The Aravalli mountain range, one of the world’s oldest ranges, once replete with groves and wildlife, is facing threat due to mining and illegal building activities. To save the fragile ecosystem of the region, following the Supreme Court-appointed Central Empowered Committee’s proposal in January 2009, the Supreme Court proposed a ban on mining altogether in the area except in some patches. The ban was proposed on the premise that the hills have been dynamited, quarried and flattened irretrievably.
The Kudremukh Iron Ore mines in Kudremukh, Karnataka was ordered to be closed in January 2006 by the Supreme Court. The premise leading to its closure was that it comes within the periphery of a National Park in the Western Ghats and one of eighteen bio-diverse hotspots in the country. Ironically, the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited, India’s largest mining and pelletisation complex, a PSU established in 1976 has not only been one of the few sustained, profit-making PSUs in the country, but has carried out each of its operations in the most eco-friendly manner, with no concrete evidence of having wrought damage to its surrounds.
While a city like Bangalore is hurtling down the path of progress, this is extracting a huge cost on the city’s past. The first phase of the Bengaluru Namma Metro work is in full swing and will hopefully be completed by the end of next year. In the name of development and public convenience, the axe certainly seems to have fallen on the ‘green’ RV road, running along Bengaluru’s landmark Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, where significant numbers of trees have been felled to make way for the metro project.
The building of the Commonwealth Games Village on the Yamuna riverbed and groundwater recharge area has been another sore point with environmentalists, and rightly so. The scene is no different in India’s most sacred river, the Ganges, the cleaning of which seems to have failed even before it took off. The ghats of Varanasi leave much to be desired in terms of cleanliness.
Humungous piles of open garbage lie about streets, landfills, canals, rivers and other waterways. They are a virtual time bomb that threaten residents of dwellings in and around them who suffer maladies that could well be avoided, prevented in the first place. Yet, these mounds are only increasing by the day without respite. Even Mount Everest has not been spared of litter, making it the world’s highest junkyard!
For instance, whether its is JJ (J Jayalalitha) or KK (KKarunanidhi) who holds the reins in Tamil Nadu, the common man continues to dwell in the midst of DDs (Dirty Dumpyards)! This is the abysmal state of affairs in every Indian state. Forget that the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Modern World Wonders is losing sheen and is becoming sooty, thanks to polluted air from its surrounds. Even the roads of Agra that take tourists in teeming millions to the landmark monument are certainly not flattering. One can barely roll down the windows of an automobile while traveling on these roads, courtesy the abounding stench and squalor of the environs. The situation is similar in many of the deemed Heritage Sites that attract hundreds of thousands of tourists-Indians and foreigners.
Each year, humans dump over 8 billion metric tonnes of carbon (6.5 billion metric tones from fossil fuels and 1.5 billion from deforestation) into the Earth’s atmosphere. Practically every human activity, whether it is switching on a light, adjusting the thermostat, turning on the ignition in a vehicle, activating your PCs, or doing just about anything, you add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. The non-renewable energy sources-coal, oil and natural gas that power world economies, all contain carbon that finally find their way into the atmosphere.
The emissions are further increased when forests are burned to make way for dwellings, particularly in the developing countries. Since the industrial revolution, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere has risen by 30 per cent. If the Earth’s atmosphere is to be stabilized, world carbon emission needs to be reduced by about 60 per cent.
The packaging industry is one of the leading polluters, giving rise to the problem in almost all its stages-production, transportation and disposal. This is most so in the case of disposable plastics. The packaging industry accounts for over 42 per cent of total plastic consumed in the world and this figure is expected to see a six-fold increase by 2030. And India is one of the prime users of plastics.
Over 60 million tones of polythene bags worldwide are produced annually, a million of them being used every minute. Not only are these made from non-renewable petrochemicals, but they are also non-biodegradable, releasing harmful chemicals into the soil and water.
It is believed that a single grocery-size paper bag can hold four times the items held by a plastic bag, and is also non-polluting in that it is biodegradable. Yet we continue to shop in plastic bags!
Yet again in the area of Tourism, there seems to be a trade off between the tourist economy and the ecosystem, in favour of the former. According to a certain study, 1000 miles of air travel per month results in 5.82 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission into the atmosphere, annually. Why not use the alternate mode of travel by train wherever possible when the emissions from rail are far less? In the name of saving time, and therefore money, air travel is preferred, notwithstanding the greater cost in terms of environmental damage and its consequences.
