R Patil, is a result of recharged and there that enthusiasm. The impact has been manifold. Alternative agriculture was the way out. And visitors, says D R Patil, can make out the difference. was no dearth of ‘We went in for organic farming on a large scale. And it worked wonders. Today we are generating surplus,’ he explains. Something the farmers of Gadag could not water in the wells. have fathomed before the inception of the Kendra. But Patil’s journey did not stop here. All the young boys Helping the farmers organize themselves into self- All the young boys help groups to solve the recurring problem due to the absence of necessary technology was a mammoth task. wanted to celebrate.’ ‘We fought against odds and pulled it off. As a cooperative, the farmers collectively saved money and were able to get credits at lower rates of interest,’ narrates D R Patil, serenity and satisfaction taking over nullahs for round-the-year irrigation. Water harvesting is his visage. Thus, the farm workers’ self-help group the norm and it seems to be working well. organized the BPL (below poverty line) families and ‘Our aim is to help evolve a better, sustainable, and linked them to nationalized banks. And what is more, self-sufficient rural society. Panchayati Raj has been the the district now has its own cooperative bank, guiding light for many years. We are now counting on established in collaboration with the State Bank of the Right to Information Act to work well and make our India. initiative replicable across India,’ expresses D R Patil, ‘The Krishi Vikas Kendra,’ says the unlikely hope shining in his eyes. Sustainability being the politician, ‘takes care of the overall development of the buzzword, Patil’s endeavours have borne fruit in more villagers. The Vivekapatha approach we ways than one. followencompasses the development of the individual, the family, and the village as a whole.’ Vivekapatha consists of a three-pronged approach: it begins with soil Rising with the tide and water conservation and emphasizes on organic Did you know that the founder of the Kerala farming. Simple living and community marriages are Independent Fishworker’s Federation is an ordained Catholic priest? Meet Father Thomas Kocherry, born in

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Changanaserry, Kerala, who he has mobilized the fisher the margins, almost purposefully. ‘What is folk in the southern state against the exploitative development? Is it earning a profit by hook or by crook? ventures of large fishing companies. A pitched battle These fisher folk have borne the brunt of the existing raged as Father Kocherry dedicated himself to the disparity for far too long,’ laments Father Kocherry, preservation of the natural resource base of the coastal reminiscing his early days of struggle. areas and communities inhabiting the coast. Kocherry’s angst manifests itself everyday in the ‘It has taken 35 long years to organize the drought- and debt-ridden Indian countryside and along 10 million fisher people in India,’ says Father Kocherry, the west coasts. As villagers elsewhere put up their the epitome of indomitable human spirit. ‘But to homes and hearths for sale to get over the economic understand the extent of our struggle, we have to first crisis plaguing them, Father Kocherry’s struggle is a define globalization as a process,’ he adds. For Father glimmer of hope. Ask him about the high point of his Kocherry, ‘globalization means the free movement of career as a social worker of great courage and capital to generate profits at the expense of the vast conviction, and he immediately thinks back to the days majority of people’—a definitive denunciation, a real when government policy was on the verge of expression of anger and hurt inflicted by a process that dispossessing a population. ‘The government wanted to threatens to deceive and flatter, all at the same time. import 2660 large fishing vessels. The same vessels that The elements of justice and empowerment are missing were lying idle after having destroyed 70% of the in what is being passed off as globalization. ‘I took up world’s natural fisheries,’ explains Father Kocherry. empowering the victims of globalization as a cause,’ tells Millions of Indian fisher people, under the able the unassuming priest. stewardship of Father Kocherry rose in unison and The Indian fishing industry is a monumental clique, opposed this move, blocking harbours across the west a giant monolith managed and run by a few industrial coast. They took upon themselves the responsibility of houses, thereby discouraging participation of any kind. rooting out foreign fishing vessels and defeating the The 10 million fisher people do not command a place policy that could have ruined their lives forever. in the hierarchy of this monolith, as membership is The former general coordinator of the World limited to the ‘haves’ while the ‘have nots’ are kept at Forum of Fisher Peoples, Father Kocherry got

TerraGreen January–March 2007 29 COVERSTORY hundreds of these fisher folk to testify before the Murari Water, water everywhere Committee, which made a number of Rajendra Singh won the prestigious Ramon Magsaysay recommendations including formulation of marine Award in 2001. Some would think he is a satisfied man. fishing regulations, withdrawal of the Aquaculture But hearing him speak at a public forum, one could not Authority Bill, and cancelling of fishing licenses to miss the anger and passion in him. Echoing the foreign vessels. India has a seaboard of 8000 kilometres, sentiment of a village elder in Thanagazi area of District an exclusive economic zone of 2 million square Alwar, Rajasthan, he says that the trappings of kilometres, and an area of about 30 000 square education have made people blind to the vast kilometres under aquaculture, and produces close to knowledge that surround us. ‘It is only when we remove 6 million tonnes of fish—over 4% of the world’s fish the dust and cobwebs of education from our eyes that production. However, these numbers simply ignore the we can begin to understand humanity.’ coastal fisher folk while applauding the contribution of Indeed, his own education in watershed large-scale and highly mechanized fishing methods. management came from the villagers themselves. The situation today may not be akin to what Father When he ventured into Alwar in 1985, he found that Kocherry had envisaged for 10 million of our citizens. with continuous mining and logging, the natural forest But the world at large knows their story, their plight, cover of this arid region had been decimated. Rivers ran and is aware of the epic battle that they are fighting dry, crops failed, and people fled to cities from the which thay has been perhaps successful, to some extent. villages for want of means of livelihood. The village elder threw him a challenge. He asked him to revive the watersheds in the area. Singh said, ‘I don’t know anything about water conservation.’ He retorted, ‘I’ll Thus spake teach you.’ When asked why the villagers could not do it themselves, the reply was steeped in frustration. The the crusaders village was politically divided, preventing the work from proceeding. It was in the midst of such difficulty, not to mention the roadblocks thrown in the way by the local government authorities that the work began. .There is an urgent need to Watershed management required the revival of understand the problems of traditional tanks called johad. Most of the humanpower came from the village, and villagers also contributed to communities. This is possible the costs, other portions of which were covered by a couple of funding agencies. Singh and his team only when we hear what people managed to get some rather reluctant civil engineers are saying. from government departments to lend their expertise, which they did for a brief period. The tanks that were ·Holistic and integrated rural subsequently built became repositories of rainwater. development is imperative. ·Traditional institutions such as the Gram Sabha, panchayat, irrigation committees, and self- help groups need to be reinstated. ·Delegation of power to local bodies is essential. ·There is need to blend local knowledge with traditional knowledge. ·Selfless leadership is the key

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Water percolated through the ground and recharged The man himself was speaking at an event where aquifers. Soon, vegetation started limping back to life, the theme is ‘Two Indias, One Future’. We do not have and a catchment area for rainwater was revived. All the two Indias, we have three Indias, he says. The power water that used to run off was now captured. A new elite constitutes 20%, the middle class serving the cycle of growth began. power elite constitutes 40%. The remaining 40% are A village elder reminisced about a situation after those people from whom resources are taken away. It is heavy rains in 1988: ‘The aquifers were recharged and this third India, this last 40% that bears the brunt of the there was no dearth of water in the wells. All the young crisis. It is this third India that he worked for. boys wanted to celebrate. Thirty-five neighbouring The changes were apparent. Those villagers who till villages were invited for a grand feast at Gopalpura some time back were working for the village seths (rich village.’ traders/land-owners) were now making the seths work In 1993, another villager told Rajendra Singh, ‘You for them. Villagers employ the trucks of the rich to take are working for the cause of water. It fills Mother vegetables they grow to the markets, thereby Earth’s stomach. The day her stomach is full, water contributing to the latter’s income. flows out into the rivers. She is very kind and never He points out that the current situation in our keeps water to herself. Whatever you provide her she country is such that no one trusts the traditional village gives back. This fills our stomachs and helps sustain our system. ‘There is no respect for diversity. So, for farming.’ different geo-cultural and climactic regions, blanket As work progressed, more and more people got policies are made. These end up doing more harm.’ involved. The Arawari river that had dried up began Five dried-up rivers in the area were nursed back to flowing again, and was soon populated with fish. Crops health. Rajendra Singh’s voice booms through the hall, could be grown now. The revival did not happen at the ‘Those who are afraid of the problem cannot move snap of a finger. It was not before 10 arduous years had ahead towards a solution. The media must focus on the lapsed that villagers began to see results. ‘There were third India. Once the middle class stops being afraid several detractors of the water conservation efforts. and joins hand with the other 40%, they can reach the But people from other villages said that more such work power elite and convey the concerns to them. India still should be replicated in their villages.’ The young people hasn’t lost all chances of being happy and prosperous.’ who had abandoned their villages started coming back. Alwar is awash with the most precious of all resources today—water. But Rajendra Singh’s work hasn’t ended. The United Nations Inter Agency Working Group on Water and Environmental Sanitation acknowledged his method as a Best Practice in 1998. He has been providing assistance to people in other areas as well.

TerraGreen January–March 2007 31 COVERSTORY

Public–private partnership for development The person who heads an NGO in India is usually called a Director. It’s rare to be called a CEO. But that’s precisely what Manoj Kumar of the Andhra-Pradesh- based Naandi Foundation is called. Nattily dressed, he looks like someone who’d be a lot more comfortable in a plush corporate office rather than impoverished villages. But it’s the villages where most of his work goes on. From it’s very inception, Naandi is premised on a public–private partnership. One line in their mission statement is devoted to how they go about their job: by a convergence of the state, the corporate sector, and the civil society in working towards the eradication of poverty. The organization began at the behest of former Andhra Chief Minister Chandrababu Naidu. Four eminent figures in the corporate sector – Anji Reddy of Reddy’s Laboratories; Ramesh Gelli, founder of Global Trust Bank; Ramalinga Raju of Satyam Computer Services; and K S Raju of the Karnataka- based Nagarjuna group – came together to give a definitive form to the vision. The initial appeal for funding was made to non-resident Indians. What came in was but a trickle, and the foundation continued to run with support from Indian Manoj spoke at length about the lift irrigation and donors. livelihood schemes, though education for children is At the beginning of his work, Manoj went to one of their biggest social investments. Koraput to try and understand the birthing practices of Most of India’s agriculture derives its sustenance tribals, mainly Gonds. Over time, he befriended the from irrigation. The government sets up irrigation community. Even as he was trying to understand them schemes near riverbanks. Manoj tells us about the and their practices, he realized that despite being abysmal state of these schemes. ‘There were 1500 such conversant with several languages, he could not schemes in place, but a couple of years ago when we did understand what was going on. ‘I was the one who was a survey, only 23 were functional.’ They found that the illiterate in terms of my ability to communicate with lift irrigation schemes were afflicted with problems them. That was when I realized that ‘powerful’ and related to electricity bills; poor maintenance of ‘powerless’ are relative terms when it comes to mechanical, electrical, and civil works; and poor water- managing forests and ecosystems’, he avers. And then use efficiency, resulting in low benefits against the he pops the question: so why do we consider the recurring investments. ‘So we checked how many were powerful powerless? There is a fault in the very premise, revivable’, he continues. Naandi took up repairs of the he is hinting, and it is up to us to take that hint. systems comprising electrical, mechanical, and civil The foundation involves 200 youngsters who work repairs. in 4000 villages, mostly tribal areas. Instead of moving ‘Irrigation schemes are near riverbanks. These away from the government and starting independent schemes give small farmers a livelihood. We took up projects, the Naandi Foundation helps the government 100 of these in some of the most difficult districts and to revitalize and strengthen existing projects. ‘Often, the took the position that we were ready to deal with the government shows us the most difficult places to work government to repair the systems on two conditions. in—in Madhya Pradesh, Nagaland, Rajasthan, and One, the state pays for the repairs; and second, the state Andhra Pradesh. We help in providing land to the will not have anything to do with it after the repairs landless and feeding the children. Our success story is were completed. They will be handed over to farming our work with tribals and farmers’, he says with pride. families.’

