Time to rethink the development paradigm on Earth Day (22 April)

22 April 2010 is Earth Day
Not only modern lifestyles are causing un-brindled exploitation of natural resources upsetting the ecosystem and upping the global warming, but also the national policies in India related to environment are not in tune with International mandate to save the planet Earth. Read more

"Corporatisation of natural resources is bad for people and environment. The impact of abusing environment (most of which is a fall-out of corporate exploitation of natural resources) is most severely faced by tribals and the poor who are dependent on natural resources for sustaining their daily life and livelihood. Depriving them of their basic human rights is exacerbating the inequities and causing irreparable damage to the environment" said SR Darapuri, who is a retired Inspector General (IG) police and a prominent social activist with National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM). SR Darapuri is also the Lok Rajniti Manch (People's Politics Front) candidate for Lok Sabha elections from Lucknow this year.

"We need to change our lifestyles and come up with sustainable ways of development and living to save the planet Earth. The present development model is dangerous as it not only damages the environment irreparably but also is promoting corporate exploitation of natural resources thereby worsening the prevalent inequities for and increasing the marginalization of the most poorest communities who in fact had been guarding these resources." said Arundhati Dhuru, who leads the National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM) and is a veteran anti-dam activist with Narmada Bachao Andolan (NBA).

She further added it is no exaggeration to say that ecological crisis have affected women more deeply than men.The experiences documented throughout the world have pointed out again and again that women are the worst victims of ecological deterioration since their working days has been drastically lengthened by scarcity of water,fuel and fodder, and their traditional skills and occupations have been adversely affected by new technoloies in agriculture,artisanal work and marketing while new opportunities have not sufficiently developed.My contention is that tackling the ecological crisis is pertinent not only because environmental destruction is close to reaching a level where it is irreversible but its threatening the very survival of human being.

For example, private companies are siphoning away the groundwater in making their bottled water or soft drinks. "Civilazations have been built around drop of water, we will loose our right over this most precious resource when we make water as marketable commodity." said Gurudayal Singh Sheetal of Prakritik Manav Kendrit Andolan.

"Petroleum and natural gas reserves are already depleting fast and the need to find alternative, sustainable and environment-friendly sources of energy is compelling," says Arvind Murti, who is a senior social activist with NAPM in Mau. "Bio-energy, solar energy, wind energy and other sustainable and environment friendly forms of energy need to be promoted to save the planet" said Arvind Murti.

"Our living should be such as to reduce non bio-degradable garbage" said Prabha Chaturvedi, President of Exnora Lucknow. "Bio-degradable garbage should be buried in the Earth to make fertilizers" added Prabha.

Countries like Japan have committed themselves to become 'carbon zero' by 2050. India should also commit and take leadership in not only making promises but capping the irreparable damage corporations and urban lifestyles are causing to the planet.

"Unless sustainable ways of development and living are not evolved, it will be very difficult to sustain the prevalent kind of urban lifestyle where exploitation of natural resources goes on unabated by the nexus of private corporations and the state" said Anjali Singh, Director of Saaksham Foundation.

The overriding question is how to create a mode of production which does not depend on the expliotation of nature and labour power but which, in harmony with nature , provides for the survival needs of all.

[This article was originally written on 22 April 2009, to mark Earth Day. We are reproducing this on 2010 Earth Day (22 April) as issues highlighted have become more severe and pronounced, instead of getting addressed as the year went by. To read the 2009 article, click here]

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Time for grown-ups to listen to young sane voices: Save fuel, save environment

The young people are the true custodian of our future, so their voices must not be ignored. The children who live in urban slums in state capital of Uttar Pradesh gave a powerful message to grown-ups to save the environment. The outcome of rising pollution in the city and other adverse manifestations of environmental hazards, are often worst faced by those from the lower socio-economic group. Read more


Access to clean water, hygienic surroundings, clean air to breathe, eco-friendly garbage disposal, were some of the dreams of these children expressed in form of paintings. Simple solutions that can increase the quality of environment these children grow up in, were reflected in their incredible drawings. Saving fuel can reduce automobile emission, not burning 'tyres' in winters, recycling biodegradable garbage and handing over non-biodegradable one for further processing, carrying hand-bags and saying "no" to polythene, protecting water resources in the city so that those who don't have access to potable water can enjoy safe drinking water, were among the most powerful messages that came out of some of the paintings.

22-24 January 2010 saw children from Lucknow slums painting their messages for Lucknow citizens to protect the environment. As part of the Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) fortnight of activities on "saving fuel and saving environment," Hindustan Petroleum Corporation Limited (HPCL) helped host a drawing and painting event for children from six urban slums in Lucknow. Mr Siddharth Mishra, Senior Regional Manager (SRM) lucknow Retail, HPCL Lucknow, Mr Venkatesh Dwivedi State Coordinator, PCRA and Mr. Arvind Lal Executive Officer MIS HPCL inaugurated the event.

This was a unique event where often those who are the keynote speakers on social issues were in the audience - training their sensitive ears to capture the voices of these underserved children. Magsaysay Awardee (2002) and senior social activist Dr Sandeep Pandey, senior Narmada Bachao Andolan activist and State Adviser to Right to Food Commissioner to Supreme Court Arundhati Dhuru, Asha Parivar activist Urvashi Mehta, Chunnilal, were among other citizens who came forward to interact with the children and listen to the voices of these future wardens of this city.

HPCL supported this drawing and painting event for more than 400 children of six Asha Samajik Vidyalayas functioning in slums of Ismail Ganj, Gandhi Nagar, Madiayon, Dubagga and Janki Plaza, from 22-24 January 2010. Prior to the event, the Asha Parivar education coordinators were interacting with the children to raise awareness about the different ways of saving fuel and saving the environment. They were also trained by noted environmentalist Ms Prabha Chaturvedi of EXNORA Lucknow and Mr Venkatesh Dwivedi, PCRA officer.

"The real development should be to provide humane living conditions to the slum dwellers. They are the ones who suffer the brunt of urban development in the most severe manner" said Dr Sandeep Pandey. "These voices of the children should be heard by the policy makers to usher in a change towards a just social order" said Pandey.