In the name of fashion and status symbol, leather wares continue to the produced and consumed. Silk sarees and artifacts of animal origin continue to be bought and sold.
Climate change, environmental degradation and human health, are all inextricably linked. Yet, health issues receive scant attention in inter-governmental agendas and meetings. The fact that protecting health from climate change is integral to the welfare and well being of the nation appears lost on policy makers.
Huge city-street junkyards as mentioned earlier, an open invitation to breeding insects that spread a host of diseases, is just one example that bears testimony to this fact.
While Moon and other missions certainly deserve their place in the scheme of governance, why do we strive to jump to university level studies when we have barely master school! While the 60 plus years since independence may have witnessed a number of malls, multiplexes and a booming market for electronic goods, a large section of our people still suffer from lack of basic amenities like safe, potable water, primary health care and food shortage. Even urban India is reeling under this problem.
These are only a few examples that reveal the glaring lacunae we observe in relation to our ecological and environmental well being. Besides the few cited instances, there are several areas of action or inaction that potentially jeopardize our ecosystem and environment.
But the crux of the matter is our apathy to some and over-reaction to others! Why the nebulous rules and regulations governing environmental issues. We talk of tackling global warming when we have ill-attended the problem at the national level, at the basic levels. So much so, that there is barely any awareness of the issue even amongst the educated.
If the powers that be are genuinely interested in tackling global warming and the environmental deterioration head on, they require to be more realistic and balanced in their approach, more fair in perceiving and taking to task the real mischief mongers than closing mines like the Kudremukh Iron Ore Mines and thereby failing to capitalize on the country’s natural resources, putting them to good use.
Getting to the hard core of the facts, except for oil, is there a single mineral that is available on barren land? Be it coal, bauxite or iron ore, they are all located in forest regions, below mountains or rivers. For instance, the iron ore mines of South Africa exist amidst the dense forests and the Amazon River. But is mining not happening there?
Consider the case of Australia: citing ecological and environmental damage, their mines were getting closed one by one. However, the government and judiciary there woke up in time to realize that this approach was inimical to their economic well being, they made appropriate amendment to the legislature that allowed mining operations to be resumed, provided the vegetation in the regions was replaced 100 per cent. Further, so as not to harm the surrounding ecosystem, a corridor for the animals to move around, was established in the forest regions.
Yet again, these are just a couple of global examples where environment-friendly mining practices were made compulsory, so as to include mining as a productive economic activity from which the nations would benefit, optimizing the use of the natural resources, in the interests of the welfare of their people.
In the case of plastic, a policy similar to the one adopted by China, may be initiated in India. A little over a year ago, a nationwide ban on ultra thin plastic bags was enforced by the government in China. This has yielded significant results in the country. The measure had saved 40 million plastic bags, 3 million tones of crude oil used in the production of the plastic bags, and above all, cut carbon dioxide emissions by almost 9.6 million tones during a period of 12 months. Though this is a drop in the ocean, given the magnitude of the problem, nevertheless it has been a committed and concerted effort.
Is it difficult for India to introduce similar bans, and more importantly, implement them with strict monitoring? Can we not mobilize to good effect a chunk of our huge population to honestly supervise the implementation of initiatives we introduce on various fronts? It is the lack of commitment and political will, more than dearth of resources or any other factor that is at root of our healthy growth and development at a desirable pace.
Environmentalists are no doubt right in championing the cause of people suffering the consequences of mining and other operations, if indeed these activities are proved illegal, or conclusively established as jeopardizing the people in the surrounds or the environment itself. But it would be well worth their efforts if environmentalists, animal activists and well-meaning leaders focus their efforts on more pressing, more basic issues of well being that affects the larger sections of people.
If India is serious about the business of saving environmental degradation within its borders, it is high time it begins to urgently complete its school home work instead of pole-vaulting to college and university level stuff, and responding to environmental issues as a passing fad, the “in-thing” in the present times! Looking at the scenario in totality, one wonders if we are in the throes of environmental imperialism!
Any degradation to the environment that leads to its destruction through pollutions of rivers and lakes, for instance, cutting down of forests and illegal mining, are all violation of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA). In a recent move, the Centre has proposed the creation of a National Green Tribunal, in order to deal with the thousands of environmental cases in various courts all over the country, to adjudicate cases related to the violation of the EPA. It is only hoped that the issues will be considered on a fair and square basis, and above all, realistically. It is not as if the economics of projects and operations are diametrically opposed to environmental and ecological interests.
