National Conference on River valley and
water
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river is a thing of grace and beauty, a mystery
and a metaphor, a living organism whose process has been perfecting themselves
through the ages. Rivers feed us
physically and spiritually. They
support life, carry life and above all make life possible for all living things
by providing them with fresh water. But
unfortunately seeing the existing conditions water would be only and the most
pressing problem of coming century. In
this context, it is the time to rethink on the conservation of world water
sources and hammer collectively on various issues associated with water. Under
this pretext, Swaraj organised the National Conferences on "River Valley
and Water' in Jharkhand from 12th to 14th March, 1999 at
Catholic Centre, Patel Bagan, Sundarnagar, Jamshedpur. More than 1 00 invited
Activists, Journalists, Artistes, Eminent persons from theatre, persons working
with movements and mass fronts, Professors, Social Scientists and Researchers
attended the conference. They belong to
different parts of the country beginning from central Himalayas to Southern
most state Kerala. All of them assembled here to discuss the repercussions of
river, big dams and water crisis and design a common plan in solidarity for
coming century.
Mr. Chandi Prasad Bhatt, the chief guest of the occasion
inaugurated the conference by lightening the light. Then all the delegates dip their hands in different colours kept
and took pledge (SANKALPA) that is symbolic to work unitedly for the cause of
protection of environment, resist the big dam constructions and examine the
issues like displacement, flood and drought.
Sri Kumar Chandra Mardi warmly welcomed the delegates. Mr. Faisal Anurag (Jharkhand) ascribed the
rich cultural heritage and the importance of river basin civilisation in the
context of Jharkhand. He pointed out that
in the name of so called protection of river, forest, land we cannot overrule
the adivasis culture, as their culture is closely associated with the river
basin civilisation.
Mr. Ghanshyam, Jharkhand, in his keynote speech pointed out
the situation prevailing before 10 years and now. He cited the examples of Narmada Bachao Andolan, their struggle
at Chandil and Koel Karo. He also pointed out the causes behind the failure and
success in the movement. He highlighted that Singhbhoom is rich with mines and
other resources. But human and material
resources are grossly mis-utilised. He
reflected that 21st century's problem would be water and there would be feasible
future action plan for controlling water sources. What process would we adopt?
In this regard there would be a collective pondering over the situation
to give a directive to our action and our action in a direction.
Mr. Kalanand Mani, the National Convenor grieved that
within 50 years of independence a single river is not free from pollution. He assailed Neheru's Big Dam Policy (l948).
He said that river has historical importance and should be viewed from that
perspective. It has certain cultural value and should not be dealt in commercial
gain.
Mr. Chandi Prasad Bhatt in his speech
pointed out that it was an auspicious sign that people from every part of the
country are congregated here to think on a single thrust. To him water is a
world’s problem. The genesis of peoples' movement pregnant with ideas, land is
prepared only we have to sow. Further he pointed out how development planning
of Government. The World Bank is derogatory in nature, spelling out the clear
apprehension of fewer yields, deforestation, changes in river course etc. He cited the example of Chipko Movement,
which had multi-dimensional impact on society in 1970 a large scale felling of
trees in central Himalayas, was started by forest contractors. People launched a movement against this
trend to protect their trees. They
challenged by clinging to the trees ". We will not allow you to cut our
trees, let your axes fall on our back first". He also highlighted the
ruthless plunder of the forest wealth in that region, which result devastating
flood in the Alakananda river (l 970).
From Rishi Ganga to Mandakini nearly a dozen tributaries of Alakananda
carried in large amount debris, filth and waste, which shock the people about
their environment. Due to this fact,
folk culture, ethos, economy, social life and values have undergone a sea of
change, their thinking, even, their identity is changed. He depicted the picture of evicted people of
8 states in Ganga command area. Dry
area syndrome; flood earthquake was the characteristic feature of that
region. He also gave the picture of
Arunachal Pradesh, Orissa, and Andhra Pradesh.