This was undoubtedly an event with a difference - where children who never get a voice - got a creative medium to express their concerns on how the lifestyles of Lucknow citizens affect them and their environment. Most astounding was the sensible manner in which these young people came up with pragmatic solutions. Time for grown-ups to listen to these young voices.

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"US should be liberal in transferring technology for clean energy": Dr Farooq Abdullah

"US should be liberal in transferring technology for clean energy": Dr Farooq Abdullah
Alka Pande

The new and renewable energy minister of India - Dr Farooq Abdullah - has said that the developed nations, especially the US, should have liberal policies for transfer of technologies for clean energy production in poor and developing nations, like India.

Advocating use of clean and renewable energy on mass scale to fight the challenges of climate change, the minister said the Indian manufacturers making solar panels, are exporting 85 percent of their products to the west because they are too highly priced for the consumption in the Indian market.

"The only way we can deal with the deteriorating climate, is by shifting our focus to alternative energy resources like sun and wind, which the country has in abundance and is available free of cost. But the challenge before the nation, is to make the alternative energy cost effective," he said.

The minister was speaking at a five-day environment and wildlife film festival which was inaugurated in the national capital Delhi, on Tuesday. The festival being organised by CMS (Centre for Media Studies) Vatavaran, will screen over 200 documentaries in the next four days. These film are made by national and international environment and wildlife lovers – who have raised issues relating to wildlife and environment.

Asserting on potential of natural energy resources in meeting the challenges of deteriorating environment, Abdullah said the solar mission was a challenge before the country. ``It has to have the viability for industrialists so that they can make money only then they will invest in it’’, he rued adding that ``after extensive investment in natural energies India would no more need to be subservient to countries that were supplying it gas and coal’’.

The minister said the ministry gives as high as 90 percent financial help to states for its schemes based on renewable energy resources, ``still, no state is showing interest in these schemes. On the contrary, the Chief Ministers of all the states are rushing for coal-based power station’’. The reason, he stated for this, is that coal based power plants are easy to set up.

"On the other hand everyone talks about clean energy. How can coal produce clean energy’?" the minister argued.

The renewable energy or natural energy resources can be helpful in rural electrification programmes and also for commercial and industrial usage. According to Farooq Abdullah, "In Ladakh, the army alone, uses diesel worth Rs 1,200 crore (Rs120 million) in a year. With the use of solar power, Rs 400 crore (Rs 40 million) could be saved, annually."

Some of the schemes and areas where Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is extending help to States and private investors:

Industrial and commercial applications:
- Biomass (non-bagasse) based co-generation and `waste to energy’ projects for rural electrification.
- Solar powered water heating system projects.
- Solar air heating / steam generation systems - for community cooking and for institutions etc
- Solar lights - for streets, hoardings etc.
- Akshay Urja Shops – for sale and after sale service of solar powered products.

Grid Interactive / off grid renewable power:
- Wind Power:
- Bio-power:
- Small Hydro Power: upto 25 MW capacity
- Solar Power

Alka Pande
(The author is a senior Journalist)

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"US should be liberal in transferring technology for clean energy": Dr Farooq Abdullah

"US should be liberal in transferring technology for clean energy": Dr Farooq Abdullah
Alka Pande

The new and renewable energy minister of India - Dr Farooq Abdullah - has said that the developed nations, especially the US, should have liberal policies for transfer of technologies for clean energy production in poor and developing nations, like India.

Advocating use of clean and renewable energy on mass scale to fight the challenges of climate change, the minister said the Indian manufacturers making solar panels, are exporting 85 percent of their products to the west because they are too highly priced for the consumption in the Indian market.

"The only way we can deal with the deteriorating climate, is by shifting our focus to alternative energy resources like sun and wind, which the country has in abundance and is available free of cost. But the challenge before the nation, is to make the alternative energy cost effective," he said.

The minister was speaking at a five-day environment and wildlife film festival which was inaugurated in the national capital Delhi, on Tuesday. The festival being organised by CMS (Centre for Media Studies) Vatavaran, will screen over 200 documentaries in the next four days. These film are made by national and international environment and wildlife lovers – who have raised issues relating to wildlife and environment.

Asserting on potential of natural energy resources in meeting the challenges of deteriorating environment, Abdullah said the solar mission was a challenge before the country. ``It has to have the viability for industrialists so that they can make money only then they will invest in it’’, he rued adding that ``after extensive investment in natural energies India would no more need to be subservient to countries that were supplying it gas and coal’’.

The minister said the ministry gives as high as 90 percent financial help to states for its schemes based on renewable energy resources, ``still, no state is showing interest in these schemes. On the contrary, the Chief Ministers of all the states are rushing for coal-based power station’’. The reason, he stated for this, is that coal based power plants are easy to set up.

"On the other hand everyone talks about clean energy. How can coal produce clean energy’?" the minister argued.

The renewable energy or natural energy resources can be helpful in rural electrification programmes and also for commercial and industrial usage. According to Farooq Abdullah, "In Ladakh, the army alone, uses diesel worth Rs 1,200 crore (Rs120 million) in a year. With the use of solar power, Rs 400 crore (Rs 40 million) could be saved, annually."

Some of the schemes and areas where Indian Ministry of New and Renewable Energy is extending help to States and private investors:

Industrial and commercial applications:
- Biomass (non-bagasse) based co-generation and `waste to energy’ projects for rural electrification.
- Solar powered water heating system projects.
- Solar air heating / steam generation systems - for community cooking and for institutions etc
- Solar lights - for streets, hoardings etc.
- Akshay Urja Shops – for sale and after sale service of solar powered products.

Grid Interactive / off grid renewable power:
- Wind Power:
- Bio-power:
- Small Hydro Power: upto 25 MW capacity
- Solar Power

Alka Pande
(The author is a senior Journalist)

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Negotiating Climate change - a filmi way

Negotiating Climate change - a filmi way
Alka pande

New Delhi: The timing for the screening of an environment documentary - 'Negotiating Justice' - could not have been more appropriate. The film, which talks about India's negotiating position in crucial Copenhagen meet, has been nominated for Fifth CMS Vatavaran Wildlife and Environment Award - popular as Indian Green Oscar.