An equilibrium between the two can most certainly be struck provided the powers that be do not get carried away, vested interests are not allowed to dominate and well-meaning champions of causes are not overtly swayed in perceiving cases on the basis of individual merits.
The Kudremukh Iron Ore mines in Kudremukh, Karnataka was ordered to be closed in January 2006 by the Supreme Court. The premise leading to its closure was that it comes within the periphery of a National Park in the Western Ghats and one of eighteen bio-diverse hotspots in the country. Ironically, the Kudremukh Iron Ore Company Limited, India’s largest mining and pelletisation complex, a PSU established in 1976 has not only been one of the few sustained, profit-making PSUs in the country, but has carried out each of its operations in the most eco-friendly manner, with no concrete evidence of having wrought damage to its surrounds.
While a city like Bangalore is hurtling down the path of progress, this is extracting a huge cost on the city’s past. The first phase of the Bengaluru Namma Metro work is in full swing and will hopefully be completed by the end of next year. In the name of development and public convenience, the axe certainly seems to have fallen on the ‘green’ RV road, running along Bengaluru’s landmark Lalbagh Botanical Gardens, where significant numbers of trees have been felled to make way for the metro project.
The building of the Commonwealth Games Village on the Yamuna riverbed and groundwater recharge area has been another sore point with environmentalists, and rightly so. The scene is no different in India’s most sacred river, the Ganges, the cleaning of which seems to have failed even before it took off. The ghats of Varanasi leave much to be desired in terms of cleanliness.
Humungous piles of open garbage lie about streets, landfills, canals, rivers and other waterways. They are a virtual time bomb that threaten residents of dwellings in and around them who suffer maladies that could well be avoided, prevented in the first place. Yet, these mounds are only increasing by the day without respite. Even Mount Everest has not been spared of litter, making it the world’s highest junkyard!
For instance, whether its is JJ (J Jayalalitha) or KK (KKarunanidhi) who holds the reins in Tamil Nadu, the common man continues to dwell in the midst of DDs (Dirty Dumpyards)! This is the abysmal state of affairs in every Indian state. Forget that the Taj Mahal, one of the Seven Modern World Wonders is losing sheen and is becoming sooty, thanks to polluted air from its surrounds. Even the roads of Agra that take tourists in teeming millions to the landmark monument are certainly not flattering. One can barely roll down the windows of an automobile while traveling on these roads, courtesy the abounding stench and squalor of the environs. The situation is similar in many of the deemed Heritage Sites that attract hundreds of thousands of tourists-Indians and foreigners.
Each year, humans dump over 8 billion metric tonnes of carbon (6.5 billion metric tones from fossil fuels and 1.5 billion from deforestation) into the Earth’s atmosphere. Practically every human activity, whether it is switching on a light, adjusting the thermostat, turning on the ignition in a vehicle, activating your PCs, or doing just about anything, you add carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. The non-renewable energy sources-coal, oil and natural gas that power world economies, all contain carbon that finally find their way into the atmosphere.
The emissions are further increased when forests are burned to make way for dwellings, particularly in the developing countries. Since the industrial revolution, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the Earth’s atmosphere has risen by 30 per cent. If the Earth’s atmosphere is to be stabilized, world carbon emission needs to be reduced by about 60 per cent.
The packaging industry is one of the leading polluters, giving rise to the problem in almost all its stages-production, transportation and disposal. This is most so in the case of disposable plastics. The packaging industry accounts for over 42 per cent of total plastic consumed in the world and this figure is expected to see a six-fold increase by 2030. And India is one of the prime users of plastics.
Over 60 million tones of polythene bags worldwide are produced annually, a million of them being used every minute. Not only are these made from non-renewable petrochemicals, but they are also non-biodegradable, releasing harmful chemicals into the soil and water.
It is believed that a single grocery-size paper bag can hold four times the items held by a plastic bag, and is also non-polluting in that it is biodegradable. Yet we continue to shop in plastic bags!
Yet again in the area of Tourism, there seems to be a trade off between the tourist economy and the ecosystem, in favour of the former. According to a certain study, 1000 miles of air travel per month results in 5.82 tonnes of carbon dioxide emission into the atmosphere, annually. Why not use the alternate mode of travel by train wherever possible when the emissions from rail are far less? In the name of saving time, and therefore money, air travel is preferred, notwithstanding the greater cost in terms of environmental damage and its consequences.
In the name of fashion and status symbol, leather wares continue to the produced and consumed. Silk sarees and artifacts of animal origin continue to be bought and sold.
