According to Gautama Buddha tanha or desire and craving is the cause of human suffering. Once we are free of desire for worldly objects, we are free from suffering and we attain the state of nirvana. Hence it is greed, not need, that we have to do away with. The more we have, the more we want. Greed is a never-ending cycle.
How to make the distinction between need and greed? Economists explain the distinction between the two in terms of 'needs' and 'preferences' or 'desire satisfaction'. The distinction between 'preference' and 'need' is that the former is intentional and the latter is extensional. The need, for example, is to quench our thirst; the preference is whether we use bottled water or drink straight from the tap.
The need of a person is something which depends on his factual material, mental, physical and social condition. It also depends upon the available objects which are perceived as possessing the capacities to contribute to his survival and well-being. Whether a person prefers one object to another depends upon the nature of the person's beliefs about the objects.
While the concept of need is a threshold concept, the concept of preference is not. Need is a threshold concept because having more or less than one's needs would harm one's survival. Need is that without which the individual cannot survive. For example, a person needs a certain amount of water, food or shelter to lead his life and maintain social relations.
Moreover, while the objects required for 'preference' or 'desire satisfaction' may have several alternative substitutes, needs are objective and specific and do not admit any substitute. For example, it is admitted by everyone that there is no substitute for good health, good friends and good environment. They are specific to the needs for the well-being of all individuals.
Desires and preferences can be artificial or superfluous. For example, the desires for accessories are artificial. They are market-governed and even market-determined. Desires can be natural or non-natural. It would be instructive here to listen to a conversation between Alexander and an Indian thinker, Dandamis.
Alexander was greatly struck by the austerity of life and majesty of the Indian thinker. The Indian told Alexander that natural desires are quenched easily: thirst by water, hunger by food. But the craving for possession is an artificial one; it goes on unceasingly and is never fully satisfied.
The sage explained the criterion for making a distinction between a natural or real and a non-natural or contrived desire. A natural desire is fulfilled the moment you get what you sought. For example "If you drink the water you thirst for, your desire ceases. Similarly, if you are feeling hungry, you receive the food you seek, your hunger comes to an end. If, then, man's appetite for gold were on the same natural level, no doubt his cupidity would cease as soon as he obtained what he wished for. But this is not the case. On the contrary, it always comes back, a passion is never satiated, and the craving remains because it does not proceed from an inclination implanted by nature."
The criterion of distinction between need and greed is: Natural desires are our needs, therefore they are those which come to an end or are satiated when one fulfils them. Artificial desires are greed, as they are those which can never be satiated.
The writer teaches philosophy at Delhi University.
Sunday, December 4, 2011
S Delhi water project on PPP model (Times of India 29 November 2011)
NEW DELHI: In its first step towards partial privatization of water management, Delhi Jal Board (DJB) received clearance for starting a pilot project on public-private partnership model for water distribution in Malviya Nagar, Vasant Kunj and Nangloi.
Officials said the project would entail appointment of private companies through a bidding process. This, they hope, would improve efficiency of the water distribution network and reduce non-revenue water. The companies would also be responsible for operation and maintenance of the underground reservoirs in the areas and collect revenue for the board.
In a board meeting held on Monday, approval was also given to water supply upgrade and improvement project at Mehrauli at an estimated cost of Rs 145 crore. Approval was also granted for setting up of the SCADA system at the Bhagirathi water treatment plant and its major booster pumping stations and UGRs.
To improve water distribution through tankers, the Board also decided to replace around 250 water tankers that are more than 13 years old. The Board gave approval to the estimate for operation and maintenance of the 11 MGD recycling plant at Wazirabad and the 16 MGD recycling water treatment plant at Haiderpur Water Works for a period of five years at a cost of over Rs 37 crore.
