UNIT 26 ENVIRONMENT

Structure

26.0
26.1
26.2
26.3
26.4
26.5

Objectives
Introduction
Definitions
Historical Insights
Imperatives
Movemetits in Some Countries
26.5.1

Sarawak Tribals Movement

26.5.2

The Rainforest Protection in Brazil

26.5.3

Maoist Movement in Tree Plantation in China

26.5.4

Tribal Resistance in Mexico

26.5.5

Chico Movement in Philippines

26.5.6

Southern Nigeria's Resistance Movement

26.5.7

Greens of Germany

26.5.8

Green Peace Movement

26.5.9

Other Contributors to Environmental Movements

26.6 Movements in India

26.6.1

Chipko Movement

26.6.2

Save the Silent Valley Campaign

26.6.3

Save the Taj Campaign

26.6.4

Save the Soil Campaign

26.6.5

Thai Vaishet Campaign

26.6.6

Bedthi Campaign

26.6.7

Stop Bhopalpatnam - Inchampal Dams

26.6.8

Doon Mining

26.6.9

Karnataka's Degraded Forests

26.6.10 Kaiga Campaign

26.6.1 1

Gandhamardhan Bauxite Mining

26.6.12 Narmada Bachao Andolan

26.6.13 Save the Western Ghats March
26.6.14 Tehri Dam Campaign
26.6.15

Rayon Factory Pollution

26.6.16 Chilka Bachao Andolan

26.6.17 Centre for Science and Environment
26.6.18 Chattisgarh Movement
26.6.19 Water-shed Movements
26.6.20 Auroville Movement
26.6.21

26.7
26.8
26.9
26.1 0

26.0

Bishnoi Tradition

The Indian Scenario : A Perspective

Let Us Sum Up
Some Useful Books
Answers to Check Your Progress Exercises

OBJECTIVES

This unit endeavo~lrsto illustrate that people organised or otherwise can ventilate
their responses to changes in their environment through dissents, pr,otests and
resistance instead o f the usual political mechanisms o f parties and representatives.

This unit covers tlie followi~igsubjects - ecology, environment, resources,

development, consequences o f development to society and responses o f people to
tlirougli tliis unit you will be able to understand:
these challenges. After
what constitutes ecology and environment;
meaning and nature o f e ~ i v i r o n ~ n eniovements;
~it
types o f some environment movements in various countries; and
nature and importa~iceo f environment movelne~itsin India.

26.1

INTRODUCTION

The i~nprove~ne~it
o f living coliditiotis o f mankind. tliroi~glithe exploitatio~io f
natural resources, ecotio~iiicgrowtli and social developmeltt, has bee11liappe~iing
for centuries. However, tliis progress i s considered very limited for five major
reasons by tlie Club o f Rome and silpported by tlie Global 2000 Report.
Over population
l~isufficie~it
Energy
Depletion o f Resources
Hygiene and Sanitation
Pollution
'I'lierefore a brief knowledge o f ecology, environment. resources, their systems,
development and colisequelices is desirable to uridersta~idwhy social liiovelnents
occur in defense o f environment. Let us start wit11 some definitions.

26.2

DEFINITIONS

Ecology
Ecology means a co~itini~ous
symbiosis - mutual dependence o f all tlie
co~istitue~its
o f tlie planet e a ~ t li on water and lalid - forming a comrnoli pool
utilising each otlier yet replenishing tlie colnlnoli pool o f resourcefulness.
Therefore, all constituents ultimately balance each otlier - soil, water, plants,
animals, minerals, atmosphere, energy and humans. A l l these are distributed on
earth in different combinatioiis and permutations. Eacli o f sucli illiits i s called an
Ecosystein wit11 its diagnostic and distingilisliirig characteristics.

Environment
Environment suggests that Iiuman species co~isidershimself as external to tlie
symbiotic milieu o f all otlier coliipolielits and treats them merely as his resources
o f human
for his satisfaction. Therefore, SWAMPEAH became tlie e~iviro~i~iierit
society.

Resources
Water, soil and land, plants, animals,,microbes, miiierals and atniospliere
co~istitiltethe resource base o f liumanki~idbesides themselves. These have a
variety o f distributional patterns and productivity profiles both in quality and
quantity.

Ecosystems
The above resources are distributed on tlie planet iii about 40+ ecosystems
acconimodating different types o f tlie above and developi~igdisti~iguishi~ig

Environment
.

