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| ant.mon | Posted
on 29-Jul-03 09:06 PM
Here an excerpt from Mr. Bed Mani Dahal's article published in The Kathmandu Post. July 29, 2003. To read full story - http://www.kantipuronline.com/archive/kpost/2003-7-29/kp_editorial.htm#Environment%20at%20the%20cost%20of%20development? "There is a general perception that environmentalists hinder development with claims that developmental activities damage the environment. But this simply is not the truth. The objective of the environmentalists is to favour developmental activities with due consideration to environment. They try to visualise the short-term and long-term impacts on environment of a developmental activity and recommend the possible measures to prevent the negative consequences. If one cannot propose a correct solution or alternative to an environmental impact of some developmental activity, one cannot claim himself to be an environmentalist." What is the criteria to attain this level or the honor? "Seven years ago, the country suffered a big developmental setback due to the rejection of Arun Hydroelectricity Project. In the name of environment conservation, Arun Hydro Project faced big challenges and was cancelled in its initial phase of implementation. Melamchi drinking water project is facing similar fate. The problem lies not in the Melamchi or Arun Hydro projects, but in some peoples intention. These unscrupulous people are trying to obstruct the development in the name of environment. They advocate environmental issues without knowing the facts. Unknowingly someone may be playing an unethical game over developmental and environmental activities. We need to be careful over these groups who actually oppose development." Come on get ride of KUites notion that Arun could have imposed serious environmental threat. God can't you see other social and economic impacts of this project. Dismissal of Arun wasn't a failure it was a success story. "Any developmental activities should not face these hurdles, if we really want to develop ourselves. EIA studies are not expensive in the long-run since possible problems and mitigation measures are known beforehand." And who does the EIA, so called wise environmentalist like Dahal, who can't integrate subject environment with other social discipline. "How are anti-developmental issues raised in Nepal? Why are some well-run factories are forced stopped? Why do we invest billions to conserve a wild animal instead of feeding hungry people? These are the controversial issues, which cannot be judged only from environmental point." Dahal are you sure about these issues? Can you please illustrate your saying? "In the name of environment, three categories of activities are prevailing in the country. One category just raises the issues and sees only the problem. Making propaganda just helps them to lead for political activities. Another category is working on the problems already occurred or identified. They are the real workers. Other category is filing the gap between these two. Awareness, environmental campaigns and education, and problem identification are their major jobs." Where does the activist like Chico Mendes, Medha Pathkar, Hutta Ram Vaidya, Veer Bahadur Mishra, Rachel Carson fall? They were/are hardcore environment activist, devoid of political interest. Would you call them pawn of political leaders? "Developmental activities are the major tool for upgrading the quality of life. If we stop them, quality of life degrades. The people of developing countries always want higher economic growth, improved standards of living and greater access to markets of developed countries. These are human inherited characters and do not have any relation to environmental degradation. " Development is not about reaching developed North its about expanding the opportunity for people. |