The award festival ready to start in the national capital Delhi from October 27 will see the presence of eminent personalities like Indian minister for new and renewable energies Farooq Abdullah, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dixit, Netherlands ambassador Bob Hinesh, group general manager and country head of HSBC bank Naina Lal Kidwai, social activist Anna Hazare and noted Indian film maker Mahesh Bhatt.

The screening of the film coincides with national conference on climate change, which the country is hosting in New Delhi these days. During the conference, the UN climate chief Yvo de Boer strongly advocated "significant financial support by the developed countries to help poor nations comply with the emission targets''. Boer stressed, "any agreement at Copenhagen would need to include ambitious emission cuts for industrialised countries, limiting emission growth from developing nations and enough financial support to help poor nations comply with the targets." His message came with a warning - "if any of these inter-related issues failed to work out, the Copenhagen Summit would be a futile exercise."

Weeks ahead of December 2009, when the world meets in Copenhagen to fix a new climate agreement, the film 'Negotiating Justice' explains India's negotiating position on climate change. The film takes the viewers through a series of initiatives that India has taken voluntarily, to work towards a clean and energy-efficient economy. It reiterates that India will continue to grow even as it fights climate change.

The film raises the climate change issue in the same pitch as of Boers. It's director Rishu Nigam, who is one of the 10 women directors, whose films have been nominated for the current CMS Vatavaran Award, feels the earth's atmosphere belongs equally to all human beings, irrespective which part of it they live in. She says the dialogue on climate change is on but there are several misinformation relating to issue. "The film clears those misinformation" says Rishu.

"The film reminds us of this universal truth that was endorsed by all nations of the world in the summer of 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio. Today, several rich nations of the world are blatantly denying this reality. Despite their own remarkable legacy in polluting the planet, they demand the developing nations to cut down their greenhouse gas emissions," rues Rishu, who works In the film division of TERI and specialises in making films on environment and development issues.

This year 12 films by women directors have reached the nomination stage including the one directed by Rishu. Incidentally all these women are from the national capital. Through their films these environment lovers have raised issues like vanishing water reservoirs, disappearing lakes in and round Delhi, shortage of water, or disappearing wildlife and many more such issues.

Including Rishu's film Negotiating Justice, there are 12 films by women directors, which have reached the nomination stage for the Indian Green Oscar. Incidentally all these women are from the national capital. Through their films these environment lovers have raised issues like vanishing water reservoirs, disappearing lakes in and round Delhi, shortage of water, or disappearing wildlife and many more such issues.

Some of them have focused on intervention/success stories such as Nutan Manmohan's Brown Power. The film narrates the story of a small town - Haebowl - in the state of Punjab. Located between Satluj river and Buddha Nala - at one time it was famous for its beautiful landscape, its large milk dairies, its superior quality of milk products and its hard working people. But over the years - as more and more dairies opened up - and number of livestock began to exceed number of people - Haebowl became infamous for its foul smell and large dumps of cow dung scattered all over the town. Possibility of change emerged when Punjab Energy Development Board set up a demonstration plant in which high rate of biomethanation converted the waste into electricity - which was fed into the main grid and the by product was sold as organic manure to local farmers. "In one bold stroke - a waste product became precious resource, many new jobs were created, a town was saved from become a dump yard-filled with disease and illness and most importantly it demonstrated a sustainable technology that ran on its own spawning great environmental and economic benefit to all," according to Nutan.

Then there is Akanksha Joshi's Chilika Banks which will be screened in the livelihood category. The film is about a banyan tree, on the banks of the lake Chilika, silently whispers tales of the lake and her fisher folk. From the times when there was no export bazaar to the time when there maybe no lake. The film bagged the First Prize at Jeevika 2008: South Asia Livelihood Documentary Film Festival.

The bi-annual event organised by Centre of Media Studies (CMS) has got more than 100 films from 17 states of India and 15 from different other countries, which are competing with each other for the prestigious award. All films are based on the festival theme "climate change and sustainable technology''. There are 25 awards carrying the prize money of Rs 2 million in India and International categories. "The aim of the festival is to take the green cause to the masses through these Indian and international films, seminars, workshops, panel discussions and exhibitions, all of which will be the part of the five day event," says Alka Tomar, the festival director.

Alka Pande
(The author is a senior journalist)

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Negotiating Climate change - a filmi way

Negotiating Climate change - a filmi way
Alka pande

New Delhi: The timing for the screening of an environment documentary - 'Negotiating Justice' - could not have been more appropriate. The film, which talks about India's negotiating position in crucial Copenhagen meet, has been nominated for Fifth CMS Vatavaran Wildlife and Environment Award - popular as Indian Green Oscar.

The award festival ready to start in the national capital Delhi from October 27 will see the presence of eminent personalities like Indian minister for new and renewable energies Farooq Abdullah, Delhi chief minister Sheila Dixit, Netherlands ambassador Bob Hinesh, group general manager and country head of HSBC bank Naina Lal Kidwai, social activist Anna Hazare and noted Indian film maker Mahesh Bhatt.

The screening of the film coincides with national conference on climate change, which the country is hosting in New Delhi these days. During the conference, the UN climate chief Yvo de Boer strongly advocated "significant financial support by the developed countries to help poor nations comply with the emission targets''. Boer stressed, "any agreement at Copenhagen would need to include ambitious emission cuts for industrialised countries, limiting emission growth from developing nations and enough financial support to help poor nations comply with the targets." His message came with a warning - "if any of these inter-related issues failed to work out, the Copenhagen Summit would be a futile exercise."

Weeks ahead of December 2009, when the world meets in Copenhagen to fix a new climate agreement, the film 'Negotiating Justice' explains India's negotiating position on climate change. The film takes the viewers through a series of initiatives that India has taken voluntarily, to work towards a clean and energy-efficient economy. It reiterates that India will continue to grow even as it fights climate change.

The film raises the climate change issue in the same pitch as of Boers. It's director Rishu Nigam, who is one of the 10 women directors, whose films have been nominated for the current CMS Vatavaran Award, feels the earth's atmosphere belongs equally to all human beings, irrespective which part of it they live in. She says the dialogue on climate change is on but there are several misinformation relating to issue. "The film clears those misinformation" says Rishu.