Social

~IOVC~CII~S

features o f themselves in d ~ course

~ e o f evolution, such as forests, deserts,
/
wetlands, seas, islands, rivers, grasslands, savan~ialisin equatorial, tropical,
subtropical, temperate and otlier cliriiatic and geographic zones and influenced by
longitudes and altitudes.
i

Development
Resources present in various systems are exploited for human consumption and
development by the use o f knowledge. experiences and experilnental knowledge
through science and technology. 'This usage is dolie by a planning by the political
authorities following a political process using administrative meclianisms taking
into consideration the social and economic well being o f people. Consequently
the distribution o f resources as well as the products of development constiti~tea
basic ingredient o f all tliese processes for equity and justice to be ensured.
Industry, trade, commerce and markets, therefore, are inseparable. During tliese
processes several consequences liave resulted.
,'

Consequences
Develop~nentclianges though designed to be good to all concerned liave bad
consequences in time and space on (a) otlier co~iiponentso f earth, Swampeali, as
a whole, i.e. ecosystems arid tlieir ecology, (b) on otlier peoples o f otlier
ecosystems, (c) on people o f their own ecosystems and (d) on themselves.
a)

'Tlie First coliseqilence is a change in the existing sceriarios - depletion o f

resources, degradation o f the systems and ecological in1balances where the
ownersliip o f resources and/or development changes hands sowing tlie seeds
o f injustice, inequalities, discontent and fer~iient.

b)

The second consequence is economic - reorientation in tlie internal

production and distribution, external trade deficits, internal and external loans
and investments, debt burdens and the economic back laslies on sections o f
people who have nothing to fall back.

c)

Tlie third consequence is social - inequalities, liopes and despair, divisions,

conflicts, hatred and violence. As tlie traditional values disappear along witli
the traditional resources and usage patterns tlie world gets divided into ricli
nations, poor nations, ricli people, poor people witli buffers everywhere
becoming fixed stars, while hopes and despairs alternate periodically as per
tlie whims o f people in power. Goodness and otlier human values
continuously vane-inexorably ~iiakingniost lives wortliless. This is tlie
inherent meaning o f Dandekar's Poverty Line.

d)

Tlie fourtli type o f consequences are the backlaslies in tlie environmental and
ecological processes wliicli often defy even a comprehension leave alone
alleviations. Once tliese are set in, it is difficult to reverse. Examples: Acid
Rain, Ozone depletion, etc.

Responses
Consequently people react to adversities responding to tlie challenges to tlieir
ecological securify. rl'liis happened in the past and continues to happen in
different parts o f tlie planet eartli. Tliese are outli~iedlater in this unit.
Tlie responses were first expressions o f concern, advises and cautions. They
gradi~allygrew i n t o protests and resista~ices- local, regional and even global in
character and magnitude. Tliese resistances assumed legal forni, social movements
and finally crossi~igthe nor~iiallyaccepted political ~nechanisniso f change. These
aye the social movements in defense o f human environment or environ~nental
movements for social Iiar~iiony.

Check Your Progress 1

Note: i) Use space provided below each qilcstion to write your answer.
ii) Check J*oilr anslvcr \vitli tlic ans\\lcrs given at the end o f the illlit.
by Ecolog~.. En\,ironmcnt and Ecos~~staii'?
1) Wliat do yo11 i~ndcrsta~id

2)

1
1

Wliat arc the coliscqucnccs o f Dcvclopmc~it'?

26.3

HISTORICAL ASPECTS

The state o f tlic planet earth can be sillii~iiariscdas a patch \vorli quilt o f nine
ivorlds brought about by four World Wars. the filial fifth one on-going. Tliis
sccliario \\rill be cliaractcriscd b!. a ratio o f 2:3:5 bct\\ccn the upper. ~iiiddlc.mid
lo\vcr classes alllong the global populations as the tinal scttlc~iic~it
o f a11 \\.ars in
his to^., Tlic major victim is the Planet Earth. tlic ~iiotlicro f all rcsoiirccs and
tlie major villain. consumerism. the ~iiotlicro f all problems. Tlic onl! solution for
all these is ecological sanit!. cliaractcriscd b!, continl~oilscn\~iro~i~iiclital
niovenicnts.
The above story lias ninny authors. A few o f tlicsc arc: Huslc!.. Vogt. Elirlicli.
Conuiioner, Leopold. Boulding. Mead, Club o f Ro~iic,Grcals. Gandlii. W W
Auduboni Society, Sierra Club. Gcograpliical Intcr~iational.ctc. A l l tlicsc,
lio\vever, \\rere prcccdcd b!. Vedic Wisdoms. Buddl~ismand Jainisni rooted in
India \\;liich was take11to heart by Beat Poets like D~.lanTlionias and Ala11Ginsbcrg. lSKCON and otlicr similar follo\\crs o f Indi?n thought. ~od6r;i Indian
philosophers witlioi~t~nucliroots in \vestern. '~iiatcrialis~ii
\zoiccd similarl!. - Radlia
Kali~alMuklierjcc. Sisir Kuniar Gliosc. Krislina CIiaitan!a and Gandliians. 'rlic
liiost i~itcrcstingo f all tlicsc is the Chief Baltimore \\.I10 \\arncd the Europeans
taking o w r their la1 ds and ilitroduccd tlic tcrlii RAINBOW WARRIORS for
ecological activists f ,toda!. \\.liicli \\.as riglitl! cliosc~iby tlic Grccn Pcacc
Movc~iicntas tlic ~ i a ~for
~ i cits monitoring and scouting F13gsliip!

