Spread before me is a grassland—a seemingly unending sea of golden grasses gently swaying in the wind, looking not unlike waves rising and falling to the rhythm of the wind. Out of this azure landscape, something, a bird, shoots straight up in the air some two metres high, but before I can catch and ‘paint’ the picture in my mind’s eye, it’s gone…then, a few furlong ahead, another one emerges, leaps, a hen-sized bird--shimmering black body, silvery white wings, that open to reveal dazzling colour. It’s the critically endangered lesser florican heroically, tirelessly performing its mating ritual. Every few minutes the birds’ burst into the horizon, not unlike tightly coiled springs, suddenly released, displaying their fine plumage in a flurry of wing beats. It’s hard work, I catch one repeating the exercise no less than seven times over 11 minutes before he slows down a bit, I imagine, to catch its breath, and mutter obscenities at the fickleness of women. He may do this yo-yo routine upto 500 times a day, whatever it takes to win the bride. The mate in question appears indifferent, preoccupied with worms, insects and other such delicacies. I am, however, enchanted at the grand display. So riveted, in fact, that I almost miss another grand drama—a predator stalking its prey. An Indian grey wolf, no, three wolves in swift pursuit of blackbucks, who take wing, ethereal in their flight. Blackbucks are the fastest long distance runners, and the antelope in motion cannot be said to be running, so fluid, so smooth is the movement, as they glide, fly over the grassland. They wolf and the blackbuck—actors in this melodrama of the wild—disappear, far beyond the eye can see, and it is only later that I learn that a fawn did not live to see the day.
Three critically endangered species, endemic to the Indian subcontinent seen in the space of an hour, all contained within 34 sq km of Velavadar National Park, just about three hours drive from Ahmedabad. Velavadar is a gem. It is the Montagu's Harriers' largest roosting ground in the world, and also hosts the grey Pale Harrier and the Marsh Harrier. I spotted, on the same day, no less than 3,000 common cranes, sarus cranes, the houbara bustard, lesser flamingoes, hyena, jungle cat. It must be mentioned too that in 2007, the Great Indian Bustard, which stands at extinction’s door with barely 500 remaining in the wild, was sighted in the park.
There is little doubt that Velavadar has incredible biodiversity value, and merits the strictest protection. Though it’s a national park, the powers that be have shown scant regard with disastrous development projects planned in the immediate vicinity of the park. Poachers kill swiftly, insidious development projects do the job in a more subtle manner and come guised in a benevolent cloak, with the blessings of the government.
The first blow to the park is from the expansion, the fourlaning of the state highway that cuts through the park. A note by the Assistant Conservator of Forests explains that “this grassland ecosystem provides natural historical perspective of the region, and on the other it harbours rare and endangered biota’ He has clearly stated that road will cause further disturbance, more accidents—the toll is already heavy with blackbucks, jungle cats and wolves being killed this year.
A graver threat—a senior forest officer called it a “death knell’ for the park is the mega-development plan in the Bhal-as this region is called locally. A Special Economic Investment region is coming up bordering the park, and the land proposed to be acquired includes villages Bavaryali, Adhelai and Kanatalav are part of the proposed eco-sensitive zone. Though there is a Supreme Court order in 2002 for notification for the Eco-sensitive zone, the government is yet to do so, no doubt to facilitate industries and projects within such zones. The investment region will bring about ancillary development—already on the proposed list is an airport, port and a thermal power plant.
The impact will be disastrous.
According to scientific surveys, most of the lesser floricans nest in the adjoining wastelands, grazing lands and fields, the harriers feed outside the park too-on locusts, insects and other pests, and thus are of huge benefit to the farmers. The Bhal region is one of the few last stronghold of the wolves. This region is also known for organic farming of cotton and an indigenous variety of wheat-chasiya.
Cheetahs once raced over these grasslands. No longer, the fastest animal on earth, is extinct. Now, it appears, the other wild creatures of Bhal may follow suit…
In The Sunday Guardian, Aug 29, 2010
@prerna singh bindra
Sunday, August 29, 2010
Thursday, August 19, 2010
Replacing ecology?
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
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
Saturday, August 14, 2010
So, why can't we save the tiger?
