Are we really serious about Environmental Protection?
- Dr. S. V. Ranade
I had opted Environmental Engineering as a subject for my specialization, with the idea that I may be able to contribute positively in preventing environmental pollution. After my post graduation and doctorate studies I started teaching environmental subjects, got engaged in designing effluent treatment plants for industries and preparing environmental impact assessment studies. Even after working for more than 35 years in this field, I did not feel that I have made any significant change in attitude of industries and students learning this subject in understanding the real necessity of sincere efforts in environmental protection. As a result of frustration due to my failure, I changed my field to IT and computer.
Industries, in general, think it merely as a legal requirement and do not look to it as a social responsibility. Students are interested in getting good salary jobs in private environmental consultancy firms or government pollution control agencies. Those who are interested in research are drawn to educational field or research institutes.
The people fighting for environmental protection do not get competent engineers and scientists to scrutinize technical flaws in environmental protection measures taken by industries or force the negligent pollution control agencies to take effective steps to prevent environmental pollution. The affected people take the support of socialists and environmentalists who are branded by industries as trouble makers and against development. Sometimes political opponents provide help to strengthen their agitation. But their intention is different than the main cause of agitation.
The main source of information to these people is the project report prepared by consultants and submitted to the pollution control agencies. As the projects are prepared by consultants appointed by industries by paying hefty fees, they have to safeguard the interests of the industry. Naturally the consultants skillfully highlight the positive aspects with scanty information about negative aspects and possible effects of improper management of systems they have suggested for pollution control. The pollution control agencies have powers to inspect the premises, take samples, monitor the process and prosecute or deny permission to industry. Our legal systems are so sluggish and time consuming that the cases remain pending. The pollution control agencies have absolute powers in tackling the issue but this fact gives rise to corrupt practices. Industries prefer management of people concerned instead of effective management of pollution control process and meeting norms.
Many of the affected people are depending for their livelihood on the same polluting industries and do not complain. People get accustomed to smell, color or polluted air, water and heaps of solid wastes.I always wonder how pollution control agency overlooks it, believes the test reports sent by industry and takes decisions based on figures and promises in reports, without real assessment of situation.
In case of pollution, individual complaints do not yield any results. Affected people have to come together and complain in writing or do agitation. For prosecution, they have to appoint lawyer. There are very few lawyers, who can handle environmental related issues. People do not have money to provide dedicated manpower to pursue the cases, supply information, conduct investigation and fight cases in court. On the other hand, industries can appoint lawyers, spare special officers to protect interests of industry and can spend on media advertisement and do false propaganda about agitators.
When incidence of large scale pollution occurs, it becomes a sensetional news for media, opportunity for opponent political groups and money earning opportunity to lawyers, consultants and some people in control agencies. In few days, the news disappears importance as some new event comes up, people forget the issue and get carried away in the new wave. The pollution continues unabated.Fortunately, nature has such sustainable strength that it somehow survives sacrificing sensitive species. However, it definitely loses long term sustainability. When that stage occurs, it is too late. Pollution and over irrigation has spoiled thousands of acres near Krishna river in Sangli and land has lost its fertility.
Now a days environment subject has achieved an exceptional importance in education curricula. The syllabus are designed to create love towards nature, sensitivity towards its preservation and fear about global consequences in future if we neglect environment.Advertisements in newspapers, TV, awareness programs, competitions and events have created awareness about the subject. Industries and government are the sponsors of such advertisement and awareness creation events. Leaders do not forget to include this topic while talking about development.
However, in reality the environmental protection has remained the most neglected subject by industries, civil bodies and government.
If we are really serious about environmental protection, in my opinion, following steps should be taken immediately<
1. Free public access to inspection of the waste treatment facilities of industries
2. Government or Pollution control agencies should provide finance to non-political environmental NGOs for research, monitoring and legal services. These NGOs shall be useful active resources for the pollution control agencies.
3. The consultants for feasibility studies or environmental impact should be appointed by government or pollution control agencies.The funds necessary may be pooled from industries by charging them accordingly.
4. Provision of CCTV for remote inspection of ETP plants and remote data logging of effluent quality.
5. Complete transparency of information regarding environmental management system, reports and consent conditions.
I hope that if above measures are taken, we shall be able to empower the people in controlling pollution and preserving nature.