Tlie aivironmental mo\cnicnts Iia\,c no Icft or riglit. 1-lie! have o ~ i l front

~ * and
back - Thinking globally but acting locall!..

26.4 IMPERATIVES
All over tlic \vorld? tlic Altruists liavc conic to tlic ope11 in tlic form o f \~oluntan~
organisations (NGOs) coni~iiittcdto social justice and ccological sccurity and
reco\lcn.. first as ad.ji~nctsto govcrnmcntal acti\,it!,. latcr as bcttcr agents o f
change. and no\\ as \vcak political forces. India's cn\ironmcnt ~ i i o \ ~ a i i cis~ iat
pl.oduct o f its dc~iiocratlcs!.stqii. It csscntially rcsts on tlircc planks - increasing
in\lolvcmcnt o f \~olu~itan.
agc~icicsand social acti\ ists across tlic C O L I I ~-~ ~tlicir
.

Social hlovcnicnts

increasing access to tlic country's tiicdia and tlie courts. Indian environtnental
groi~psliave organiscd numerous protest movenients against deforestation,
co~istri~ction
o f high dams, mining, pollution and nuclcar power plants witli
varying degrees o f success.

26.5

MOVEMENTS IN SOME COUNTRIES

26.5.1 Sarawak Tribals Movement

Sarawak is an enclave o f Malaysia in tlie island o f Kalimantan (Borneo) which
mostly belong to Indonesia. Malaysian government started fclling trees on a large
scale for export to Japan en route to Europe. The trade protits went to some
contractors o f Malay origin by execi~tiveorders. The ~iiainlandpeople werc
debarred from access to Sarawak by law. There was a veil o f secrecy aboitt tlie
whole operations.
The natives of Sarawak, victimised both by a deplctio~iof' resourccb. as well as
deprivation o f tlie accrued profits, werc oi~tragedby tlie censorship o f the
information flow also - adding insult to illjury. Tlicre was a popular ilpsilrge
against timber ~ i l i ~ l i tled
i g by an educated young tribal. I-larrison Ngao until some
concessions were extracted. And the outrage on resources and profits were
mitigated considerably and tlie wliole world came to k ~ i o wo f tliis macabre
episode climaxing ~ r i t hthe alternate Nobel Prize to Ngao.

26.5.2 The Rainforest Protection in Brazil

Rain forests in Brazil were under constant stress o f cattlc ranches. mineral
prospecting, rubber c i ~ l t i v a t i o bcsides
~i
timber mining. I n some parts ri~bber
.
plantations were replacing pristine forcsts forcing the local tribals into cheap
labourliood in the rubbcr plantations. This victimisation was soughr to be rcsisted
by tlie local tribals i~lldcrthe leadership o f Chico Mendcs. Wliilc tlic
governments and media were alerted and some seniblance o f justice was
forthcoming Chico was ~nurderedby the agents o f Rubber Mafia. But tlie
Inovenlent was not in vain.

26.5.3 Maoist Movement in Tree Planting in China

During the cultural revolution in China Mao Tse Tung realised tlie value o f trees
in revitalising the ecology and provision for a welcomc environment to I-lumans
as no Marxist leader has ever realised. Co~isequenlly500 nill lion trees were
'
planted all over China by tlie y o i ~ t i grevolutionaries and were mandated to
maintain them i ~ n t idevclopi~ig
l
pennancncy in the 11ab'Itat.

26.5.4 Tribal Resisthncc in Mexico

As a sequel to North American Free Tradc Agreement (NAFTA) anlong Mcxico,
USA and Canada the agricultural pattern was sought to bc altered in the S o ~ ~ t l i East Aztec Kegion o f Mexico. The local tribals resisted the inlplementation o f
ally changes in their traditional morcs witli an arnlcd rebellion. N A F T A itself
was qi~estionedforcing thc government to intervene in their favour.