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And the future is… …secure for sure, as long as these crusaders keep at it. When asked about solutions for the farmer-suicide crisis sweeping across Indian villages, each one of them proposes some extremely feasible and practical initiatives may be use solutions. While Rajendra Singh opines that the key is to respect traditional knowledge, D R Patil suggests the replication of the tried and tested Vivekapatha model in all the suicide-affected villages. ‘Do away with chemical-fertilizer-based agriculture and most of your problems will be solved,’ states Patil matter-of-factly. Joining the group, Vijay Jardhari – the pioneer of the Beej Bachao Andolan (Save the Seeds Movement) in Uttarakhand and the Chipko Movement front man – talks in terms of a ‘crusade for seeds’. ‘We went to remote areas and collected rare seeds, which yielded 350 new types, 200 different kinds of rajma (kidney beans) being prominent among them’ narrates Jardhari. The Andolan workers disseminate these organic seeds to farmers who would otherwise continue practising unsustainable agriculture. Jardhari feels that the only way to stop farmer suicides is to revive traditional agricultural practices and to stop using farmland for purely commercial purposes. Singh adds, ‘Small steps could go a long way In this manner, 50 000 acres were brought back towards making the earth a better place to live in. under cultivation. Before these efforts were put into Gaon banega, desh banega, yeh samjhe samjhaein place, 90 per cent people owned less than one per cent hum (As villages grow, the country grows too. We of the land. Farmers who owned only one acre of land must understand and make others understand.) were forced to give it to big farmers or special economic Calling everyone to attention, Ashish Kothari of the zones. They were forced to leave their homes. Later, Kalpavriksha Environmental Group explained, almost 70% came back to the villages from places ‘Farmers who have switched to organic farming in where they were working as menial labour. Vidarbha are reaping the benefits of sustainable Now his mission is to get the small farmers together. agriculture. Not a single such farmer has killed ‘If 10 000 acres of land caters to himself.’ Naandi Foundation CEO Manoj Kumar 10 000 people and organic products are grown, the ventures into the debate, ‘We should not ignore the annual income will be greater than 30 000 rupees per large pool of knowledge available with local person. For this to come about, there has to be an communities. There is a need for an enabling interface among the people and the civil society.’ environment so that people can make a choice.’ Manoj is worried about the scarcity of resources—to be All grass-roots workers, however, agree in specific, about water. ‘The basic water usage for principle to the fact that ‘there is no straightjacket humans is 40-50 litres. To grow a kilogram of rice, it is solution to the problem of rural communities’. No 2 000–5 000 litres. It takes 11 000 litres to make one single economic model can be applied to a country hamburger! Who will make these important decisions? as diverse as India. Development methodologies It is not about ‘burger versus paddy’ but redistribution and solutions need to be attuned to local of scarce water resources. We need institutional edifices ecosystems. ‘Why have most of the suicides taken to take care of these complex issues.’ Is anyone place in the so-called developed states?’ asks listening? Rajendra Singh, and adds, ‘The answer is simple: rampant commercialization of agriculture is the root cause of the agrarian crisis. Start respecting nature and diversity. Things will get better.’ TerraGreen January–March 2007 33 The sun reflects off the water surface, between swathes of green algae

Pankaj Sekhsaria: The photographer

Condom stuck on the riverbed The photographer was walking along the bed of the River Yamuna one sunny winter morning. In the pictures are what he found, a tattered leaf of the Bhagwad Gita, animal carcass and condoms, among others. The stark pictures foretell the slow, painful death of this mighty and sacred river. Pankaj Sekhsaria works with the environmental group Kalpavriksh in Pune. He is an activist-writer, and the recipient of the National Foundation for India Media Fellowship.

A deep human footprint comes down heavily over smaller bird footprints A dead pig floats among the rubbish

A leaf from the Bhagwad Gita: the holy book and the holy river, both uncared for

A bright red flower amid the much and sludge

This bed is a dustbin: a chappal and paintbrush >> Debate

Should business have social responsibility?

usiness today touches the lives of millions in many different ways. Corporate houses have been instrumental in giving an impetus to innovations in science and technology, redefining management techniques, and Btaking services to the remotest parts of the country. Considering the significance of this outreach, it is only sensible for any company to be careful about their own The debate is fundamental to all social and environmental footprints on society. Until a decade ago, the potential of a corporate to notions of sustainable development. make a difference in society was not entirely understood. Satyajeet Subramanian* opines that It was not clear as to how a company could alleviate corporations in India have already poverty, which is usually the objective of developmental embraced a larger responsibility projects. Corporate managers were unwilling to undertake this task and a majority of them felt that it was beyond chasing their bottom-line the role of the government to foster social change. targets, but the scope of such Family-run corporate houses, following a deep tradition endeavours need to be broad-based of philanthropy, shared their resources with local communities, setting the stage for CSR to take off. and directions better defined. He Today CSR is a specialized subject with several tools focuses on areas of CSR (corporate and systems available, which companies could adopt to social responsibility) that companies address social and environmental concerns. Practices like might wish to venture into on their sustainability reporting, adoption of international guidelines, ethical sourcing, and supply-chain way to becoming socially responsive management are some of the ways through which as well as responsible. corporations have been addressing their responsibility. The Dahanu plant of Reliance Energy Ltd could be a potent example. Not only did the company undertake

36 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> Debate

initiatives to reduce TPM (total particulate matter) engagement and the way forward. emission from the stack, it also began using low-ash coal One dilemma is that despite research on the role of the and focussed on operation and maintenance strategies to corporation in society, effective modes of engagement reduce emission levels. The investment made to remain poorly understood and utilized. There are, in fact, undertake each of these activities clearly demonstrates a range of approaches and modalities, with inspiring that CSR is serious business. examples and innovations, which offer a path forward. The paradigm shift from the charity model of CSR to The challenge is to find the best method applicable to the existing model that addresses aspects of sustainable local needs on a case-to-case basis and scale-up these development and meeting business objectives further efforts in order to achieve wider impact. provides evidence that CSR today The millennium development is an important activity that can goals offer an almost help a country like India attain comprehensive framework for higher objectives. Companies today have companies that wish to Social responsibility revolves contribute to poverty reduction. around exploring new ways of begun to look at These goals could effectively be engaging the poor in business. achieved through synergies In an effort to convert ‘business- models that involve between local governments, as-usual’ into ‘business unusual’, models that involve industry, and the civil society. corporations have had to undergo However, instead of spreading several ideological and structural communities or the themselves over the entire changes. developmental canvas, it will be Companies today have begun marginalized sections beneficial if corporations identify looking at models that involve specific issues where their core communities or the marginalized of society in their competencies could be sections of society in their harnessed in the best possible business operations, either as business operations, manner. suppliers or as sellers. This would The sphere of influence of a mean that they enhance the either as suppliers or company is another troubling capacities of an entire class of factor. It is important to people that has the potential for understand that every company, contributing greatly to the sellers. both large and small, has a economy. sphere of influence. While the Some companies have already concept does not adhere to any begun to work with poor international standards, it tends communities in a sustained manner where they have to include individuals to whom the company has a contracted groups to carry out the company’s back- certain political, contractual, economic, or geographic office operations or where the company has used their proximity. The larger or more strategically significant existing marketing skills to help grass-roots organizations the company, the larger that company’s sphere of develop effective linkages with the open market. There influence is likely to be. have also been instances where companies have been The sphere of influence of a company is subject to able to employ differently-abled individuals. Thus, in all frequent changes. As business operations expand, so these efforts, the focus has been to behave as a good does the company’s sphere of influence. For example, a corporate citizen that promotes socially responsible company may identify provision of water in the local behaviour to empower communities. BILT (Ballarpur community, vital for residents of the area and its own Industries Ltd) is one such corporate organization. employees. However, this agenda may enlarge when they BILT’s social and community initiatives are directed learn that because of their next set of expansion plans, towards empowering communities in the vicinity of its several people would get displaced. They would then manufacturing units rather than doling out charity. One need to address displacement of the community and of the country’s largest paper manufacturers, BILT has work towards resettlement and rehabilitation as well. partnered with Pratham, a premier NGO working in the Thus, the need to look ahead of times and learn about field of primary education to initiate a unique teaching- future risks in the sphere of influence is fundamental. learning programme that employs teachers from within The way forward would really mean companies the local community. becoming champions, participating in action research, Having arrived at a conclusive ‘YES’ to an already and sharing successful stories about their existing truism, the question remains: should accomplishments and contributions. corporations have social responsibility? One must also examine the existing dilemmas on effective corporate *Satyajeet Subramanian is a Research Associate with TERI.

TerraGreen January–March 2007 37 >> Debate

DoesDoes businessbusiness walkwalk thethe CSRCSR talktalk inin India?India? Even as conclaves are held and seminars organized on the growing importance of corporate social responsibility in India, the society has yet to witness some real action from Indian corporate bigwigs. Amita Joseph* outlines the contours of what CSR should look like in the coming years.

oes business walk the CSR ( corporate business segments. Most companies do not perceive its social responsibility )talk in India? A importance. Corporate giving adds up to much lower in question that was asked repeatedly by costs than individual giving and much lesser than participants at an all-Asia CSR religious giving. conference in New Delhi hosted by But is CSR deep or significant enough to reduce Dthe BCF (Business & Community Foundation) in poverty? Can we consign poverty to the museums by December 2004. And whether shopping malls and New efforts by all stakeholders in the next few decades? Year bashes starring the Nelly Furtados of the world Serious commitment, allocations, and partnerships (sponsored by MNCs such as Nokia) could co-exist with between civil society organisations, corporates, and farmer suicides, hunger, and homelessness in Indian governments ensuring that globalization works for all villages and metros? Do companies exist only to make rather than a few countries or companies. profit and need to pay little or no heed to the CSR, in India, depends not only on the asset base or environment or issues of poverty and sustainability? size of a company. Even though per capita income levels CSR or CSI/CSO (corporate social investment/ in India are the lowest among South Asian tigers such as opportunity), which saw commitment and trusteeship South Korea, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, during and after the freedom struggle has not gained Philippines, and Indonesia it can boast of a great CSR enough momentum since. record! Education, health, and community development P Chidambaram, the Finance Minister of India, puts are some of the most popular areas of CSR engagement it aptly, ‘India is not a poor country, it is a country where followed by natural resource management, IT, and a large proportion of its people is poor ‘. CSR focusing livelihood-based activities. on people and planet in addition to profit has the Many companies cite constraints and challenges to untapped potential to be an extremely positive force that CSR practice such as overall absence of policy and can fuel business growth, contribute to social, linkages between social responsibility and financial environmental, and sustainable development. Very few success, lack of capacity and comprehension to companies in India however have a written CSR policy implement CSR, and mechanisms to measure, monitor, or a vibrant plan on the ground and across different and evaluate discharge of responsibilities. These are some

38 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> Debate areas where non profit organizations and foundations Phillips on female foeticide and ultrasound machines, working on CSR have a significant role to play by setting and Bharati must examine the human rights record of standards and being independent voices that can Walmart than just take the Indian consumer for granted. positively strategise and faciltate work on the ground. Protests can go global as Coke and Pepsi recently One positive aspect, in recent years has been discovered when the struggle in Plachimada was volunteering which has picked up pace in a number of supported in US universities. MNCs must practice the companies. Volunteers in GSKCH (GlaxoSmithKline same norms of accountability, adherance to quality and Customer Healthcare) and Satyam Computers have lent labelling standards, and ethics as they would in the time and resources to urban and rural projects. countries of origin with a vibrant CSR culture. Cadbury’s is supporting Sambhav and Nestle is involved A recent survey put MNC’s at the bottom of the heap with the local communities around its units. Thermax, when it came to institutions that people trust having Mind Tree, Balloons, Gokaldas Images, and Kanoria witnessed the impact of the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, the Chemicals and Industries have substantial investment Enron debacle, the Anderson scandal, and mercury and CSR engagement on the ground. poisoning by the Unilever Plant in Kodaikanal to name a Companies are normally expected to invest 3%–5% few that have occurred in the past decades. MNCs ought of their profits in CSR programs. The present scenario to work with respect for national sovereignty and human ranges from 0.1%–2 % with an exceptional 14% by Tata rights and be an equal opportunity employer, practise Steel. However companies have contributed by lending non-discriminatory treatment and uphold the rights of their skills and expertise as workers. MNCs need to go the ‘giving’ need not always be extra mile to be taken seriously. measured in financial terms. The Take the case of McDonalds tsunami and the Gujarat alone. While all their outlets are earthquake are some fine Emergencies and barrier-free the world over it has instances. not been the case in India. Need Emergencies and disaster the consumer in India struggle relief seems to be an area where disaster relief seems for what their counterparts in the corporate India responds well. As disaster relief seems West have as a matter of right? contributions in cash and kind So what can corporate houses flowed into non-profit do? According to Dr Abhay Bang organizations and the PM’s relief to be an area where corporate and industrial houses fund, the role of the private sector can develop new strategies to was seen as positive and reach out to the bottom of the encouraging, something which corporate India pyramid where the fortune lies. could be enhanced by a sharing Civil society and non-profit of core competencies and organizations can work together expertise. responds well. to stimulate CSR by generating Just one large garment greater societal demands and exporter in Chennai, the ACL expectation of business (Ambattur Clothing Limited), a responsibility medium sized company is quietly Muhammad Yunus in his rebuilding the government hospital at Nagapattinam Nobel lecture in Oslo reiterated that many of the worlds while providing a state- of- art health centre to its problems exist because of the restriction on the players of employees and their families. Small and medium the free market as one dimensional human beings who enterprises’ and supply/assembly chains’ attention to are dedicated to one mission in their lives, to maximize labour norms, employee welfare, human rights, health, profit and this interpretation of capitalism insulates them safety and quality standards, and internal governance from all political, emotional, social, spiritual, and and disclosures need to be emphasized as CSR. environmental dimensions of their lives and strips away A number of corporate houses in the IT sector have the very essentials of human life. He defined the term set-up their own foundations and are engaged in positive ‘entrepreneur’ to action that could change the character rural/social development work for instance the Infosys of capitalism radically and solve many of the unresolved Foundation, Satyam Foundation, Byrraju Foundation, social and economic problems within the scope of the dr reddy’s Foundation, and so on. Other companies can free market. work in partnership with a vision beyond profits and Indeed corporate houses and MNCs in India need to immediate stakeholders. More companies need to take a walk the talk, because business cannot succeed in a social stand on issues such as communal violence than just environment that fails… Bajaj, Thermax or Godrej; address issues around misuse * Amita Joseph heads The Business and Community Foundation, of technology like GE, WIPRO; such as Siemens and New Delhi.

