Image: Times of India

We reproduce Dharmadhikary and Oza’s original response in full below from Manthan.

However, here is an update from Shripad:
 

I put my comment in brief, within the allowed 3000 characters, yesterday in the Comments section. Today, it’s gone.
Then, a friend brought to my notice that Swaminathan has written a completely new version of the blog and put it out yesterday. Wonder if he is in the habit of writing different versions of the same blog within a matter of two days! https://blogs.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/Swaminomics/most-of-the-ousted-tribals-are-flourishing-and-loving-it-thank-you-activists/
Have yet to read the new version of his bog properly (am out since early morning), but it appears that he has rewritten it in a way that tries to skirt the response we had given. Now I am planning to write another response to the new blog….but can only do it tomorrow as busy with meetings today.

And now, Dharmadhikary and Oza’s original response in Manthan:

SA Iyers’s piece in Times of India dated 10 Sept 2017, “Why many tribals don’t mind being ousted by dams”, examining the condition of some of the oustees of Sardar Sarovar Narmada dam is a classic case of misinterpretation of data, hiding the more important issues, and conclusions not supported by research findings. Indeed, a proper reading of the article itself shows that unlike Iyer’s assertion, his own figures show that tribals do mind being ousted. Some important points are given below.

Iyer claims that their “surveys showed, unambiguously, the resettled villagers were better off than their former neighbours in semi-evacuated villages.” In support, among the figures given from their survey, they point out that comparing the resettled with their former neighbours who remain in the original areas, the access to drinking water was 45% against 33%, to PHCs was 37% versus 12% and to hospitals 14% versus 3%. Given that the oustees were resettled between 25-30 years ago, and that the Sardar Sardar project has poured in hundreds of crores of rupees for resettlement, these figures don’t speak of oustees being better off, but indeed, point to the pathetic case of the oustees.

After 30 years and massive money being spent, 55% of the rehabilitated people had no access to drinking water, 63% no access to a PHC and 86% no access to hospital. And this is when the oustees have been settled in areas closer to the cities and the former neighbours continue to remain in remote hilly areas. True, cycle and motorcycle ownership was more favourably distributed towards the oustees, but that may be simply because in the hilly areas, these are less useful. In any case, they are less crucial than drinking water, access to health services etc.

While Iyer claims that “Resettled villagers said they adjusted to new conditions…within two years” (something which we, as former activists of the NBA who have lived for years with them, find completely unbelievable), Iyer also finds that in response to the question whether “Would they prefer returning to their old villages, with the same land they had earlier? Around 54% said yes, 30% said no…” This response, after 30 years of resettlement, itself speaks volumes.  Iyer justifies this by saying that “For a majority, nostalgia for ancestral land and access to forests mattered more than greater material possessions.” But it’s not just nostalgia.  The forests, the river, also provided the tribals with substantial economic and livelihoods resources including fodder, fruits and fish. The fact is that the majority of the oustees at the resettlement continue to face multitude of problems like bad quality of land, lack of basic amenities, hostility from original residents etc. and many promises made to them remain unfulfilled. (May be they were just jumlas to get the oustees to move?). That is why to them the original village would still appear a better proposition from even an economic point of view.

This is further substantiated by the response to the question “… if given the oustee compensation package, they would like to be ousted. In semi-evacuated villages, 31% wanted to move, 53% wanted to stay, in interior villages, a majority (52%) wanted to move, 35% wanted to stay…”. While clearly a majority of the former neighbours of the oustees indicated their lack of confidence in the rehabilitation package, the response of the “interior villages” is used by Iyer to make astounding conclusions about majority of tribals wanting to leave the forests. But the “interior villages” are those living near the mines of the GMDC, where mining has impacted them badly, even as it has brought them some access to infrastructure like roads.

Overall, Iyer uses his data to draw some highly unwarranted and astounding generalisations that “it’s entirely possible to implement resettlement packages making tribals materially better off. ..explodes the claim of some activists that modernisation is disastrous for tribals…”

Last but not the least, his concluding line is most revealing. “Many tribals want to leave the forest for a better life.” In saying this, Iyer never raises the fundamental question as to why the tribal have to be evicted from their original village in case they want to have a better life, why is it that they cannot have access roads, drinking water, health facilities etc. unless they leave their original lands, homes and forests. If they did have many of these facilities in their original homes, even the limited advantages which Iyer’s study shows the oustees got, would have vanished.   In deliberately ignoring this fundamental issue, in not articulating what his own survey reveals, and in making sweeping generalisations, Iyer betrays a haste to give an unsupported clean chit to the project’s rehabilitation, the reality of which is far more dismal.

Shripad Dharmadhikary and Nandini Oza were full-time activists with the Narmada Bachao Andolan for close to 12 years.