"The film reminds us of this universal truth that was endorsed by all nations of the world in the summer of 1992 at the Earth Summit in Rio. Today, several rich nations of the world are blatantly denying this reality. Despite their own remarkable legacy in polluting the planet, they demand the developing nations to cut down their greenhouse gas emissions," rues Rishu, who works In the film division of TERI and specialises in making films on environment and development issues.

This year 12 films by women directors have reached the nomination stage including the one directed by Rishu. Incidentally all these women are from the national capital. Through their films these environment lovers have raised issues like vanishing water reservoirs, disappearing lakes in and round Delhi, shortage of water, or disappearing wildlife and many more such issues.

Including Rishu's film Negotiating Justice, there are 12 films by women directors, which have reached the nomination stage for the Indian Green Oscar. Incidentally all these women are from the national capital. Through their films these environment lovers have raised issues like vanishing water reservoirs, disappearing lakes in and round Delhi, shortage of water, or disappearing wildlife and many more such issues.

Some of them have focused on intervention/success stories such as Nutan Manmohan's Brown Power. The film narrates the story of a small town - Haebowl - in the state of Punjab. Located between Satluj river and Buddha Nala - at one time it was famous for its beautiful landscape, its large milk dairies, its superior quality of milk products and its hard working people. But over the years - as more and more dairies opened up - and number of livestock began to exceed number of people - Haebowl became infamous for its foul smell and large dumps of cow dung scattered all over the town. Possibility of change emerged when Punjab Energy Development Board set up a demonstration plant in which high rate of biomethanation converted the waste into electricity - which was fed into the main grid and the by product was sold as organic manure to local farmers. "In one bold stroke - a waste product became precious resource, many new jobs were created, a town was saved from become a dump yard-filled with disease and illness and most importantly it demonstrated a sustainable technology that ran on its own spawning great environmental and economic benefit to all," according to Nutan.

Then there is Akanksha Joshi's Chilika Banks which will be screened in the livelihood category. The film is about a banyan tree, on the banks of the lake Chilika, silently whispers tales of the lake and her fisher folk. From the times when there was no export bazaar to the time when there maybe no lake. The film bagged the First Prize at Jeevika 2008: South Asia Livelihood Documentary Film Festival.

The bi-annual event organised by Centre of Media Studies (CMS) has got more than 100 films from 17 states of India and 15 from different other countries, which are competing with each other for the prestigious award. All films are based on the festival theme "climate change and sustainable technology''. There are 25 awards carrying the prize money of Rs 2 million in India and International categories. "The aim of the festival is to take the green cause to the masses through these Indian and international films, seminars, workshops, panel discussions and exhibitions, all of which will be the part of the five day event," says Alka Tomar, the festival director.

Alka Pande
(The author is a senior journalist)

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Mounting pressure against new uranium mining and nuclear power plants

Mounting pressure against new uranium mining and nuclear power plants

There is a growing civil society movement against the new uranium mining and nuclear power plants in India. The National Alliance of Anti-nuclear Movements (NAAM) is mobilizing citizens to protest against the reported decision of the government of India to take a quantum leap in installed capacity for nuclear power generation, from the current level of 4,120 MW to 63,000 MW by 2032. "This decision is but an invitation to disaster" says activists.

"Nuclear power, contrary to orchestrated hypes, is actually costlier than power from conventional sources like coal, gas and hydro. And once all the hidden costs are factored in, it would be costlier than even from renewable sources, like wind, in particular" says the NAAM petition that is swelling with citizens signing and endorsing the petition addressed to Ms Pratibha Patil, President of India; Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India and Mr Jairam Ramesh, Minister of Environment and Forests, Government of India.

"More importantly, it is also intrinsically hazardous, as large amount of radiation is routinely released at every stage of the nuclear fuel cycle. An even more intractable problem is that of safe storage of nuclear waste and safe disposal of outlived power plants, given the fact that the half-lives of some of the radioactive substances involved are over even millions of years" further reads the petition.

"Even more disconcerting is, considering the complexity of the technology of a nuclear reactor; there is no way to ensure that a major accident at a nuclear power plant will never take place. And a major accident, given the nature of things, will just turn catastrophic affecting a very large number of people, over a large territory, over a very long period. The disastrous accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, in the Ukraine province of the then USSR, on April 26 1986 is a chilling illustration."

"The promise of nil greenhouse gas (GHG) emission is also nothing more than a myth if the entire fuel cycle - including mining, milling, transportation and construction of the power plant - is considered. Moreover, nuclear energy with its highly centralized power production model would only further aggravate the problem by accentuating the current development paradigm reliant on mega-industries and actively blocking any possibility towards ecologically benign decentralized development. The strong linkage between nuclear power and weapons - in terms of large overlaps in technology, in turn triggering strong political push - of which India itself is a graphic illustration can also be overlooked only at our own peril given the genocidal, and suicidal, character of the nuclear weapon" reads the signature petition of NAAM.

The NAAM petition further adds:
As nuclear power is economically unattractive and socially unacceptable, on account of radiation hazards and risks of catastrophic accidents, no order for new nuclear reactors was placed in the USA and most of West Europe during the last 30 years, since the Three Mile Island accident in the US in 1979.

The US and European companies in nuclear power plant equipment and nuclear fuel business are thus looking to Asia for markets - India, China and Japan spearheading the current expansion programme.

It is unfortunate that the Indian government is becoming their willing collaborator in this in pursuit of its megalomaniac hunt for nuclear power and weapon. It has thus, over a period of just one year, rushed to enter into agreements with as many as seven countries, viz. the US, France, Russia, Kazakhstan, Namibia, Mongolia and Argentina.

So far, nuclear power production capacity in India is very small, only about 3 percent of the total electricity generation capacity; and the veil of secrecy surrounding the existing nuclear power plants in the country, and absence of any truly independent monitoring agency, has seriously hindered dissemination of information on accidents - large and small - at these plants and their public scrutiny. That explains the current low level of popular awareness as regards the grave threats posed by the nuclear industry.