At a recent ‘tiger talk’ that I gave at a school I was questioned by a little girl of about ten: So why can’t we save the tiger? Don’t we care? Why then, is it our national animal? Out of the mouth of babes… I don’t know what I mumbled in reply, but that night two weeks ago, I couldn’t sleep, and somewhere way past midnight, I jotted down why I think the tiger—and other wildlife—continues to be in this precarious position inspite of all the ado about tiger conservation. Here it is, ad verbatim:
Because—and this I consider is our biggest error--we do neither recognise nor understand how crucial forests are, that saving the tiger is about saving the ecosystem that keeps us alive. Saving tigers is not a luxury, no, not even for a populated country like India. We need to understand that the loss of a tiger is not just the loss of a tiger. It is the unfurling of yet another strand of the ecosystem on which we depend, on which a large majority of our billions depend. It is about water…no less than 600 rivers and streams flow out of the tiger’s forests in India. The ancients understood it—in many cultures tiger is revered as the Water God. The forest protects us from a warming climate—neutralising over 11 percent of our annual greenhouse gas emissions
It is not about us saving the tiger, it is about the tiger saving us.
Because our indifference, and doublespeak, are evident in the fact that we consider it national pride (never mind that it is now our national shame) to hold the Common Wealth games, and allocate over 30,000 crores for it, while the total amount budgeted for Project Tiger since its inception in 1973 is barely 700 crores.
Because we do not hold their habitat sacrosanct. Protected areas cover barely five per cent of India’s land and barely one per cent is tiger reserves. Even this tiny domain we want to pillage and destroy with mines, super-highways, dams. There are many examples-of a dam that threatens to submerge part of Tadoba Tiger Reserve, the mines that eat into the this crucial tiger habitat, of highways that cut through Sariska, railway lines and canals that slice through Dudhwa and Rajaji national parks…and the pressures only increase.
Because even within these reserves, decisions taken are populist or self-serving. Like the recent decision to allow tourists to patrol tiger reserves. Poaching, and wildlife trade is a billion dollar crime second only to arms and narcotics. There is on ongoing battle that governments recognise the gravity of the crime—and have a comprehensive strategy to tackle it. It is not to be trifled with, even by well-meaning tourists. Would the government, for instance, consider taking tourists when patrolling a highly sensitive narcotics area? That apart, what if a tiger or bear, disturbed at the intrusion or defensive when with their cubs, attack?. The tourist knows the risks he takes, but the blame and consequences will be borne by the tiger.
Because we fail to support good, committed officers who do well for the park against all odds; and refuse to hold those who fail in their duty, as in the case of Panna—where all tigers went extinct—accountable.
Because the condition of the frontline staff is abysmal. The average guard is untrained, unfit, unequipped. He mans the forest alone with a lathi-fighting timber mafias, some of which are even known to have links with the underworld, or in naxal areas. All for a pittance, with the payment delayed for months, especially in the case of daily wagers who make up the bulk of the frontline staff.
Because we let crucial tiger habitats wither, and die. Endless examples again, lets take two: Suhelwa a jewel of a sanctuary along the Terai belt in UP is being destroyed—trees hacked, ‘game’ hunted, overrun by cattle, almost to the point of no return. Hazaribagh—the land of a thousand tigers—has been gouged by mines, and neglect. Forget the tiger, you would be lucky to spot a deer here.
Because there is no outrage at the destruction. Because we imagine the issue is far removed from us. Saving our forests and tigers might inspire us to wear batches or blog, but that is not enough. It must be a collective concern. Preserving our ecosystem must be a mainstream issue—a preoccupation as much as a galloping economy-simply because on it rests our future. There can be no economic security without ecological security.
@prerna singh bindra
Because—and this I consider is our biggest error--we do neither recognise nor understand how crucial forests are, that saving the tiger is about saving the ecosystem that keeps us alive. Saving tigers is not a luxury, no, not even for a populated country like India. We need to understand that the loss of a tiger is not just the loss of a tiger. It is the unfurling of yet another strand of the ecosystem on which we depend, on which a large majority of our billions depend. It is about water…no less than 600 rivers and streams flow out of the tiger’s forests in India. The ancients understood it—in many cultures tiger is revered as the Water God. The forest protects us from a warming climate—neutralising over 11 percent of our annual greenhouse gas emissions
It is not about us saving the tiger, it is about the tiger saving us.
Because our indifference, and doublespeak, are evident in the fact that we consider it national pride (never mind that it is now our national shame) to hold the Common Wealth games, and allocate over 30,000 crores for it, while the total amount budgeted for Project Tiger since its inception in 1973 is barely 700 crores.
Because we do not hold their habitat sacrosanct. Protected areas cover barely five per cent of India’s land and barely one per cent is tiger reserves. Even this tiny domain we want to pillage and destroy with mines, super-highways, dams. There are many examples-of a dam that threatens to submerge part of Tadoba Tiger Reserve, the mines that eat into the this crucial tiger habitat, of highways that cut through Sariska, railway lines and canals that slice through Dudhwa and Rajaji national parks…and the pressures only increase.