Approval was also accorded to a revision in a proposal worth Rs 364.5 crore for supply, installation and a seven-year maintenance contract of eight lakh domestic water meters. A project to replace water mains was also passed in the meeting. These would include the 1,100 mm dia PSC west Delhi water main by MS pipe from Wazirpur depot to Shakkurpur Village along the Ring Road and Shakurpur Pushta to PWD office in Punjabi Bagh; 1,000 mm and 1,500 mm dia PSC water pipelines emanating from Haiderpur in stretches near Prashant Vihar, Delhi Cantt Booster Pumping Station, Mongolpuri, Meera Bagh and Cariappa Marg .
Officials said the project would entail appointment of private companies through a bidding process. This, they hope, would improve efficiency of the water distribution network and reduce non-revenue water. The companies would also be responsible for operation and maintenance of the underground reservoirs in the areas and collect revenue for the board.
In a board meeting held on Monday, approval was also given to water supply upgrade and improvement project at Mehrauli at an estimated cost of Rs 145 crore. Approval was also granted for setting up of the SCADA system at the Bhagirathi water treatment plant and its major booster pumping stations and UGRs.
To improve water distribution through tankers, the Board also decided to replace around 250 water tankers that are more than 13 years old. The Board gave approval to the estimate for operation and maintenance of the 11 MGD recycling plant at Wazirabad and the 16 MGD recycling water treatment plant at Haiderpur Water Works for a period of five years at a cost of over Rs 37 crore.
Approval was also accorded to a revision in a proposal worth Rs 364.5 crore for supply, installation and a seven-year maintenance contract of eight lakh domestic water meters. A project to replace water mains was also passed in the meeting. These would include the 1,100 mm dia PSC west Delhi water main by MS pipe from Wazirpur depot to Shakkurpur Village along the Ring Road and Shakurpur Pushta to PWD office in Punjabi Bagh; 1,000 mm and 1,500 mm dia PSC water pipelines emanating from Haiderpur in stretches near Prashant Vihar, Delhi Cantt Booster Pumping Station, Mongolpuri, Meera Bagh and Cariappa Marg .
Widespread protests over Mullaperiyar dam in Kerala (The Hindu 29 November 2011)
Hartal demanding decommissioning of reservoir total in Idukki district
Kerala saw widespread protests over the Mullaperiyar dam issue on Monday, with people agitating for its decommissioning in five districts and the State capital.
In places like Karinkulam Chappathu in Idukki district, the protests almost took the form of a grass-root level movement with people from different parts of the district joining the stir.
Roads were clogged, though the organisers of the protest — the Mullaperiyar Action Council — did not plan a blockade. CPI leader E.S. Bijimol continued her hunger strike for the second day while P. C. George, MLA, joined the fast on Tuesday.
Traffic held up: The hartal called by the United Democratic Front and the Left Democratic Front was total in most parts of the district. Protesters blocked vehicles at Kumili on the border with Tamil Nadu, resulting in the traffic being held up for hours. However, the protesters allowed vehicles of Sabarimala pilgrims and emergency services to pass through, though pilgrims were often forced to wait for some time.
At Vallakadavu, just eight kilometres downstream of the Mullaperiyar dam, children of the locality joined the fast. Children in this area are a scared lot, with every noise being mistaken for rushing waters.
In Thodupuzha, advocates boycotted the courts. Schools and colleges remained closed. Students took out a protest march at Cheruthoni over the twin demands for decommissioning the existing Mullaperiyar dam and lowering the water level in the dam to 120 feet pending the decommissioning. The protesters demanded urgent Central intervention.
Union Ministers from the State A. K. Antony, Vayalar Ravi and E. Ahamed drew flak from the protesters for their inaction. The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha took out a march to the residence of the Defence Minister A.K. Antony here.
The Kerala Congress (Mani) group organised dharnas in Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Alappuzha. The party's Idukki member of the Assembly Roshy Augustine sat on a hunger strike before the Accountant General's Office here.
Water level rises Meanwhile, water level in the Mullaperiyar reservoir crossed the 136 feet stipulated by Kerala. Water is flowing down through all the open spillways. The district administration opened control rooms to monitor the situation and assist people in case of an emergency.
