29 Jun 2008

CAUSE & EFFECT
Following the fast unto death by noted environmentalist and Gandhian Shri GD Agarwal, the Uttarakhand government has decided to withdraw the construction of its two major hydel projects — 480 Mw Pala Maneri and 400 Mw Bhairon Ghati — on the Bhagirathi river. But the decision regarding the construction of 600 MW Lohari Nagpala has been put into the centre’s court since it is being constructed by NTPC.

For those who don’t know him, Guru Das Agarwal — with his flowing white beard and piercing eyes — might appear like a rishi. For those who know him, he’s nothing less. Probably it is an indication of the kind of esteem in which the 76-year-old former IIT Kanpur professor is held that when he decided to go on a fast-unto-death to protest against the hydel power projects being built on the upper reaches of the Ganga, support began pouring in.

Bloggers compared his fast to a tapasya and his efforts to save the Ganga to those made by Bhagirath to bring the river from heaven to earth. Petitions were signed — scientists, students and religious leaders pitched in with their support and the result was that within a week of Agarwal’s fast, the Uttarakhand government was forced to suspend two of its projects at Bhaironghati as well as Pala-Maneri. However, Agarwal refuses to break his fast, till the 600 mw Loharinag-Pala project, being executed by National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) is also withdrawn. The question is: why is this septuagenarian professor opposed to these projects?

Barefoot environmentalist

The answers probably lie in Agarwal’s background. The former head of department of civil and environmental engineering at IIT Kanpur is widely acknowledged as the doyen of environmental engineering professionals in the country. His students remember him as an awe-inspiring teacher; many — like Magsaysay awardee Rajendra Singh and Centre for Science and Environment founder Anil Agrawal — have earned a name for themselves in the field of conservation.

As a member secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board in the early 1980s, Agarwal has been credited with shaping India’s policies for improving environmental and pollution regulatory mechanisms. For the past few years, he has been living in Chitrakoot and teaching students at the Mahatma Gandhi Chitrakoot Gramodaya Vishvavidyala. A bachelor, he is known to follow a spartan, Gandhian lifestyle, living in a cottage, where he cooks his own meals, wears homespun khadi and travels by bicycle.

The manner in which Agarwal chose to register his protest was characteristically Gandhian. On April 14, he wrote a letter to some associates in which he outlined how the quality, quantity and flow of the Ganga between Gangotri and Uttarkashi were being disrupted to generate hydro-electricity. “Already, long stretches of the Bhagirathi Ganga remain waterless for long periods. In the near future, this may become the state of the entire river. At least the Bhagirathi, upstream of Uttarkashi, should be spared of any works that disturb its natural flow, ecology, purity or piety. After brooding over it for several months, I have decided to oppose such works with all the might that I have,” he wrote.

Agarwal’s prediction is not mere rhetoric, says Dr Anil Gautam of the Dehradun-based People’s Science Institute. “It is a very realistic scenario, since long detentions behind dams and barrages will adversely impact the river,” he says.

Ecological footprint

Foremost among the environmental impacts that Agarwal warns about are long-term changes that would be brought about in the water spread, velocities of flow, soil moisture, ground water tables etc that will subsequently affect the aquatic and terrestrial ecology, land use and the overall environment.

“Since these are subtle changes and take a long time to become visible, they are generally ignored both by project planners as well as environmental impact assessment consultants,” he says. “An example is of the river Snowy in Australia, which is very similar to the Bhagirathi. Ecological changes occurring in its basin resulted in the demolition of a major dam and changes in the operation schedules of hydro-electric stations, rendering them uneconomical.”

There are specific impacts on vegetation and wildlife as well as those brought about by construction and quarrying, which would become immediately visible in the fragile mountain region, says Agarwal. “Most herbs of medicinal value are found in these pockets of sensitive vegetation. Many important fish species like ‘ hilsa’ are known to migrate to Himalayan uplands for spawning. Those pushing these projects have conveniently stated that earlier projects have already disrupted this migration. Rather than correcting the mistake, they want to further add to it. Also, no thought has been given to wildlife, which is already under threat. Wouldn’t the blasting and tunnelling in the Himalayas drive the wildlife further away from their present hideouts? And, if wildlife cannot survive in the jungles of the Himalayas, where else can they survive?” he asks.

The sacred and the holy

In addition, there is also the issue of faith. “The Ganga is no ordinary river — it is revered and worshipped by crores of Hindus,” says Agarwal. “It has been proved through scientific studies that Gangajal has disease-curing, health-promoting and purifying properties at levels much beyond any other waters known. How can you apply the same criteria, the same environmental impact assessment guidelines and the same economic planning to the Ganga as to some nondescript stream?” he says.

