COMMENTS

1st set:
TBD:
Its about diversion of grasslands instead of acquiring lands which was what they initially tried and realized grasslands can be labelled as wastelands - which is what most people, who have been distant from grazing and form the spirit of the literate world, can easily be diverted to too into focusing their argumentation - my 2 5ives

me:
So, is one to make out that it is all a question of diversion vs acquisition? Anyway, it's all government land, and the beneficiaries are also government organisations.

LS:
There is no such thing as 'government' land, though it is a very common misconception. Whe India became independent, the land that the Crown claimed came to be vested (Not owned) in the State, and on behalf of the peoples of India. Common lands belong to none, but are to be responsibly enjoyed by all.  Which is what people did in Ckere.

It is the 'educated' (those who went to school and college) who are resigned to the view that commons belong to the Govertment.

me:
So, is one to understand that you would be ok with "acquisition", with rightful compensation being paid to - - - - the cattle-herders (in proportion to the heads of cattle they own)???

Yes, indeed I am trying to get "educated", beyond what I learned in college (anyway, I did engineering and not law).

It abruptly ended there.

2nd set:
CS:
"So, if there is any threat from any of DRDO's and BARC's activities for the local population, as being made out by the "green activists", it is going to be there for the staff of these organisations too. And, I expect you need to credit them with enough sense not to want to endanger the lives of their own people."

There is a real problem with such an attitude. So if you build a nuclear reactor and are willing to live in the vicinity, the locals should not object , since you have supposedly taken care of safety issues. People do remarkably stupid things when they are convinced of their own infallibility and knowledge. To pretend that only a certain set of people have the 'expertise' is not only absurd, but a major slight on the intelligence of other people. All said and done, you can't force everybody to be unwilling participants.

me:
Fair enough; but then, would it be ok by you if BARC is thrown out of the whole deal?

As regards, dangers pertaining to nuclear energy, there are studies now that point out to coal being a bigger killer (check this). So, do we abandon all of these activities?
    
This too abruptly ended here. Readers may draw their own conclusions.

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@ ids - I can't agree with you more on what you have stated. That's what I meant when I said that it's the failure of the political class.

Now, except for the few old-world romanticists and enviro-fundamentalists, people in general are appreciative of the fact that growth is a must if the large sections of our population, who are below the poverty line (whichever way you want to define it), have to be helped to raise themselves to higher levels. The politicians too are very much aware of this, and that's why they lobby hard to locate projects in their respective constituencies so that their voters are benefitted. The public besides is also appreciative of the fact that growth will necessarily entail a bit of damage to the environment, and, as long as it is contained to the minimum, they are more or less ok with it. This thinking is beginning to be accepted across large sections of the population as reflected in this New Indian Express editorial.

As such, if things are put across to the people in the proper way, with the attendant R & R (resettlement & rehabilitation) issues, apart from the environmental aspects, taken care of, there should generally be ready co-operation from the people too, perhaps with some bit of modifications of the project parameters, where necessary. This is what "public consultation" (to be followed as per law), meant to achieve, if gone about in proper spirit.

But, invariably, governments are seen to be going about executing these development projects in stealth, and that's when things go haywire. The reason why governments resort to stealth is also not far to seek. From land acquisition, to building contracts, to equipment supply & erection contracts, et al, the minister-in-charge will want to bring in his cronies, and milk the project to the maximum possible extent. Resulting out of this, you have the kind of turmoil that you see in Challakere.

And, in the case of NTPC's 3 X 800 MW Kudgi thermal power project, it seems to be a case of taking things for granted (check the NIE report here). Further, in the case of this massive SEZ, right on the Bellandur lake flood plains in the heart of the city, it is plainly "crony capitalism" at play.

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Comments in Yahoo-group, where I had posted a link:

SP:
The "activists" seem to believe there would be radioactivity spilling over and affecting the land. They do not seem to have any idea of a containment zone or containment within the facility itself which would affect not only the BARC scientists but also the DRDO. It is alright to be cynical but it has to be backed by rationale and facts.  

JS:
Well said

SG:
Our environment groups/green activists object to any type of change. They should be balanced in their approach to solutions concerning both facts & realities and also the progress of the country.

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“People in these areas have been living in sub-standard conditions. There are no proper schools and no toilets,” says HS Jagadeesh, IISC’s special officer for the Challakere project. “With the coming up of the projects, the quality of life in general will improve. There will be ample employment opportunities. Also, a scientific city will emerge in a backward district.”

At its core, the conflict is between the promise of a technologically advanced society pitted against the traditional livelihoods of pastoral communities. There is also the question of whether the wild species on the verge of extinction, such as the Great Indian Bustard, can survive the drone testing, the nuclear fuel enrichment facilities, and the intense urbanisation and industrialisation that will follow

Jagadeesh says, “Development will come at some cost.” However, the people of Challakere ask why they should be the ones to pay the price.

For the full report, click here.

The essence of the report is captured in the above extract. As far as I am concerned, I am not changing my stand.

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It is in Bengaluru's backyard, so to say, but no one knew it. It is reportedly India's desperate quest to counter the nuclear threat posed by China and Pakistan that is taking its toll on 3.5 lakh farmers around Challakere town in Chitradurga district of Karnataka, just 200 km north of Bengaluru.

A massive secret project - a 'thermonuclear city' - is reportedly coming up to beef up India's thermonuclear - hydrogen bombs - arsenal and generate nuclear fuel for Indian Navy's growing fleet of nuclear submarines near Challakere.

- - - - Between 2003 and 2007, the region witnessed 101 suicides committed by farmers whose crops had failed due to severe drought.

For the full text of the report in the Bangalore Mirror, click here.

Farmer suicides on account of crop failures caused by severe drought has been a regular feature in this arid region. Perhaps, the 'development' as a thermonuclear city will change the people's fortunes in the years to come.

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