Kerala saw widespread protests over the Mullaperiyar dam issue on Monday, with people agitating for its decommissioning in five districts and the State capital.
In places like Karinkulam Chappathu in Idukki district, the protests almost took the form of a grass-root level movement with people from different parts of the district joining the stir.
Roads were clogged, though the organisers of the protest — the Mullaperiyar Action Council — did not plan a blockade. CPI leader E.S. Bijimol continued her hunger strike for the second day while P. C. George, MLA, joined the fast on Tuesday.
Traffic held up: The hartal called by the United Democratic Front and the Left Democratic Front was total in most parts of the district. Protesters blocked vehicles at Kumili on the border with Tamil Nadu, resulting in the traffic being held up for hours. However, the protesters allowed vehicles of Sabarimala pilgrims and emergency services to pass through, though pilgrims were often forced to wait for some time.
At Vallakadavu, just eight kilometres downstream of the Mullaperiyar dam, children of the locality joined the fast. Children in this area are a scared lot, with every noise being mistaken for rushing waters.
In Thodupuzha, advocates boycotted the courts. Schools and colleges remained closed. Students took out a protest march at Cheruthoni over the twin demands for decommissioning the existing Mullaperiyar dam and lowering the water level in the dam to 120 feet pending the decommissioning. The protesters demanded urgent Central intervention.
Union Ministers from the State A. K. Antony, Vayalar Ravi and E. Ahamed drew flak from the protesters for their inaction. The Bharatiya Janata Yuva Morcha took out a march to the residence of the Defence Minister A.K. Antony here.
The Kerala Congress (Mani) group organised dharnas in Ernakulam, Pathanamthitta, Idukki and Alappuzha. The party's Idukki member of the Assembly Roshy Augustine sat on a hunger strike before the Accountant General's Office here.
Water level rises Meanwhile, water level in the Mullaperiyar reservoir crossed the 136 feet stipulated by Kerala. Water is flowing down through all the open spillways. The district administration opened control rooms to monitor the situation and assist people in case of an emergency.
Kerala to Centre: same quantum of water to Tamil Nadu, new dam with our own funds (The Hindu 29 November 2011)
The Kerala government on Monday gave an undertaking to the Centre that it would continue to provide the same quantum of water to Tamil Nadu, as is being given now, if a new dam was constructed in the place of the existing 116-year old Mullai Periyar dam in the Idukki district. Besides, the State would construct the dam from its own funds.
This assurance in writing, as sought by Union Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal from Kerala a few days ago, was jointly given by State Water Resources Minister P.J. Joseph and Revenue Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan here, as authorised by the Oomen Chandy's cabinet.
Mr. Bansal had earlier clearly told Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy that the Centre would try to mediate and convene a bilateral meeting between the governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, if Kerala gave such a written assurance.
Meanwhile, talking to The Hindu, Mr. Joseph said Mr. Bansal had promised to discuss with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the fresh development and see what could be done next. The Minister said the team also met Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram and discussed the issue. The two Ministers would meet Dr. Singh on Tuesday and take up the issue again, he said.
Earlier in the day, MPs from Kerala, cutting across party lines, took up the issue in both Houses of Parliament and stalled the proceedings seeking the Centre's immediate intervention.
This assurance in writing, as sought by Union Water Resources Minister Pawan Kumar Bansal from Kerala a few days ago, was jointly given by State Water Resources Minister P.J. Joseph and Revenue Minister Thiruvanchoor Radhakrishnan here, as authorised by the Oomen Chandy's cabinet.
Mr. Bansal had earlier clearly told Kerala Chief Minister Oomen Chandy that the Centre would try to mediate and convene a bilateral meeting between the governments of Kerala and Tamil Nadu, if Kerala gave such a written assurance.
