It is indeed a sad reflection on a Government that promised the people “acche din” and “maximum governance and minimum Government” to be in a mighty hurry to pass and amend laws and regulations that could ultimately prove detrimental to the people of the country. Irrespective of which party wins the election, there is always, on the part of the Government, an inclination to favour those who helped them come to power and thus repay their debt, as also to keep them in good humour for their financial support in future elections. We have seen this tendency at the Centre with the Land Acquisition Act, where farmers’ consent has been taken away even for PPP projects, as also in environmental laws aimed at pushing growth through industrial acceleration, at the behest of the magnates.
The recent tragic events in neighbouring Nepal, which left thousands dead and wounded and nearly a quarter of the country destroyed, ought to have opened our eyes to the havoc that natural calamities can create.
A UN report, which speaks of India being vulnerable to multi-hazard disasters, reveals that 58.6% of our land is prone to earthquakes and 8.5% to cyclones. Both have a devastating effect, particularly as the country is overpopulated. We have been mercifully spared of major earthquakes in recent past, but floods and cyclones have taken a great toll. In Uttarakhand, floods and landslides were caused in 2013 due to unscientific developmental activities like hotels on river banks, 70 hydroelectric projects in watersheds, tunnels constructed and blasts undertaken – all contributing to the ecological imbalance with streamside development and restriction of flows of river water leading to landslides and flooding.
The BJP in their general election manifesto had assured industrialists that industrial growth will take precedence over environmental protection. Prakash Jawadekar, Minister of Environment & Forests, at the climate summit in New York, stated that the focus of his Govt. was “lifting India’s masses above poverty through encouraging economic growth and not protecting environment”. True to their assertions, BJP has been undertaking a number of changes to key committees and regulations on environment and working overtime in this direction to simplify and expedite clearance of projects, that it is difficult even for the Press to keep pace with proposed changes, which are kept under a veil of secrecy with instructions to refrain from speaking to media.
Narendra Modi, who recently said he wanted to wipe every tear of the Nepali people, seems least concerned about wiping the tears of his own people. In fact he adds to them, particularly by being pro-industrialists, at the cost of poor farmers, who have committed suicides in thousands and are still doing so everyday in various parts of the country. Where is the PM’s concern for them? After the unacceptable amendment to LA Act, the BJP proposes to discard provisions of Forests Rights Act 2006 requiring prior consent of Gram Sabhas before their forests are cleared for industrial activity. It has already done away with Gram Sabha consent while prospecting for minerals in forest lands. Irrigation projects of less than 2000HA no longer require environmental clearance and those of less than 10000 HA can be cleared by State Govts. Moratorium on critically polluted areas in Ghaziabad, Ludhiana, Indore, Vapi, etc has been lifted. Major changes have been made in EIA Notification. Some projects have been exempted from EIA purview. EIA and public hearings, like Mopa’s, are reduced to a farce to meet Govt. objectives.
EIA at Mopa was given a fourth year’s extension, though this was not permissible beyond the outer limit of 3 years. The Govt. is trying to dilute the powers of National Green Tribunals which were created under the Rio Declaration of which India was a signatory. Criminal offences for environmental violations, are being replaced by civil penalties.
As an environmentalist pointed out “murky politics and economics of GDP growth prevail over the cause of life and livelihood of ordinary people and environmental conservation”. Another charged that the Government is following a “pay and pollute system”. The Govt. appointed a Committee under TSR Subramaniam to recommend amendments to all Acts concerning Environment, Wildlife, Water and Air Protection & Pollution. Subramaniam himself expressed views about the need to streamline environmental clearances which are thwarting growth. He walked out of a meeting in Bangalore when faced with embarrassing questions from environmentalists.
Not only is this Government bent upon throwing to the winds legitimate environmental concerns, despite public outcry and a united Opposition, but it is also targeting NGOs like Greenpeace, which now faces the prospects of closure with all their accounts blocked. Their fascist tendencies are on display and they are sure to turn more aggressive once they have majority in RS.
The scenario in Goa is no better with the Chief Minister only interested in casinos and mining and extending them all concessions and facilities. Cutting of hills, filling of fields, violation of CRZ regulations, destruction of sand dunes, etc. are regular happenings. Though inspections are sometimes carried out by flying squads, little or no action is forthcoming. In Baga, a panch is involved in violations but he enjoys a clout and our people still elect him. Manohar Parrikar was not comfortable with tough observations and decisions of the Green Tribunal at Pune on Goa issues and wanted one in Goa for obvious reasons. Courts’ directions to restore hills and fields to original positions are never implemented. Our beaches, hills, rivers, lakes, etc. are our prized and only treasures and preserving them should be our sacred duty.
The Regional Plan 2021 was another U-turn, among the many of the BJP. The Government has much to gain by keeping it in abeyance for it can now issue permissions the way it wishes. The people of Goa must realize that this Government is not like the Congress, which, with all its defects was more amenable to reason and discussions. BJP is bound to advance its agenda, come what may. It is time we show our concern for Goa by hitting the streets on Regional Plan and Mopa and tell the Government that, also come what may, people’s will and people’s power will prevail. After all it is the Government and their accomplices – the builders and developers – who have vested interests, not the general public.
(The author is a retired banker)
