By U.D.Tmar
Reading the news and listening to people I have gathered one missing point(?) in this issue of NGT ban and that is ‘environmental pollution and ecosystem collapse’ the gravest and ultimate threat to humankind and to our microcosmic ‘jaidbynriew’. In my perception, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) would not have banned rat-hole mining if it did not affect the environment/ecology (the basis and foundation of long-term sustainable livelihood). The NGT knows that there are alternative ways of mining which can reduce or eliminate environmental pollution. Immediately, a quick survey of those ‘genuine people (economically weaker)’ affected by NGT ban and the formulation of effective sustainable mining policy is urgently needed to tide over this burgeoning crisis.
Mining is important for the growth (GDP) of the economy, but mining at the cost of the environment is like taking one step forward and two steps behind. From a long-term perspective, coal, limestone and other minerals are non-renewable resources, their availability is finite, and they will not be there forever. In this context have we prepared for that eventuality especially with respect to livelihoods? This is the time for all of us to gather and reason since both livelihood and environment are very crucial, relevant and life-threatening issues. We must find out immediate solution(s) with an eye for the future. A cliché goes , no one will talk or think about the environment if one’s stomach is empty. We are at the crossroads between providing basic, biological needs and critical sustainability issues of mining and development in general. I agree with Wangari Mathai, a Nobel Peace Laureate for environment who cited the Bible when people asked her about her concern and care for the environment and said , “God first created land, forest, lakes, animals etc before he created(wo)man since he knew that (wo)man cannot survive without these life support systems.” This is visibly true, also a scientifically proven and tested fact.
Further, let me caution all those who are concerned with the future of our ‘jaidbynriew’ and the environment that if we want to survive on this earth, we must also consider the universal fact that our culture, identity are intrinsically tied to the ecology. What we need now is solidarity and to find an amicable solution to this crisis which is of our own creation due to lack of farsightedness, for it is only a matter of time where the MODI (Atomic Energy is one of his portfolio) government at the centre (judging by the debate and the pressing energy crisis in our country) will take up the issue of large scale mining of uranium at Domiasiat, West Khasi Hills. If that time comes, where will we stand if we are for rat-hole mining now? Do we still have any credibility to use the trump-card of the ‘environmental effects/impact’ of uranium mining? Definitely the UCIL and the Government of India will plead that mining of uranium is scientific (open to debate).
In the context of the ILP issue vis-à-vis illegal migrants that had populated the coal belts, this ban has driven away many of them although their destination yet to be verified.
Therefore, where we stand-now will haunt our future. For the external observer, the mixed signals we send out depict weakness, vulnerability, indecision and lack of cohesion. We cannot afford politics and short term greed to blind us to the dangers facing our cultural identity and the natural landscape that our great grand elders have bestowed us with. Today we are where we are and people are ravaging the ecology because of politics, bad governance, short term greed and total absence of general welfare and egalitarianism, which are at the core of tribal identity.
In this present imbroglio there are multiple parties with different concerns. As I see it these are; (1) The Government (2) The Coal barons/dealers (3) the HNLC (4) The Environmentalists or pro-sustainable development (5) The NGO’s (6) Coalition of Traditional Heads headed by J.F Kharshiing (7)The daily wage earners who are directly and indirectly connected to coal mining. We are all at loggerheads with each other about the future course of action. We just had an MP election that showed how regional parties and their egos led to the loss of their candidate. In the eyes of the world we are just rotten short-sighted tribal egomaniacs. We need to wake-up, or else, the prophetic Soso Tham’s vision will engulf us permanently.
Even though the 6th Schedule and the inalienable rights to land are critical assets to our cultural survival and autonomy, let’s us not use those haphazardly at the expense of our immediate offspring and future generations.
In all this the blame lies with the Government which is at the helm under the Constitution. The government is supposed to lead, act and govern as per the constitutional provisions. So far what we have is chaos, illusions and politicking. Why does it take the Central government to intervene on crucial issues? We are being remote controlled from Delhi because we are a State with the ‘begging-bowl.’ Most of our representatives have no clue about ‘people-centred policies’ except ‘single window policies’, and our model of economic development is cosmetic’ and ‘election oriented’. Therefore, in this present NGT crisis the government is indecisive. People on the ground want decisive action and relief while the NGT ban continues. This is a calamity of sorts that demands quick thinking, effective and concerted action.
Time waits for none, and those daily wagers can’t wait any longer. Therefore it is time for the Government and the opposition to cast aside their differences and come together on this issue. There are ways to provide temporary relief for the affected people and this requires the involvement of local NGO’s, student unions etc. From the government side there are resources and strategies to address the basic needs of the people affected. They include (1) utilization of MLA schemes, (2)central schemes ( SSA- free education, NRHM for free health care, NREGA for rural employment, PDS for free food, etc), (3) Contribution/cut from ministers’ salaries (4) Doing away political appointments and using the funds to meet the present crises. (5) Also if the Government can spend crores on the CM’s mansion they can do the same now (6) Austerity measures by Government.
In fact money is not the issue but political will and courage certainly are. The coal barons/dealers can also pool in not only as coal mine owners but as responsible members of society. Their employees deserve their empathy, if we take into account the Labour Unions objectives and labour policies. This is a crisis where selfish interest must stop and general welfare must prevail. NGOs can also come together and help with whatever resources or strategies they have at their disposal ,like they have done to other’s affected by natural calamity. We all don’t want to go what West Khasi hills had gone through People there suffered after the timber ban.
Lack of rural development has led to lack of alternative job opportunities, failure of agriculture, and also no marketing-outlets have pushed people to eke a living by exploiting natural resources where the rate of extraction is faster than the rate of replenishment. Who benefited most from timber trading in West Khasi Hills? It was the non-tribal traders and the politically affiliated people of West Khasi Hills. After the timber ban by the Supreme Court in 1996, we saw how industries at Byrnihat (a result of government myopic policies) gobbled up all vegetation (not only trees) in the form of charcoal, which led to total deforestation. In this present scenario, we cannot wait only for the Government to act. We have to unite on a single platform, put out our opinions, ideas and road-map for our future. Politics, political vendetta, blame-game and self-interest should take a back seat. This ban is a test and an opportunity for us to unite for a the common purpose and a sustainable future. The choice is ours.