Meanwhile, talking to The Hindu, Mr. Joseph said Mr. Bansal had promised to discuss with Prime Minister Manmohan Singh the fresh development and see what could be done next. The Minister said the team also met Union Home Minister P. Chidambaram and discussed the issue. The two Ministers would meet Dr. Singh on Tuesday and take up the issue again, he said.
Earlier in the day, MPs from Kerala, cutting across party lines, took up the issue in both Houses of Parliament and stalled the proceedings seeking the Centre's immediate intervention.
Nod for Jal Board project to outsource water distribution (The Hindu 29 November 2011)
The Delhi Jal Board's ambitious plan to outsource water distribution and revenue collection on a pilot basis in three areas based on a public-private partnership basis has been accorded administrative approval. At a Jal Board meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sheila Dikshit on Monday the pilot project was given the go-ahead.
The project has a twin purpose: to reduce revenue losses and to improve distribution of water. “Taking a cue from privatisation of power and the subsequent improvement in supply and services, we have decided to carry out an exercise in three areas of the city where operations and management will be outsourced. The aim is to bring in improvement in the city's water supply and raise the bar vis-à-vis services offered by the Jal Board. The project is also expected to plug the leaks in the system and help us reduce losses on account of non-revenue water,” said DJB Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Negi.
The project, which faced opposition on the grounds that it would pave the way for “privatisation of the water sector”, has the approval of the Planning Commission as well.
The pilot project will take off at Malviya Nagar Underground Reservoir command area, Nangloi Water Treatment Plant and Vasant Vihar with their adjoining areas. “We will extensively study the outcome of these projects, and on the basis of the feedback decide if it can be replicated to other areas,” said Mr. Negi.
The Board also approved the proposal of upgrading and improving water supply system in Mehrauli Township at an estimated cost of Rs.145 crore which includes operation and maintenance for a 12-year period.
Approval was also granted for modernisation of the plant and setting up of SCADA system at Bhagirathi Water Treatment Plant and its major booster pumping stations and underground reservoirs at an estimated cost of Rs.271.80 crore with a maintenance period of 10 years.
To improve the water distribution system through tankers, the Jal Board has accorded approval to replace around 250 water tankers, which are around 13 years old, at an estimated cost of Rs.87,48,58,100 with a maintenance period of 10 years. The DJB currently supplies drinking water to areas with no piped connections through 1,000 water tankers.
The Jal Board also gave administrative approval to the estimate for operation and maintenance of the 11-MGD recycling plant at Wazirabad and the 16-MGD recycling WTP at Haiderpur Water Works for a period of 5 years at a cost of approximately Rs.37,63,37,855.
With the objective of replacing defective meters and metering of un-metered connections, the Jal Board has given administrative approval to the revised estimate of Rs.364.50 crore for supply, installation and a 7-year maintenance of 8 lakh domestic water meters.
The Jal Board also approved the replacement of the water mains and reviewed several welfare schemes for its employees.
• Pilot project to take off at Malviya Nagar, Nangloi Water Treatment Plant and Vasant Vihar
• Will be based on public-private partnership; project also has Planning Commission approval
The project has a twin purpose: to reduce revenue losses and to improve distribution of water. “Taking a cue from privatisation of power and the subsequent improvement in supply and services, we have decided to carry out an exercise in three areas of the city where operations and management will be outsourced. The aim is to bring in improvement in the city's water supply and raise the bar vis-à-vis services offered by the Jal Board. The project is also expected to plug the leaks in the system and help us reduce losses on account of non-revenue water,” said DJB Chief Executive Officer Ramesh Negi.
The project, which faced opposition on the grounds that it would pave the way for “privatisation of the water sector”, has the approval of the Planning Commission as well.
The pilot project will take off at Malviya Nagar Underground Reservoir command area, Nangloi Water Treatment Plant and Vasant Vihar with their adjoining areas. “We will extensively study the outcome of these projects, and on the basis of the feedback decide if it can be replicated to other areas,” said Mr. Negi.
The Board also approved the proposal of upgrading and improving water supply system in Mehrauli Township at an estimated cost of Rs.145 crore which includes operation and maintenance for a 12-year period.