In fact, the issue of faith has drawn many religious leaders to support Agarwal — like yoga guru Swami Ramdev who recently launched the Ganga Raksha Manch. Swami Chidanand Saraswati of Parmarth Niketan – the head of the largest ashram in Rishikesh — has been another vocal supporter. “We need to understand the consequences of obstructing the flow of the Ganga. If this is allowed to happen, there would be nothing left of the Ganga in 25 years,” he says.

But if hydel power projects are done away with, how would growing electricity requirements be met? Uttarakhand, for instance, has a significant hydro-potential of 15,000 mw, out of which only 10% has been tapped. The way out is to adopt a middle path, says Sarasawati. “Alternate sources of power like thermal or solar power can be explored. Besides, there are many smaller rivers in the region, which can be harnessed, without causing significant changes in their flow.”

That might be a workable solution in the future, but the immediate concern of those supporting Agarwal is his rapidly deteriorating health. It’s been 15 days since he started his fast and almost a week since he shifted his location from Uttarkashi to Delhi in a bid to persuade the Central government to withdraw these projects. However, according to Gautam, there hasn’t been much interest shown towards the issue by the Union government. “It’s saddening to see a person of such eminence being ignored. After all, what he is protesting against is for the benefit of the country.”

How the issue plays out remains to be seen. But, in case Agarwal’s prediction comes true, future generations might just be left wondering — “Ram teri Ganga kahan?”

News Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com

S.M.A. Kazmi | Tribune News Service | Dehradun, 29 June 2008

The union power ministry has decided not to suspend the 600 MW Lohari Nagpala hydroelectric project being undertaken by the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) pitting the central government against the environmentalists as well as the Hindutva forces. Meanwhile, the ‘fast unto death’ undertaken by Prof. G.D. Agarwal, a noted environmentalist against power projects on the Ganga, entered its’17th day today.

Union minister of state for power Jairam Ramesh during his visit to Tehri hydroelectric project categorically stated that there was no question of closure of 600 MW Lohari Nagpala project on Bhagirathi river.

Professor Agarwal, a noted environmentalist, had started his ‘fast unto death’ agitation on June 13 to demand scrapping of hydroelectric projects on the Ganga between Gangotri and Uttarkashi. Bowing to the pressure, thee BJP government in Uttarakhand decided to shelve two of its power projects – 400 MW Pala Maneri and 310 MW Bhairon Ghati projects.

After the decision of the state government, Agarwal shifted from Uttarkashi to New Delhi to pressurise the union government to suspend the 600 MW Lohari Nagpala project.

The reaction by Jairam Ramesh was the first reaction by a functionary of the union government on the power projects on the Ganga. Already, the Uttarakhand Congress has objected to the agitation by Agarwal and termed it as politically motivated to help the BJP in the next General Election.

Ramesh said the NTPC has already spent Rs 300 crore on Lohari Nagpala project and there was no question of stopping the project. Asked about the decision of the Uttarakhand government to shelve its’ project, Ramesh replied that Pala Maneri and Bhaironghati projects were only on drawing boards and there was no problem in shelving them.

On another controversy between the state government and the National Hydro Power Corporation (NHPC) on the issue of Lakhwar Vyasi power project, the union minister of state for power said the project would be built in collaboration by the NHPC and the state government. Earlier, NHPC officials had alleged that the state government had taken the Lakhwar Vyasi project from them without assigning any reason.

“We will be sending the draft of the memorandum of understanding on the project to the state government soon,” Ramesh clarified.

News Source: http://www.tribuneindia.com

Ramgarh (Nainital), 27 Jun 2008

Apple growers in Nainital are delighted as the agriculture scientists develop a new breed of the fruit that starts bearing fruit in a short span of a little more than a year.

Agriculture scientists from Holland and Uttarakhand have developed a new variety of apple plant that can bear fruit in 13 months only.

The research spanning three years has fructified in the development of M-9 and-111 varietirs of apple plants.

According to apple experts, these varieties can bear six to seven kilos of fruits in a short span of time and the production would increase manifold in the coming years.

The experts and the apple growers in the area hope to reap a bumper apple crop in the coming years.

“We expect that from one plant there would be at least five to seven kilo of production of apples. Next year, we expect that the production will increase. Five years from hence one plant would bear 40-50 kilograms of fruit. Earlier, only 100 plants could be planted, but now we can grow 700 plants in the same area. So, not only the number of plants has increased, but the production will also increase to 40-50 kilos from 25-30 kilograms. It is expected that 30,000 apples would be grown from one acre of land,” said Sudhir Chaddha, an agriculture expert.

Cultivators who planted the saplings in the hills of Ramgarh on experimental basis are now extremely happy to see the desired results. They claim that the plant have started bearing fruits in only 13 months.