He grieved that this is the situation and who are the beneficiaries out
of this? The concept of peoples'
participation has yet not been proved successful in the field of development
and resource management. There is a
need to promote the concept of "peoples' programme" in place of the
concept of "peoples' participation", so that the people make their
own programme depending on their needs and capacities and the Govt. agencies
participate in those programmes. The
Govt. system should give up its character of provider and taker and would
develop the sense of responsibility and commitment to the cause. Lastly, he pointed out the role of activists
and social workers to imbibe truly social service in sense of sacrifice not for
commercial gain as adopted in the west.
Then only India can herd the world.
There was lunch break.
It followed up with screening of a documentary " DAMODAR MARTI NADI
" prepared by Jharkhand group. Ms. Dayamani Barla felicitated vote of
thanks. The session ended.
The second session started at 4 PM with the presentation
of Mr. Raju Purohit from Gujarat where he emphasised on desertification aspect,
down stream rights (riparian rights), the steps, strategy, what they have
followed to counter the situation. It followed up with Mr. Arun Vinayak's
presentation on Godavari Valley. He
stated the British aggravated the situation when they had destroyed the natural
wealth of the region through large scale felling of trees. After independence
the situation was not better as the political leaders - bureaucracy, contractor
nexus further deteriorated the environment. Now it has been denuded of its
forest cover after continuous attacks.
As a result of which the forest now fast disappeared from the valley. At
the moment the effort shall be to revive critical areas such as watersheds and
ravines of the Mahadeo Hill Range. As
regards the strategy and activity, the emphasis is given on three types of
work, environmental renewal, rural community development, strategic information
are the priorities in this region.
There is an initiation enabling the mobilisation of the poor for action
programme through local network and contacts. The action programme will include
plantation, watershed development, public interest litigation and advocacy where
necessary.
Mr Rajendra P. Kerkar (Goa), presented a paper. He said, although there are seven main
rivers in Goa, yet Mandovi and Zuari are two important rivers, which support
the life of Goan. However, the two
rivers constitute the inland waterway system of Goa and nourish 70% of the
land. But there is no water
conservation policy in fact. Surface
and ground water resources are not conserved and utilised properly. Since the Govt. of Karnataka planned to
divert the water of Mhaidei by constructing a hydroelectricity project at
Chapoli it will hamper Goons' interest.
Thus GORICON, Peaceful Society and other people work for conservation
and sustainable utilisation of the reverine resources. He also pointed out the importance of
bio-diversity aspect of Goa.
Mr. Bhola Prasad, Aurangabad, stated the situation of
Auranga River, the issue of displacement due to dam. Instead of big dams, there is need for construction of check
dams, which would be more beneficial to the villagers. He pointed out the devastating drought
condition of 1992.
Mr. Sudama from Son Command stated how the rice bowl of
Bihar is now undergoing a critical phase, the grave law and order situation,
political and muscle power and its interference collectively has a negative
impact on this region. Prof. Prakash,
Gandak, pointed out how reverine cultural shape the way of peoples' life.
Planning is made in last 50 years, which pronounced anti people attitude, not
catering to the actual need of the people. In the name of development, power,
irrigation, electricity various programmes are launching but without any
feasible result. Mr. Pancham, Koshi
Consortium, depicted the chronological development of flood in Koshi. He
highlighted, the western agencies are deployed the out dated, old technologies
in context of India which is harmful for development itself.
Mr. Uday, Ms. Salge co-ordinated the day's sessions. Mr.
Chandi Prasad Bhatt, Mr. Kalanand Mani, Mr. Sripad Raju, Ms. Dayamani Barla and
Ms. Kalpana Mishra were in the dais. The session ended at 6.30 PM. It followed up with one hour of cultural
programme by PARIDHI.
On the second day (l3.3.99) the session started with the
presentation of a paper by Ms. Kalpana Mishra from Orissa. She said, 10 main rivers and more than 300 small
rivers and rivulets are in the state of Orissa. Out of major hydroelectric
projects of India, 4 are constructed in the State, Hirakud, Machhakund, Rengaii
and lndravati. Besides, during 50s-60s
major projects are started like steel plants, paper mills, Alumina and MIG
projects. The river valley projects, industrial, mining and defence projects
are mainly responsible for large-scale displacement of human habitat and
destruction of vegetation cover. Coming
to cost benefit analysis, the big irrigation projects do not add to the
national income, rather land submerged under water, loss of forests, the dry
area syndrome and down stream area are the causative result of it. The
rehabilitation policy of the Govt. is also not up to the mark. The question raised who are evicted? The tribals, the dalits of tribal infested
terrain all the time. Even villagers
are asked there to be evicted third time in their life. Mr. Pramod Pattanaik,
Orissa, stated about the aspects of dam policy/water policy in the state, 1980s'
flood situation, tribal rights. He said
the grave situations are man made, the callus politicians are held responsible
for this. Thus, he defined that our
role is to heard the movement either for tribal rights, displacement or for the
situation of the state.
