DNA, August 11 carries an interview of Dr Asad Rahmani, Director, BNHS
Question 1, which pertains the issue of the Navi Mumbai Airport, which has raised grave environmental concerns:
The answer:
"Mumbai needs a new airport urgently as our old airport’s infrastructure has been stretched to the limit. There are several factors which are to be taken into account while allotting a plot for this purpose, such as closer distance, good road connect and infrastructure, etc. While we are not against development of infrastructure, we are concerned about the damage caused to the environment in the process of development."
And here comes the clincher:
I quote, "The stretches of wetlands which will be destroyed in the process of constructing the airport will have to be replaced elsewhere. BNHS will appeal to the government that ten times the amount of ecology destroyed should be replaced. There are several areas where wetlands could be planted anew."
My questions are:
a)So is Dr Asad Rahmani giving the nod to the airport?
b)Can ecology destroyed be replaced? wetlands replaced?
c)and would this view compromise the outcome of the BNHS report on the impact of the Navi Mumbai airport?
d) Is this the position of the BNHS?
I would like to know how does one replace ecology that is destroyed? Like its some toy or TV that has been tinkered with and destroyed by a child? And never mind if it is, we will simply replace it with ten others!!
This, coming from our premiere scientific institution?
Most of us are aware of the immense battle to help protect the mangroves, and the fragile ecology of the area which the Navi Mumbai airport will destroy.
The MEF, Jairam Ramesh has taken a very strong position on this issue, going against his own colleagues and in the face of much opposition.
It may be pointed out that the CRZ rules were changed --and by the highest office-to accommodate this airport.
The biggest concern is: BNHS has been mandated with the task of preparing a report on the ecological impact of the Navi Mumbai airport, which will be a decisive factor.
Prerna Singh Bindra
3 comments:
Not all that shocking... this isn't the first time that a credible scientist/institution has compromised ethics/values/facts to bend under state pressure. We saw it happening not so long ago in a neutrino observatory project that had been proposed in prime elephant country in the Nilgiris. Truly saddening.
Talking about 'replacing' wetlands and forests, it is a ridiculous line of thought. Even more ridiculously, its government policy in India! Its sickening to hear governments/industries/mining companies, etc promising to plant 'ten trees to replace every tree we fell...' what they don't tell us is that the trees they're felling are part of virgin natural habitat that has taken millions of years to evolve into its current state and holds incalculable flora, fauna and geological richness that can never be 'compensated' or 'replaced' by some teak or eucalyptus plantation in some government school compound.
I agree with you entirely. Natural wetlands and forests cannot be replicated by man, and this talk of "creating new ones" is only a convenient excuse to continue with the destruction.
Still, perhaps some good can come out of it. Rather than "creating new wetlands", perhaps the investors in this and similar damaging projects (such as hydel dams), should be forced to buy agricultural and degraded land adjacent to protected areas and allow it to reverse back into natural state. In this way, key wildlife corridors, such as those around Kaziranga, could be secured, and protected areas connected.
well, all i can say is that at least the airport issue is becoming an 'issue' now! all these years, no one was even the least bit concerned about where the new airport would be coming up!
that mumbai needs a airport needs no debate is certain, but equally certain is the fact that if the mangroves disappear at this alarming rate, it wont be long before Bombay disappears too... it is, after all, an island already balanced precariously with all the legal and illegal constructions... its only the mangroves which are still managing to hold on tenuously... and the city with them... we already see so much of flooding thanks to all the plastic we discard... imagine what will happen if the mangroves go and buildings come up! where will the water go? its certainly not going to evaporate!
i was actually happy that bnhs had been given the task of making the report, but now, reading the comments of Mr Rahmani, am wondering what is going to happen to the city i love!
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