Taking advantage of this, the government of India is now set to steamroll its massive expansion program.

The contention that nuclear power is indispensable to meet future energy needs is false; for energy demand, and "need", is obviously a function of the development paradigm chosen and pursued. And "energy security" is not an autonomous entity or objective, but must be in alignment with other chosen objectives which must include equitable growth and concerns for ecology.

Viewed thus, "energy security" may be achieved by: (I) Increasing efficiency of electricity generation, transmission and distribution. (II) Doing away with extravagant and wasteful use of energy. (III) Pursuing a path of low-energy intensity and decentralised development. (IV) Making optimum use of alternative energy options. (IV) Radically raising investment in development of sustainable and renewable energy sources and technologies, especially wind and solar energy.

As a part of its expansion program, the government of India has announced plans to expand the nuclear power plant coming up at Koodankulam (Tamil Nadu). Additional four reactors from Russia of 1,200 MWe each, in the immediate or near future, are to come up over and above the two of 950 MWe each, presently under construction. The process for setting up a nuclear plant at Jaitapur (Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra) has also reached an advanced stage. The French company Areva is set to supply two new generation reactors of 1650 MWe each, to be followed by another two. Land acquisition notices have been served on the local people to acquire 981 hectare of land.

The government has reportedly already approved 15 new plants at eight sites.

These sites are Kumharia in Haryana - meant for indigenous reactors; Kakrapar (indigenous reactors) and Chhayamithi Virdi (reactor from US) in Gujarat; Kovvada (reactor from US) in Andhra Pradesh; Haripur (reactor from Russia) in West Bengal; Koodankulam (reactor from Russia) in Tamil Nadu; and Jaitapur (reactor from France) in Maharashtra.

Similarly, the mad rush for more and more power plants is matched by an accelerated drive for uranium mining in newer areas: Andhra and Meghalaya, in particular. And this, despite the horrible experience of uranium mines in different parts of the world, as also in our own Jadugoda - where appalling conditions continue despite strong popular protests, spanning decades.

The signatories of this NAAM petition demand that the government of India put a complete stop to the construction of all new uranium mines and nuclear power plants, and radically jack up investments in renewable and environmentally sustainable sources of energy.

[To sign the petition, click here or go to: http://www.petitiononline.com/Nonukes/petition.html ]

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Mounting pressure against new uranium mining and nuclear power plants

Mounting pressure against new uranium mining and nuclear power plants

There is a growing civil society movement against the new uranium mining and nuclear power plants in India. The National Alliance of Anti-nuclear Movements (NAAM) is mobilizing citizens to protest against the reported decision of the government of India to take a quantum leap in installed capacity for nuclear power generation, from the current level of 4,120 MW to 63,000 MW by 2032. "This decision is but an invitation to disaster" says activists.

"Nuclear power, contrary to orchestrated hypes, is actually costlier than power from conventional sources like coal, gas and hydro. And once all the hidden costs are factored in, it would be costlier than even from renewable sources, like wind, in particular" says the NAAM petition that is swelling with citizens signing and endorsing the petition addressed to Ms Pratibha Patil, President of India; Dr Manmohan Singh, Prime Minister of India and Mr Jairam Ramesh, Minister of Environment and Forests, Government of India.

"More importantly, it is also intrinsically hazardous, as large amount of radiation is routinely released at every stage of the nuclear fuel cycle. An even more intractable problem is that of safe storage of nuclear waste and safe disposal of outlived power plants, given the fact that the half-lives of some of the radioactive substances involved are over even millions of years" further reads the petition.

"Even more disconcerting is, considering the complexity of the technology of a nuclear reactor; there is no way to ensure that a major accident at a nuclear power plant will never take place. And a major accident, given the nature of things, will just turn catastrophic affecting a very large number of people, over a large territory, over a very long period. The disastrous accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, in the Ukraine province of the then USSR, on April 26 1986 is a chilling illustration."

"The promise of nil greenhouse gas (GHG) emission is also nothing more than a myth if the entire fuel cycle - including mining, milling, transportation and construction of the power plant - is considered. Moreover, nuclear energy with its highly centralized power production model would only further aggravate the problem by accentuating the current development paradigm reliant on mega-industries and actively blocking any possibility towards ecologically benign decentralized development. The strong linkage between nuclear power and weapons - in terms of large overlaps in technology, in turn triggering strong political push - of which India itself is a graphic illustration can also be overlooked only at our own peril given the genocidal, and suicidal, character of the nuclear weapon" reads the signature petition of NAAM.

The NAAM petition further adds:
As nuclear power is economically unattractive and socially unacceptable, on account of radiation hazards and risks of catastrophic accidents, no order for new nuclear reactors was placed in the USA and most of West Europe during the last 30 years, since the Three Mile Island accident in the US in 1979.

The US and European companies in nuclear power plant equipment and nuclear fuel business are thus looking to Asia for markets - India, China and Japan spearheading the current expansion programme.

It is unfortunate that the Indian government is becoming their willing collaborator in this in pursuit of its megalomaniac hunt for nuclear power and weapon. It has thus, over a period of just one year, rushed to enter into agreements with as many as seven countries, viz. the US, France, Russia, Kazakhstan, Namibia, Mongolia and Argentina.

So far, nuclear power production capacity in India is very small, only about 3 percent of the total electricity generation capacity; and the veil of secrecy surrounding the existing nuclear power plants in the country, and absence of any truly independent monitoring agency, has seriously hindered dissemination of information on accidents - large and small - at these plants and their public scrutiny. That explains the current low level of popular awareness as regards the grave threats posed by the nuclear industry.

Taking advantage of this, the government of India is now set to steamroll its massive expansion program.

The contention that nuclear power is indispensable to meet future energy needs is false; for energy demand, and "need", is obviously a function of the development paradigm chosen and pursued. And "energy security" is not an autonomous entity or objective, but must be in alignment with other chosen objectives which must include equitable growth and concerns for ecology.

Viewed thus, "energy security" may be achieved by: (I) Increasing efficiency of electricity generation, transmission and distribution. (II) Doing away with extravagant and wasteful use of energy. (III) Pursuing a path of low-energy intensity and decentralised development. (IV) Making optimum use of alternative energy options. (IV) Radically raising investment in development of sustainable and renewable energy sources and technologies, especially wind and solar energy.

