Thursday, April 25, 2013

Dakshinayana Part Twelve – Aurangabad: The City of Gates

Taj of Deccan - From the front

I left Nagpur around 8 in the night, in a state run bus to Aurangabad (722 INR). 476km long Nagpur – Aurangabad route passing through Amaravati, Jalna etc took the rest of the night. One of the bizarre incident happened during this journey was, a ticket checker woke me up around 3 am in the morning. I am still wondering, what was the need for checking tickets at 3 am, that too after waking up the passengers?
By sunrise, we reached Jalna and our bus stopped there for some time. The famous crater Lake Loni is located just 85km away from Jalna. Earlier Loni was part of my plan, so when I suddenly saw Jalna bus stand, that too unexpectedly, I almost got down there to catch another bus to Loni. But, neither of my legs moved. Finally bus continued her journey to Aurangabad and me to sleep. When I woke up again, we were on the outskirts of Aurangabad city.

Cannon located on the top of Daulatabad Fort

The history of Aurangabad goes back all the way to BC. Pratishthanapura (currently known as Paithan) was the capital of first Satavahana king. According to Puranas, Paithan was built by king Ila. As Satavahana’s power grew Pratishthanapura also grew. This is one of the inland cities mentioned in 1st century AD Greek book, Periplus Maris Erytharaei. This city is also home to famous saint Sant Eknath. Earliest caves in Ajanta were made during the period of Satavahana dynasty.

Yadava Kings established Deogiri (aka Devagiri, current Dulatabad) as their capital. During the sultanate days Devgiri saw much bloodshed. Alaudin Khilji defeated the Yadava kings, later sultanates expedition to Warangal, Dvarasamudra, Madura etc passed through this fort.

When the throne of Delhi came under Mohammad bin Tughluq, he made Daulatabad as his capital and forced population to move here. But the policies were reversed later, because of water problems.
Aurangabad city was founded by Malik Amber, the Prime minister of Ahmednagar, in 1610 AD. With the capture of Daulatabad (earlier known as Devagiri), Aurangabad (known as ‘Fatehnagar’ at that time), fell in to the hands of Mughals. Later, this city came under Nizam shahi dynasty. However, Asaf Jha II ceded Aurangabad to Marathas after the battle of ‘Kharda’ in 1795 AD. As a twist of fate, Auragabad came back to Nizams during second Anglo-Maratha war and remained with them till independence. After independence, this city became a part of Hyderabad state till 1956 then passed to Bombay state. After the bifurcation of Bombay state in 1960, Aurangabad became a part of Maharashtra.

Central Bus Stand

SIDCO Bus stand - Not CBS
After sometime, we reached a bus stand and I got down there. First thing I did was taking a bath in Sulabh bathroom situated next to the waiting room. That bus stand doesn’t fit in to the picture I drawn in mind for Central Bus Stand (CBS) after seeing it in the Google map. Then I realised my mistake, it was not CBS, I got down at a different bus stand called SIDCO!!!

Even though I waited for a long time, I was not able to see any city bus going to CBS/ Railway station. Finally, I hired an auto to Railway station. My idea was to go to railway station, put my luggage in clock room and go to Ajanta Caves first. After talking with that auto driver, I changed my plan and decide to go to Ellora first. He told me a lot about the city, how to reach Ajanta- Ellora caves etc. We even went to a tourist agency for a guided tour to Ajanta caves. I was not in favour of a guided tour still we tried that out. Fortunately, we were late and missed their bus. He offered me to take to Ajanta for 400 INR (transportation charge) in a taxi and join with rest of their team. I was so happy to decline that offer; we continued our journey to central bus stand. In between he offered me to show Ellora for 700 INR!!!

Finally, I reached CBS and started waiting for a bus to Ellora. Many people tried to convince me that, without their help I won’t be able to see the caves properly. One even told me that, “I can’t walk that much distance!!!” Well, I was not convinced.  Finally bus came, and I started my epic journey to Ellora caves (Just 29 INR).

Ellora Caves

Please visit this article to read my Ellora Journey -

Daulatabad (Devagiri) Fort

Fort Entrance - You can see the Iron
spikes as well.

