http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Uttarakhand/Power-that-ruined-Uttarakhand/Article1-1086078.aspx The casual and indiscriminate approach of the expert appraisal committee of the ministry of environment and forest has come under intense criticism after the Uttarakhand floods.
A group of 51 environmentalists, scientists, academics and activists across 15 states — six of them from Uttarakhand — wrote to the ministry requesting that none of the present 14 members of its committee be re-nominated. The committee’s term is over.
“The current panel has had almost zero-rejection rate for the projects it considered during its six years, ending December 2012… Secondly, the committee has been at best inconsistent in applying basic parameters of environment impact assessment, and has been sanctioning projects that have been rejected by other government bodies without providing any reasonable case,” stated the letter, dated June 29.
The 14-member panel has given clearance to 262 river valley projects in six years till December 2012, many of them without “applying its mind” to critically appraise the projects and without undertaking a cumulative impact assessment of a horde of hydropower projects in a river basin, said the letter.
Only two projects were temporarily rejected till their proponents changed some parameters to obtain final environmental clearance. A ministry spokesperson declined to comment on the letter.
The letter has been signed by, among others, noted environmentalists Vandana
Shiva and Bittu Sehgal, former secretaries of government of India Ramaswamy Iyer and EAS Sarma, lawyer and activist Prashant Bhushan, professor emeritus of Jawaharlal Nehru University Amit Bhaduri and Himanshu Thakkar representing South Asia Network of Dams, Rivers and People, and over 30 individuals/organisations associated with rivers and dams studies. Bharat Jhunjhunwala, former IIM professor now based in Tehri, leads the organisations from the flood-ravaged Uttarakhand that endorsed the letter.
The panel is chaired by technocrat Rakesh Nath with BB Barman of the MoEF as member-secretary. Nath was chairperson of the Central Electricity Authority. Vice-chairman BP Das is a former engineer. “Both have zero track record on environment or climate or societal issues,” said Thakkar. Before Nath, it was chaired by P Abraham against whom several environmentalists and organisations had petitioned the ministry because he was associated with hydropower project companies. “It was a direct conflict of interest,” they pointed out.
In the context of Uttarakhand, the signatories stated, “It was shocking to see the panel recommending final environmental clearance for the 108MW Jelam-Tamak hydropower project in Chamoli district in Alaknanda basin… in spite of two government-appointed studies recommending that the project shouldn’t be cleared.”
A separate analysis by environmentalists has shown how the panel was not bothered that “the environment impact assessment reports of projects that come to it are shoddy, dishonest jobs”, was not concerned about the lack of “credible public consultation process or serious anomalies in public hearing processes”. The panel, the analysis added, had not sought a cumulative impact assessment even when a large number of bumper to bumper hydropower projects were proposed on several rivers.
The signatories have demanded that the ministry evolve a code of conduct for the panel members, that “they should be held accountable for their actions” and they “should read the environment impact reports and send it written comments”.
Why only blame government for a disaster when people too are responsible?
http://www.dnaindia.com/analysis/1856236/column-why-only-blame-government-for-a-disaster-when-people-too-are-responsible Society and government react to sudden disasters but not to slow disasters. A flash flood or a an earthquake is a sudden disaster
As Indians we care about the immediate and not the important. All our focus is on resolving the immediate crisis facing us. We don’t worry too much about the important issues that could prevent long-term crises. Perhaps, this is key reason why we lurch from disaster to disaster. Whether it is collapsing homes in Mumbai or flash floods in Uttarakhand.
Society and government react to sudden disasters but not to slow disasters. A flash flood or a an earthquake is a sudden disaster. Everybody reacts even though none is adequately prepared for it. The natural reaction is to blame it on nature or big business or lax government. Few think about individual responsibilities that we as citizens bear.
Thus slow disasters are ignored. Ground water pollution, cheap construction quality, overdevelopment in natural spots. But these environmental issues rarely grab our attention.
The Uttarakhand tragedy is a grim reminder that managing and protecting the environment is not about big projects alone. Protecting the environment requires a constant sensitivity to the needs of the local ecosystem in everything we do.
Every personal and institutional action has an environmental impact. Do we pause to consider this in our daily lives or do we just leave the regulation to some nameless officers in a distant department?
From saving and harvesting water in our homes to reusing paper and other materials at office. Everything is about protecting the environment. All these small acts add up to either improve or worsen the ecosystem.
In Uttarakhand, there has been scant regard for construction laws. There is a big debate over the need for big dams in a seismic zone. The Himalayas are young mountains that can’t
bear the weight of development like the Alps can.
Did the local authorities keep this in mind while allowing homes, hotels and shops to be built? Why didn’t they push back when there was pressure to build beyond the prescribed limits.