As a part of its expansion program, the government of India has announced plans to expand the nuclear power plant coming up at Koodankulam (Tamil Nadu). Additional four reactors from Russia of 1,200 MWe each, in the immediate or near future, are to come up over and above the two of 950 MWe each, presently under construction. The process for setting up a nuclear plant at Jaitapur (Ratnagiri district, Maharashtra) has also reached an advanced stage. The French company Areva is set to supply two new generation reactors of 1650 MWe each, to be followed by another two. Land acquisition notices have been served on the local people to acquire 981 hectare of land.

The government has reportedly already approved 15 new plants at eight sites.

These sites are Kumharia in Haryana - meant for indigenous reactors; Kakrapar (indigenous reactors) and Chhayamithi Virdi (reactor from US) in Gujarat; Kovvada (reactor from US) in Andhra Pradesh; Haripur (reactor from Russia) in West Bengal; Koodankulam (reactor from Russia) in Tamil Nadu; and Jaitapur (reactor from France) in Maharashtra.

Similarly, the mad rush for more and more power plants is matched by an accelerated drive for uranium mining in newer areas: Andhra and Meghalaya, in particular. And this, despite the horrible experience of uranium mines in different parts of the world, as also in our own Jadugoda - where appalling conditions continue despite strong popular protests, spanning decades.

The signatories of this NAAM petition demand that the government of India put a complete stop to the construction of all new uranium mines and nuclear power plants, and radically jack up investments in renewable and environmentally sustainable sources of energy.

[To sign the petition, click here or go to: http://www.petitiononline.com/Nonukes/petition.html ]

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Uttar Pradesh vies with Delhi, Maharashtra for Indian Green Oscar

Uttar Pradesh vies with Delhi, Maharashtra for Indian Green Oscar
Alka Pande

The North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh this year vies with national capital Delhi along with economic capital of India - Maharashtra – for winning the bi-annual CMS (Centre for Media Studies) Vatavaran Award – popular as Indian Green Oscar – for 2009.

Out of total 366 entries, 106 films – both national and international – which have been nominated for the CMS Vatavaran Award-2009, Uttar Pradesh has got six nominations. Delhi tops the list of contenders for the award with its 28 nominations while Maharashtra stands second chance with 14 nominations.

The nominated films will be screened at the CMS Academy’s Environment and Wildlife Film Festival, which is all set to start at India Habitat Centre at New Delhi from October 27.

All six films from the state of Uttar Pradesh raise the issues that have been bothering the nature and wildlife lovers for long – be it the story of an intervention to save the elephants of Rajaji National Park in the hill state of Uttarakhand, who occasionally get run over by speeding trains as the rail tracks pass through the park, or the alternative livelihood arrangement for Shahtoosh craftsmen of Kashmir, who weave soft Pashmina shawls by fleecing the endangered variety of antelope.

"It is quite a prestigious event where professionals, involved in the making of films on nature and wildlife, get together in India from all across the world and share their experiences and knowledge," says Gurmeet Sapal.

Gurmeet has been winning the award for last two times when his films 'Chasing Butterflies' and 'Leopards in the lurch' won the awards. This time also Gurmeet’s two films - have got nominations. These films – 'Himalayan Voices' raises the issue of impact of climate change on Himalayas and the 'Silk Route' which talks about the livelihood issue.

Along with giving a platform to film makers to learn and share their views, the event also proposes an opportunity for media-persons interested in reporting on issues relating to environment and wildlife.

During the five-day event, a day-long workshop is dedicated to journalists, which would be conducted jointly by the faculties of CMS Academy and the experts of Norwegian Institute of Journalism. The workshop to be supported by Royal Norwegian Embassy, will train the journalists in efficient use of internet and search engines for environment reporting.

Besides, there would be a brain storming session for journalists for 'Bridging North South Difference in Reporting Climate Change: Journalists' role in Reaching an Agreement at Cop15 in Copenhagen'.

The session will see an assembly of delegates representing International Federation of Environmental Journalists along with Federation of Environment Journalists of India and CMS Academy.

Along with screening of national and international films, CMS Academy has lined up a plethora of workshops, seminars, open forums and experience sharing deliberations on climate change, sustainable transport, green wardrobe, animation for conservation, eco-tourism and so on. Variety of environment related exhibitions, games and eco-trips to green buildings and natural heritage sites will mark the event.

Detailing about the overwhelming response of participants, the Manager Communications Centre for Media Studies (CMS) Narendra Yadav said that there were 366 entries this year of which 106 (73 national 33 international) have been nominated for the CMS Vatavaran Award. Of this six are from the state of Uttar Pradesh.

"The technique of film making has improved in the Uttar Pradesh. Take the example of my film 'Tillu', which is an animation film. This is the first time an animation film from Uttar Pradesh has got an entry into this festival", says Arvind Pandey. This is Arvind’s first film as a director which has been nominated for the award.

"The number of nominations is very encouraging, especially from the state of Uttar Pradesh which has got six films in the list," Narendra added. He admitted that the standards of film making have improved considerably in Uttar Pradesh and therefore so many nominations.

Alka Pande
(The author is a senior journalist)

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Uttar Pradesh vies with Delhi, Maharashtra for Indian Green Oscar

Uttar Pradesh vies with Delhi, Maharashtra for Indian Green Oscar
Alka Pande

The North Indian state of Uttar Pradesh this year vies with national capital Delhi along with economic capital of India - Maharashtra – for winning the bi-annual CMS (Centre for Media Studies) Vatavaran Award – popular as Indian Green Oscar – for 2009.

Out of total 366 entries, 106 films – both national and international – which have been nominated for the CMS Vatavaran Award-2009, Uttar Pradesh has got six nominations. Delhi tops the list of contenders for the award with its 28 nominations while Maharashtra stands second chance with 14 nominations.

The nominated films will be screened at the CMS Academy’s Environment and Wildlife Film Festival, which is all set to start at India Habitat Centre at New Delhi from October 27.