It has brought cheer on the faces of apple growers who were of late not satisfied with the variety of apples they have been growing so far.”We were not getting good rates from the old variety of apples. We planted around 200 plants hoping that it will yield good results. Now, we are happy with the output that the company has also given us loan to grow apples on ten acre of land,” said Vinod Tyagi, an apple grower.

Apple industry is a major agro-economic player and source of employment for the hill state of Uttarakhand.

Apple orchards are found mainly in Ramgarh Mukteshwar belt of Nainital.

Other temperate fruits grown in Nainital are peach, pears, apricot, Kafal,trawberry, which make Nainital, a main fruit growing district of Uttarakhand. (ANI)

Dehradun, 20 Jun 2008

There is a need for a people friendly and rural oriented model of development, Uttarakhand Chief Minister B C Khanduri said here.

While inaugurating a two-day seminar Uttarakhand Sustainable Development Summit (USDS), organised by the government of Uttarakhand and the Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) here, Khanduri said the state needs a model of development that does not disrupt the life and livelihood of the rural population, but helps them grow in every aspect.

“The economic development and ecological development and management of natural resources should go together,” Khanduri said.

R K Pachauri, the Director General TERI said that Uttarakhand is fast moving on the path of economic progress and it should now adopt a strategy which also accounts for the impending impacts of climate change.

“Today unsustainable development has exceeded the capacity of the state’s ecosystem and by ignoring a proper mechanism, not only the state will have to face a major economic loss but the impacts will also be felt by the downstream states which Uttarakhand caters to,” he added.

News Source: http://www.saharasamay.com

Shishir Prashant / New Delhi/Dehradun, 20 June 2008

The Uttarakhand government today decided to stave off the construction of its two major hydel projects — 480 Mw Pala Maneri and 400 Mw Bhairon Ghati — on the Bhagirathi river.

The decision came following a cabinet meeting presided over by Chief Minister B C Khanduri, a top state government official said.

The move follows lingering controversy over the indefinite fast of Dr G D Agrawal, a top environmentalist since June 13, which had put considerable pressure on the BJP government with the Sangh Parivar outfits also lending their full support.

But the decision regarding the construction of 600 MW Lohari Nagpala has been put into the centre’s court since it is being constructed by NTPC.

Both the projects – Pala Maneri and Bhairon Ghati — have been allotted to the state-owned the Uttarakhand Jal Vidyut Nigam Ltd (UJVNL), which recently commissioned the 304 MW Maneri Bhali-II. An investment of nearly Rs 5200 crore was proposed in these two projects.

When contacted, a UJVNL official described the move as a big setback to the company saying it would seriously jeopardize the government’s initiative to become self-reliant in power.

Agrawal (76) began his fast unto death on Friday at Manikarnika Ghat area in Uttarakashi town, to protest against the construction of a series of hydel projects as part of his save Bhagirath campaign.

The major dams, which are built on Bhagirathi include Pala Maneri (480 Mw), Lohari Nagpala (600 Mw), Bhairon Ghati (381 Mw) and Jad Ganga (200 Mw).

Regarding the Jad Ganga project, the official said the construction work has not yet started.

News Source: http://www.business-standard.com

18 Jun 2008

Army’s efforts to revive Yatch sailing in Naini Lake in Uttarakhand is bearing fruit with the picture perfect lake surrounded by hills attracting and drawing tourists.

Officials of the army have taken it upon themselves to revive the yatch and boat rides in the hill station dubbed as ‘Lake Paradise’.

The army officials said that there was a time when the Naini Lake was famous and well known for its yatch rides, but owning to callous attitude of the authorities, the activity have taken a back seat.

“We are trying to revive the rides. We want to begin with inviting children from in and around Nainital. We will start a coaching program also. It would be a shame if we cannot keep the activities of a club that started in 1990 alive in 2010,” said H S Panag, Lieutenant General, Central Command.

The Nainital boat house located at the edge of the lake exclusively manages yatching in the northern town.

But officials say that the activities of the boat house have taken a back seat and an association that used to actively promotes the sport including other water sports such as canoeing and parasailing is no more active.

Meanwhile, the natural beauty of the lake and the excitement of the boat ride continue to enthrall those visiting the sparkling lake bound by hills.

“This is the ultimate place, people should come and visit Nainital more,” said Shuchi, a tourist.

Naini Lake, situated at an altitude of 2000 feet above sea level and surrounded by green hilltops, is a major tourist attraction. It is also the main source of drinking water for the resort.

It has been privileged with as many as 60 lakes. With the passage of time some 40 lakes disappeared because of deforestation, pollution and a general lack of awareness.

Nainital is known as the “Switzerland of India”" because of its picturesque lakes.If Nainital has still remained a tourist’s paradise, the credit largely goes to its Naini Lake. By Vipul Goel (ANI)