Because even within these reserves, decisions taken are populist or self-serving. Like the recent decision to allow tourists to patrol tiger reserves. Poaching, and wildlife trade is a billion dollar crime second only to arms and narcotics. There is on ongoing battle that governments recognise the gravity of the crime—and have a comprehensive strategy to tackle it. It is not to be trifled with, even by well-meaning tourists. Would the government, for instance, consider taking tourists when patrolling a highly sensitive narcotics area? That apart, what if a tiger or bear, disturbed at the intrusion or defensive when with their cubs, attack?. The tourist knows the risks he takes, but the blame and consequences will be borne by the tiger.
Because we fail to support good, committed officers who do well for the park against all odds; and refuse to hold those who fail in their duty, as in the case of Panna—where all tigers went extinct—accountable.
Because the condition of the frontline staff is abysmal. The average guard is untrained, unfit, unequipped. He mans the forest alone with a lathi-fighting timber mafias, some of which are even known to have links with the underworld, or in naxal areas. All for a pittance, with the payment delayed for months, especially in the case of daily wagers who make up the bulk of the frontline staff.
Because we let crucial tiger habitats wither, and die. Endless examples again, lets take two: Suhelwa a jewel of a sanctuary along the Terai belt in UP is being destroyed—trees hacked, ‘game’ hunted, overrun by cattle, almost to the point of no return. Hazaribagh—the land of a thousand tigers—has been gouged by mines, and neglect. Forget the tiger, you would be lucky to spot a deer here.
Because there is no outrage at the destruction. Because we imagine the issue is far removed from us. Saving our forests and tigers might inspire us to wear batches or blog, but that is not enough. It must be a collective concern. Preserving our ecosystem must be a mainstream issue—a preoccupation as much as a galloping economy-simply because on it rests our future. There can be no economic security without ecological security.
@prerna singh bindra
Sunday, August 1, 2010
Frontline of a New War: Environmentalists Under threat
‘Amit Jethwa shot dead’ read the SMS received at about 9 pm on July 21st.. I did not know him personally, but I knew Amit, activist, and warrior for any ecological cause--be it the case of an elephant being treated cruelly in a circus or illegal mining in Kodinar bordering Gir or protesting against a shipyard that would impact the nesting of olive ridley turtles. It was a sleepless night, and I spent most of it trying to reconnect, build up history by going through old mails. There were many over the years covering a myriad of causes, most marked ‘URGENT’, most signed off with “Please do needful, and highlight at national level.” One of the first issues he drew my attention to was what he termed a ‘fictional’ report by the Gujarat forest department that said ‘wildlife like Great Indian Bustards in Gujarat is thriving (it’s not) and that Gujarat’s ecology is not in danger(I wish).” His detailed note contradicting such superficial statements was well-researched. Nothing fazed him. He rallied against the expansion of a cement factory bordering Barda sanctuary, which also hosts the lion, brought to light smuggling of wood from Gir, protested against encroachment on a wetland in Bhavnagar. He tired hard to get suppressed evidence of Salman Khan and his colleagues’ alleged killing of Chinkara in Banni in Gujarat during the shoot of Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam.
One of his major fights was limestone quarrying in a critical lion corridor and its faulty, fraudulent Environment Impact Assessment. Amit’s campaign against illegal mining in Saurashtra was relentless. And possibly, he paid for this with his life.
Amit was among those rare beings who looked beyond their own narrow world, and put the cause before their own self. He cared. With him, environment and wildlife has lost a fierce protector.
Such incidents are common place in the Amazon, where the struggle to save the tropical forests has claimed many victims. Here in India, Amit’s tragic death highlights a dangerous trend of environmental groups and activists increasingly under threat and victimized for protesting against, and coming in the way of projects with grave ecological consequences. Early July, a friend called with the news that a young couple Kavita and Shiv Prasad from Syalna a village in Pauri Garwal were beaten up and stoned for protesting against illegal timber felling. Kavita almost lost the baby she was carrying. The police was not interested in filing an FIR, the hospital was delaying in issuing a medical report, and the couple needed some police protection—the goons were still threatening them. Could I help, did I know someone ‘higher-up’ to counter the influence of the timber lobby? A few months back, Debi Goenka and his colleagues of Conservation Action Trust were attacked by land sharks at Kandarpada-Dahisar in Mumbai while they were surveying mangroves. Conservationists Bittu Sahgal and Shailendra Yashwant were sued when they opposed the setting up of a pesticide plant by United Phosphorus in Vapi in Gujarat. Conservation scientist Dr Ullas Karanth and his colleagues who fought mining in Kudremukh National Park suffered through a relentless disinformation and slander campaign. The number of forest staff that’s has been threatened and murdered by poachers and timber smugglers is legion. The list is endless, and such targeted persecution is a worldwide phenomenon: I will only quote the brutal killing of two environmental activists who opposed mining projects in the central Cabañas (El Salvador) in December 2009. One of them, Dora Alicia Recinos Sorto, was eight months pregnant when shot dead in front of her two-year-old child, also wounded in the attack.