Shiva Kumar from Maharashtra pointed out the drinking
water problem, pollution due to Sugar Industries, siltation at Godavari
Valley. Ram Kishore, Bhagalpur
emphasised on the importance of organising farmers as a tool against the
present situation. Gulab, Jharkhand,
depicted pollution in case of Damodar Valley.
Ms. Dayamani Barla, an activist pointed out the situation, movement in
launching at Koel Karo. Identification
of collective leadership by the local people is needed. Again, there is the need of internalisation
of one-self with the nature and aware of its resources. Mr. Balaram pointed out the displacement
problem at Swarnarekha valley, Mr. Joram Joral, said about Surangi Irrigation
Project. Mr. Ramial, Hazaribagh,
defined the role of those who work with movement.
Nagendra Bhai, a veteran freedom fighter who gave the
picture of our policies before and after independence. He focused on the selfish politicians,
corrupt bureaucrats, and the role of MNCs.
The patent policy, insurance policy is how much harmful for the common
people. Shripad Raju, US settled
activists, associated with save Western Ghat movement, said, we should think
and act globally and think and act locally. He further said, we should imbibe
Gandhi and Vinobas’ feelings in our action.
He stressed on values, truth and non-violence. He further stated the statistics has no relevance in measuring
the actual trend of development. Mr.
Sheriff, Kerala, presented the pollution caused by the industries at Chaiiyar
river. There was a twenty minutes review over one and half days' proceedings,
which was comprehended by Mr. Arun Vinayak.
Then Mr. Kalanand Mani claimed, 1999
budget is anti people where as 1951 budget was pro-people. He presented the budget of 1999 and pointed
out what went wrong with it firstly the national expenditure is more than the
income. This is estimated to touch Rs.
1,04,000 crore about 6.6% of GDP. The
current gap is Rs 13,000 crore more over last years' deficit. The Govt. has failed in controlling its expenditure,
which has jumped 29% against a target of 13.9%. Another important aspect is
that to meet its consumption needs the Govt. has been burrowing large amount of
money. During April-December, 1998, it burrowed Rs. 54,617 crores. In gross term it touched Rs. 80,543 crores
and may cross Rs. 1,00,000 crores next year. This implies that has been
burrowing over Rs.300 crores every day-surely un-sustainable situation. How
will it repay the debt, which stands at 53.9% of GDP? For every Rupee that the
Govt. earns, it has to pay out 28% as interest. Unfortunately no thought is given to development aspect in the
current budget. Thus, it is the time to rethink. The session ended.
The second session started at
2.30 PM with the initiation by Mr. Ghanshyam regarding politics of control over
river and water. He said, the entire world is passing through a historical
transition, the command communism has reached its virtual end and capitalism is
trapped into its own "Cobweb" of no return. The developed capitalist country like- America is trying to
impose economic slavery upon the third world countries. Since water has been the perennial source of
life and livelihood, the bond between land, water and jungle is an inseparable
one. But presently the politics has devastated land and jungle and exploited
water to a large extent. The live example of this is the negative strategy of
establishing industries and industrial towns next to water or river and winding
up the life providing force through slow poisoning. Then the session was left
for open discussion.
At 4 PM the last session of the day was started with
group task on rivers of the concerned states, situation (issues), the
activities, about the structure of establishing a river network. In this respect the participants presented
their state scenario. The session ended at 7.30 PM followed up a cultural
programme on " Felling" by PARIDHI and Chhau Nritya by a professional
troupe. The day's session was co-ordinated Mr. Sidheswar and Ms. Binni, and
chaired by Nagendra Bhai.Mr Arun Vinayak, Ms. Mamata were in the dais.