From Ellora, in a shared taxi (20 INR), along with a group of Korean tourists, I reached Devagiri (Daulatabad) fort. After buying the entry tickets, I started climbing the stairs. In her hey days, this was one of the important forts in Deccan and witnessed numerous battles. Army of Delhi sultanates passed through this fort in their expedition to attack and plunder the city of Warangal (capital of Kakatiyas), Dvarasamudra (Capital of Hoysalas), Madhura etc. For a brief period of time, Deogir (Devagiri, Daulatabad) became the capital of Sultanate.

It was a long and tiring walk, hundreds and hundreds of steps to reach the top. But that panoramic view from the top, the majestic hills surrounding the fort, was a generously reward for anyone dare to attempt.
Without telling about an incident my Daulatabad odyssey won’t be complete. In many places I travelled, I saw a tendency among Indians to take photos along with foreigners, no matter whether it is Hyderabad or Aurangabad. This tendency is not limited to men but to women as well. But here on top of this fort, it crossed all the limits.

I was eager to take my photo from the top of the fort. A number of elderly people were sitting there; they declined my request to take my photo as they were not comfortable in operating that camera. Finally, I asked two Korean girls sitting there to take my photo. One of them woke up and took my photo. She was about to return the camera, suddenly from somewhere one guy jumped in and sat next to her friend sitting there; and asked her to take photo. After a moment of confusion, when she was about to click the photo he put his hand around her shoulder. She was obviously disturbed by his behaviour; after taking the photo he disappeared as fast as he came in – not even waited to see his picture!!! I don’t why people are so obsessed with foreigners and want to touch them.

From the top of Daulatabad (aka Deogiri, Devagiri) Fort
From Daulatabad fort, I got another shared auto to Central Bus Stand (CBS). On one side, a few kilometres away, a chain of mountains were standing under the afternoon sun, as if to protect the city. However, this chain is practically naked - deprived of any trees.

Frequent buses are there to Pune from CBS. I booked one Volvo (500 INR to Pune, private ac buses are available at much lower cost starting from probably 350) starting from CBS at 10.30pm next day.

City of Gates

Aurangabad is also known as City of Gates. It is believed that, there were around 52 gates in the city, out of that you can still see around 10+. The famous among them are Bhadkal Gate (Victory Gate - built by Malik Ambar in memory of victory against Mughals in 1612), Delhi Gate (built by Aurangzeb, facing Delhi), Paithan Gate, Mecca Gate (facing Mecca, to the west), Khas or Jalna Gate, Kaala Darwaza, Roshanara Gate etc.

Bibi Ka Maqbara

Maqbara from distance
My Next destination was Bibi-ka-Baqbara. One may not get a bus to this place from CBS.

As usual auto drivers asked me “Sir, Kahan jana he?” (where you want to go?)
“Bibi Ka Maqbara”
”Aayiye, hum chod denge” (come, we will drop you)
“aapp ka charge?” (What is the charge to reach there?)
“70”
“70!!!???”
“aabi abhi to ek aadmi ne bola ka, bibi ka magbara tak auto charge 50 he” (Just now one person told me that, auto charge is 50 rs for reaching Bibi ka maqbara) - Inside bus stand one person indeed told me that auto charge is 50 INR only).

Finally we settled for 60.

Taj of Deccan - Closer view
Bibi Ka Maqbara, also known as Taj of Deccan, was believed to have been constructed by Aurangazeb’s son – Price Azam Shah - in memory of his mother Rabia-ud-Durani, in between 1651-61. This mausoleum stands within an enclosed area measuring 458 * 275m approx. Built at the centre of a high platform, with 4 minarets at its corners, this mausoleum’s lower body and dome are made up of pure marble and are decorated with beautiful carvings. Middle part is basaltic covered with fine plaster and have marble finish. One can see garden and remains of a water fountain system inside the complex.
Bibi Ka Maqbara - Taj of Deccan

It’s indeed a beautiful building – a gift from son to his mother...

It was almost night and visitor’s time was about to over. I slowly moved out and jumped in to auto going to CBS.