TerraGreen January–March 2007 39 >> Special reports

The sea is rushing in: will the Sundarbans Rising sea levels are threatening the Sundarbans for its very existence. Two islands are already survive? submerged. Many more islands are waiting to meet the same fate, reports Subhra Priyadarshini.

hey saw the shore pushing in closer every day. Yet, Shamila and her mother never thought the sea would completely devour their tiny island of Lohachara in the Sundarbans. And then one day, it did. The familyT of four was forced to pack its modest belongings and head for Sagar, the largest island in West Sundarbans. In the late 1990s, in fear of being swallowed by the swelling sea, several families in many other islands followed suit. ‘Where our island once was is just a huge stretch of sea now where vessels ply,’ says Shamila’s father Seikh Abdullah, who was among the first batch of ‘envirogees’ (environment refugees) who have now settled in Sagar. Nearly 7000 of his former island mates are his neighbours again. The seas are rising across the Sundarbans—the 100-island conglomerate in the Ganges estuarine delta in the Bay of Bengal. One more island in the vicinity – Suparibhanga (also called Bedford) – has sunk. It had no recorded human population though. Jadavpur University’s School of Oceanographic Studies panchayat has given them refuge and livelihood out of in Kolkata has gathered a number of glaring climate- empathy—that strongly binds islanders across the change indicators in the fragile estuarine ecosystem, home Sundarbans. to the famous Royal Bengal Tiger. Since 1965, the temperature of the group of islands has risen by over one Displaced degree. The number of annual cyclones, which wreak The ‘vanishing islands’, as Hazra calls them, have rendered havoc in the small islands, has fallen but they are more about 10 000 people homeless already and threaten to intense now. This means more coastal flooding, erosion, displace about 70 000 more over the next 14 years. and more saline water moving in on the islands. The research team from Jadavpur first noticed in 2001 ‘The sea-level rise, south of Sagar Island, could go up to that the islands were vanishing while working on a project 3.5 mm a year over the next few decades because of global funded the Government of India. The government census climate change. Sagar itself has lost about 30 km of its was still showing a population of 5000 in Ghoramara, breadth along the coastline by now. The rising seas could another fast-submerging island. ‘But we could not find the wash out almost 15% of the existing island in the satellite images. Official records showed 102 9000–square-kilometre area of the Sundarbans,’ says islands in the estuary, but we found only 100. Where had Sugata Hazra, Director of the School of Oceanographic the other two gone?’ wondered Hazra. This was the basic Studies. premise that stoked his team’s curiosity. Mujibullah, who came to Sagar as a teenager and now The researchers then began mapping each island and sustains a family of six on seasonal Hilsa catch agrees, established that there were only 100 islands remaining. ‘Today, I see Sagar’s west end – Boatkhali and Laudhas – Their report to the union government was sent recently as gradually being eroded. If Sagar too has a similar problem, part of the national communication to the United Nations we don’t know where to go.’ As of now, a friendly Sagar

40 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> Special Reports

Framework Convention on Climate Change. Agricultural Research, Dr Kumud Ranjan Naskar. As the islands sink, the research team estimates that Incidentally, the Sundarbans boasts of the largest Sagar will be the worst hit, from where nearly 30 000 mangrove biodiversity in the whole world. Concerned over people are feared to be displaced by 2020. Namkhana will the loss, Naskar and his team are nurturing species of have produced 15 000 envirogees by that time. The other indigenous mangrove plants in a natural genepool project islands – all in the western end of the estuarine delta – that in one of the islands here. The idea is to preserve for will have been devoured by the sea are Ajmalmari (east and posterity one specimen of every mangrove species found west), Dalhousie, Dakshin Surendra Nagar, Moushuni, across the Sundarbans. Lothian, Ghoramara, Dulibhasani, Dhanchi, Bulchery, Bhangaduani, and Jambudwip. Underlying truth From the very beginning, the islands have been a subsiding Climate casualties delta. A 1962 record with the West Bengal government – Studying the rainfall patterns, the team has found that the first working plan of the department of forests – says though there has been a marginal increase in rainfall over fragments of ‘ceriops’, a mangrove variety, were found the years, most of the rains don’t come during the below the sea level during excavation around George’s monsoons. ‘Rainfall has shifted to the post-monsoon Dock in Kolkata. ‘But, the recent changes in sea level seem period. This shifting is a definite indicator of climate more severe,’ Hazra warns. change,’ Hazra says. Literate islanders are worried that no national policy This has severe implications for food security in the safeguards the envirogees. ‘What do the new National Sundarbans, which sustains itself on rain-fed paddy. Disaster Management Policy and the West Bengal Confirms Pintu Sardar, 22, a refugee from the sinking government’s disaster management department have for Ghoramara island, ‘At times, the rains don’t come people facing environmental disasters like these?’ asks when we sow our seeds. They come when we are just Jateswar Panda, one among the few residents of the about to reap the harvest. A lot of our standing crops Sundarbans who went to college. are lost.’ One solution, Hazra says, is to introduce The country’s natural disaster management revolves multi-crops in the delta. around instant calamities like earthquakes, landslides, flash Besides the rising seas, fallouts of climate change – floods, and drought. ‘What about slow disasters like arsenic like instinctive, behavioural changes and even poisoning or vanishing islands?’ he exclaims. extinction of species – are also bothering scientists. According to estimates, at least one lakh people will have ‘The Royal Bengal Tiger has adapted to drinking salt to be evacuated from the 12 threatened inner estuary water. The Cheetal deer (Axis axis) too has survived as islands of the Sundarbans in the next decade if the present it can excrete excess salt in tears. But, many like the rate of submergence continues. Scientists feel it would be water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis), the Javan rhino wise to plan a gradual shift to safer places like the adjoining (Rhinoceros sondicus), the one-horned rhino (Rhinoceros North and South 24-Parganas districts rather than wait for unicornis), and the swamp deer have been wiped off a demographic disaster to happen. from the Sundarbans, one after another within the last The West Bengal government says the Jadavpur century,’ Hazra says. The barking deer (Muntiacus University study is insufficient to prove climate change. muntijack) is extinct in all the islands except Halliday. Says Atanu Raha, Director of the Sunderban Biosphere Is there a threat to the Royal Bengal Tiger? ‘Eventually, Reserve, ‘Accretion and erosion are natural phenomena. yes. In the southern coast of the Sundarbans, a shallow Things like rise in temperature or increase in sea level have marine condition (area with pure seawater), has developed to be studied over hundreds of years. A 30-year study is not owing to the sea-level rise. The tiger does not seem to have enough to come to a conclusion that the climate is liked this. It likes a brackish water condition—a mix of sea changing.’ and river waters. So, the tiger is shifting to the northern Raha, who has studied satellite images of the last 20 end of the island,’ says Pranabes Sanyal, a former director years, says just as some islands have gone down in the sea, of the Sundarban Development Board. ‘Bhangaduani vast land areas like Thakuran Char and New Island have Island, which falls in the tiger reserve area, is fast losing emerged out of the sea because of silt deposits. land owing to erosion. Two more islands in the south are The Sundarbans are a region of myriad upheavals. It is a also becoming smaller by the day. The tiger habitat is cove of rich biodiversity, housing wonders of flora and undoubtedly shrinking,’ he says. fauna. The mangrove forests hold back the sea and prevent Several plant species, including mangroves (Aegiceras flooding of the hinterland. It is a treasure trove for corniculatum, Heritiera fomes, Kandelia kandel, Nypa geographers, environmentalists, and oceanographers, fruticans), have been affected. ‘These need immediate waiting to be discovered. Tourists throng the region, conservation measures. Though we know that the precisely because of the appeal of natural beauty. Aren’t mangroves are depleting because of increased salinity, its these reasons enough to act now? relation with climate change is yet to be established,’ says (This is an edited version of an article that first appeared in KnowHow, former National Fellow of the Indian Council of the science and technology supplement of The Telegraph.)

TerraGreen January–March 2007 41 >> Special Reports

MUMBAI AFTER THE delugedelugedeluge

Mumbai has taken steps to ensure that the deluge of 27 July 2005 never happens again. However, as Darryl D’Monte* describes, much more needs to be done that just pay lip service to the dismal state of the infrastructure in the city.

umbai’s cataclysmic deluge of 27 July 2005 demon- strated, among many other severe shortcomings, the abysmal lack of infrastructure. Roads, including the new links and renovated highways being built under the MUIP (Mumbai Urban Infrastructure Project), wereM among the first to go under, as the city reeled under the onslaught of 944 mm (37 inches) of rain, more than half of it occurring within the first five hours on that fateful afternoon.

42 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> Special Reports

From all accounts, the authorities were so intent on repairs are meant to last for 30 years and it is nothing concreting the surfaces of the Western Express Highway short of scandalous that it is cracking up even before it is and other arterial roads that they completely forgot completed. A firm of engineers, Choksey Structural about the surrounding drainage. This has now been set Engineering, has been appointed to repair the cracks. right. In 2006 too, there were torrential rains for a couple Such damage has raised fundamental questions about of days, which swamped a few areas but the highways the workmanship in the construction. The chief engineer remained unscathed. On this score, at least, those in of the MSRDC has admitted that there were some four charge of MUIP have gotten their act together. potholes and around the same number of concrete Unfortunately, the same cannot be said of the panels that had developed cracks. But the reason that he surfaces, which have developed cracks and fissures. gives for such wear and tear are simply astounding. He Mumbai, being a peninsula, is plagued by its geography holds the traffic responsible and says: ‘The road is open and transport is directed along a north–south axis. to traffic, people, and cattle who constantly cross oer Everyone travels southwards to the central business from one side to the other. This happens even in the UK district in the mornings and, lemming-like, in the reverse and the US. The potholes are the result of the movement direction in the evenings. This is why on 27 July 2005, of animals on the under-construction road.’ This appears traffic on these arterial roads, in the suburbs, was to be a lame excuse for shoddy execution. On the other completely choked – sometimes for a harrowing eight or hand, if it is anywhere near the truth, it speaks poorly of more hours. the supervisory abilities of the MSRDC. It is hardly a secret that there is an unholy nexus The MSRDC is holding the contractor liable for the between contractors who undertake the repairs and repairs, being carried out by a firm called Unity Infra- concreting of roads and the MMC (Mumbai Municipal structure. The chief engineer admits that the roads are

It is hardly a secret that there is an unholy nexus between contractors who undertake the repairs and concreting of the roads and the Mumbai Municipal Corporation officials.