All six films from the state of Uttar Pradesh raise the issues that have been bothering the nature and wildlife lovers for long – be it the story of an intervention to save the elephants of Rajaji National Park in the hill state of Uttarakhand, who occasionally get run over by speeding trains as the rail tracks pass through the park, or the alternative livelihood arrangement for Shahtoosh craftsmen of Kashmir, who weave soft Pashmina shawls by fleecing the endangered variety of antelope.

"It is quite a prestigious event where professionals, involved in the making of films on nature and wildlife, get together in India from all across the world and share their experiences and knowledge," says Gurmeet Sapal.

Gurmeet has been winning the award for last two times when his films 'Chasing Butterflies' and 'Leopards in the lurch' won the awards. This time also Gurmeet’s two films - have got nominations. These films – 'Himalayan Voices' raises the issue of impact of climate change on Himalayas and the 'Silk Route' which talks about the livelihood issue.

Along with giving a platform to film makers to learn and share their views, the event also proposes an opportunity for media-persons interested in reporting on issues relating to environment and wildlife.

During the five-day event, a day-long workshop is dedicated to journalists, which would be conducted jointly by the faculties of CMS Academy and the experts of Norwegian Institute of Journalism. The workshop to be supported by Royal Norwegian Embassy, will train the journalists in efficient use of internet and search engines for environment reporting.

Besides, there would be a brain storming session for journalists for 'Bridging North South Difference in Reporting Climate Change: Journalists' role in Reaching an Agreement at Cop15 in Copenhagen'.

The session will see an assembly of delegates representing International Federation of Environmental Journalists along with Federation of Environment Journalists of India and CMS Academy.

Along with screening of national and international films, CMS Academy has lined up a plethora of workshops, seminars, open forums and experience sharing deliberations on climate change, sustainable transport, green wardrobe, animation for conservation, eco-tourism and so on. Variety of environment related exhibitions, games and eco-trips to green buildings and natural heritage sites will mark the event.

Detailing about the overwhelming response of participants, the Manager Communications Centre for Media Studies (CMS) Narendra Yadav said that there were 366 entries this year of which 106 (73 national 33 international) have been nominated for the CMS Vatavaran Award. Of this six are from the state of Uttar Pradesh.

"The technique of film making has improved in the Uttar Pradesh. Take the example of my film 'Tillu', which is an animation film. This is the first time an animation film from Uttar Pradesh has got an entry into this festival", says Arvind Pandey. This is Arvind’s first film as a director which has been nominated for the award.

"The number of nominations is very encouraging, especially from the state of Uttar Pradesh which has got six films in the list," Narendra added. He admitted that the standards of film making have improved considerably in Uttar Pradesh and therefore so many nominations.

Alka Pande
(The author is a senior journalist)

Published in:
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India to take measures on climate change before reaching Copenhagen

India to take measures on climate change before reaching Copenhagen
Alka Pande

Three months before the Copenhagen meet on Climate Change, when all nations concerned about impacts of degrading climate are scheduled to meet, India is creating an environment within the country to strengthen its position for negotiation at the Summit in December.

"We have nothing to feel defensive about. India was never and will never be a major polluting nation but it will be majorly impacted by the climate change. We have good track record of adaptation of alternative energies and also of conservation of energies," says the Indian Minister for Environment and Forests (MoEF) Mr Jairam Ramesh. The minister has therefore, drawn a micro action plan for improving the climate of the country.

At a South Asian Media Workshop organised by the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi, last week, the minister shared the salient features of the plan with the media persons. He was categorical in saying that "India should not, cannot and must not take legal binding targets on emission level decrease at the Copenhagen meet."

The country has already increased its budget for environment and forest from Rs 3,700 crore (Rs 370 million) in 2008-09 to Rs 8,300 crore (Rs 830 million) in the current fiscal. Concrete activities start with a workshop on Clean Development Management CDM) for capacity building of experts from SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) nations. The minister has also lined up an India Carbon Markets Conclave, which would serve as a forum for knowledge sharing and where experts are to discuss the emerging scenarios in the global and Indian carbon market.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests is set to release a report on September 2, 2009, on "Pathways of India's Carbon Emissions," which would project the country's carbon emission until 2030 under different assumptions.

Considering the fact that technology transfer had been an important issue in the discussions of Climate Change, Jairam Ramesh is all set to convene a global conference to define the roadmap for enabling technology development as well as technology transfer to developing countries. Over 100 research institutes and over 220 scientists are expected to take part in this mega event slated on October 22 and 23. "We need to build our own research capacity," said Jairam Ramesh besides working in collaboration with the neighbouring countries, rather than depending solely on developed nations.

The government has planned to introduce some strict legislatures to minimise the emission of Green House Gases (GHGs) in the country in the near future. For example:

* There will be Energy Efficiency Standards for electronic appliances. Under the law, energy efficiency ratings will be mandatory for four major appliances – refrigerators, air conditioners, tube lights and transformers from January 7, 2010.

*The government is ready with another plan for Fuel Efficiency Standards, which would set emission norms for vehicles. The law is expected to come in force in next two years.

*The Delhi government has already introduced Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) for all new government buildings. Now the MoEF is exhorting all the other states to follow suit.

*The MoEF has also decided not to give any "in Principle" approval to any project anywhere all across the country, after which the states go ahead with their project without getting many other clearances and the final nod of the ministry, thereby causing adverse impact to environment.

*There are plans to outsource monitoring work to gauge the actual position of plantations done under afforestation drives.

*The states – especially the Himalyan and coastal states have been asked to prepare comprehensive action plans on climate change – before the Copenhagen Meet.

*The government for the first time – has decided to take youngsters to the Copenhagen Meet. The leaders of other than ruling party will be invited to attend the Meet.

Climate changing between India and Pakistan
India is also building an environment towards cooperation from South Asian nations on the issue of emission level, which is the main agenda for negotiation at Copenhagen Meet. "The country has no business to act like a big boss and force its views and opinion on other South Asian countries, which are sovereign in nature and are free to have their opinions, rather India should take unilateral confidence building measures to work in coordination with neighbouring countries," said Jairam Ramesh the Indian Union Minister for Environment and Forest, who has just come back from a visit to China.