Night at Aurangabad

That auto driver proved very much interesting. He started educating me about the difficulties faced by auto drivers -how locals are arguing with him and troubling him. At first I didn’t say anything; but he is not at all going to stop; finally I had to oppose him on every point. Locals might know the exact amount they have to pay for travelling from one place to another; then why should they shell out extra?

At first my plan was to spend the night in CBS. The main problem in that case was the drainage channel running close to it. Finally, we went to a hotel. Double room was available there for 500 INR/night. Unfortunately, last one was occupied just before we came in. So he informed us about a hotel ran by his brother, down the line. We went there and saw the room. For the exact same room, further from CBS he asked 900 INR. Well, it was a clear no. Why should I spend 400 INR extra?

But the driver was not ready to forget his commission. So he asked him to call his brother. Finally he us that, the room I selected was a deluxe one. He can’t give it to me for 500. So he gave another double room for 500 INR/day. However, I was not able to make out any difference between the one I selected and the one he allocated to me!!!

Ajanta

Please visit this article to read my Ajanta Journey -

Aurangabad city

After coming back from Ajanta caves, I had nothing much to do. Visiting Paithon was not part of my plan. So I thought of roaming around the city on foot. Even though this city is famous for tourism because of nearby sites like Ajanta, Ellora, Devgiri fort, Paithon etc, I was not able to find enough ATMs in the city.  Another problem was local transport, it was easy to go to Pune, Ellora, Ajanta, Paithon etc but intercity bus service was not good.

After having Kashmiri pulav for dinner, I went back to CBS. Finally It was 10.30, time to say good-bye to Aurangabad....

Sajeev

Inside the fort

From the top of the fort, you can see the side of cannon in left side


An inside gate

Bibi Ka Maqbara - An Inner View

Bibi Ka Magbara Entrance

For reading rest of the articles please visit,

Dakshinayana Part One – An Introduction
Dakshinayana Part Two – Bangalore to Bhopal
Dakshinayana Part Three – Sanchi
Dakshinayana Part Four – Bhopal: The city of lakes
Dakshinayana Part Five: Ujjain – The Holy City, hearing the sounds of forefathers
Dakshinayana Part Six: Indore – Trade hub of Central India
Dakshinayana Part Seven – Jabalpur: Kalchuris, Gonds and Narmada
Dakshinayana Part Eight – Kanha National Park and Mandla
Dakshinayana Part Nine – Chhattisgarh and Raipur
Dakshinayana Part Ten: Nagpur – The Orange City
Dakshinayana Part Eleven – Sevagram: Walking with Gandhi
Dakshinayana Part Twelve – Aurangabad: The City of Gates
Dakshinayana Part Thirteen – Ellora Memories
Dakshinayana Part Fourteen – U shaped Ajanta
Dakshinayana Part Fifteen – Pune: The Maratha heartland

Wednesday, April 24, 2013

35% reservation for women in Bihar Police


"Bihar Cabinet... passed a proposal...to grant 35 per cent reservation for women in recruitment of constables and sub-inspectors in reserved and as well as unreserved categories."

Bihar Cabinet nod for quota for women in police - The Hindu

I am not a supporter of reservation, but chronic under-representation of women in Indian law enforcing agencies really demand it. Effectiveness of Police force may or may not increase, but this decision will certainly make Police Stations more approachable for poor women. At the same time, reservation should be for a limited period of time (say 7 years); need to abolish once it achieved the stated goals and objectives; and should not go beyond 50%.

Friday, April 19, 2013

Dakshinayana Part Eleven – Sevagram: Walking with Gandhi


Shalimar Lokmanya Tilak Express was supposed to start at 1.40 in the afternoon. Train was not crowded, but neither had any vacant seats except in berths. Finally I decide to sit at the door itself, watching countryside of Maharashtra for next one hour. An old man – a regular traveller in Lokmanya Tilak – sat next to me. He was more interested in explaining about railway stations than anything else. Around 1.50pm our train started moving.