Climate change, environmental degradation and human health, are all inextricably linked. Yet, health issues receive scant attention in inter-governmental agendas and meetings. The fact that protecting health from climate change is integral to the welfare and well being of the nation appears lost on policy makers.
Huge city-street junkyards as mentioned earlier, an open invitation to breeding insects that spread a host of diseases, is just one example that bears testimony to this fact.
While Moon and other missions certainly deserve their place in the scheme of governance, why do we strive to jump to university level studies when we have barely master school! While the 60 plus years since independence may have witnessed a number of malls, multiplexes and a booming market for electronic goods, a large section of our people still suffer from lack of basic amenities like safe, potable water, primary health care and food shortage. Even urban India is reeling under this problem.
These are only a few examples that reveal the glaring lacunae we observe in relation to our ecological and environmental well being. Besides the few cited instances, there are several areas of action or inaction that potentially jeopardize our ecosystem and environment.
But the crux of the matter is our apathy to some and over-reaction to others! Why the nebulous rules and regulations governing environmental issues. We talk of tackling global warming when we have ill-attended the problem at the national level, at the basic levels. So much so, that there is barely any awareness of the issue even amongst the educated.
If the powers that be are genuinely interested in tackling global warming and the environmental deterioration head on, they require to be more realistic and balanced in their approach, more fair in perceiving and taking to task the real mischief mongers than closing mines like the Kudremukh Iron Ore Mines and thereby failing to capitalize on the country’s natural resources, putting them to good use.
Getting to the hard core of the facts, except for oil, is there a single mineral that is available on barren land? Be it coal, bauxite or iron ore, they are all located in forest regions, below mountains or rivers. For instance, the iron ore mines of South Africa exist amidst the dense forests and the Amazon River. But is mining not happening there?
Consider the case of Australia: citing ecological and environmental damage, their mines were getting closed one by one. However, the government and judiciary there woke up in time to realize that this approach was inimical to their economic well being, they made appropriate amendment to the legislature that allowed mining operations to be resumed, provided the vegetation in the regions was replaced 100 per cent. Further, so as not to harm the surrounding ecosystem, a corridor for the animals to move around, was established in the forest regions.
Yet again, these are just a couple of global examples where environment-friendly mining practices were made compulsory, so as to include mining as a productive economic activity from which the nations would benefit, optimizing the use of the natural resources, in the interests of the welfare of their people.
In the case of plastic, a policy similar to the one adopted by China, may be initiated in India. A little over a year ago, a nationwide ban on ultra thin plastic bags was enforced by the government in China. This has yielded significant results in the country. The measure had saved 40 million plastic bags, 3 million tones of crude oil used in the production of the plastic bags, and above all, cut carbon dioxide emissions by almost 9.6 million tones during a period of 12 months. Though this is a drop in the ocean, given the magnitude of the problem, nevertheless it has been a committed and concerted effort.
Is it difficult for India to introduce similar bans, and more importantly, implement them with strict monitoring? Can we not mobilize to good effect a chunk of our huge population to honestly supervise the implementation of initiatives we introduce on various fronts? It is the lack of commitment and political will, more than dearth of resources or any other factor that is at root of our healthy growth and development at a desirable pace.
Environmentalists are no doubt right in championing the cause of people suffering the consequences of mining and other operations, if indeed these activities are proved illegal, or conclusively established as jeopardizing the people in the surrounds or the environment itself. But it would be well worth their efforts if environmentalists, animal activists and well-meaning leaders focus their efforts on more pressing, more basic issues of well being that affects the larger sections of people.
If India is serious about the business of saving environmental degradation within its borders, it is high time it begins to urgently complete its school home work instead of pole-vaulting to college and university level stuff, and responding to environmental issues as a passing fad, the “in-thing” in the present times! Looking at the scenario in totality, one wonders if we are in the throes of environmental imperialism!
Any degradation to the environment that leads to its destruction through pollutions of rivers and lakes, for instance, cutting down of forests and illegal mining, are all violation of the Environmental Protection Act (EPA). In a recent move, the Centre has proposed the creation of a National Green Tribunal, in order to deal with the thousands of environmental cases in various courts all over the country, to adjudicate cases related to the violation of the EPA. It is only hoped that the issues will be considered on a fair and square basis, and above all, realistically. It is not as if the economics of projects and operations are diametrically opposed to environmental and ecological interests.
An equilibrium between the two can most certainly be struck provided the powers that be do not get carried away, vested interests are not allowed to dominate and well-meaning champions of causes are not overtly swayed in perceiving cases on the basis of individual merits.
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