Let me conclude (an interim basis) and understand the views of my friends (if anybody cares to give feedback).
I am told that we live in a democracy. My understanding of conflict resolution within democracy has the following logical steps: Understanding the issue through dialogues => Looking for proposals for resolution => Resolve (through iterative dialogues and revisions) => Implement.
In the case of the Western Ghat reports, I see a different trend. This is how it happened: A few experts came up with recommendations => Elite politicians thought they understood the pulse of the people => Elites and Experts discussed within themselves and refined the proposals => They went for Implementation (Of course, feedback from the public was requested and it was given. It is a different matter altogether that nothing changed before and after inviting public feedback).
There is a term for this kind of governance. ARISTOCRACY.
I belong to a city where a metro rail is being planned. I did not see many people getting into streets protesting it. Why? It is not that there was no property issues. But people were compensated REASONABLY. If crores can be spend as compensation for a mere railway project in a City, then why is it that nobody is talking about it in such a big project in the Rural area? Again, when a project is planned in the city, appropriate consultations were done before going ahead with it, and people, realizing the importance of the project supported willingly. Why is it that nothing is done when it came to the Western Ghat reports? There could be only a few reasons 1) Authorities realized they cannot convince people because it is anti-people and cannot be compensated enough 2) Authorities did not care because they thought the people are stupid 3) Authorities knew the risk, but thought of playing a cheating game so that if they get away, they can save a lot. You may find the correct answer for yourself. For me, it is a combination of everything at some levels. Now that it has backfired, still I think they will get away with Option 3, simply because the people in the Ghats cannot protest beyond a level. And there is always an option to suppress it with media, other powerful lobbies and ,worst case, force.
My humble suggestion is this. Lets put both the reports on hold. Let the discussions begin through proper channels, let there by proposals and revision and finalized action plan. Then go for implementation. Let us go back to the democratic way of doing things.
Whatever I have suggested is just from my thought process. What the larger community in those places want may be something more or less or different. I am not a mouthpiece for them. For example, if ESA is redefined in a manner that addresses a lot of concerns, probably there need not be any change to other recommendations.
A note: there are arguments flying around if the government has actually implemented the report or not, whether this is a law or not. Some people quote some section of law, other people quote a different section of law. I don't have a damn clue which is what. All I know is that, only after people started getting into the streets that the authorities has woken up and started discussing it. As far as I am concerned, all these arguments are just peripheral. My critique is not on any notification issued by MoEF, it is on the Kasturirangan report, and it holds whether the final notification is already issued or if it is going to come in another 2 or 4 or 6 months. I don't have a dog in that political race.
A last note:
The funniest takeaway from this whole episode for me is the realization that those living outside India in centralized AC homes, spending their entire weekends shopping in larger than life shopping malls in cities, spending entire day in air-conditioned offices and commenting on facebook claim that they are the people who loves Western Ghats; while those who wake up everyday to work on their land in those hills with vegetables, crops and domestic animals are the enemies of Western Ghats. Wow!!!
I am told that we live in a democracy. My understanding of conflict resolution within democracy has the following logical steps: Understanding the issue through dialogues => Looking for proposals for resolution => Resolve (through iterative dialogues and revisions) => Implement.
In the case of the Western Ghat reports, I see a different trend. This is how it happened: A few experts came up with recommendations => Elite politicians thought they understood the pulse of the people => Elites and Experts discussed within themselves and refined the proposals => They went for Implementation (Of course, feedback from the public was requested and it was given. It is a different matter altogether that nothing changed before and after inviting public feedback).
There is a term for this kind of governance. ARISTOCRACY.
I belong to a city where a metro rail is being planned. I did not see many people getting into streets protesting it. Why? It is not that there was no property issues. But people were compensated REASONABLY. If crores can be spend as compensation for a mere railway project in a City, then why is it that nobody is talking about it in such a big project in the Rural area? Again, when a project is planned in the city, appropriate consultations were done before going ahead with it, and people, realizing the importance of the project supported willingly. Why is it that nothing is done when it came to the Western Ghat reports? There could be only a few reasons 1) Authorities realized they cannot convince people because it is anti-people and cannot be compensated enough 2) Authorities did not care because they thought the people are stupid 3) Authorities knew the risk, but thought of playing a cheating game so that if they get away, they can save a lot. You may find the correct answer for yourself. For me, it is a combination of everything at some levels. Now that it has backfired, still I think they will get away with Option 3, simply because the people in the Ghats cannot protest beyond a level. And there is always an option to suppress it with media, other powerful lobbies and ,worst case, force.
My humble suggestion is this. Lets put both the reports on hold. Let the discussions begin through proper channels, let there by proposals and revision and finalized action plan. Then go for implementation. Let us go back to the democratic way of doing things.
Whatever I have suggested is just from my thought process. What the larger community in those places want may be something more or less or different. I am not a mouthpiece for them. For example, if ESA is redefined in a manner that addresses a lot of concerns, probably there need not be any change to other recommendations.
A note: there are arguments flying around if the government has actually implemented the report or not, whether this is a law or not. Some people quote some section of law, other people quote a different section of law. I don't have a damn clue which is what. All I know is that, only after people started getting into the streets that the authorities has woken up and started discussing it. As far as I am concerned, all these arguments are just peripheral. My critique is not on any notification issued by MoEF, it is on the Kasturirangan report, and it holds whether the final notification is already issued or if it is going to come in another 2 or 4 or 6 months. I don't have a dog in that political race.
A last note:
The funniest takeaway from this whole episode for me is the realization that those living outside India in centralized AC homes, spending their entire weekends shopping in larger than life shopping malls in cities, spending entire day in air-conditioned offices and commenting on facebook claim that they are the people who loves Western Ghats; while those who wake up everyday to work on their land in those hills with vegetables, crops and domestic animals are the enemies of Western Ghats. Wow!!!
I do agree with you. Its not democracy especially when an MP fails to represents his people, no communication to farmers and no title deeds for their land. As long as we have a government with double standards things will never fall in favour of farmers. The Farmers need to understand Government is made for them,so the elected members act against their will, farmer should act against them too. Bureaucracy is something that need not be feared (i saw multiple times if you walk into a govt office in kerala, people stand as if they were infront of Queen Elizabeth.)
ReplyDeleteAgree with you that Diary and poultry should not be banned as it will affect the people living in the western ghats. Organic farming for coffee,aracnuts,tea,cardamom,pepper etc is OK but Govt should come out with the modalities. In some cases due to prevalence of plant diseases, fertilizers and spraying becomes inevitable. Govt can bear the entire cost of insurance of the crops and pay up instead of burdening the farmers alone. After western ghats is not only for the farmers but for all.
ReplyDeleteHospitals are a must in these areas as there are people living in all areas of Idukki district and Wayanad .
Wind energy and renewable energy in these areas should be encouraged .Whereever feasible,hydro power stations should be built up.
I belong to Idukki district and was engaged in farming.I demand that all the recommendations should be scrutinized and the farmers point of view considered and given equal weight-age before implementing.