Approval was also granted for modernisation of the plant and setting up of SCADA system at Bhagirathi Water Treatment Plant and its major booster pumping stations and underground reservoirs at an estimated cost of Rs.271.80 crore with a maintenance period of 10 years.
To improve the water distribution system through tankers, the Jal Board has accorded approval to replace around 250 water tankers, which are around 13 years old, at an estimated cost of Rs.87,48,58,100 with a maintenance period of 10 years. The DJB currently supplies drinking water to areas with no piped connections through 1,000 water tankers.
The Jal Board also gave administrative approval to the estimate for operation and maintenance of the 11-MGD recycling plant at Wazirabad and the 16-MGD recycling WTP at Haiderpur Water Works for a period of 5 years at a cost of approximately Rs.37,63,37,855.
With the objective of replacing defective meters and metering of un-metered connections, the Jal Board has given administrative approval to the revised estimate of Rs.364.50 crore for supply, installation and a 7-year maintenance of 8 lakh domestic water meters.
The Jal Board also approved the replacement of the water mains and reviewed several welfare schemes for its employees.
• Pilot project to take off at Malviya Nagar, Nangloi Water Treatment Plant and Vasant Vihar
• Will be based on public-private partnership; project also has Planning Commission approval
Monday, November 28, 2011
यमुना की दुर्दशा पर सरकार को अवमानना नोटिस (Amar Ujala 28 November 2011)
नई दिल्ली। हाईकोर्ट ने दिल्ली सरकार को अवमानना नोटिस जारी कर पूछा है कि यमुना की साफ-सफाई को लेकर पांच वर्ष पहले दिए गए आदेश का अभी तक क्रियान्वयन क्यों नहीं किया गया। अभी भी यमुना में शहर का कूड़ा फेंका जा रहा है। हाईकोर्ट ने सरकार से पूछा है कि आखिर इस मुद्दे पर कोर्ट की अवमानना की कार्रवाई क्यों नहीं शुरू की जाए। मामला हाईकोर्ट के न्यायमूर्ति विपिन सांघी की अदालत का है।
अदालत ने दिल्ली सरकार के पर्यावरण मंत्रालय, एमसीडी और डीडीए के खिलाफ अवमानना की याचिका पर नोटिस जारी किया है। संबंधित विभागों को सात फरवरी तक जवाब देना है। पर्यावरणविद विनोद जैन की अवमानना याचिका पर कोर्ट ने यह नोटिस जारी किया है। जैन ने अदालत का ध्यान इस संबंध में वर्ष २००६ में आकर्षित कराया था। कहा गया था कि यमुना में किसी तरह का कूड़ा या प्लास्टिक नहीं फेंका जाए। रोकथाम संशोधन कानून प्रभावी ढंग से लागू करने के निर्देश भी जारी किए गए थे। पांच वर्ष पूर्व अदालत ने सरकार और स्थानीय निकाय को कानून के प्रावधानों को लागू करने और मूर्तियों के विसर्जन के लिए घेरा बनाने की बात की थी, लेकिन इस फैसले पर दिल्ली सरकार और स्थानीय निकाय ने ध्यान नहीं दिया। पर्यावरणविद् ने याचिका में कहा है कि २००६ में अदालत ने यमुना की सफाई को लेकर सरकार को निर्देश जारी कर कोर्ट ने कानून के तहत कचरा, पूजा सामग्री नदी के तल, नालों और पानी में बहाए जाने पर रोक लगाए और उचित कदम उठाये जाएं। याचिकाकर्ता ने कोर्ट से यह भी कहा है कि दिल्ली प्रदूषण नियंत्रण समिति ने मूर्तियों के विसर्जन के लिए एक विशेष प्रांगण बनाए जाने का सुझाव दिया था।