Each town and city should strengthen the process of assessing its immediate environment. What it can support and what it can’t. All development activity must flow from this plan. State governments, local bodies must shoulder the burden of protecting the environment even as they allow development to continue.
An important part of managing environment is education. Consumers, citizens, builders and officers must be equally aware of the responsibility that they have. For this, a process of constantly educating people about the importance of protecting the environment is needed. We protect the environment by taking hundreds of positive steps. This must be as much a social message as cultural and environmental. Sadly, few people practice what they preach.
Bhutan is a good example of an entire society working together to protect its environment. Its people take care not to pollute. The government restricts the inflow of tourists and holds a tight grip over construction activity. Not just environmental, even the sensitivity of cultural heritage drives development. Builders have to abide by strict rules on how structures will be designed and constructed.
There is no reason why local political and community leaders can’t enforce such rules in India. Enough power and authority rests with local bodies to be sensitive to the environment.
Unfortunately, these bodies are either bullied, undermined or remain incapable of such enforcement. The citizens don’t seem to care too. They would rather build an awkward, dangerous structure in a prime location for personal benefit and risk their lives by breaking rules.
Unless this attitude is fought with tough regulation, the urgent will always overshadow the important.
The author tracks India’s political economy and its engagement with the world.
Bangalore: Siddaramaiah says no to felicitations, favour-seekers
Daijiworld Media Network - Bangalore
Bangalore, Jul 2: “Henceforth, no one should felicitate chief minister Siddaramaiah during any meeting or function.”The above statement was made by the chief minister himself who asked people not to organize felicitation functions for him. He also expressed his anger at those people who seek undue favours from him.This was conveyed on Monday July 1 at his residence when the CM was listening to people’s problems. During this time, a few leaders came to his residence to honour him and this was refused by the chief minister.
“Do not honour me with a garland or ‘peta’ as I do not like it and I request people not to repeat it henceforth. Falling on my feet does not look good, instead talk to me about your problem and if it is genuine, we will solve it,” he said.“We are appointed mainly to solve your problems. Hence, no one should go to the extent of falling on my feet,” said Siddaramaiah. Many people had come to the minister seeking favours. In reply to them, the chief minister said that he will respond to all their problems after the budget.
Few readers comments appeared in the daijiworold for the above article
Roshan, Abu Dhabi, Wednesday, July 03, 2013
Sriman Siddaramaih is a simple and honest & Experienced politician of this state. All the best Mr. CM you go ahead with pro-people policies and give administration to this state. Jai Ho
Nawaz Ismail Moolur, Al Jubail, Wednesday, July 03, 2013
Fully appreciated..."We are appointed mainly to solve your problem Hence, no one should go to the extent of falling on my feet" This statement was given by CM was wonderful..this is showing his respect.. One of the good Chief Minister we can see now a days....Keep it up your words and also we are expecting to solve all the problems in Karnataka asap
Mohandas Talwar, Mangalore, Wednesday, July 03, 2013
Do not honour me with a garland or ‘peta’ as I do not like it This statement should be highly appreciated for no CM be it Congress or BJP has ever expressed this many top leaders love people garlanding and falling to their feet hats off to sri siddaramaiah he is the first leader to express this.
Aam Admi, Mumbai, Wednesday, July 03, 2013
The well to do rich man likes poor people fall or tough their feet and feel great and bread crumb thrown at them should be stopped.In some cases politicians arrange this to show the greatness.This inherited system of falling on feet is very bad in taste .Touching ones own mother or elders in their houses is fine to revere not in public.
Mahalaxmi, Mangalore, Wednesday, July 03, 2013
After Winning the Congress now poor people is become a more poor.... Poor People BPL ration Card is going become a APL card because of if their electricity bill is more then 450/-. Very Very bad rules are putting up...... This rules have to beome change : BPL card people have to get BPL card only & APL people have to get APL card only . In this between they do not put any rules and regulations...............
achidanand Shetty, Mundkur/Dubai, Wednesday, July 03, 2013
Finally Siddu woke up from long sleep after winning the election. Touching the feet customs started during Bal Thackeray regime even on the stage where he supposed to hold public meeting and spread across India by all other people too. Dear Sidduji, first time I appreciate something that you tried to stop fake felicitation customs which may otherwise continue for one year after the election winning. One more thing we have to learn from garland ceremony that “Once we get any garland around your neck means you are supposed to be mulled during special occasion which is sure” .
J.F.D'SOUZA, ATTAVAR,MANGALORE, Wednesday, July 03, 2013
Hats off to CM Siddu. This is an exemplary decision taken by the CM who has become the role-model to all the other Ministers who are wasting their valuable time by attending such felicitation and honouring functions. Instead let them spend this time for other good public works. Let the Other Ministers and MLAs follow this system.