26.5.5 Chico Movement in Philippines

Chico river in Northern Philippines was sought to be damnied for electricity
~ ~ ob-jected because
generation and irrigation o f tlie plains. The c o n s t r i ~ c t i owas
tliis region was i~ncaredfor despite being undevelopcd for decades. I t has been,

therefore, agreed b y tlic govern~iientto develop tlie region simultaneously on a

priority basis. B u t nothing o f this kind lias happened. T l i c workers on tlie d a ~ i i
side strirck work i ~ i v i r i l i grepression fro111 tlie goveniment. Tlie response was a
counter. actiori b y tlie local people. The perceptio~io f tlie local people was tliat
the irrigation arid electricity benefits otlier people while tliey are not even i n a
p o s i t i o ~to
i appreciate tlietii leave a l o ~ i ei ~ t i l i s etlieni. Tlie counter violence
gradually beca~iiea Guerrilla warfare. The Manila Government b a s not able to
q i ~ e l this
l
a n ~ i e drebellion in defence o f their natural resources f r o m getting
hijacked for other peoples.

26.5.6 Southern Nigeria's Resistance Movement

Soutlierri Nigeria is a contrast t o tlie rest o f tlie country. I t is richer i n resoilrces
o f nature; better educated and cultured: prepondcrously Christian arid politically
uninfluential. Tlie local people resented tlie siphoning o f tlieir resources. A
movement for human rights was organised b y lliem . i ~ n d e rtlie leadersliip o f K e n
Sarowiwo wliicli grew fro111 stre~igtlito strength in popularity. Tlie niovenient
demanded a share o f tlie reveriires fro111 petroleum i n tlieir region. Tlie companies
as well as tlie government became restive as tlic field operations came to a stand
still ancl a little violence erupted whicli is n a t i ~ r a lin a l l confrontations. The
leadership was rounded u p and the supreliie leader Ken Sarowivo hanged very
cruelly ignoring the protests from global leadersliips.

26.5.7 Greens of Germany

B y far tlie most important o f tlie environriiental ~ i i o v e r i i e ~ i tins the world is tlie
'Die Grunen" o f Germany. This groirp was f o r ~ i i e di n 1970s when riiariy sectorial
groups wit11 inherent interrial iriadeqi~aciesdiscovered a coriimon cairse i n
ecological consciousness. TIILIS Leftists, Feminists. Anarchists. Marxists,
Liberation Theologians, Hippies, Atheists, Nonconformists arid tlie like joined
together w i t h a single 111otto o f ecological sa~ictitywliicli resembles Marsis111 and
Gandhis~ii.This evoked such an oppositiou that they were ostracized clubbing
utitli terrorists and anarchists and debarred f r o m Iiolding public orfices. They
however enjoyed a popularity among tlie commoners. Finding diis o f no avail t o
change the s i ~ i c i d a lpolicies o f goven~ments,they entered civic electiotls and
captured some c i t y corporations. Yet tliey could o n l y be partially successful.
Fearing tliat tliey may enter mainstreani politics, the establisliment reacted b y
imposing a m i n i ~ i i u ~5%
i i national vote f o r ally party i f its representatives were t o
sit in tlie Bundestag. Yet tliey obtained over 7% votc and tlie unfancied Greens
entered tlie parliament. This is a watershed i n the evolution o f ecological
moveriie~itsi n tlie world.
Green movements liave spread all over Europe. Tlie traditional political parties
included ecological agenda i n tlieir manifestations. I n Ger~iiany,tlie greens fared
badly i n the next elections but societies i n Europe became sensitised t o
ecological issues. Tlie recent electio~isi n Germany saw the Greens back into
reckoning. Tliey n o w share power along w i t h otlier parties. Tlie entire Europe lias
similar outfits now.
Tliey bl-oi~glitcartli consciousness. developed an t~nopposablearid i~riiversally
acceptable agenda. introduced electoralism and civic environmentalism. green
manifesto. I n short ecology has been politicised and politics ecoliscd. One o f the
foremost leaders o f this movement was Petra Kelly.

26.5.8 Green Peace Movement

Green Peace Moveriient wliicli lias origins i n Europe is more down to earth than
others. They are more practical and direct. Tliey liave championed many causes

Social hlovcmc~its

in defense o f human environment following a variety ol' methods. Sonie o f tlie

movements they carried out witli varied success are: against whale Iiiuiting by
Japan, nuclear testing by France, copper mining in Brazilian rainforests and
generally in favour o f disarriiament and against radiation Iiazards any\rherc. This
i s a great role model for other movements elsewliere.

26.1.9 Other Contributors to Environmental Movcmcnts

World Watch Institute, World Resources Institute, Friends o f the Earth and a
score o f others in Europe and America have been either conducting information
campaigns to help initiate changes or environmental movements. Most o f tlie
people who were felicitated witli Right Livelihood Awards, popularly known as
Alternate Nobel Prizes, were activists in defense o f hirnian environment - Rosalie
Bettrell, 'Vandana Sliiva. Harrison Ngao et at.