अदालत ने दिल्ली सरकार के पर्यावरण मंत्रालय, एमसीडी और डीडीए के खिलाफ अवमानना की याचिका पर नोटिस जारी किया है। संबंधित विभागों को सात फरवरी तक जवाब देना है। पर्यावरणविद विनोद जैन की अवमानना याचिका पर कोर्ट ने यह नोटिस जारी किया है। जैन ने अदालत का ध्यान इस संबंध में वर्ष २००६ में आकर्षित कराया था। कहा गया था कि यमुना में किसी तरह का कूड़ा या प्लास्टिक नहीं फेंका जाए। रोकथाम संशोधन कानून प्रभावी ढंग से लागू करने के निर्देश भी जारी किए गए थे। पांच वर्ष पूर्व अदालत ने सरकार और स्थानीय निकाय को कानून के प्रावधानों को लागू करने और मूर्तियों के विसर्जन के लिए घेरा बनाने की बात की थी, लेकिन इस फैसले पर दिल्ली सरकार और स्थानीय निकाय ने ध्यान नहीं दिया। पर्यावरणविद् ने याचिका में कहा है कि २००६ में अदालत ने यमुना की सफाई को लेकर सरकार को निर्देश जारी कर कोर्ट ने कानून के तहत कचरा, पूजा सामग्री नदी के तल, नालों और पानी में बहाए जाने पर रोक लगाए और उचित कदम उठाये जाएं। याचिकाकर्ता ने कोर्ट से यह भी कहा है कि दिल्ली प्रदूषण नियंत्रण समिति ने मूर्तियों के विसर्जन के लिए एक विशेष प्रांगण बनाए जाने का सुझाव दिया था।
Sunday, November 27, 2011
Thames trust to help conserve Ganga, Yamuna (The Hindu 27 November 2011)
The initiative to be launched in New Delhi on December 15
JAIPUR: If the Ganga cannot go to Britain for its own “holy” reasons, it is the Thames now poised to join India's most revered river for the sake of conservation.
The Thames River Restoration Trust (TRRT), winner of the Theis International River Prize for 2010, has tied up with Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Peace Institute Charitable Trust (PICT) to work for restoration of a 300-km stretch of the Ganga and the Yamuna on both sides of the banks. The United Kingdom's Environment Agency Thames Region (EA) will provide guidance in the endeavour.
Decks have been cleared for the initiative and the formal launch will take place at the WWF premises in New Delhi on December 15. Robert Oates, Director of the Thames River Restoration Trust (TRRT), will pilot the project. Peter Spillett, President of the Institute of Fisheries Management, UK, will give the keynote presentation on ‘Restoring fish population around the world to benefit people and wildlife' on the occasion.
It all started with TRRT winning the Theiss International River Prize. The prize money, more than Rs.1-crore, was to be put to use in a developing country. India came up as the eventual decision following Mr. Oates' visit to a few river-sites up north of New Delhi. It will be a one-and-a-half-year-long work on restoring portions of the Ganges and its tributary, Yamuna.
About 100 km along the upper Ganga and about 200 km along the Yamuna, including its nearly 35 km stretch from the Chambal river confluence to Dibholi Ghat which forms the National Chambal Sanctuary, would be taken up, informs conservationist Harsh Vardhan who had invited Mr. Oates sometime back to the Mansagar Birding Fair here to speak on Thames restoration and the possibility of replication of the success story on India's polluted rivers.
“ I had met Rob several years ago at the British Bird Watching Fair. The river-twinning idea was floated when Rob led the Birding Fair in Jaipur two years ago when he was expecting the Theiss Prize from Australia,” Mr. Vardhan notes. In fact when this correspondent met Mr. Oates in Jaipur that time he was not pessimistic over state of India's rivers as he felt it was part of the industrialisation process, faced in Britain a century ago, now being faced by India.
The WWF on its part will carry forward its existing project on the Ganga conservation, through the new inputs now available, at Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh to reintroduce the endangered gharial and other wildlife. It will also help people to improve their agricultural policies, says Parikshit Gautam, Director, WWF's Freshwater Division.