By this time boggy was full; some were sitting in the floor, berths. Some others including me were standing. We reached Sevagram station around 2.15 in the afternoon (sign board in the station, with Gandhi’s caricature welcomed me). There were a lot of autos in front of the station, after taking in look I started walking towards the main road. A lady coming opposite to me informed that, ashram is no in walk-able distance. So I finally, hired an auto to reach there – ‘bapu kudi’.

Sevagram Ashram (courtesy to mkgandhi.org for details)


Shegaon is a small village near Wardha town (8 km). Meera Ben (Miss Madelene Slade) was already settled in Sevagram before Gandhiji came to stay here. Gandhiji (at that time 67 years old) reached the village on the 30th April,1936. In those days the village was surrounded by forest on all sides. Snakes and scorpions were a common feature.

Here Gandhiji used to stay at a home named ‘Adi Nivas’ along with Frontier Gandhi Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, Saint Tukdoji, Kasturba and other Ashram inmates also lived in the same hut. Frontier Gandhi Khan Abdul Gaffar Khan, Saint Tukdoji, Kasturba and other Ashram inmates also lived in the same hut.
Last Residence

He used to do his routine office work by sitting in the open verandah. He was staying here when he set out for Noakhali (Bengal) on the 25th August, 1946 and he never returned. Therefore, this hut is named as ‘AKHIRI NIVAS’ or 'The Last Residence'.

Eleven laws as a basis of Ashram life



Truth (Satya), Non-violence (Ahimsa), Chastity (Brahmacharya), Non-possession, Non-Stealing, Bread-Labour, Control of Palate, Fearlessness, Equality of Religions, Swadeshi (use of home produced goods), Removal of untouchability

Telephone used by Gandhi, during
his stay at Sevagram ashram
With the blessing of afternoon sun, I entered to the coolness of ashram. Many people were walking here and there; some were taking photos, others were sitting under trees. I moved from one home to another; neatly preserved, what makes this place special is the presence of Gandhi in her air. Inside Bappu’s office, I sat for some time imagining about the days of National Movement.

Finally, it was the time to go back. Fortunately, I got an auto to Wardha bus stand. From there a transport corporation’s direct bus to Nagpur.

Next destination was Aurangabad. After the horrible journey from Raipur to Nagpur in the previous night in standing in general compartment I was not at all in a position to try the train again. So after getting down at the station, I started searching for an Aurangabad bus. One conductor informed me that, there is a bus at 8pm and probably it was last one. Well, the problem was with time. I have to go to Nagpur railway station to take my bag from clock room and come back to bus stand – all in 30 minutes. I got a shared auto, which dropped me close to station. Vehicles were hardly moving, after walking and running for some time, I finally reached the station.

On the way back, there was no time for searching a shared auto or bus. I walked towards the prepaid auto stand – prepaid was only in name. Before reaching the booth itself, drivers started negotiating the price – I doubt whether I can call it negotiation. My only aim was to reach bus stand as fast as possible. I agreed on the price suggested by driver at one condition – he had to reach me at bus stand before the Aurangabad bus leaves. I just remembered some dialogues from Hollywood moves, where hero offered extra money to take him fast to the airport. Only difference here was I need to reach bus stand :) He dropped me inside the stand. I ran as fast as I could towards the platform, It was there... ready to take off.

Sajeev



Inside a room
Birds
For reading rest of the articles please visit,

Dakshinayana Part One – An Introduction
Dakshinayana Part Two – Bangalore to Bhopal
Dakshinayana Part Three – Sanchi
Dakshinayana Part Four – Bhopal: The city of lakes
Dakshinayana Part Five: Ujjain – The Holy City, hearing the sounds of forefathers
Dakshinayana Part Six: Indore – Trade hub of Central India
Dakshinayana Part Seven – Jabalpur: Kalchuris, Gonds and Narmada
Dakshinayana Part Eight – Kanha National Park and Mandla
Dakshinayana Part Nine – Chhattisgarh and Raipur
Dakshinayana Part Ten: Nagpur – The Orange City
Dakshinayana Part Eleven – Sevagram: Walking with Gandhi
Dakshinayana Part Twelve – Aurangabad: The City of Gates
Dakshinayana Part Thirteen – Ellora Memories
Dakshinayana Part Fourteen – U shaped Ajanta
Dakshinayana Part Fifteen – Pune: The Maratha heartland

Wednesday, April 17, 2013

Draw your dream home, take a printout using 3D printer, and sleep inside


Grab your mouse and start drawing a home in computer screen; if you don’t like some part, erase it; If you need to modify some parts, just erase that portion and redraw it. Show the design to your family, relatives and friends, and ask for their comments. After finalizing, just hit the print button and forget it. Come back after some time, your home will be there... ready to occupy....