Clieck Your Progress 2

Note: i) Use space provided below eahi question to write your answer.

ii) Clieck your answer witli the answers given at tlie erid o f the unit.
1)

How and why have the environment movements emerge?

2)

What i s the importatice o f Greens o f Germany?

26.6 MOVEMENTS IN INDIA

26.6.1 Chipko Movcment
Spearheaded by tlie Daslioli (>ram Swarqi~.aMandal. a Gandliian orga~iisation,the
Chipko Move~iientbcgari as a protest moveme~itill 1973 against the policy o f tlie
government o f Uttar Pradesli to auctiori forests. Chipko activists stand for
people's rights in forests and have sirice gone on to organisc women's groups for
afforestation. Chipko essentially meaning - HUG tlie TREES - to prevent felling,
remailis the most favoured environmental movement in India. I t was launched by
Suriderlal Baliuguna and Chandi Prasad Bliat.
As a seqi~elto tlle above riiovement. several wild l i f e sanctuaries have been
carved out and poaching in these areas has been riiade a cog~iizableoffense.
Indeed, laws which prohibited killing endangered spccics o f aninials and birtls
were passed tlirougl~mid-sixties. The Gir lion, tlie Ucngal tigcr, tlie great Indian
Bustard and a few other species benefited a great deal tlirough such la\ris. For
some species, they caliic too latc: for example. the Indian Cliectali 2nd the musk
deer. But tlie questions raised by e~iviro~~rnentalists
arc I'ar Illore basic and i t is in
questio~~
(so raisccl tliat the quintessence e~iv~ronlncnta
1 movcmcnt lies.

Over several years this experience liad inspired anotlier niove~iientcalled

"Appiko" in Karnataka again to liug trees to prevent felling around tlie Western
Ghats.

26.6.2 Save the Silent Valley Campaign

11

Tliis is the first major ca~npaigriagainst a dam in India, which started in the
early 1980s. I t successfully saved a genetically rich and one o f tlie last remaining
rainforests in Kerala from being submerged. Tlie canipaig~iwas spearheaded by
tlie Kerala Sastra Sahitya Parisbad, and supported by all specialists i n India.

26.6.3 Save the Taj Campaign

E~iviron~iie~italists
feared tliat pollution from the Matliura refinery, located 40
kriis. away, could damage the Taj Malial. Tlie heat they generated forced the
authorities to take precautionary measures and monitor the monument froni any
sign o f deterioration from air pollution.

26.6.4 Save the Soil Campaign

I

Known as tlie M i t t i Bacliao Abliiyan, tlie movement was launclied in 1977

against tlie waterlogging and salinity caused by tlie Tawa dam in Madliya
Pradesli. The campaign ~nobilisedlocal farmers to denialid compensation for the
lands affected.

26.6.5 Thai Vaishet Campaign

Tlie setting o f tlie world's biggest urea plant just 21 km. from Bombay at Thai
Vaisliet evoked enormous opposition from city groups. notably the Bombay
Environmental Action Group, wliicli feared tliat the plant w i l l increase Bombay's
pollution and over congestion. Their concerted efforts delayed the project over
t w o years but failed to clia~lgethe site.

26.6.6 Bedthi Campaign

This hydroelectric project located in Karnataka was tlie second i n India - after
Silent Valley - t o be abandoned after environmental protests. The project would
have submerged tracts o f forests arid prosperous areca nut, cardamom and pepper
gardens. Local farniers and eminent scientists from Bangalore campaigned against
tlie project.

26.6.7 Stop Bhopalpatnam - Inchampal Dams

r
I

These t w o dams on the lndravati river in Maliaraslitra were stopped due to local
protests fro111 tribals led by tlie Jungle Bacliao Manav Bacliao Andolali - a
coalitioli o f activists, politicians and social workers.

26.6.8 Doon Mining

Limestone ~ i i i n i ~jn
i g tlie Doon valley and Mussorie hills has left perliianent scars
on tlie fa~iioushill, destroying forests and permanent water sources. The Rural
Litigation and Entitlement Kendra in Delira Dun filed a public interest case in
the Supreme 'Court and tlie Court in a historic judgement ordered tlie closure o f
tlie mines on grounds o f environmental destruction.

Social Rlovcmcnts

26.6.9 Karnataka's Degraded Forests

The Karriathha gover~iment'sdecision to grant nearly 80,000 acres of degraded
forest land and revenue lalid to a joint sector company, for afforestatio~iwas
opposed by environmentalists. Sa~iiajParivartana Samudaya, a local voluntary
agency lias filed a petitiori in tlie Supreme Court co~ite~idirig
that people's access
to government forest land is crucial to tlieir survival and so tlie governments
decision to undertake afforestatio~ithrougli co~n~nercial
interests, affects tlieir
fundamental right to life.