The long-term plan is to ensure a viable population of gharial with favourable habitat through increased capacity support from local people. It will also benefit fish population, fresh water turtles, Ganges river dolphins and other riverine species like otters and water birds in the lower Yamuna.
‘River-twinning'
The PICT will join in for developing community river restoration techniques in association with local groups and develop sustainable livelihoods. Its activities will be carried out in different 10 grids located along the Yamuna, in regions falling in Uttarakhand, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Dr. Gautam, Director, along with Manoj Mishra, Director of PICT, will overview the novel “river-twinning” project. Both will give and take river restoration related technical expertise and experiences with TRRT in Britain.
• 100 km along the Ganga, 200 km along the Yamuna would be taken up for restoration
• Long-term benefits include a viable population of gharial, fish population, turtles
JAIPUR: If the Ganga cannot go to Britain for its own “holy” reasons, it is the Thames now poised to join India's most revered river for the sake of conservation.
The Thames River Restoration Trust (TRRT), winner of the Theis International River Prize for 2010, has tied up with Worldwide Fund for Nature (WWF) and Peace Institute Charitable Trust (PICT) to work for restoration of a 300-km stretch of the Ganga and the Yamuna on both sides of the banks. The United Kingdom's Environment Agency Thames Region (EA) will provide guidance in the endeavour.
Decks have been cleared for the initiative and the formal launch will take place at the WWF premises in New Delhi on December 15. Robert Oates, Director of the Thames River Restoration Trust (TRRT), will pilot the project. Peter Spillett, President of the Institute of Fisheries Management, UK, will give the keynote presentation on ‘Restoring fish population around the world to benefit people and wildlife' on the occasion.
It all started with TRRT winning the Theiss International River Prize. The prize money, more than Rs.1-crore, was to be put to use in a developing country. India came up as the eventual decision following Mr. Oates' visit to a few river-sites up north of New Delhi. It will be a one-and-a-half-year-long work on restoring portions of the Ganges and its tributary, Yamuna.
About 100 km along the upper Ganga and about 200 km along the Yamuna, including its nearly 35 km stretch from the Chambal river confluence to Dibholi Ghat which forms the National Chambal Sanctuary, would be taken up, informs conservationist Harsh Vardhan who had invited Mr. Oates sometime back to the Mansagar Birding Fair here to speak on Thames restoration and the possibility of replication of the success story on India's polluted rivers.
“ I had met Rob several years ago at the British Bird Watching Fair. The river-twinning idea was floated when Rob led the Birding Fair in Jaipur two years ago when he was expecting the Theiss Prize from Australia,” Mr. Vardhan notes. In fact when this correspondent met Mr. Oates in Jaipur that time he was not pessimistic over state of India's rivers as he felt it was part of the industrialisation process, faced in Britain a century ago, now being faced by India.
The WWF on its part will carry forward its existing project on the Ganga conservation, through the new inputs now available, at Hastinapur Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh to reintroduce the endangered gharial and other wildlife. It will also help people to improve their agricultural policies, says Parikshit Gautam, Director, WWF's Freshwater Division.
The long-term plan is to ensure a viable population of gharial with favourable habitat through increased capacity support from local people. It will also benefit fish population, fresh water turtles, Ganges river dolphins and other riverine species like otters and water birds in the lower Yamuna.
‘River-twinning'
The PICT will join in for developing community river restoration techniques in association with local groups and develop sustainable livelihoods. Its activities will be carried out in different 10 grids located along the Yamuna, in regions falling in Uttarakhand, Haryana and Uttar Pradesh.
Dr. Gautam, Director, along with Manoj Mishra, Director of PICT, will overview the novel “river-twinning” project. Both will give and take river restoration related technical expertise and experiences with TRRT in Britain.
• 100 km along the Ganga, 200 km along the Yamuna would be taken up for restoration
• Long-term benefits include a viable population of gharial, fish population, turtles
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