Corporation) officials. The cost of projects is inflated and meant to last 30 years, a fact endorsed by a seasoned officials sanction payments even though sub-standard expert like N V Merani, who chairs the Standing material is used. Astonishingly, fly-overs built by the Technical Advisory Committee on roads for the MMC. MSRDC (Maharashtra State Road Development He observed that such fissures should not have occurred Corporation), which has a good reputation as far as on a newly constructed road. He pointed out: ‘The construction is concerned, have also developed potholes. cracks and potholes have occurred either because the In 2006, MMC officials set deadlines for repairing all area was not properly barricaded or due to mixed design, the potholes and cracks that had developed along poor compaction, or sub-grade cement. Whether the recently resurfaced roads, but were unable to stick to cracks are structural or superficial must be investigated.’ their schedules. Although they had promised to penalize Unfortunately, Unity Infrastructure has been accused contractors, most have escaped scot-free. in the past of being the beneficiary of far too many road A typical case in point are the potholes that have construction contracts, thanks mainly because of recently emerged on the 125 crore rupees Jogeshwari- political connections, especially with the Shiv Sena. Vikhroli Link Road, which is a vital east–west connector It has openly been accused of winning the contract for still under construction. According to experts, these the prestigious subway at the Chhatrapati Shivaji

TerraGreen January–March 2007 43 >> Special Reports

(formerly Victoria) Railway Terminus and then sub- removal of these encroachments was overdue, the contracting the second contractor to undertake the job, fundamental problems with the construction on and pocketing the difference. During the BJP (Bharatiya around the banks of the Mithi remain. This includes the Janata Party)–Shiv Sena regime in Maharashtra, when a Bandra–Kurla complex itself, which is located in the slew of fly-overs were constructed, it was common to middle of the mangrove swamps, which nature meant to find a portrait of Shiv Sena chief Bal Thackeray adorning serve as kidneys for the city. banners at these construction sites, as if to indicate the For that matter, as the Concerned Citizens’ Commis- nexus. sion, which enquired into the causes and consequences It is high time the MMC placed responsibility on of 26/7, observed that the Mithi has been bent out of contractors for carrying out the construction of these shape – literally at a right angle – to accommodate the vital urban infrastructure projects. In this case, the National Stock Exchange in this complex. Indeed, the repairs are being undertaken during the defect liability MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development period and hence the cost will be borne by the contrac- Authority), which is meant to be the chief planning tor. It is also time that the engineers who sanction phases agency for the metropolis, is itself located on the banks of of such projects are held accountable, since they too are the Mithi, which only indicates the ecological illiteracy of guilty of collusion. the planners. The other major infrastructure project that has been Further inwards, the Mithi was forced to turn at a executed after 26/7 is the widening of the Mithi river — 90-degree angle to accommodate a runway at Mumbai considered, till the heavens opened up in Mumbai, to be airport. This is why, not surprisingly, the whole airport a filthy nullah. As is well known, the constriction of the collapsed on 26/7, while some 1200 flights were can- river by the Bandra–Kurla complex, Mumbai’s second celled. The cost of such disruption, whether borne by central business district, largely contributed to the public or private sources, was immense and only flooding of the metropolis last highlights how incorporating year. The problem was com- environmental principles in pounded by the reclamation of planning infrastructure projects land at the mouth of the river The constriction of the could have avoided this needless in Mahim creek for the Bandra– expenditure. Worli Sea Link being built by Mithi river by the Bandra- This underlines a general the MSRDC. principle. Time and again, those in Environmentalists have long charge of huge projects claim that pointed out that there was no Kurla Complex, Mumbai’s they could not design them on need for the MSRDC to reclaim modern, efficient lines as they some 14 hectares from the bay for second central business could not afford the extra expendi- this project, the cost of which has ture. First of all, Mumbai is by no now escalated to 1200 crore means a poor city, at least as far as rupees, after several false starts district, largely budgets go. The MMC has a and stoppages. By building the budget of 8000 crore rupees a link on stilts, it could have contributed to the flooding year, more than the total budgets permitted the tide to flow in and of some state governments! out of the Mithi river, not only of the metropolis last year. Secondly, and more importantly, acting as a natural flushing the cost of not incurring such system, but preventing the back- expenditure – typically on provid- up of water when a high tide ing adequate drainage when roads coincides with heavy rain, as it are being constructed, which is invariably does for a couple of days each monsoon. Earlier, why fly-overs in the city sometimes get flooded till the the Indian Centre for Human Rights held a public hearing very top! – is several times higher. on this controversial project, which pointed to these dangers, As the commercial capital of the country, every hour all of which were confirmed on 26/7. As pictures of the Mithi that Mumbai is shut down takes a heavy toll on the flowing just under the Mahim railway bridge on that day financial health of the country. That is why every effort show, Mumbai was in imminent danger of being severed in needs to be made to ensure that the city does not come to two parts – the north from the south – which would have a halt every time there is a downpour, which is bound to made a serious crisis into a huge tragedy. happen each and every monsoon. If Mumbai aims at The MMC and state government have indeed woken becoming ‘a world class city’, this is the least that it needs up from deep slumber and not only widened the river to do. but removed encroachments along it. Most of these illegal constructions were either slum dwellers or small * Darryl D’Monte is senior media consultant and author based units, which recycled furnace oil and the like. While the in Mumbai.

44 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> Comments EmissionsEmissions trading:trading: takingtaking giantgiant stepssteps

Carbon trading is the new buzzword in industrial circles as the climate continues to change in incomprehensible ways. As Shashank Garimella* explains, emissions trading and the benefits thereof might just become the norm.

missions trading is emerging as a key up creating a thick layer of GHGs. This allows solar instrument in the drive to reduce GHG radiation to come through the atmospheric layers but (greenhouse gas) emissions. A market- makes it extremely difficult for the heat from the earth to based scheme for environmental escape back into space, resulting in the gradual increase improvement, emissions trading allows in the earth’s temperature classically known as ‘global Eparties to buy and sell permits for emissions and earn warming’. credits for reductions in emissions of certain pollutants. Approximately 25 other gases, such as chloroform Under such a scheme, the environmental regulator and carbon monoxide, qualify as climate-changing first determines the total acceptable emissions and then GHGs, but only the aforementioned six are released in divides this total into tradeable units (often called credits sufficient quantities to justify regulation under the Kyoto or permits). Countries or companies that emit pollutants Protocol. Incidentally, water vapour is a very important must obtain sufficient tradeable units to compensate for GHG, but is not controllable by human intervention. their emissions. But the unpredictability of the global climate’s On the other hand, countries or companies that reduce response to an increase in these gases, which has led to emissions can sell their surplus units to those who find increased warming in some areas and deep cooling in emission reduction more expensive or difficult. Simply others, has recast the term ‘global warming’ into its now put, trading of emissions helps companies meet their accepted form of ‘global climate change’. emission goals in the most cost-effective way. Emergence of emissions trading How greenhouse gases lead to The Kyoto Protocol provides the following options in climatic change enabling the 38 industrialized countries (and the The earth’s atmosphere acts as a filter for solar rays. European Union) that make up the Annex I list under Approximately half of the visible light and ultraviolet the UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention radiation given off by the sun is either absorbed by the on Climate Change) to meet their individual emissions various layers or reflected back into space. reduction targets. Of these options, the last three, called The other half that gets through the layers heats the flexibility mechanisms, are collectively referred to as earth’s surface and is eventually reflected back into space emissions trading. as infrared radiation. ‘Greenhouse effect’ refers to the • Policies and measures atmospheric trapping of that infrared radiation – a • Sinks enhancement natural phenomenon without which the earth would be • Joint fulfillment too cold a place for humans to live on. • Joint implementation When GHGs (like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous • Clean development mechanism oxide, HFCs [hydrofluorocarbons], PFCs • Emissions trading While policies and measures (basically government [perfluorocarbons], and SF6 [sulphur hexafluoride] regulated under the Kyoto Protocol) are emitted during regulations) and sinks (natural features like forest cover, the combustion of carbon-based fossil fuels, they land plants, and oceans, which absorb GHGs) enhancement

TerraGreen January–March 2007 45 >> Comments are more national in nature, the rest are international through independent agreements – though often the mechanisms. Joint fulfillment, as the term suggests, reductions are verified by an independent consultant. refers to agreements by countries to reduce emissions However, since market-based mechanisms for emissions while joint implementation, clean development trading are commonly viewed as the most cost-effective mechanism, and trading of emissions collectively fall response to climate change, a number of mandatory and under the category of ‘emissions trading’. voluntary emissions trading programmes are being developed. For instance, the European Union is How emissions trading is executed developing a Europe-wide trading programme to meet A growing number of companies are looking at its obligations under the Kyoto Protocol. As such emissions trading as a key part of their environmental programmes take shape, interest is shifting to the strategies. Emission trade typically occurs when emissions credits and allowances generated under their a company that wants to reduce its emissions purchases banner. emissions credits from another company that has already reduced its emissions beyond its specified requirement. Key players in emission trading This transaction can benefit both participants. Emissions trading has been pioneered primarily by the Purchasers are able to reach goals that require emissions following entities. reductions cost-effectively without undergoing massive • Companies in energy-intensive industries, since they overhaul of plant, machinery and processes and produce a greater number of emissions spending more on operational changes. In turn, sellers • Organizations such as emissions trading brokerage are rewarded financially for their investments in firms and governments that are developing trading schemes emission reduction. • NGOs that are developing methods for measuring and Although the Kyoto Protocol applies to sovereign verifying the quality of emissions reductions governments, not corporations, it is not uncommon for Utilities have been active traders, brokering corporations to be given the authority to trade directly international deals to purchase and sell emissions credits. through flexibility mechanisms or through national For example, in 2000, TransAlta, which accounts for one programmes in many countries. per cent of Canada’s total emissions, launched a plan to A number of governments, especially of Canada, eliminate its net GHG emissions by 2024 through UK, Norway, Denmark, and the European Union, are emissions trading, among other activities. already implementing national trading systems, before The company’s first trade was equivalent to one year’s the first Commitment Period (2008–2012), which emissions from 27 800 cars. include cross-border trading. Another good example is BP, which has 150 business In addition, a few large companies have developed units in more than 100 countries. Each unit has been internal trading mechanisms in order to reach company- assigned a quota of emissions permits and given the option wide goals cost-effectively. Take, for example, the actions of achieving compliance through independent reductions or of several energy majors. BP (British Petroleum) started purchasing reduction credits from other BP units. When an internal emissions trading system and sought third units achieve their goals efficiently, their bottom line party verification of GHG inventory way back in 2000. improves, which in turn improves pay scales and year-end Similarly, Shell too started its internal trading emissions bonuses. scheme, STEPS (Shell Tradeable Emission Permit Through this system, BP met its reduction goal – to System), in 2000. Shell wanted to use the scheme as an reduce its emissions of GHGs by 10% below 1990’s levels – aid to reaching the company’s emission reduction eight years ahead of schedule and most importantly, with no targets, allowing permits worth 100 tonnes of carbon net economic cost. dioxide (or its methane equivalent) to be traded via an Open market trades encourage the companies to internal website. voluntarily reduce their emissions below required standards. However, this scheme provoked mixed reactions Other companies can purchase these reductions to comply from environmental and government groups at its with regulation. launch. While government agencies welcome internal Interestingly, such trading has thus far resulted in the trading schemes, environment agencies like Greenpeace elimination of more than six tonnes of NOX (nitrogen oxide) argue that although such schemes are a positive step, emissions from the atmosphere under the New Jersey more emphasis should be put on renewable energy scheme’s retirement rules. projects if corporations have to seriously tackle the issue of GHG emissions. How emissions trading mitigates Technically, trade may be conducted as an individual company, or a group of companies established to climate change develop trading expertise cooperatively, or through an The rationale behind emissions trading is to ensure that official trading programme. emission reductions take place where the cost of the Until now, most companies have arranged exchanges reduction is lowest, thus lowering the overall costs of