This is not a science fiction, but a 3D printer. Printers which will print (create) three dimensional objects according to your design. Just like you are placing paper in printer tray and select print option from word document or spreadsheet.

Not able to believe? Well, this is exactly what Amsterdam based 'Dus Architects' are doing in Dutch capital. In this case, print head is connected to tube, instead of ink as in normal printer, and heated plasticised material will flow through this tube, which according to the design will create a home.

This is neither the first 3D printer nor the canal house is first product from a 3D printer. Sometime back a 3D printer at Bristol started printing complex titanium landing-gear brackets, others are printing designer jewellery, medical implants, solid state batteries, mobile phones, airplane components etc.

Just imagine the possibilities with a 3D printer. Consider the case of a producer who makes doors. Using 3D printers, he can create a small number of doors and go to market. In case customers don't receive it well, just modify the design according to feedback and hit the print button again. Here, what’s the cost for remodelling the door? Do we have to spend time in changing the alignment of a machine or retooling it? No... All, one has to do is change the design and hit print. Just like correcting a spelling mistake and print the book again!!!

With drastic reduction of source material wastage (3D printers use addictive manufacturing), greater speed in design and prototyping, greater customization from user's end etc, 3D printing technologies may create another revolution in the world of manufacturing, in coming years.

Sajeev

References

1. "3D-printed canal home takes shape in Amsterdam" - BBC
2. Printing off the Paper - Indian Young Scientist Network
3. The printed world - The Economist

Public apathy towards accident victims in Jaipur tunnel. Ask what you could do...


24 * 7 people are complaining in social networks, workplace, seminars, articles etc that Indian administrative system is corrupt from top to bottom, government is not doing this, not doing that etc. But how many of us, as citizens, are doing our part of job?

Yesterday, there was an accident inside a new tunnel in the city of Jaipur - just 265 km away from National Capital New Delhi. In this hit and run case, a truck knocked off a bike. One lady and kid travelling in the bike were seriously injured. Her husband, who also suffered injuries, begged help from other motorists for 40 minutes inside that busy tunnel in order to move his wife and eight-month-old daughter to hospital - nobody stopped.

Finally, a worker in toll booth noticed them and called Police, they in turn transferred them to a hospital in Jaipur.

"The doctor in charge of the SMS emergency unit, D. S. Meena, said they had died before arriving. "The situation might have been better if they were provided medical help in time," he said." - South China Morning Post.

We don’t know whether the doctors may able to save the life, if they reached the hospital in time. But point is 'Situation might have been better'... probably yes, there may be a chance...

If somebody stopped, if they were ready to spend a little bit time to take the victims to hospital, if.... the never ending 'ifs' raises many questions.

1. We often complain about the quality of services we receive from the nation, but how often we are doing our part of job?

2. Any one monitors those CCTV footages in real time? If not, then what is the point of spending so much money in installing those devices in the first place?

3. People often say, if you take accident victims to hospital, then Police will implicate you. After hearing many incidents from many friends, I refuse to buy this argument. This may help you in getting some consolation for running away, nothing more than that. Remember tomorrow it may be you...

4. If this is the situation on a busy road in a state capital, then what will happen in thousands of kilometres of roads passing through rarely populated areas?

John F Kennedy in his inaugural address told, "ask not what your country can do for you — ask what you can do for your country". Instead of criticising the government non-stop, take some time to think what you could have done to save that lady and her daughter and thousands of others dying in road accidents.

Sajeev.

References


Are we running backwards to Stone Age? Tribal warfare?