Ramesh has invited the Environment Ministers of SAARC nations next month to identify areas for mutual cooperation and also for a joint action on environment and climate change. This is because South Asian nations are facing different problems and lobby for different suggestions to tackle their respective area specific issues. Jairam Ramesh plans to visit all the South Asian countries to start a dialogue for cooperation among the SAARC nations on Climate Change.
However, surprisingly India and Pakistan share their views on the issue and stand in solidarity when it comes to Climate Change. "South Asian countries do not have similar views on Climate Change but surprisingly and pleasantly India and Pakistan share their views on the issue," the Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh pronounced the fact before the scribes of SAARC nations.

Interestingly, his observation was endorsed by the Pakistan diplomat Mr Farrukh Iqbal Khan, the Director UN (II), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Pakistan, who was also present at the occasion and who also raised queries on shared responsibility of developed and developing nations in emission level reduction. Farrukh clarified that targets for emission reduction should be set in accordance to sustainable development in the developing nations.

Jairam Ramesh although admitting that "the climate is not ready between India and Pakistan for a dialogue on climate change," said that before October 19 a bilateral dialogue between the two countries is expected.

Alka Pande
(The author is a senior journalist)

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India to take measures on climate change before reaching Copenhagen

India to take measures on climate change before reaching Copenhagen
Alka Pande

Three months before the Copenhagen meet on Climate Change, when all nations concerned about impacts of degrading climate are scheduled to meet, India is creating an environment within the country to strengthen its position for negotiation at the Summit in December.

"We have nothing to feel defensive about. India was never and will never be a major polluting nation but it will be majorly impacted by the climate change. We have good track record of adaptation of alternative energies and also of conservation of energies," says the Indian Minister for Environment and Forests (MoEF) Mr Jairam Ramesh. The minister has therefore, drawn a micro action plan for improving the climate of the country.

At a South Asian Media Workshop organised by the Centre for Science and Environment in New Delhi, last week, the minister shared the salient features of the plan with the media persons. He was categorical in saying that "India should not, cannot and must not take legal binding targets on emission level decrease at the Copenhagen meet."

The country has already increased its budget for environment and forest from Rs 3,700 crore (Rs 370 million) in 2008-09 to Rs 8,300 crore (Rs 830 million) in the current fiscal. Concrete activities start with a workshop on Clean Development Management CDM) for capacity building of experts from SAARC (South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation) nations. The minister has also lined up an India Carbon Markets Conclave, which would serve as a forum for knowledge sharing and where experts are to discuss the emerging scenarios in the global and Indian carbon market.

The Ministry of Environment and Forests is set to release a report on September 2, 2009, on "Pathways of India's Carbon Emissions," which would project the country's carbon emission until 2030 under different assumptions.

Considering the fact that technology transfer had been an important issue in the discussions of Climate Change, Jairam Ramesh is all set to convene a global conference to define the roadmap for enabling technology development as well as technology transfer to developing countries. Over 100 research institutes and over 220 scientists are expected to take part in this mega event slated on October 22 and 23. "We need to build our own research capacity," said Jairam Ramesh besides working in collaboration with the neighbouring countries, rather than depending solely on developed nations.

The government has planned to introduce some strict legislatures to minimise the emission of Green House Gases (GHGs) in the country in the near future. For example:

* There will be Energy Efficiency Standards for electronic appliances. Under the law, energy efficiency ratings will be mandatory for four major appliances – refrigerators, air conditioners, tube lights and transformers from January 7, 2010.

*The government is ready with another plan for Fuel Efficiency Standards, which would set emission norms for vehicles. The law is expected to come in force in next two years.

*The Delhi government has already introduced Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) for all new government buildings. Now the MoEF is exhorting all the other states to follow suit.

*The MoEF has also decided not to give any "in Principle" approval to any project anywhere all across the country, after which the states go ahead with their project without getting many other clearances and the final nod of the ministry, thereby causing adverse impact to environment.

*There are plans to outsource monitoring work to gauge the actual position of plantations done under afforestation drives.

*The states – especially the Himalyan and coastal states have been asked to prepare comprehensive action plans on climate change – before the Copenhagen Meet.

*The government for the first time – has decided to take youngsters to the Copenhagen Meet. The leaders of other than ruling party will be invited to attend the Meet.

Climate changing between India and Pakistan
India is also building an environment towards cooperation from South Asian nations on the issue of emission level, which is the main agenda for negotiation at Copenhagen Meet. "The country has no business to act like a big boss and force its views and opinion on other South Asian countries, which are sovereign in nature and are free to have their opinions, rather India should take unilateral confidence building measures to work in coordination with neighbouring countries," said Jairam Ramesh the Indian Union Minister for Environment and Forest, who has just come back from a visit to China.

Ramesh has invited the Environment Ministers of SAARC nations next month to identify areas for mutual cooperation and also for a joint action on environment and climate change. This is because South Asian nations are facing different problems and lobby for different suggestions to tackle their respective area specific issues. Jairam Ramesh plans to visit all the South Asian countries to start a dialogue for cooperation among the SAARC nations on Climate Change.
However, surprisingly India and Pakistan share their views on the issue and stand in solidarity when it comes to Climate Change. "South Asian countries do not have similar views on Climate Change but surprisingly and pleasantly India and Pakistan share their views on the issue," the Indian Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh pronounced the fact before the scribes of SAARC nations.

Interestingly, his observation was endorsed by the Pakistan diplomat Mr Farrukh Iqbal Khan, the Director UN (II), Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Pakistan, who was also present at the occasion and who also raised queries on shared responsibility of developed and developing nations in emission level reduction. Farrukh clarified that targets for emission reduction should be set in accordance to sustainable development in the developing nations.

Jairam Ramesh although admitting that "the climate is not ready between India and Pakistan for a dialogue on climate change," said that before October 19 a bilateral dialogue between the two countries is expected.

Alka Pande
(The author is a senior journalist)

Published in:
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Thai-India News, Bangkok, Thailand
Modern Ghana, Accra, Ghana
Elites TV, USA
Newstin, UK
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The Asian Tribune, Sri Lanka
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