26.6.10 Kaiga Campaign

Opposition to the nuclear power plant at Kaiga in Karnataka started in 1984.
Illspite of the government's decisioli to go aliead with tlie project, local groups
comprising farmers, betel nut growers, fislierfolk, jourtialists and writers wanted
tlie project to fold up. Tlie project continued witli considerable improvements to
ally tke fears of local people.

26.6.11 Gandhamardhan Bauxite Mining

The proposal to mine bauxite in tlie Gandliamardlian reserve lbrest in Orissa even
tliougli for~iiallycleared by tlie govertiment, lias beeri stalled because of tlie
intense agitation of tlie local tribals wlio do not want to see tlieir forests
destroyed.

26.6.12 Narmada Bachao Andolan

Tliis ca~iipaigriagainst tlie massive river valley projects on tlie Narmada river,
one in Madliya Pradesli arid another in Gujarat, evinced enormous public interest.
In a now famous meeting in Harsud in Madliya Pradesli, several thousands of
campaigness across tlie country, gatliered to espress tlieir solidarity to tlie cause.
Sardar Sarovar and Narmada Sagar Pro-jects are designed to take water to Kutcli
to G~tjarat.Four states are i~ivolvedin tlie execution of tliis Pro-ject - Madliya
Pradesli, Maliaraslitra, G~~jarat
and Rajastlian, Gujarat being tlie major beneticiary.
Tlie mandatory report on tlie environmental status dealt witli eight relevant
issues: catcllment area, treatment, compensatory afforestation, command area
develop~iient,rehabilitation, floralfauna, archaeology, seismicity and health
aspects.
Tliis report pointed out that while tlie environmental and rellabilitation aspects
should be iniplemented simultaneo~~sly
witli tlie main construction work, tlie
co~istructioriwork progressed faster by four years while all otliers are far behind
schedule. The worst was resettlenient of tlie oustees. It (is against tliis background
that Ms. Medlia Patkar has launched a historic agitation. Meanwhile tlie dam
height was sought to be raised. Every trick co~iceivedwas faced sq~tarelyuntil
World Bank revised its stand and the govertiment of Madliya Pradesli softened its
stand. 'flie Andolan continues.

26.6.13 Save the Western Ghats March

Tliis padyatra, jointly orga~iisedby a ~i~lliiber
of eliviro~i~iie~ital
groups in 1988,
covered over 1,300 k ~ n across
.
tlie States of Maliaraslitra, Goa, Karnataka, Tatnil
Nadu arid Kerala. Tlie Marcli focused attention on tlie environmental problems of
tlie Western Ghats.

26.5.14 Tehri Dam Campaign

Tlie construction o f Teliri dam in seismic Himalayas lias been challenged by
many environmental groups. Protests by tlie Teliri Bandli Virodlii Sangliarsli
Samiti, a local organisation, liave continued for over 20 years.
Setting o f industries and power plants has increasingly become a cause o f protest
because o f fears o f possible pollution and destruction o f the surrounding
environment.
In recent years, there liave also been protests against nuclear power plants at
Narora, Kakrapi~r,Kaiga, Koodankulam and Nagarjunasagar and against their
possible setting in Kerala.

26.5.15 Rayon Factory Pollution

The case o f '"Mayur" in Kerala illustrates what law can do. Tlie Birlas built a
Rayon factory tliere taking advantage o f abundant availability o f bamboo in that
area. Soon tlie local population began to enjoy a better level o f prosperity than
before. Tlie factory Ipt out tlie effluents into tlie nearby river. The water
consequently became non potable. An agitation forced i t to close up. Tlie
township went back to its earlier poverty. A new agitation to get tlie factory
reopened succeeded ensuring steps to prevent air and water pollution.

