This document in two volumes deals with the Environmental and Social Management Framework of National Ganga River Basin Authority established by the government for comprehensive management of the river. Read more »
Killing Democracy Slowly
While there has been a furore over the Women’s Reservation Bill, the government has been attempting to push through the Nuclear Liability Bill, Communal Violence Bill and Biotechnology Regulation Bill without the discussion and consultation that are mandatory in a democracy, writes Manish Read more »
Environment And Development : Background & Perspective
Fifty-five years of ‘development’ have spurred on unplanned urbanisation, extensive industrialisation, and the building of a series of big dams. In the process, India has landed bang in the middle of an ecological crisis. We have lost half our forests, poisoned our waters, eroded our lands and rendered millions homeless, resourceless and more impoverished. Three of our cities are amongst the 15 most-polluted cities in the world. Several of our plant and animal species are extinct. Why and how has this happened? And how can the situation be remedied? What is the difference being made by government legislation and people’s movements for the environment? Read more »
Give Rural Poor Control Over Ecosystems To Fight Poverty: WRI Report
With proper management and the incentives that come with control and accountability, ecosystems could generate enough income to lift the rural poor out of abject poverty, says a new report by the World Resources Institute Read more »
Transferring 26% of mining profits to local populations
The Indian government is thinking about giving local people a stake in the resources mined from their area by offering them 26% equity or payout of profits. But will government implement profit-sharing any more effectively than it implements the rehabilitation of the displaced? Read more »
Sustainable Livelihoods : Background & Perspective
Several UN and world summits now accede that the achievement of sustainable livelihoods is intricately linked with the eradication of poverty. But between international and government fora where ‘sustainable livelihoods’ is the new buzzword and the situation at the grassroots is a huge gap. For a decade of structural adjustment and the development-at-any-cost doctrine have conspired to deprive millions of Indians — adivasi tribals, marginal farmers, weavers and others — of their traditional means of livelihood. Read more »
Agriculture And Food Security : Background & Perspective
Pre-Independence India suffered repeated famines, drought and food shortages. But following the Green Revolution in the ’60s, yields and foodstocks rose manifold. Now, 30 years later, Indian farmers have realised the follies of their tryst with intensive agriculture. Despite 70 per cent of the population being engaged in agriculture and allied activities, declining foodgrain production and access to food remain the two biggest problems confronting the country. Liberalisation has made things worse: commercial crops are eating into the fertile land tracts meant for essential foodgrains. And six years after the World Trade Organisation came into existence, the anticipated gains for India from the trade liberalisation process in agriculture are practically zero. Read more »
Govt To Document Goan Artisans, Handicrafts
Goan artisans and their handicrafts will soon be documented by the state government for socio-economic and tourism purposes. The Goa Handicrafts Rural and Small Scale Industries Development Corporation Ltd (GHRSSIDC) says the idea is to make these professions economically viable, while also adding to Goa’s tourism attractions. Read more »
MoEF Seeks To Make VPs Protect Fisherfolk
The ministry of environment and forests ( MoEF) has proposed regulatory functions to panchayats under the proposed ‘Traditional Coastal and Marine Fisherfolk (Protection Rights) Act, 2009’ in a bid to ensure sustainable use of marine resources for biodiversity conservation and to also protect the livelihood of traditional fishermen. Read more »
SC Notice To Centre, Goa Govt For Cancelling SEZ Land Allotment
The Supreme Court on Monday issued notices to the Centre and the Goa government for cancelling land allotment for seven special economic zones to firms, including realty player K Raheja group, and directed them to maintain the status quo. Read more »