Courtesy: kafial.online
 

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From Alaknanda valley, Uttarakhand, Vishnugaad Peepalkoti Dam affected people have sent the message of “River’s health is vital for people’s survival” to communities across the world today. THDC and World Bank alliance has failed miserably in fulfilling the hope of people in Ganga Valley, and now they are also trying to go to other countries like Bhutan. We strongly oppose this in India and appeal to the people of other countries to do the same against the funding by World Bank to Big Dam projects in the name of clean energy.

People from more than 20 affected villages have united and opposed the big dams to save the culture and ecology of Uttarakhand. Bharat Singh (Salood Village) – Voices cannot be subverted; we don’t need energy at the cost of water, forest, River and land. Manvar Singh and Maatwar Singh (Jakhola Village) – Dams are causing climate change. Dinesh Raana (Laanzi village) – Pollution is on rise due to dams on the River Ganga. Jagdeesh Bhandari (Pokhni Village) – Government and THDC has cheated us. Baal Singh (Pokhni Village) – Disaster will happen in future and they kept us unaware from the fact. Rakesh Bhandari (Huen Village) – How will the Ganga culture survive when the river itself is in danger. Ram lal (Durgapur Village) – There are 23 false cases filed against us but struggle will continue. Uma Devi (Dving Village) – We are and will remain anti dams, Ganga will flow incessant. Narendra Singh – Landslides has increased. Vrihansraj Tadiyal (Peepalkoti) – Biodiversity and water is getting diminished from hills because of dams. Dhaneshwari Devi (Pokhari Village) – We will not compromise with our environment at any cost. Rajendra Hatwal (Haat) – Rehabilitation in Haat village was false, we have not left the village. We have been cheated by company and government both. The archeological department has not surveyed the forest of Belpatri and Lakshmi Narayan temple. Vimal bhai, Convener of Matu Jan Sangathan – People’s unity and organization can solve the issues; Big Dams have given only displacement and ecological destruction which is being repeated even after more than five thousand dams in the country. There are more than 80 cases filed in court against people due to the destructive alliance between THDC and World Bank. The work on this dam is going ahead with the help of terror and dictatorship. But we have fought till now and will keep fighting for justice, people’s rights and legal struggles from the land to the water. We believe in the Gandhian principle and will continue the non violent struggles.

On March 14, 2016 the programme was commenced with the beating of drums and local instruments. People brought the soil form their villages and collected near the Peepal tree to remember this as a sign of protest and struggles. Narendra Pokhariyal has moderated the event, who is struggling for more than a decade against the Dams.

“Ganga Chalegi Apni Chaal, Uncha Rahega Uska Bhaal (Ganga will continue to flow with its dignity intact)”, “Dekh Raha Hai Aaj Himalaya Ganga ke Rakhwaalon Ko (Himalaya is looking towards saviours of Ganga)”, the programme has ended with these slogans announcing the course of future struggles.

Narendra Pokhariyal, Ajay Bhandari, Ram Lal, Vimal Bhai
 
 

The post Say No to Big Dams: River Day’ Launched in Uttarakhand appeared first on SabrangIndia.

Image for representation purpose only
 
Almost 1735 small dams in the Beed, Jalna and Aurangabad districts of Marathwada are lying under utilised due lack of sanction of a measly from irrigation standards of Rs 171 crores, which has potential to increase the irrigation upto 17453 hectares, this information was provided to the writer and RTI activist Anil Galgali by the Rural Development and Water conservation department recently.
 
This issue and inquiry has been pending for over two years (February 2014 to January 2015) and exposes the seriousness of the state government in making irrigication cheaply and practicably available to the water starved Marathwada region. The writer, RTI activist Anil Galgali had filed an RTI query with the Rural Development and Water conservation dept of the Govt of Maharashtra on September 1, 2015 seeking information about the repairs to the small dams based on the Kolhapur pattern.
 
The Desk officer of the department informed Anil Galgali that, for the repairs and maintenance of the small dams for water conservation, the Chief Engineers office in the Pune has demanded Rs 170 crores 57 lakhs 77 thousand for 1735 small dams situated in Beed, Jalna and Aurangabad which has currently holding a potential for irrigation of 25128 hectares. RTI Application and Detailed Reply can be read here.
 
If these smaller dams, that fall under under the Mini Irrigation (Water Conservation) project are repaired and maintained, there is a potential of increasing the potential of irrigation by 17543 hectares taking it to 42671 hectares.
 
Beed district alone has 575 Mini Irrigation (Water Conservation) projects in need of urgent repairs and maintenance; if undertaken and completed will increase the potential by 4119 hectares, which is currently at 9661 hectares, thereby increasing the potential by 43%.
 
Jalna district similarly has 414 mini irrigation (Water Conservation) projects with the current potential of 4475 hectares, with repairs it is estimated to increase the potential by 2527 hectares.
 
Aurangabad has 746 similar projects pending repair and maintenance which can increase the potential by 10897 hectares, which is currently at 28535 hectares.
 
It is of utmost urgency that these funds be sanctioned immediately to quench the thirst of Marathwada.
 