At equal risk are reporters who cover environment. So much so, that Environment reporting has been called the 'Front Line of a New War' . Reporters Sans Frontieres, the Paris-based media watchdog has published two consequent reports which state that exposing deforestation, pollution and environmental damages may be dangerous in many countries—including India--and has drawn attention to 13 cases of journalists and bloggers who have gone missing (probably killed), savagely assaulted, jailed, threatened or censored because they were trying to turn the spotlight on environment destruction. For instance, Bulgarian reporter Maria Nikolaeva was threatened with having acid thrown in her face.
I know where that comes from. A colleague was nearly run over by illegal miners in Goa, another faced dire consequences for exposing illegal encroachment. I have been threatened, detained and my driver roughed up by miners and ivory traders have vented their ire.
Fact is: the stakes in environment are very high and in an unequal society the fight to control fast depleting natural resources is getting edgier throwing communities and big corporates into bitter battle. For long, the perpetrators got away. Now, when projects with grave ecological consequences are questioned, those who uncover and expose the inconvenient truth put their lives at risk.
@prerna singh bindra
in The Sunday Guardian, Aug 1, 2010
One of his major fights was limestone quarrying in a critical lion corridor and its faulty, fraudulent Environment Impact Assessment. Amit’s campaign against illegal mining in Saurashtra was relentless. And possibly, he paid for this with his life.
Amit was among those rare beings who looked beyond their own narrow world, and put the cause before their own self. He cared. With him, environment and wildlife has lost a fierce protector.
Such incidents are common place in the Amazon, where the struggle to save the tropical forests has claimed many victims. Here in India, Amit’s tragic death highlights a dangerous trend of environmental groups and activists increasingly under threat and victimized for protesting against, and coming in the way of projects with grave ecological consequences. Early July, a friend called with the news that a young couple Kavita and Shiv Prasad from Syalna a village in Pauri Garwal were beaten up and stoned for protesting against illegal timber felling. Kavita almost lost the baby she was carrying. The police was not interested in filing an FIR, the hospital was delaying in issuing a medical report, and the couple needed some police protection—the goons were still threatening them. Could I help, did I know someone ‘higher-up’ to counter the influence of the timber lobby? A few months back, Debi Goenka and his colleagues of Conservation Action Trust were attacked by land sharks at Kandarpada-Dahisar in Mumbai while they were surveying mangroves. Conservationists Bittu Sahgal and Shailendra Yashwant were sued when they opposed the setting up of a pesticide plant by United Phosphorus in Vapi in Gujarat. Conservation scientist Dr Ullas Karanth and his colleagues who fought mining in Kudremukh National Park suffered through a relentless disinformation and slander campaign. The number of forest staff that’s has been threatened and murdered by poachers and timber smugglers is legion. The list is endless, and such targeted persecution is a worldwide phenomenon: I will only quote the brutal killing of two environmental activists who opposed mining projects in the central Cabañas (El Salvador) in December 2009. One of them, Dora Alicia Recinos Sorto, was eight months pregnant when shot dead in front of her two-year-old child, also wounded in the attack.
At equal risk are reporters who cover environment. So much so, that Environment reporting has been called the 'Front Line of a New War' . Reporters Sans Frontieres, the Paris-based media watchdog has published two consequent reports which state that exposing deforestation, pollution and environmental damages may be dangerous in many countries—including India--and has drawn attention to 13 cases of journalists and bloggers who have gone missing (probably killed), savagely assaulted, jailed, threatened or censored because they were trying to turn the spotlight on environment destruction. For instance, Bulgarian reporter Maria Nikolaeva was threatened with having acid thrown in her face.
I know where that comes from. A colleague was nearly run over by illegal miners in Goa, another faced dire consequences for exposing illegal encroachment. I have been threatened, detained and my driver roughed up by miners and ivory traders have vented their ire.
Fact is: the stakes in environment are very high and in an unequal society the fight to control fast depleting natural resources is getting edgier throwing communities and big corporates into bitter battle. For long, the perpetrators got away. Now, when projects with grave ecological consequences are questioned, those who uncover and expose the inconvenient truth put their lives at risk.
@prerna singh bindra
in The Sunday Guardian, Aug 1, 2010
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