46 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> Comments combating climate change. Emissions trading is upon emissions trading, as a way for companies to buy particularly suited to the emissions of GHGs, the gases their way out of their reduction obligations. responsible for global warming, which have the same effect wherever emitted. This allows the governments to Conclusion regulate the amount of emissions produced in aggregate Most companies’ motives for trading emissions, by setting the overall cap for the scheme. At the same at this time, are a combination of their desire to reach time, it provides companies the flexibility of determining voluntary goals and to prepare for future emissions how and where the emissions reductions will be restrictions. They are realizing that the first step needed is to achieved. By allowing participants the flexibility to trade conduct an in-depth research of regulatory trends likely to allowances, the overall emissions reductions are achieved impact their industry. Since this is a nascent mechanism, in the most cost-effective way possible. comparing their emissions with that of other players in the Participating same industry will enable companies are given them to get a more accurate allowances, with each Greenhouse gases regulated under picture of what they need to allowance representing a the Kyoto Protocol do in terms of emissions ton of the relevant Carbon dioxide (CO2) Carbon dioxide is released from reduction and how they emission. If a company the decay of materials, respiration of plant and animal life, should go about it. volcanic and thermal venting, and the natural and human- emits in excess of its Given the complexity of induced combustion of materials and fuels. It is removed allocation, it can emissions trading, from the atmosphere through photosynthesis and ocean purchase allowances companies are realizing that from the market. absorption. Methane (CH4) Methane is a more effective heat- they need external assistance Similarly, a company that as they enter this field. Many emits less than its trapping gas. It comes from the anaerobic (without oxygen) decay of matter. Primary sources include companies consult with allocation of allowances wetlands, rice paddies, animal digestive processes, fossil specialized brokerage firms can sell its surplus fuel extraction, pulp and paper processing, and decaying or non-profit agencies to allowances. garbage. identify an ideal trading Nitrous oxide (N2O) Soils and oceans are the primary partner, facilitate an Present scenario natural source of nitrous oxide. Humans contribute exchange, or set up an Currently, there is a through soil cultivation and use of nitrogen fertilizers, internal trading system. significant amount of nylon production, and the burning of organic material and Some companies have joined uncertainty regarding fossil fuels. voluntary exchange regulations. Until now, Halocarbons (HFC and PFC) Halocarbons are human- programmes to increase their most emissions trade has produced chemical compounds containing members of understanding of emissions been verified by a third the halogen family (bromine, chlorine, and fluorine) and trading schemes and, in turn, party but not registered carbon. They are some of the most effective heat trapping lend credibility to their with a formal registry. This greenhouse gases of all. However, most of them are recommendations regarding may be recognized under already regulated under the Montreal Protocol (a treaty future regulated trading future regulatory schemes, for the protection of the ozone layer). The new gases are systems. regulated by the Kyoto Protocol because although they but such recognition is not Most importantly, are ozone friendly, they are greenhouse unfriendly. guaranteed. companies have to realize Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) Sulphur hexafluoride is Extensive research emitted by the electric power industry in circuit breakers, that the most crucial step is to has to be conducted if a gas insulated substations, and switchgear. The industry determine what sort of a company wants to trade uses a significant percentage of the 6500 to 7500 tonnes reduction is most suitable for emissions strategically. produced worldwide each year. them. Considerations such as It has to assess its the year of their set-up, options in order to location, the kind of evaluate what price to pay, gain in-house approval, emissions involved, and the degree to which the reduction and reflect the value of GHG assets on company has been verified, are all factored into an emissions trading balance sheets, which requires additional time and transaction. effort. Since many trading schemes are still under There are a number of different trading schemes in the development, it can be difficult to accurately predict market, each covering different sectors and different GHGs what an ideal reduction would be. For this reason, many because there is an absence of a global GHG trading companies are developing a diverse portfolio of scheme. As a result, formulating a company programme to reductions to ensure that at least some will be recognized fit any one of these schemes, now, may mean making under future regulations. changes later to meet the requirements of future trading * Shashank Garimella is the Chief Knowledge Officer at Enzen schemes. Furthermore, some environmentalists frown Global Solutions, a solutions-based consulting firm.

TerraGreen January–March 2007 47 >> Comments

GoGo OrganicOrganic !!

Beej Bachao Andolan is as much a philosophy asas a movement. Raju Gusain* profiles this unique movement that conserves seeds as well as local knowledge traditions..

48 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> Comments

omen going to collect fodder, we were accused of taking development backwards. But children playing on courtyards, today, that is not so. People understand the issue. Beej and elderly males smoking Bachao is a vichaar, a philosophy, and it has spread,’ Vijay hukkas—Jardhargoan village in Jardhari avers. District Tehri, Uttarakhand, The intensive search for traditional seeds brought to appearsW to be an ordinary hill village, with people light several hidden facts. For instance, in the valley of busy in the drudgery and happiness of daily life. Ramasirain, there grows a distinctive variety of red rice But beneath the humdrum, a unique movement is called Chardhan (four grains). The rice is nutritious and simmering, bringing the village to the notice of does not require huge external inputs. Farmers in the outsiders—the Beej Bachao Andolan Garhwal hills also grew other indigenous varieties of rice, (Save the Seeds movement). locally known as Thapchini, Gorakhpuri, Jhumkiya, Rikhwa, Sukhnandi, and Lal Basmati. Cultivation of This movement, which began in the late 1980s, is not these varieties was totally free from the use of chemical only a crusade to conserve traditional seeds but also to fertilizers. promote agricultural biodiversity, sustainable Commenting on the importance of the unique agriculture, and local traditions. Launched by a local movement, Biju Negi, another movement activist, says, farmer – Vijay Jardhari – along with his friends, the movement thrives on the fact that it is a people’s campaign and flourishes without any financial or any other aid from the government. What prompted Jardhari to start the Beej Bachao Andolan? The 53-year-old farmer replies, ‘After the Green Revolution of the 1960s, farmers in the hills also adopted high-yielding varieties of seeds. After initial success, the Green Revolution fizzled out as the yields began to decline. This made the villagers realize that the so-called modern agriculture was unsustainable. Low production despite increased investments on pesticides and fertilizers, as well as decline in soil fertility, forced us to think of corrective measures.’ With this, the movement to save traditional seeds got off the ground. Now the search for the seeds began—Jardhari and his friends travelled from village to village to collect traditional seeds. To date, When we started, they have collected some 200 varieties of kidney beans, 100 of paddy, and 7 of we were accused wheat, to name just a few. The huge collection of local seeds, which had been presumed ‘lost’ in the region, clearly of taking develop- indicates the toil put in by the movement activists. ment backwards. After collecting the seeds, a detailed document was prepared. To make the Today, Beej Bachao farmers aware of the importance of traditional seeds, a comparative chart, based on high-yielding-variety as well as is a vichaar, a traditional seeds, was drawn. This comparative study helped farmers realize philosophy, and it the importance of traditional farming. And now, more and more farmers are has spread.’ opting for organic, traditional farming. ‘About 20 years ago, when we started,

TerraGreen January–March 2007 49 >> Comments

‘We all know that knowledge is power. No one sign, as an upswing trend for organic food grains, which will understands this better than the big companies who strengthen the movement. wish to come and occupy your space. Divest the ‘There is a lot of hope for the future. To cite an example, farmer of his knowledge; say it’s old and outdated; we have just returned from participating in the annual ten- give him an entirely alien knowledge (and free seeds day Nature Bazaar at Dilli Haat in Delhi. This was our to push that), and he is a puppet in your hands.’ thirteenth year there—selling organic pulses, grams, rice, ‘That is why this movement is important, which millets, turmeric, ginger, apricot oil, and other organic ensures that the farmer retains his knowledge, and he produce. Initially for a few years, we hardly made any sale retains the power to exercise that knowledge. and had to do a lot of convincing to whoever came to Traditional farming meant that the farmer donned enquire. Now it is no longer like that. People in bigger cities the mantle of several scientists rolled into one: a know what organic food means and they are willing to spend botanist, a zoologist, that extra rupee for it. This consciousness is spreading to a veterinarian, a soil scientist, a climatologist, and so smaller towns as well. Every year, we find that there is more on. He was not a puppet in anyone’s hands. He knew and more demand for organic produce. So, there is hope for his work, and he could take his own decisions. He had what our farmers are doing,’ says Dhoom Singh Negi. control over his farming. This movement seeks to give The movement received a major setback on 15 July 2006 or return that power to the farmer; that is why this with the death of firebrand Beej Bachao activist-writer, movement is important.’ Kunwar Prasoon. People associated with the movement were The movement made the farmers aware about an yet to recover from the shocking death of Prasoon, when the old practice: Baranaja, meaning twelve grains. news came that Dr Indu Tikekar is no more. Indu was a long- Baranaja refers to inter-cropping of twelve (or term supporter, from the Chipko days, of the movement. She sometimes more) crops. Under Baranaja a mixed the environmental philosophy with the Bhagwad combination of cereals, lentils, vegetables, creepers, recitation and oration, to spread awareness. and root vegetables is grown. The twelve crops are The Beej Bachao Andolan, despite all odds, continues to such that they can grow in harmony with each other. gain strength. And it will continue to do so in the near future The trend is slowly changing and the demand for as it guarantees sustainable agriculture development. organic food is growing worldwide with each passing * Raju Gusain is a senior freelance journalist based in day. The Beej Bachao Andolan considers this a good Dehra Dun.

Comparative net rice obtained from paddy yields (per 100 kg)

TRADITIONAL HYBRID Variety Net rice Variety Net rice (kg) (kg)

Jhumkya 76.5 Saket – 4 70.0 Thapachini 75.0 Dwarf 65.0 Ghyasu 74.0 Dwarf 60.0 Rikhwa 75.0

Source From Beej Bachao Andolan field records

Comparative yields from some traditional and hybrid paddy varieties (per hectare)

TRADITIONAL HYBRID Variety Yield Fodder Variety Yield Fodder (kg) (kg) (kg) (kg)

Thapachini 7000 6600 Saket-4 6000 5000 Jhumkya 8800 8000 Dwarf 6400 8000 Lalmati 7000 5600 Kasturi 4000 3200 Nagmati 6000 6500 Sabarmati 6000 4800

Source From Beej Bachao Andolan field records

50 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> Comments

RegrowingRegrowing thethe forestforest Forest conservation, with intense involvement of village communities, was a project for sustainability and building of public trust. Venkat Ramanujam Ramani* explores the labyrinthine trajectory of trials and tribulations faced by one such effort in a remote village in Rajasthan, and throws up useful lessons for the future.

estled among the Aravali foothills in involvement in the protection and management of Udaipur district of Rajasthan lies forest land. Community participation was accorded a Kharadiya, a village of Bhil adivasis fillip following the Central Government’s JFM living in mud-houses and carrying Resolution of 1990. Since then, community efforts at out subsistence farming on small forest management and conservation have sprung up plotsN of land. The hills surrounding Kharadiya once across the country and met with varying degrees of teemed with wildlife and were covered with thick forest. success. In the process, numerous challenges were Over the years, they were denuded of all vegetation, and thrown up. today, most hilltops lie bare. The enterprising villagers While the challenges are sometimes related to an of Kharadiya took up the cause of conservation in the uneasy collaboration with the Department of Forest, a last few years, attempting to regenerate forests on its central issue for communities is to negotiate their way hills under the JFM (joint forest management) scheme. through internal crises, which often turn out to be the The village has divided itself into two forest litmus test of collective action. protection committees or FPCs. The eastern half chose Along with the responsibility for protecting forests, to call itself Bheruji, while a large part of the western Bheruji received a huge incentive for its poor farmers. half got together under the name Joganiya Mata. The A significant opportunity for wage labour was names are taken from the presiding deities of shrines in immediately opened up, by way of afforestation and both halves of the village. related activities on the hillsides under protection. Bheruji presents an interesting case for the study of Crucial backing came from an NGO. The promise of local attitudes and motives that mark community