26.6.16 Chilka Bachao Andolan

Chilka, Asia's largest brackish water lake lies on Bay o f Bengal in Orissa State
and i s 60 km. long and 30 km. broad at farthest points witli an area o f 1,200 sq.
km. during monsoon. Winter brings millions o f migratory birds from tlie far
corners o f tlie world. Therefore, open part o f tlie lake, along witli Nalaban Island,
lias been turned into a sanctuary. Tlie lake's mouth into sea is rich in dolphins.
With all this, Chilka lias been a major attraction for toi~ristsand nature lovers for
a long time. But over tlie last few decades things turned murky converting i t into
an area o f conflicts and violence.
I t all started by tlie Tata Project witli Orissa Government - a large shrimp c i ~ l t i ~ r e
co~iiplexin lake witli a Rs.30 crore turnover. In response a former Orissa
Revenue Minister Banka Beliari Das launclied tlie Chilka Bachao Andolan. Tlie
Andolan contended tliat tlie project (a) would block local~fislierman'saccess to
tlie lake (b) take away a vast grazing ground o f the lacal cattle (c) pollute tlie
lake witli organic nutrients and fermented feed at regular intervals - killing tlie
marine life and drive tlie fish catch already falling due to salutation and declining
salinity, and (d) drive away tlie migratory birds because o f tlie large number o f
diesel pu~iipso f high horse power to be used for maintaining the flow o f water.
India is a signatory to the Ramsar International Treaty on wetland preservation
where Cliilka was identified as one o f tlie world's most important water bodies
on account o f its unique ecosystem. Therefore, in October 1992 central
govern~nentdecided not to grant environmental clearance to the Tata Project.
And in November 1993, came a judgement from D i v i s i o ~Bench
~
o f tlie Orissa
High Court in defense o f Cllilka Lake Ecosystem.
Meanwhile, economic pressures made many non-fisl~ermenturn to the lake for
survival. The Chilka ~ a c h a dAndolan, took up tlie cause o f the fishermen with
renewed vigour involving local villagers on a large scale. This lnovelnent was
supported by environmental specialists by and large.

Yet coliinierce and profit proved stronger tliali ecology and welfare. Tlie outsiders
~ i lake and tlie barriers used by
liave used local non-fishermen to encroacli i ~ p othe
prawn farnis near tlie lake connection witli sea reduced tlie local catches leading
to popular agitations and police firing. Tlie current demand is to ban the prawn
farming in toto in Cliilka and tlie andolati continues.

26.6.17 Centre for Science and Environment

Tliis Centre lias bee11doing ininiense service to tlie cause o f environment for tlic
last two decades ilnder the leadersliip of Anil Agarwal. 'l'liough tliey liave not
~ital
movements, tliey liave
directly organised any e ~ i v i r o ~ i ~ i i e resistawe
supports background niaterials,
championed tlieir causes, provided infor~iiatio~i
advised for policy changes, lobbying tlie paradigm shifts and attiti~dinalchanges
fro111 Presidents and Prime Ministers to coninlotiers witli exeniplary positive
efforts. Witliout CSE and its periodical Down to Earth reports liiany niovenients
in India woi~ldnot have been known to tlie co~lcernedcitizenry.

26.6.18 Chattisgarh Movement of Sankar Guha Neogi

Sa~ikarGuha Neogi organised tribals o f Cliattisgarli against exploitation o f eve1
kind tlie most prominent being against the profiteering fro111 forest produce.
While lie mixed environ~nentwith trade unionism and representative politics, his
tlirust has always been ecological security for tlie local people and tribals. N o
wonder lie lias been killed, i~nableto bear his successes, by the oppressive
elements.

26.6.19 Water-shed Movements in Maharashtra, Palamau and

Sukhmojori
Tliese are coniparatively snialler movements not aimed against any oppression.
These are concerned about sliaring tlie most sacred o f resources, water, among all
tlie needy. 'l'lie Paani Pancliayats in sollie parts o f Maliaraslitra were successfill.
Tlie experiment at Suklio~iiojorion the regeneration o f a wliole village based on
water use lias been repeated at Palamau and is considered a Role Model,
sliortco~iiingsnot withstanding.

26.6.20 Auroville Movement

Auroville is a sniall settle~nento f concerned individuals o f Inany nationalities
and security.
bound by tlie philosopliy o f Aurobindo and ecological co~iservatio~i
Tliis has bee11filnctioning for the last 30 years. Just by example they liave been
able to resurrect both concerns as well as efforts for better environment.
Restoratio~io f degenerated soil, liarvesting solar and wind energies, recycling
wastes for better agroproductivity, alternatives to clieniical pesticides, social
forestry, organic farming, tank regeneration, watershed management, ecologically
sound l i o i ~ s i ~are
i g some alnolig tlieir activities. In fact tliis Auroville niovenient
call be mother o f a myriad peoples' movements in tlie rest o f India.

26.6.21 Bishnoi Tradition

Tlie Cliipko niove~nentderived inspiration from tlie tradition o f Bisliriois in
Rajastl~a~i
to protect tlie trees and tlie wild life associated witli them for which
tlieir wolneli folk laid tlieir lives long ago. Even recently tlie media reported how
some film starts o f Bombay were hauled up for violati~igtliis sanctity under
Bishnois' initiative. Tliis tradition is by far tlie most si~stainedenvironmental
lnovement in India.