"Thirteen people of the Ror community have been arrested and heavy security deployed in Pabnawa village of Kaithal district in Haryana, after a 400-strong mob allegedly launched an attack on 150 Dalits on Saturday, causing some 200 Dalit families to flee the village. Their houses were allegedly looted and women humiliated...sequel to Dalit boy Suryakant’s marriage with Ror community girl Meena on April 10"


Are we running backward to reach those old days of tribal warfare? Did we struggle in all those days of National Movement and participated in post independence nation building, just to see this stone-age era warfare? India deserves to see better things...

Tuesday, April 16, 2013

Western Ghats and 'Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP)’ Report

Silent Valley - A View from observation tower

For a long time, thought-out my childhood days, Western Ghats remained as a permanent fixture in my life. Living close to Ghats, I could see the mighty mountains standing on a side, with mysterious mist roaming around it. Even now, every time I cross Palakkad Gap, that saintly figure used to come to my mind.

Human thirst for development didn't leave Western Ghat too. In the 70s, close to ecologically sensitive Silent Valley National Park (SVNP), government was determined to execute a hydroelectric project in the middle of a pristine forest. If it was not for strong protests, that pure abode of nature might have vanished in to the annals of history. Many other segments of Western Ghats also came under the scissors as administrators were eager to approve hydro electric, mining projects etc.

Some areas came under the classification of protected areas, wild life sanctuaries etc and thus escaped from destruction. Then came MoEF’s classification of Go and No-Go areas; it is yet to see how many of the so called No-Go areas will eventually become Go areas.

Recently, I came across a report by 'Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel(WGEEP)' about classifying the Ghats in to different Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ECZ) depends on its importance - regions of highest sensitivity (ECZ1), regions of high sensitivity (ECZ2), regions of moderate sensitivity (ECZ3) - and implement conservation measures (existing protected areas were treated as a separate category).

Please see the sector-wise guidelines proposed by them below.

Sector
ESZ1
ESZ2
ESZ3
Land use
No Special Economic Zones; no new hill stations
No new non-agricultural land use to be permitted, except extension of existing village settlement areas to accommodate increase in population of local residents, FSA ratio of ***


Water use
Decentralized water resources management plans at Local Self Government level  are to be developed at least for the next 20 years Reschedule reservoir operations in such a way as to improve downstream flows and also act as conflict resolution strategy
Revive traditional water harvesting systems such as  recharging  wells and  surangams
Protect high altitude valley swamps
Participatory sand auditing and strict regulations to be put in place to control sand mining
Declare “sand holidays” based on assessments and sand audit for mined river stretches.
Rehabilitation of mined areas to be taken up by the companies / agencies with special focus on reviving the water resources
Eco – restoration of the forest fragments between the tea/coffee/cardamom estates and  reviving the  hill streams  should be taken up as a major well coordinated initiatives  among Planters, Local Self Governments and Forest Departments in high altitude areas
Catchment area treatment plans of hydroelectric  and major irrigation projects should be taken up to improve their life span.
Improve river flows and water quality by scientific riparian management programmes involving  community participation
Water conservation measures should be adopted through suitable technology up-gradation and public awareness programmes
Inter-basin diversions of rivers in the Western Ghats should not be allowed  any more
River Basin Planning should be supported by suitable legal institutions that are capable of integrating different departments which are presently dealing with or impacting the rivers in a compartmentalized manner.
Decommissioning of dams that have outlived their utility being underperforming, silted up beyond acceptable standards is to be considered.