TerraGreen January–March 2007 51 >> Comments

In sharp contrast, the NGO overcame teething wage employment arrived at a time when drought-like troubles in the other half of the village and was able to conditions were compelling men to migrate to the city strike an encouraging relationship with the Joganiya of Udaipur, more than 60 kilometres away, in search of Mata FPC. Over the months, as the remarkable employment in factories and construction-sites. This disparity in availability of employment opportunities was a win-win situation for all: the members of Bheruji, between the two halves of the village became apparent, the cause of conservation, and the NGO. Bheruji reacted in anger by ceasing protection of the Ironically though, there were unexpected hurdles land under its management and wantonly encouraging along the way, almost all of these arising internally. cattle grazing and grass-cutting. The NGO immediately Over a period of time, discrepancies became visible in strove for a fresh understanding with Bheruji; activities the records pertaining to wage employment. Wage were tentatively resumed but matters failed to improve. labour attendance lists became unusually long. Despite Some hamlets of Bheruji, fed up with the state of a rotation system that sought to divide labour affairs, called for an overhaul of the office-bearers of the opportunities equally, some households seemed to walk FPC. When this was refused, they demanded a away with a disproportionately greater share of wages. separation of the land under protection and the right to A physical inspection revealed that far less work was form a separate FPC of their own. actually performed than was shown on paper. Alarmed, These hamlets seemed to display a greater the NGO met the FPC and matters were discussed at commitment to conservation. Indeed, one of the key length, with promises of good behaviour being made by voices was that of Bhimaram, a bright Bhil youth and all. Shortly after this, however, the chairman was found one of the very few from the village to have successfully to have made an unauthorized withdrawal of funds cleared the higher secondary examination. Bhimaram from the FPC’s joint bank account. firmly believed that re-growing the forest would The hillsides were beginning to show signs of life. improve his people’s material conditions. At long last, as But the overall state of affairs remained unsatisfactory, the tussle among Bheruji members intensified, a with continuing irregularities in the functioning of the compromise measure yielded a partial overhaul of the FPC. This was the handiwork of a coterie comprising FPC’s office-bearers. the chairman and his cronies, which influenced the Bheruji’s incorrigible dishonesty does not quite allocation of wage employment in favour of select conform to the romantic conceptions of victimized households and unabashedly engaged in falsifying rural communities that are sometimes floated around. records to its advantage. Surprisingly, the coterie was Nor does it necessarily feed into the stereotype almost as poor as the rest of the village and wielded no nurtured by the Department of Forest that frequently great political influence. It exerted control over the FPC views villagers as thieving destroyers of forests. In fact, by bullying and intimidation. Bheruji may be viewed as a reflection of the broader The clique also derived strength from the tacit opinion prevalent in villages, of a context where compliance of a sizeable chunk of the community. villagers in some parts increasingly see sarkar and Going by previous experience – that of NGOs engaging sanstha, government and non-government in brief spells of activity before eventually petering out – organizations, as shady entities. Indeed, no aspect of some people were inclined to view the NGO as a cash government is viewed to be free from corrupt practices. cow. They aimed at extracting the maximum possible Stories abound of police going soft on wrong-doers for pecuniary advantage while a fee; of petty government the going was good. Forest officials and elected protection was merely a representatives milking pretext to ensure continued funds meant for welfare availability of such Bhimaram firmly believed schemes; even of school opportunity. This section of teachers diverting the people was playing its cards village school’s stock of adroitly. It ensured that the that regrowing the forest mid-day meal cereals. While chairman and his coterie one cannot vouch for their remained in the visible would improve his truthfulness, such claims domain even while quietly are certainly indicative of profiting from their the lack of public misdemeanours. people’s material confidence in the arms of Meanwhile, the flow of state even at the lowest level productive opportunities of the village or hamlet. began to ebb in the light of conditions. NGOs are also the unhappy experiences in perceived to be party Bheruji. to this climate of

52 TerraGreen january–March 2007 >> Comments

decadence. Their employees are often believed to be their own in the land under protection, in addition to siphoning off NGO funds, and the flashy lifestyles or the afforestation exercise being carried out under the sudden rise to prosperity of some of them are held as auspices of the NGO. Curiously enough, having sired proof. To cite an instance within Kharadiya, an NGO- nine daughters and no son, Mansaram’s altruistic affiliated non-formal education teacher was not only motives were prompted in part by a desire for a son in irregular with his classes but was also found to have the next birth! eventually absconded with his employer’s money. It is In another case, the village of Tegda resolved a long- scarcely surprising if Bheruji were to seek justification standing wrangle over the payment of fines for (of course, unacceptably so) for its petty acts of trickery transgression of livestock grazing rules. In one long in an ambience of this kind. meeting, a motivating speech by the NGO While ambient values and attitudes can mar representative kindled enormous zeal. All offenders paid community conservation efforts, as in Bheruji, they may up their fines over the next couple of days despite also be challenged by an intrinsic sincerity of purpose. having to dig deep into near-empty pockets. The village In the multi-caste village of vigorously reaffirmed its Sultanji ka Kherwara, for commitment to conservation, instance, minority non- upping the level of individual adivasi communities, (At times, community enthusiasm in the process. particularly the agriculturist These examples from Kumawat Patels, nurtured southern Rajasthan suggest that misgivings about the Bhil efforts are prompted while the influence of local dominance of the FPC. Over attitudes can be immensely time, however, Bhil chairman more out of a desire sobering, conservation based Amra’s handling of issues on genuine collective action and conduct of FPC nevertheless offers valuable proceedings inspired for taking advantage of democratic space to contest confidence in the rest of the existing values and forge new village. In particular, in the earning opportunities ones. In material terms too, FPC’s early days, Amra conservation offers a highly tactfully managed to defuse a accompanying promising opportunity for poor crisis caused by Bhils from communities to meet immediate another village, who had survival needs and overcome encroached upon Kherwara’s conservation than them over a period of time. hillside patch. The Yet, even as they grapple with encroachers were so bold as belief in the cause of domestic challenges, to threaten a patrol party of communities are often stymied Kumawats with arrest on a conservation itself.) by ambiguities in state-ordained false pretext under the community participation draconian provisions of the arrangements and a general SCs and STs (Prevention of wariness of government officials Atrocities) Act. Intimidating and NGOs. Under certain as it was, the incident circumstances, conservation can provoked unrest among the non-Bhil section of the be held hostage to selfish interest, as the case of Bheruji village. Amra resolved matters by organizing mixed- reveals. If conservation is to be for conservation’s sake, caste patrols that would include Bhils. His assurances of there is a compelling case for a more enabling support to the aggrieved community also helped bring atmosphere that helps communities engage more down the tempers. securely and fully in the regeneration of their forests. At times, community efforts are prompted more Then perhaps, the forests will return to the Aravalis. out of a desire for taking advantage of earning opportunities accompanying conservation than out of an inherent belief in the cause of conservation itself. This is perhaps attributable to a context where *Venkat Ramanujam Ramani has worked extensively with the communities are extremely poor and live in drought- Nicobarese people of Andaman and Nicobar Islands on post- prone environments. Yet, cases of miserably poverty- tsunami rehabilitation. He is interested in issues relating to stricken villagers taking the long walk to conservation people’s participation in forest and biodiversity conservation. out of genuine enthusiasm are not uncommon. Under This article is based on the author’s field experiences with the its dynamic secretary, Mansaram, the Chitrawas FPC Foundation of Ecological Security, Udaipur. The views expressed exhorted member households to plant five saplings of here are his own and may not reflect those of the organisation.

TerraGreen January–March 2007 53 >> People Power >> People Power

Making sense of nature, theSanskritiSanskriti Sanskriti way

chools impart knowledge, teach one to be civil, and inculcate meaning and culture in everyone’s lives. Are we aware of this? Of course! What we are not aware of is the fact The truth about habitat that bang in the middle of an urban jungle likeS Delhi, is an institution of education that teaches the destruction, children to make paper (hand-made paper), takes them environmental out for demonstrations against animal cruelty, exposes degradation, and human- them to the concepts of environmentalism, and imbibes induced climate change is in them respect for nature. Sanskriti School, functional from 1998, is an oasis of hope. And we just about not hidden anymore. discovered it on a recent visit to the school. Students, led by their The environmental programme in Sanskriti School was committed teacher-in- kicked off six years back in 2000 mainly because of the charge at Sanskriti School, initiatives of Nita Ganguly, the teacher-in-charge of the environment programme at Sanskriti and a lady have taken up cudgels committed to sending a brood of young, vibrant, and active against the destruction of generation out into the world. ‘We go beyond the nature. curriculum set by the CBSE and follow our own activity- based pedagogic pattern,’ says Ms Ganguly. The fact is that The TerraGreen team, the children are exposed to an astonishing array of on a visit to the school, activities. From a solar concentrator to a paper-grinding discovered just how. machine, the school has made it possible for the students to know and learn the workings of mechanism that could well be the future of the coming generation. Displaying chart paper made using the paper-

54 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> People Power grinding machine right outside the environmental sells the garbage to earn a living. He is also getting studies laboratory of the school, Ms Ganguly diligently educated at the same time,’ says Ms Ganguly with a explains the process by which the children actually satisfied look on her face, adding that Abdul wants to learn to make paper, and are very proud of this fact. become an educated kabadiwalla. The difference this Rags and waste paper are soaked in water after which arrangement has made to the boy’s life was in evidence the rag-breaker pulps the concoction. The semi-solid at a recent May Day function when heads turned, as mix is left out to dry and lo and behold…you get pure, Abdul – now as much a member of the Sanskriti family unadulterated hand-made paper. ‘This paper is 100% as anyone else – walked in with a big grin, biodegradable. We do not use any synthetic fibres, acknowledging the efforts put in by Ms Ganguly and which is something unique. Children have learnt to her students. After all, he is an educated kabadiwalla. make paper and they make different kinds of paper that Says the enthusiastic teacher, ‘If every school adopts they use for decoration,’ explains Ms Ganguly with a one boy or a girl and educates him/her while s/he takes knowing smile on her face. care of the garbage problem in the schools, it would She showed the displayed Madhubani paintings – make a big difference in the lives of the next generation obviously done by her students – on mount-boards of of ragpickers who yearn for a better life.’ With waste paper that is prepared by the children, a double management, so much has fallen into line. achievement of a sort. Papier The dry garden adjoining mache is another highlight of the sports precinct is another the activity-based programme highlight of the immensely at Sanskriti School. Ms Everyone, from the successful environmental Ganguly shared her programme at the Sanskriti experience with us, ‘We use student to the gardener, is School. The dry garden is old newspapers to make literally dry as no water is papier mache. Quite often, we encouraged to end up with excess paper, which we promptly donate to comply Friendicoes, a partner organization.’ with waste It was not long ago that the school started using the three- segregation. bin system of waste segregation and management. Everyone, from the students to the school gardener, is encouraged to use three bins: for non-biodegradable waste (red bin), biodegradable waste (green bin), and waste paper (blue bin). These bins are placed behind the canteen as well so that all the waste generated in the canteen gets segregated at the source. The biodegradable waste then goes into the composting pit, located within the school compound. In Nita Ganguly’s words, ‘We tried out enzyme composting and it worked wonderfully well. The use of bio-sanitizers and bio-catalysts have also helped to produce good quality compost.’ A biology teacher by training, Ms Ganguly perks up as she narrates to us the story of Abdul whom she terms as her ‘greatest achievement’ in this journey towards a sustainable world. Abdul, a ragpicker, was ‘adopted’ by the school in a mutually beneficial arrangement. Perhaps ‘adopted’ is not the right word as Ms Ganguly clarifies that it was not the school that adopted Abdul, rather it was the boy who took over the mantle of used for watering the plants. The area – an erstwhile ridding the school of all the non-biodegradable, unused ridge – was converted into an oasis, thanks to the garbage. In return, the school provides free education to enthusiasm of a group of eight children and the counsel the boy, which is at par with the education provided to and advice of the well-known nature writer and otherwise affluent crowd of students. commentator, Pradip Kishen, all without the use of a ‘Abdul comes to the school, empties all the bins, and single drop of water. They carefully selected plants that

TerraGreen January–March 2007 55 >> People Power retain water and moisture from rain and do not need any additional water all year round. ‘We recreated a micro-ridge right here in the school. A number of bird species get attracted to this ridge everyday, especially during the migratory season, making all of us feel very happy,’ explains Ms Ganguly. Every plant in the dry garden is allowed to grow wild, making it one of its kind in Delhi. And what is more, only indigenous varieties of plants have been used in the garden to avoid any future problems of adaptation and acclimatization. The garden today boasts of 17 varieties of grasses, various trees like dak, palash (flame of the forest), and basendu, and many varieties of shrubs and herbs. Some of the prominent species include Carissa spinarum (karonda), Ehritia laeuis, Justicia adhtoda (nees), Abutilon ramosum, and Datura metel (common names include jimson weed, devil’s weed, devil’s cucumber, thorn apple, and so on). The teacher-in-charge is all praise for the support that the school authorities have extended to her effort. Since We recreated a the initiative reduces future micro-ridge right here costs, the school has been micro-ridge right here forthcoming with monetary in the school. A number help and doesn’t hesitate to in the school. A number spend money. ‘The school, of bird species flock here especially the principal, has been equally enthusiastic about during the migratory the project. We wouldn’t have been able to come thus far season, making us all feel without her support,’ says Nita Ganguly about the principal. very happy. Meanwhile, the principal, Ms Gawri Ishwaran, is committed

to instilling environmental awareness and love for nature in all growing children. ‘Environment here in Sanskriti School is not seen as external to the curriculum. Caring for the environment is critical for our survival, and it is high time we realized that. Our primary motivation is love for nature,’ states Ms Ishwaran reveling in the green haven that the school actually has turned out to be, adding that these very children, our future policy-makers, will grow up to become sensitive individuals and that would be our ultimate achievement. The students of Sanskriti School not only indulge in activities within the school premises, but also have been