If urgent attention is paid to the Mini Irrigation (Water Conservation) projects instead of the pet Jal Yukt shivar project of the state government the results would be faster and will save huge revenues for the state government besides, for the longterm, increase irrigation potential of the affected regions.
 
The Maharashtra government should immediately sanction the required Rs 171 crores, which will increase the irrigation potential by 17453 hectares and which measure will go a long way in providing water to the frought-hid Marathwada region.
 
The author has communicated this in a letter to chief minister, Devendra Fadnavis. The delay in taking this decision, resulting in non-repairs of small damns and reduced irrigation potential, has tragically led to the almost 745 farmers giving up their lives in Marathwada alone due to the lack of access to water and irrigation.
 

नज़रिया : किसानों की आत्महत्या रोकने में काम आ सकते हैं ये प्रयोग

नही मिल रही हैं प्यासे मराठवाडा को सिंचाई के लिए सरकारी मंजूरी
 
मराठवाडा के बीड, जालना और औरंगाबाद इन जिला में 1735 लघुसिंचाई को करीब 171 करोड़ रुपए की मांग को मंजूर करने पर 17453 हेक्टर सिंचाई की क्षमता बढ़ेगी। ऐसी जानकारी आरटीआई कार्यकर्ता अनिल गलगली को ग्रामविकास व जलसंधारण विभाग ने दी हैं। फरवरी 2014 से जनवरी 2015 इस दौरान प्यासे मराठवाडा को सिंचाई के लिए सरकारी मंजूरी नही मिलने से महाराष्ट्र सरकार की पोल खुल गई हैं। आरटीआई कार्यकर्ता अनिल गलगली ने ग्रामविकास व जलसंधारण विभाग से दिनांक 01.09.2015 को कोलापूर पैटर्न के तहत बांध की मरम्मत को लेकर जानकारी मांगी थी। ग्रामविकास व जलसंधारण विभाग के कार्यासन अधिकारी ने अनिल गलगली को बताया कि लघु सिंचाई (जलसंधारण) प्रोजेक्ट की मरम्मत और मेंटेनेस योजना के तहत सरकार से मुख्य अभियंता कार्यालय, पुणे ने 170 करोड़ 57 लाख 77 हजार रुपए की मांग की थी। मराठवाडा के बीड, जालना और औरंगाबाद इन जिला के 1735 लघुसिंचाई की वर्तमान सिंचाई की क्षमता 25128 हेक्टर हैं। लघु सिंचाई (जलसंधारण) प्रोजेक्ट की मरम्मत और मेंटेनेस हुआ तो क्षमता में 17543 इतनी हेक्टर की क्षमता बढ़ेगी। जिससे कुल सिंचाई की क्षमता 42671 इतनी हेक्टर होगी। बीड जिला के 575 लघु सिंचाई (जलसंधारण) प्रोजेक्ट की मरम्मत और मेंटेनेस होने पर इस क्षमता में 4119 हेक्टर इतनी सिंचाई की क्षमता बढ़ेगी जो जी वर्तमान में 9661 हेक्टर हैं। यानी करीबन 43 प्रतिशत सिंचाई की क्षमता बढ़ेगी। जालना जिला में 4475 हेक्टर इतनी सिंचाई की क्षमता है जो 414 लघु सिंचाई (जलसंधारण) प्रोजेक्ट की मरम्मत और मेंटेनेस होने पर इस क्षमता में 2527 हेक्टर इतनी वृद्धि होगी। वही ओरंगाबाद जिला के 746 लघु सिंचन (जलसंधारण) प्रोजेक्ट की मरम्मत और मेंटेनेस न होने से इसकी 10897 हेक्टर क्षमता बढ़ाने के लिए सरकार राजी नही होने से इसकी वर्तमान 28535 हेक्टर सिंचन क्षमता हैं। अनिल गलगली के अनुसार प्यासे मराठवाडा को सिंचाई के लिए सरकारी मंजूरी देकर ताबडतोब रकम देना आवश्यक हैं। महाराष्ट्र सरकार की जलयुक्तशिवार की तुलना में लघु सिंचाई (जलसंधारण) प्रोजेक्ट की मरम्मत और मेंटेनेस किया जाता है तो बड़ी रकम बचेगी और सिंचाई की क्षमता और बढ़ेगी। राज्य सरकार ने 171 करोड़ रुपए की मांग को मंजूर कर 17453 हेक्टर सिंचाई की क्षमता बढाए ताकि मराठवाडा की प्यास बुझाने के लिए सरकारी मदद सहायक साबित होगी, ऐसी मांग अनिल गलगली ने मुख्यमंत्री देवेंद्र फडणवीस को लिखे हुए पत्र में की हैं। पिछले एका वर्ष में सिर्फ मराठवाडा में 745 किसानों ने आत्महत्या करने की दर्दनाक सच्चाई सामने होते हुए भाजपा सरकार सिंचाई की क्षमता नही बढ़ाने पर अनिल गलगली ने नाराजगी जताई हैं।
 
 

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