On India’s 72nd Independence Day, we look back at 5 milestones when people-power won major environmental battles in India.
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Prevention of Dilution of the Nuclear Liability Bill
Collective power of people joined hands with Greenpeace India to strongly object to any attempts to dilute the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act, 2010. If enforced, this controversial international law would have allowed nuclear suppliers to escape from bearing the cost of a nuclear plant mishap. We demanded that India should not enact the proposed Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Bill as it was “discriminatory’ and would allow foreign suppliers to go scot-free.
After many appeals, protests and actions, the nuclear liability law now includes a compensation package for victims which matches that of the U.S. The law includes language that makes suppliers of equipment, raw materials, and services liable after the construction of a plant in case of a nuclear accident.
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Moratorium on Genetically Modified Brinjal Cultivation
The Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill 2011 (BRAI Bill) has been proposed by the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of India. It is a bill ‘to promote safe use of biotechnology’ and to set up a new regulatory mechanism for matters connected to biotechnology including research, use, trade and manufacture.
There is an unprecedented debate around Genetically Modified (GM) crops, one of the products of modern biotechnology, in India at this point. This debate started with the introduction of Bt Cotton, the only GM crop which is commercially cultivated in the country, but reached its heights when existing regulatory system was on the verge of approving Bt Brinjal, the first GM food crop. This global debate is grounded on the various scientific studies that clearly indicate potential harm to health and environment from environmental release of GM crops.
In 2010, Jairam Ramesh, former Minister of Environment and Forests declared a moratorium on Bt brinjal, which was being considered for commercial cultivation in India at the time. Following a series of public consultations, and submissions made by academics, economists, environmentalists, farmers, civil society groups and citizens alike, the Minister declared the moratorium decision is “responsible to science and responsive to society.”
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India’s First Ecological Village, Kedia
The “Bihar Living Soils” campaign was an attempt to reduce dependence on agro-chemicals such as chemical fertilizers and chemical pesticides, and bring soil back to life by rejuvenating its health and biodiversity while using biomass-based organic supplements. The period of transition from chemical-laden farming to ecological agriculture was not easy, but Kedia’s farmers persevered.
Today, apart from enjoying the benefits of reduced input costs on farming by almost 60%, watching the beetles and the kingfishers make a comeback, becoming self-sufficient and eliminating middlemen, the Kedia farmers are fully trained to help in the capacity-building of other farmers who have chosen to take the chemical-free route.
Seeing the success of the Kedia model, and with the intention of increasing farmers’ income and climate resilience, the state government has announced replication of such organic farming models in all districts of Bihar. In addition, developing organic farming corridors along the state and national highways have been included under state’s 3rd Agriculture Roadmap.
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Demanded India’s First Clean Air Action Programme (NCAP)
The announcement of National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) was made on December 18, 2017 to a reply in the Rajya Sabha by the Minister of Environment Forest Climate Change (MoEFCC). The National Clean Air Program is an important first step towards ensuring clean air for India. To make it truly national, it’s important to have a measurable, focused and precise targets with clear timelines and demonstrable accountability towards public health.
The citizens played a unique role in policy announcement, especially so since we are directly affected by its outcomes. More than one lakh people together demanded a clean air action plan, and we’re close to victory; the real victory is the enforcement and implementation!
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Upholding the Forest Rights Act (FRA)
Conception and passage of the Forest Rights Act was a result of decades of struggle and sacrifice of millions of tribal communities across India and, of their organizations, of numerous activists and intellectuals working on tribal issues.
After years of campaigning, a forest block worth 4 lakh forests was withdrawn from coal mining auction. In an official reply to a Greenpeace India’s Right to Information request, the Ministry of Coal confirmed that the Mahan forest, in the central state of Madhya Pradesh, will be kept off limits, in line with recommendations from the Indian Environment Ministry.
Sajan Ponappa is a Photo Desk Officer in the Communications unit at Greenpeace India.