56 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> People Power active in various outdoor campaigns. From anti-tiger The signature campaign for the immediate cessation poaching campaigns to raising awareness about the of poaching and killing of seals, according to class VII- diclofenac-induced deaths of vultures and the ongoing A, has been very successful. They also seemed to enjoy murder of baby seals, students have been gathering the fact that they have been able to convert their information, reading up, watching as many audio-visual parents and immediate family members into amateur programmes as possible, and working on short films and nature conservators, something that has often not been presentations on their own to emerge as activists of the easy. They have seen to it, for instance, that parents stop future. ‘It is during the lean winter months that the using plastic bags. The children also narrated in great students are exposed to films and programmes on excitement the effort they make to keep the school wildlife and other environmental issues. We invited noted clean by picking up garbage both within and outside environmental filmmaker Mike Pandey over for an the school. They also venture out into the real world on interactive session after the screening of his film excursions and outings. One such outing resulted in Vanishing Giants,’ said Ms Ganguly about the film numerous saplings being planted in the ridge, their gift festival that she organizes to keep her students engaged to generations to come. ‘Making waste wax candles, during winter. papier mache animals and dolls, items from trash The bright and sprightly bunch of students have material, and selling them at the annual Christmas organized themselves carnival gives them a sense of satisfaction,’ says Nita into groups that deal Ganguly, looking fondly at her students. with various issues such No, commitment does not pay immediate dividends as animal rights, or so we have heard. But Nita Ganguly and her pollution, waste students at the Sanskriti School have defied all odds to management, and so win this war against destruction of nature. In the real on. ‘We started off world, as future leaders and opinion makers, they will while in the VI standard take a firm stand towards the rapidly deteriorating as all of us love animals environment. and want to help them,’ One can only wish them best of luck…and hope for explain Joy Chahal, more schools to start their own environment-awareness Daman Reyar, and programmes. Till that happens, hail Sanskriti! Aishwarya Misra, all students of standard VIII and part of the Friendicoes group. Their activities include The students collecting rice and dal for stray dogs under a have been able rather interesting slogan of ‘Mutthibhar’. A large drum gets filled up with to convert this motley donation, which is then given away to Friendicoes. ‘We have been parents and able to pursue a number of children in our neighbourhood to help animals. The good part is that people actually listen,’ add Joy, Daman, and Aishwarya, family obviously happy about their initiatives getting noticed. As class VII-A, brimming with confidence and members into enthusiasm, marched into the environment studies laboratory, they were more than happy to share their amateur experiences of being in the thick of the animal rights campaign. They couldn’t stop talking about the ‘Save the Tiger’ march to India Gate where shouts of ‘2-4-6-8, conservationists. who do we appreciate…Tigers! Tigers!’ had rented the air. The sprightly class also talked about other activities like the slide show on animal cruelty that had taken their breath away and brought tears to their eyes, the fun they have while making paper, and the serene accomplishment of making their own colour to play with on Holi.

TerraGreen January–March 2007 57 >> Book Reviews

Catastrophe awaits Roshni Sengupta

Review of The Upside of Down: catastrophe, creativity, and the renewal of civilization by Thomas F Homer-Dixon, Shearwater-Island Press, 2006

riving fast in the fog is, of course, not Homer-Dixon rightly points out that Rome’s fall sensible. But that’s exactly what we are bears out the fact that civilizations can change rather doing today.’ Introspective observation, catastrophically, and the human race seldom has any role very apt for the times we live in! And in salvaging what is left. This also suggests the dark let’s credit Thomas Homer-Dixon for possibility that human projects are so evanescent that Dsubjecting us to the most dramatic critique of modern they are essentially meaningless. The energy that we consumerism in his apocalyptic book The Upside of Down: invest in building empires, therefore, is foolhardy and catastrophe, creativity, and the renewal of civilization. Taking innocuous. The sooner certain parts of the world realize the reader through the tumults and trials that have that their current paths of development and progress marked the progress of mankind from the high spires of would lead to no haven but towards perceptible Greece and the magnolia walls of Rome to the entirely destruction, the better it would be for the rest of unexpected blackout that spread through the developed humanity. world beginning 2003, Homer-Dixon makes a fitting The Upside of Down connects to the reader in an case for revaluation of our current practices. unassuming fashion, as it takes a leap from Rome to With the fall of Rome as the backdrop, the author present times, that would bear the brunt of what has tenders a cogent argument to towards a credible and passed for years on end. The author draws interesting well-thought-out strategy to abdicate and stem the parallels between the tumbling towers of the World Trade garguntan trouble that the world is about to encounter. Centre and the Great North American Blackout, both Climate change, rapidly dwindling energy resources, a symbols of the abrupt failure of critical economic, potential standown in the world economy, and technological, and social systems. The possibility of a debilitating terrorism have emerged as some similar breakdown in other economic and social systems consequential markers of a civilization in decline, much – like that of India’s – occurring sooner than anyone can like Rome. imagine is getting starker. Homer-Dixon raises a number of critical queries. The book sends a kid-gloved warning from a Some of them relate to our future, some trace the past for fantastically articulate author. And there is more. clues to the future. You can take your pick! One of them Five tectonic stresses are accumulating deep underneath the deals unobtrusively with the Romans’ keenness to know surface of our societies. First is the population stress arising the days ahead. This leads to the ubiquitous human from the differences in the population growth rates between nature to circumnavigate crucial issues and term them rich and poor societies, and the symptomatic spiralling ‘opportunities’—opportunities that might never present growth of mega cities in poor countries pulverizing the world themselves visibly at the outset to be explored. Times and in more ways than one. Second is the energy stress—primarily seasons change rather quickly and do not give us enough the increasing scarcity of conventional oil that is wrecking ‘opportunity’ to even react, let alone act. havoc, in gory evidence in the Middle East. Environmental The elementary question is: what does our future stress, the third, is causing devastating damage to our land, really hold? Could one safely answer: torrid days and water, forests, and fisheries and its intensity is only stressful nights, owing basically to our pathetically increasing. Fourth, the climate stress – due to changes in the ineffective crisis management systems considering the make-up of our atmosphere – could well prove to be more advances that certain parts of the world have made- dangerous than we ever thought. And, finally, the scientifically, technically, and militarily? At the same economic stress – resulting from instabilities in the global time, these same developed nations / segments have economic systems – is translating into tragedies of a failed in their quest to attain social and political success. larger magnitude. Ever since military conquests became the norm and A succinct writing style lends the necessary linguistic expectancies of life and other exigencies reduced in a flair that a book of this scale requires to bore a hole in fashion contrary to all predictions, ecological and natural public memory that is woefully short. With The Upside of trajectories have been on a downward spiral. And the Down…, Thomas Homer-Dixon has mastered the art of slide has only gotten worse. pulling the rug from under our feet to perfection. Kudos!

58 TerraGreen January–March 2007 >> Book Reviews

The big fat conservation crisis Sucharita Sengupta

Review of Democratizing Nature: politics, conservation, and development in India, by Ashwini Chhatre and Vasant K Saberwal, Oxford University Press: New Delhi, 2006

ocial movements, particularly those revolving local experience has shown. Politicians who take up cudgels around ecology, have forever been torn on behalf of conservation have earned the ire of locals who asunder due to the contentious relationship are denied access to natural resource.This denial translates between goals at the national level and local into loss of income, and finally loss of votes. concerns. This is hardly a problem specific to Himachal Pradesh has been identified to be having huge Secological movements, rather is more symptomatic of the potential for hydroelectricity. However, big dam projects are state of governance in India. Finally, it affects our met with a lot of local resistance. Not only is land acquired to democracy, which, after nearly 60 years Independence, is carry out construction and operation and access denied to still struggling to come to terms with itself. water and other resources, but also, inevitably, villagers do Natural resources have provided livelihood for not accrue the benefits of these projects. traditional and poorer communities for centuries. The book Even as various shades of conservationists, civil society Democratizing Nature takes a critical look at how these people groups, local communities, lower level bureaucracy, and the and their livelihoods are being affected, not only by large developmentalist state come to blows, financial and development projects, but also by hardliner conservationists. economic concerns creep in. The market for medicinal Taking the case of the GHNP (Great Himalayan National plants and timber being highly lucrative, these lobbies will Park) located in the Kullu region, the book unravels a hardly want to stop exploiting resources. However, if a deep complex thread of processes that have fed into commitment to ‘eco-development’ is not shown by the state, compounding a problem that is anyway quite complicated. funding from international agencies is in danger of being Taking the national context as its starting point, in which withdrawn. The scientific community has not been very conservation policy and practice have been played out, the helpful either. While scientific research may show that access book provides an overview of the development and by local populations do not cause as much damage as large conservation context for the state of Himachal Pradesh, projects, ideologically motivated scientists often try to push before describing the physical and human geography of the biased campaigns. GHNP and its surrounding valleys. The net effect is that the environment and the The authors take us back to the historical precedent that was underprivileged both suffer. The crux of the problemis that a set regarding arbitration of the rights of local communities to centralized environment policy has been imposed on specific forest produce—Anderson’s Settlement, a late 19th century local conditions, proving to be highly ineffective. document. There are curious parallels between the colonial Environmental protection has involved a violation of a document and the nature of rights granted by the modern fundamental principle of democracy, that is, democratic Indian state of the 20th century to local decentralization. It is not poor laws, but poor populace. implementation, corruption, vested interests, and lack of The book looks closely at the politics involved in the information that prevents informed decision-making. setting up of the GHNP. It was set up over a large area on the The authors outline the problem in a balanced manner, basis of a conservationist impulse, but was gradually looking at the issue from every possible angle, making it a demoted, both in area and status, to a wildlife sanctuary. The recommended read for environmentalists, researchers, rules of access to a national park, whether by locals to eke out policy-makers, and the lay reader. It points sharply to the a livelihood, or by the state to construct development scant research in the area, what is available may be specious, projects, are much stricter. The former are loath to give up and good research may not translate into effective policy. their customary and traditional rights of centuries in the The book provides readers with data, and captures a interest of conservation of endangered flora and fauna. The complicated dilemma in the environment versus state, in a misplaced zeal for development, is rodgering the development debate. They make an impassioned plea to ecology out of existence. Laws, particularly the Wildlife continue further research in the direction and come up with Protection Act, is liberally flouted to accommodate interests solutions that are practical both from the standpoint of of all kinds. development and sustainability. Now all that is left is for the Electoral politics has a large role to play in this drama, as authorities to sit up and take notice.