26.7

THE INDIAN SCENARIO : A PERSPECTIVE

Resources o f water, soil, land, plants, animals, air, energy. forests are a l l
o~i
are owtied up. 'The projects
inadequate t o meet basic needs. C o ~ i i ~ i i properties
o f develop~nentd o n o t spread equitably. Y e t their by-products and improper
exploitatio~io f resources degrade the conimon heritage, tlie ecosystems. A s a
natural corollary Illore and m o r e people are deprived o f subsistences, w h o g o
d o w n the poverty-line. T h e y will soon constitute h a l f o f India.
Huge projects, irrigational and industrial provide o ~ i l ya very short - lived relief.
I n the l o n g run, eacli project disturbs tlie ecology o f tlie area so m u c h that clear
water, clean air, healthy f o o d and bio-resources cannot be taken f o r granted. A
natural corollary t o a l l inequalities will be conflicts, violence and even B o s ~ i i a t i o ~ i
- because i ~ i j u s t i c ew i l l n o t be accepted b y a l l people and f o r a l l times. 'The
e x p a ~ i s i o ~ i i so~f nd e v e l o p ~ n e ~si ty ~ ~ d r o mwei l l n ~ i nour resources, ecology and
environment still further. H u m a n progress is taking place at an unsustainably liigll
cost.
Government is respo~isiblef o r development and progress. I t lias a l l tlie resources
f o r protection o f envil-onment:k~iowledge inputs - decision m a k i n g - finances bureaucracy and party fi~nctionariesand workers - external illputs and expertise.
Y e t voluntarism is preferred, advocated, encouraged and depended iipon. H A S
T H E P O L I T Y DEGENERATED'?
H o w long can a voluntary A c t i o ~ sustain
i
itself? A federation o f N G O s is
essential f o r enhancing tlie power o f lobbyin$ f o r and achieving the cherished
objectives. If tlie political forces, parties and mechanisms d o not becollie ecology
coriscious environmental activists tliernselves have t o turn i l l t o political forces.
Otlicrwisc ecological anarchy breeds social and political anarchies.
I n the meantirne judicial activism lias come as a 'welcome innovation'. Public
Interest Litigation and Greeri Benches ensure t o prevent assaults o n environment
especially polluting industries and provide necessary life breath t o environ~iiental
movements t o sustain themselves.

Chcck Your Progress 3

Note: i) Use space provided below eacli question t o write your answer.

ii) Check y o u r allswer wit11 tlie a'nswers given at the end o f tlie unit.
1)

'

Describe the nature and importance o f C l i i p k o Movement.

..................................................................................................................................
2)

What are the issues irivolved i n Nariiiada Bacliao A ~ i d o l a n ?

..................................................................................................................................

Social ~ ~ u v c m c n t s

3)

What are the issues itivolved in environmental degradation?

..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................
..................................................................................................................................

26.8

LET US SUM UP

Eartli and its components are heritage resources o f mankind. Due to owning up
o f tliese by some sections o f human society severe negative consequences fell on
others. Wlien governments are unable to prevent these avoidable problems before
they become irreversible backlashes, some rear guard action is initiated by
intellectuals, concerned citizens and locally affected people. This substitutio~~
for
the responsibilities o f a welfare government, by Gandliians, Marxists, Scientists,
Conservatio~~ists
and Victims, in fact, constitutes a new dirnensiori to political
theory.
These niovenierits niay be political atid social resistances, educational and
awareness campaigns. public opinion builders, but are policy changers all for
to more people for longer time.
better eriviron~iie~it
Million mutinies liave occurred in this world by a variety o f people against
environmental unconsciousness and damage, but liave remained unrecorded and
unheralded.

26.9

KEY WORDS

Guerilla Warfare

Fights conducted by small secret groups not members

o f regular arniy in towns.

Liberation
Theologians

:
:

Concern and action for social justice by those who are

basically religious scholars. In other words religions
Concern for social justice.

Feminists

Those who are concer~~ed

in the women's rights and
involved in lnovelnents for the same.

Anarchists
-

26.10
Donvi
a

10

Persons who believe that government and laws are

i~~~desirable
and therefore sliould be abolished.
- -

SOME USEFUL BOOKS

Eurlh, Ecologisl. Publications o f CSE, Eartli Scan, and World Watch

Institute
TV Cl~an~iels
o f Discovery and National Geograpliic

26.11 ANSWERS TO CHECK YOUR PROGRESS

EXERCISES
Check Your Progress 1
1 ) Ecology - A continous sy~nbiosis- mutual dependence o f all tlie constituents
o f the planet.

Environment- Co~lsideratioliby human beings outside ecology and making

use of that only for their use.
Ecosystems- Distribution of environment resources
forests, deserts, wetlands etc.
Check Your Progress 2

i
I

1)

See Section 26.4

Check Your Progress 3

I)

See Sub-section 26.6.1

2) See Sub-section 26.6.12

3) See Section 26.7

it1

different systems like

Environment