Agriculture
Promote organic agricultural practices, introduce incentive payments for sequestration of carbon in soils,  introduce incentive payments for maintenance of select traditional cultivars, encourage participatory breeding programmes to improve productivity of traditional cultivars, encourage precision agricultural practices, No GMOs

Phase out all use of chemical pesticides/ weedicides and chemical fertilizers within five years
Phase out all use of chemical pesticides/ weedicides and chemical fertilizers within eight years
Phase out all use of chemical pesticides/ weedicides and chemical fertilizers within ten years
Animal Husbandry
Introduce incentive payments as “conservation service charges” for maintenance of land races of livestock, Redeploy subsidies for chemical fertilizers towards maintenance of livestock and production of biogas and generation of organic manure
Fishery
Strictly control use of dynamite and other explosives to kill fish, Provide fish ladders at all reservoirs, Introduce incentive payments as “conservation service charges” for maintenance of indigenous fish species in tanks under control of Biodiversity Management Committees or Fishermen’s co-operatives, monitor and control trade in aquarium fishes with the help of Biodiversity Management Committees
Forestry: Government lands

Forest Rights Act to be implemented in its true spirit by reaching out to people to facilitate their claims, Community Forest Resource provisions under FRA to replace all current Joint Forest Management programmes
No monoculture plantation of exotics like eucalyptus;
No quarrying;
No pesticide/ weedicide application;
Extraction of medicinal plants with strict regulations
No monoculture plantation of exotics like eucalyptus;
Encourage planting of endemic species;
Quarrying with strict regulations;
Phase out pesticide/ weedicide application;
Extraction of medicinal plants with strict regulations
No monoculture plantation of exotics like eucalyptus;
Encourage planting of endemic species;
Quarrying with strict regulations;
Phase out pesticide/ weedicide application;
Extraction of medicinal plants with strict regulations
Forestry: private lands
Recognize rights of all small-scale, traditional private land holders under FRA, Introduce incentive payments as “conservation service charges” for maintenance of natural vegetation for small land holders; Introduce incentives such as tax breaks or renewal of leases as “conservation service charges” for maintenance of natural vegetation for large land holders/ plantation owners;
Forestry: private lands

No monoculture plantation of exotics like eucalyptus;
No quarrying;
No pesticide/ weedicide application;
Extraction of medicinal plants with strict regulations ; Encourage planting of endemic species
No monoculture plantation of exotics like eucalyptus;
Encourage planting of endemic species;
Quarrying with strict regulations;
Phase out pesticide/ weedicide application;

No monoculture plantation of exotics like eucalyptus;
Encourage planting of endemic species in private forests;
Quarrying with strict regulations;
Phase out pesticide/ weedicide application;

Biodiversity
Introduce incentive payments as “conservation service charges” for maintenance of sacred groves; Introduce incentive payments as “conservation service charges” for maintenance of biodiversity elements on private lands, lands under control of Biodiversity Management Committees, JFM lands, lands assigned as Community Forest Resources; Make special funds available to Biodiversity Management Committees for disbursal in relation to wildlife related damage
Mining
No mining in areas demarcated as ESZ1
Where mining exists, it should be phased out in 5 years, by 2016;
Illegal mining to be stopped immediately
No new mining; Existing mining under strict regulation and social audit
New mining may be taken up under strict regulation and social audit
Industry
(Red /Orange)
No new red and orange category industries; for existing industries switch to zero pollution by 2016 and be subject to strict regulation and social audit
No new red and orange category industries; for existing industries switch to zero pollution by 2016 and be subject to strict regulation and social audit
New industries may be set up under strict regulation and social audit
(Green/ Blue)
With strict regulation and social audit.
Local bioresource based industry should be promoted. All should be strictly regulated and be subject to social audit.
Promote Green/ Blue industries. Local bioresource based industry should be promoted. All should be strictly regulated and be subject to social audit.

Promote Green/ Blue industries. Local bioresource based industry should be promoted. All should be strictly regulated and be subject to social audit.

Power/Energy
No large storage dams, small bandharas are permissible;
No new large wind projects or thermal power plants;
Promote biomass based  and solar sources for decentralized energy needs;
Promote small scale, micro and pico hydropower systems, that are people owned & managed and are off grid;
Strict regulation of existing thermal power plants;
the existing thermal plants  should be obliged to actively promote alternate uses of fly ash -  such as in road making in addition to the existing practices of  manufacture of  fly ash bricks
Promote run of the river schemes.
Promote biomass based /solar sources for decentralized energy needs. All should be strictly regulated and be subject to social audit.
No large storage dams, small bandharas are permissible;
Promote  run of the river hydropower projects but after cumulative impact study of the river basin is  done;
Regulated wind power projects but after cumulative impact study;
Zero pollution to be required of existing   Thermal Power Plants;
Promote biomass based /solar sources for decentralized energy needs. All should be strictly regulated and be subject to social audit.
Power plants  are allowed subject to strict environmental regulations and monitoring  and after cumulative impact assessments are undertaken;
Dams subject to strict regulation and social audit. 
Transport
No new railway line.
No national highway/state highway/expressways.