TerraGreen January–March 2007 59 >> Breakthroughs

Solar energy storms municipal sanitation have evolved into to a large gamut of uses. A little over Pakistan sophisticated machines that are ten years ago, scientists at the The world’s going green! Pakistan too preferred over conventional toilets. University of North Carolina set to is making an effort to hold fort in the In addition to potentially saving work, led by Joseph DeSimone, at global realization for ecological gallons of water through no-flush or applying the technology to carbon sustainability. They went one step extremely low-flush systems, compost dioxide, to produce supercritical ahead recently by allocating 450 toilets can provide nutrient rich carbon dioxide. million Pakistani rupees for a solar compost and even fertilizer for crops Supercritical carbon dioxide, as one energy project that would illuminate and other vegetation. Not that these website emphasizes, is not carbon 400 villages – 300 in Balochistan and toilets are any revolutionary new dioxide that goes around criticizing 100 in Sindh – in the country. technology. The Chinese have been everyone. In fact, it enables the The AEDB (Alternative Energy composting human waste for formation of polymers, or long chains Development Board) in collaboration centuries. Past as well as modern of small molecules. Polymers are with the TRDP (Thardeep Rural composting toilets work much like produced using CFCs Development Programme), a not-for- conventional flush toilets but use little (chlorofluorocarbons). CFCs scrape profit organization working out of or no water. away the ozone layer, exposing life on Tharparkar has illuminated Instead of sending the waste down earth to harmful rays of the sun. 109 houses in the Bharmal village the municipal waste streams, compost Supercritical carbon dioxide is a through solar energy. Each of these toilets store it in an on-site composting very powerful solvent, capable of households is able to use electricity for compartment to facilitate natural dissolving many substances, including four bulbs and one fan besides a solar aerobic decomposition, eventually polymers. But unlike the CFCs, cooker, which works only during the producing nutrient-rich compost. If supercritical carbon dioxide does not day harnessing the sun’s energy. used properly, the toilets are odourless destroy the ozone layer. In fact, it is Children in the village are studying and kill any waste-borne pathogens. obtained by extracting carbon dioxide even after sunset, a luxury they could Toilet designs range from the relatively from the air. After the polymers are not afford till only some years ago. simple do-it-yourself bucket or bin formed, and the solvent de-pressurized Bharmal was perennially short of systems to high-tech patented systems. and released into the air, one is only fuelwood due to drought conditions Typical low-flush toilets in the returning it into a gaseous state, not and each household was spending United States use six litres of water per burdening the atmosphere with more close to 700 Pakistani rupees on oil. flush. Thus, by switching to a no-flush carbon dioxide. Today every family in the village composting toilet, a person can save Although the technology has been contributes only 100 Pakistani rupees more than 8000 litres of water per year around for long, the real breakthrough towards the maintenance and assuming a flush rate of four times would lie in making it commercially operation of the solar project, with daily. This is a blessing, considering viable for widespread use, and convert manifold returns. The simple criterion the fact that, in the next 50 years, we it into an accepted practice. Given the for choosing a site for such an may not have the luxury of using clean fact that environmental degradation is ambitious project Is that the village water to flush away our waste. being taken seriously today, several must be at least 20 kilometres away The use of such compost toilets companies, especially those from the grid. might prove to be a boon for 1.1 manufacturing polymer-based These villages, located in the billion people – mostly in the products, have thought it worthwhile middle of the Thar Desert, are ideal developing world – who still do not to invest in exploring the potential of for a project of this kind. Every year, have access to safe drinking water and supercritical carbon dioxide and each square kilometre of desert some 2.6 million people the world over making it commercially viable. receives solar energy equivalent to who cannot access basic sanitation. Being a cleaner solvent, it can 1.5 barrels of oil. Multiply this with reduce costs associated with waste the expanses of the earth covered by Carbon dioxide helps the management and disposal, desert and it makes up for nearly although investing in the new thousand times the entire current planet go green technology might be a somewhat energy consumption of the world. If you think we deserved to head expensive deal. The EPA for the loony bin, read on. The messy (Environmental Protection Agency) gas held responsible for the ill health of the US is also backing the Flushing it clean! of the planet has a chance to redeem project, even as its own regulations Did you know that composting toilets itself. About a hundred years ago, become more stringent and harder could emerge as lifesavers for the scientists created something called to meet by companies. The entire earth? Predictions of rapid climate supercritical fluid. The term describes process has been quite carefully changes and resource shortages have fluids that border between liquid and termed ‘waste-avoidance’, sending brought the focus back to the efficacy gaseous states, having properties of off a strong signal that the of compost toilets. These toilets once both states of matter, under a technology is about smaller steps dismissed as only of use to ‘hippies’ particular level of pressure. rather than large radical leaps and and in areas without access to Subsequently, the technology was put false hopes.

60 TerraGreen January–March 2007 ou have adopted bright idea. Why not go hug the daily. In the Bible, trees denote cats and dogs. trees? So villagers, including lots longevity, strength, and pride. There were of women, went and hugged the Islam reserves immense times you trees like family members. When importance for trees, and brought back the axe-men came, they could cutting them without strong and spiders,Y lizards, cockroaches, not touch the trees. If they did, legitimate reason amounts to turtles, or crabs. Lots of fun, they would be killing people! encroaching on the bounties and yeah! But did you ever think of This movement came to be beauty created by Allah. Apart adopting a tree? Your very own called the Chipko Movement, from these religions, Ancient sweet little pet tree? Before you chipko meaning ‘to stick’ in Egyptian, Greek, and Celtic begin laughing, or wondering, Hindi. beliefs as well as Buddhism read ahead... Must have been a funny sight, accord great significance to There was this sports-goods loads of people stuck to trees like trees. company that, let me guess, Winnie the Pooh to honey pots. These were not foolish, probably wanted to make bats But, why were they going nuts superstitious people. Trees and hockey sticks out of wood, saving trees? Because trees are provide food in the form of somewhere in the 1970s. The important in more ways than fruits, leaves, nuts, and Indian government gave them one. In school, our science sometimes the sap. While the sap permission to cut trees in the teacher told us all about how the of a tree can be used for non- forests of what is now chlorophyll in the leaves, along edible purposes, like making Uttarakhand. The villagers did with sunlight and some water, rubber, oil is also extracted from >> not like the idea. They loved turns dirty air (read CO2) into their forests, and they knew it clean air (read O2) we breathe. could provide them with food With so much pollution today, and other things that they can we need more trees, not less. sell and earn a living. And they And cutting them down is a were farmers, so they wanted VERY BAD IDEA. to use bits of wood to make Trees were also considered ploughs. But, the government sacred. You might have seen said no, and then dashed off ladies tying sacred thread and let the big company around peepul trees. It was a continue logging. practice in some Hindu families When all protests fell on to plant a tulsi in the centre of deaf ears, someone had a really the courtyard and worship it >> certain trees. Tree products, when not used directly, are often used as processed foods or in them. In India, even the bark of the tree provides us with spices for everyday cooking, like cinnamon. Cattle graze in the undergrowth of trees. Trees are able to trap water within the soil, replenishing groundwater and preventing erosion. Large forests form what are known as ‘carbon sinks’—soaking in dirty air and giving back clean air. Some trees enrich the soil with nitrogen, which is beneficial for crops. And if they cannot do that, they do so when their leaves · Keep a scrapbook! Scrounge fall and turn into soil over time. through newspapers and look Trees have inspired art and out for stories that concern the architecture too! environment. And after your Do you really need more parents have read the paper, clip reason to see why our ancient and paste them in a scrapbook. elders worshipped them? But all · Classify the stories. What was it is not well today. We want to live about? Birds, pollution, water, a better, for which we need more heritage building, people dying resources, and inevitably in the due to disasters? It could be scheme of things, we end up anything, even health affected by cutting down more trees than we environment. Try and make can grow back. It may be a good heads for them and keep these idea to get all the things we want Did you know noted in a diary. now, but what happens when we an saves · Do this for a year. run out of trees, clean water, air, · At the end of the year, see how and fertile land? These are gy to run a TV for three · Recycling one aluminum c many stories you’ve notched up. important questions we must enough ener See how much the newspaper is rack our brains about. hours. ear-old tree and bothered about nature, and People are already doing it, · If you had a 15-y therefore, about you. and not in ones or twos, but in made it into paper grocery bags, · If they are bothered, write a letter thousands... Last year, in the you’d get aboutet could700 of use them. all of them to the editor praising the . state of Tamil Nadu, citizens, A supermark coverage. If they’re not, still write including lots of school children, in under an hour them a letter saying you’d like to eatures together planted a whopping · Plastic bags and other plastic see more stories than they’ve run. eight-lakh trees!!!! That is as garbage thrown into the ocean kill as good as recreating a forest. Now, many as 1 000 000 sea cr ould take if that ain’t fun, what is? So, every year . don’t you think it is a good idea · A modern glass bottle w’s in the landfill to adopt your very own tree? 4000 years or more to decomposey contain — Make sure it grows big and and even longer if it healthy, with your love and care. · In Peru, a single bush ma t it more ant species than in the British Maybe, you could even give your w on tree a nice name. And, when you Isles. do that, don’t forget to tell us A porcupine loves salt so much tha about it!!! would walk into a camp and. gna anything that has been touched by salt or even by perspiring hands ‘A wayof life that ever more rapidly depletes the power Quote of the earth to sustain it and piles up ever more insoluble problems for each suceeding generation can only be called violent.’

Ernst Friedrich Schumacher (1911–1977), German economist and pioneer of appropriate technology

e know we live in a very modern world, with every amenity. You go Wto school, there are cars and buses to pick you up and drop you back. When you study, you get onto the computer. When you want to spend leisure time, there are several After convincing your parents has changed the way I see the television channels to choose from. that you, their child, is in environment, other people, and Some of you may love chatting on completely safe hands, the myself.’ The mum and dads also had the telephone, playing video programme managers give you the good things to say. They felt that games, and watching movies.Life is options of joining their week- long the children came back a lot more beautiful. camps at several places away from confident. The safety rules at the But there’s something even your homes. The list includes places camps and the presence of a doctor prettier there, out in the woods. Far like Tirthan, Sitlakhet, and Coorg. also impressed them. away from the noisy bustle of the Bang in the middle of mountains, Wethinks it’s a great way to drop city, are mountains and rivers, right next to a roaring river is where into the lap of nature. Every hurdle deserts and jungles. As you read in the tents are pitched. Now the you cross – a river or a rock – not the school textbooks, it is this course begins, each camper has to only makes you confident, but also bounty of nature that provides choose one major course and a teaches one to respect nature. every chemical and every fibre, minor course. Before you start When you’re so close to this beauty, every atom and molecule, which we grumping, take a look at the so lovingly tended by it, you’ll learn put together to make everything courses. Major : rock climbing, to love it. And that’s when you’ll we use on a daily basis. Just try white water rafting, kayaking, learn how to keep Mother Earth picking up anything in your home, wilderness backpacking, ropes safe and happy. try breaking it down to where it course, outdoor survival and comes from, and it’ll take you back mountain biking. Minor – candle to nature. Yet, living away from making, bandana making, music these surroundings, we often miss and choreography, juggling, the stuff life is made of. magic, campus newspaper, How about reconnecting? I’m astronomy, photography, ecowalk sure there are several initiatives all and painting. Phew. across the country, but one that I iDiscoverers, as they call came to know of is a camp themselves, have wonderful things programme called Youreka! Run by to say. They love the sounds of idiscoveri, an education initiative nature, they love the fun, the tough that takes teaching beyond acts, the independence. Says classrooms, this is one camp where Adnan Vahanavaty, a young gun you aren’t likely to have it easy. who went to the camp, ‘iDiscoveri CROSSWORD

1 Which of the following sectors is the biggest contributor to greenhouse gas emissions in India? a) Transport b) Commercial c) Energy d) Domestic 2 Wetlands are very rich and diverse ecosystems. Of the wetlands of international importance, 45% are subject to moderate or high threat. Which convention signed in Iran protects this specific ecosystem on a global basis? a) The Vienna Convention b) The Ramsar Convention c) The Basel Convention ACROSS d) CITES (Convention on International Trade in

QUIZ WHIZ 1 ______foodstuff is best, pesticide-free way to healthy eating. (7) Endangered Species) 3 It grows extensively in India, especially in the north-east 2 We write on and waste a lot of ______everyday. (5) and is used mainly for making paper, furniture and 3 The huge variety of living beings on earth represents our ______12) household goods. Filament made from it was used 4 This pesticide used to kill mosquitoes was banned because it successfully by Thomas Alva Edison for the first light bulb. entered the food chain. ______. (3) Name it. 5 ______cars will be the clean cars of the future. (6) a) Cane b) Teak wood 6 Gaseous suspensions of fine solid or liquid particles that are a major c) Bamboo pollutant are called ______. (7) d) Sheesham 4 This man, through his cartoons, was the first to draw DOWN attention of the masses to animals, promoting feeling of love 1 The natural living spaces of plants and animals ______(7) and attachment towards them. Name him. a) K Shankar Pillai 2 The Tsunami was a natural ______. (8) b) Jim Davis 3 Energy drawn from speedy winds ______(4, 6) c) Walt Disney 4 A type of wetland with peat deposits, supports rich plant life ____.3) d) R K Laxman 5 Decomposition of organic material to form soil is called ______. (7) 5 Which among the following has the highest efficiency for production of electricity? a) Fuel cell b) Coal power plant c) Hydel power plant d) Inverter

Name ...... Address ...... Tel...... E-mail ...... QUIZ WHIZ LookingLooking BackBack toto changechange tracktrack

Ever wondered, What is the extent of environmental damage in India since Independence?

How many billions has the damage cost us?

What are the causes and what can be done to reverse the degradation?

More questions than answers! Looking back to change track renews the assessment of India’s management of the country’s key natural resources. The title explains that while in some cases irreparable loss to the environment has occurred, in others, there still remains time to halt, reverse, and minimize the damage.

Released by Prof Amartya Sen in Bangalore, the book was presented to Mr Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Deputy Chairman of Planning Commission, at the launch of India Council of Sustainable Development in January 2007.

p The title assesses the damage and offers remedial Year: 2007 action on the following sectors: 20.5 x 25 cm; 147p Hardback Air ISBN: 81-7993-104-8 Water Cover price: Rs 650.00 / US $50.00 Solid Waste Management Forests Biodiversity

A must have for all policy-makers and policy changers alike, the set of three publications also articulates the urgency to initiate change before it is too late to change track.

GREEN (Growth with Resource Enhancement of Environment and Energy) India 2047 is one of TERI’s most ambitious projects. Initiated to address India’s energy and environmental issues, it seeks to conceptualize a green and sustainable future in the next fifty years, after studying the policies and programmes that shaped its first fifty years of independence.

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