On last day of the workshop (14.3.99) the session
started with the presentation of consolidated report from the various
presentations previously made. Reports from various states have indicated that
the, so called "Development” causes on various rivers and river valleys
have not benefited the adivasies, the dalits and other backward and poorer
sections of the society, as was stated, when the projects were taken up.
Floods, Droughts, Pollution and Dispersal of the people displaced by the
projects have only worsened their plight.
Bihar, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Kerala, Orissa and West Bengal
reports have confirmed the above conclusions.
In the beginning that is immediately after independence, the largest of
developmental models were to improve, food production through irrigated crops
and to increase industrial production through generation of electricity from
the big dam projects. However, as the
years went by, the real increase in crop were cash crops requiring large inputs
of water, the industrial production based both on raw materials from our
natural resources and water, and in the process the water resources is polluted
to a greater extent. In recent years,
growth of defence industries and raw material required for the purpose further
alienated the people from their land. The stories from the states go on and on
of pauperisation of the already poor who have been driven out from their homes,
hearths and lands some time thrice in their own life time. The response from
this socially, politically and economically exploited section of the society
has been one of strongly opposing the development process that ignores
them. Of late, this sections of society
have in peaceful manner struggled and agitated against their alienation from
the river and river valleys. However,
these have been isolated exclusively and in the long run frustrating.
Even the changes in the global context of development
isolated and exclusive struggles need to be linked regionally, nationally and
globally. The task before the
organisers is to:
1.
Undertake participatory studies at various levels of
impact on the poor and natural resources, following the implementation of the
projects on the rivers.
2.
Interact with various social action groups, working in
this field such as interaction could be achieved through consultations,
seminars, workshops and the like.
3. A network needs to be established of activities, concerning rivers and river valleys leading to exchange of information and activities of the concerned river and river valleys. This will give in extending support to each other on the crucial issues. These activities primarily use English and Hindi & the different states can use the material in their concerned languages.
4.
This network should then link up with other national
forums to enable its voice to be heard at every level of lobbying and advocacy.
5. The network should strongly perceive to put the right to information on the fundamental right of every citizen in the country, especially when it comes to impact on public projects on the common people.
On the basis of aforesaid discussions Jamshedpur
Declaration was launched.
The following is the
declaration adopted at the National Conference on River Valley and Water
Resources held at Jamshedpur from 12th to 14th March'99.
The Indian
Rivers Network takes off.
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The Jamshedpur conferences of the activists working
among people in various riverside and valley decided to establish a National
Network to approve discriminatory development process in their river basins.
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Called the 'Indian River Network' this people forum will
link up in various rivers across India from West Bengal to Kerala and support
the struggle of the common people against in equalitious development process
within the Indian subcontinent.
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From last one decade, the common people of India like-
activists, dalits and women have been voufenoubly opposing the Government's
development policies and programmes. Which, have displaced millions of people,
polluted the rivers, lowered the ground water table, divided the communities,
elevated the poor from their homes, diminished their cultural ethos and
expanded the base of the poverty stricken people.
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We assert that the lands and waters of various rivers
and their valleys and ground water resources is ours, the so far silenced
majority; and the struggle is now to regain which properly belong to the
community and was the community property of the concerned villages. The utilisation of this resource, which is
apart from the community resources, will have to be utilised according to the
decisions/consensus of the concerned village community. It cannot be utilised at the will and whim
of politician bureaucracy - contractor - multinational agency axis.
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The current development processes of big public and
private projects have only served to the benefit of a small majority of elite
upper class/caste. We oppose this misutilisation of the property and resources
of the community, who form more than 70% of the population.
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The conference formed a small co-ordination committee to
co-ordinate, campaign, and chart out programme and struggle. This include:
1. Ghanshyam -Jharkhand.
2. Rajendra
Kerkar -Goa.
3. Advocate
Serif -Kerala
4. Ms.
Detain Barrel -Jharkhand
5. Arun
Vinayak -Godavary
Valley (Maharashtra)
Kumar Kalanand Mani of Swaraj
will be the co- ordinator of the net work.
Mr. Balaram and Ms. Silwanti co-ordinated the day's
sessions. Mr. Ghanshyam felicitated vote of thanks at the end of the session.
By-
Kalpana Mishra, Orissa.
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