Upgradation possible/permitted subject to strict regulation and social audit; New roads subject to strict regulation and social audit.
Essential new roads may be allowed subject to strict regulation and social audit. 
Tourism
No ecotourism zones;
Follow Ecotourism policy of MoEF;
Strict regulation

Strict regulation on basis of a Tourism master plan  and social audit
Strict regulation and social audit
Sewage disposal

Organize effective treatment of sewage under strict regulation and social audit 
Solid waste management
Ban all use of plastics; Enforce proper separation of degradable and non-degradable solid waste; Manage careful disposal of solid wastes subject to strict regulation and social audit; Introduce incentive payments for agreeing to host solid waste disposal sites within jurisdiction of any Panchayat
Hazardous waste management
Strictly ban all activities producing hazardous wastes
Strictly ban all activities producing hazardous wastes
Manage careful disposal of hazardous wastes subject to strict regulation and social audit
Education
Reconnect children and youth to local environment through education programmes focusing on local environmental issues.
To achieve this, students’  “River Clubs” should be encouraged in schools situated along the course of the respective river
Tailor Environmental Education projects to serve as an instrument of participatory environmental monitoring involving local community members; connect such exercises to preparation of “Peole’s Biodiversity Registers” by the local Biodiversity Management Committees
Science and Technology
Cumulative impact assessment for all new projects such as dams, mines, tourism, and  housing should be conducted  and permission given only if they fall within the carrying capacity
Environment river flow assessments / indicators should be worked out by  Research institutions, NGOs along with local communities

Information management
Build on the Western Ghats database of WGEEP to create an open, transparent, participatory system of environmental monitoring involving all citizens, in particular the student community
Update and upgrade hydrological data base of rivers and consolidate the ecological data base and information at river basin level
Assess downstream impacts of dams on river ecology, flood plains, fishing habitats, livelihoods,  biodiversity and related aspects
Map salinity intrusion so as to suggest improved flows in future
Monitor reservoir operations involving downstream local self governments and departments

Conclusion

Next time, when politicians come to your home for votes, don't forget to ask them about their opinion and measures they are going to implement to protect Western Ghats. This 1490km lengthy belt is second only to Eastern Himalayas in terms of bio-diversity in India. Source of many important rivers, Ghats are too important to lose.

Sajeev.

References


Note 1: Table is produced as it is from WGEEP report.
Note 2: Photos are from Wikipedia

Monday, April 15, 2013

Caste discrimination, victims in one case became preparators in another

Over 300 Dalit families of Deveerahalli Village (Tamilnadu).. allege that they are being denied work by intermediate castes of the village and of six other nearby villages.

“A love affair is the reason for denial of work to Dalits” - The Hindu

This is a classic example of discrimination. When upper caste stick with discrimination, both intermediate and lower caste, including dalits, protests; but they themselves are not free from this evil. Intermediate caste discriminates against lower castes, and this tendency goes down till the bottom of the pyramid.

Saturday, April 13, 2013

Doctor and medicine is available but syringe refuses to work - a tragic saga from Uttarakhand


"The Rs 793-crore UN-supported livelihood enhancement project in Uttarakhand is facing political and bureaucratic hurdle"

"...sponsored by the International Fund for Agriculture Development (IFAD), a UN body, the state government would receive funds totaling Rs 793 crore for livelihood enhancement project in the state. "Due to the stalemate, we have not received any funds so far," said a government official. Hence, the project has failed to take off in the state"

Rs 800-cr UN jobs project faces hurdle in Uttarakhand - Business Standard

Our system won't work, even if someone wants to help, and ready to invest money to improve the living condition of people