Shabnam Merchant, PAIL - International Liasion
213 Matawan Ave
Matawan, NJ 07747
ph: 732-957-5427(work) 732-566-2529 (home)
Now, onto Global Response's message:
------------------------------
"For us it's do or die. If we don't stand up and fight we are dead.
If these people want to kick us in the stomach, we have to do
something
about it."
-- Ashok Ambire, Secretary
Peoples Alliance for Implementation of the Law,Thane
Last February the state government of Maharashtra, India, and
the British/Australian multinational P&O announced their agreement to
build India's largest industrial port in Dahanu Taluka. Local
fishers, farmers, indigenous peoples and environmental organizations
were stunned because since 1991Dahanu has been designated one of
India's three "ecologically fragile" regions, where industrial
development is strictly limited. Global Response members are urged to
write to India's Prime Minister and P&O's chairman, demanding that
they respect Indian environmental laws and choose a different site for
the port.
Known as the fruit and flower basket of the state, Dahanu Taluka
produces a rich variety of tropical crops as well as fish and salt.
Two-thirds of the region's people are indigenous Warlis whose
sustainable practices have protected the forests that cover 49% of
the territory. Full employment and a rich cultural life centered
around traditional arts, music and dance, make the area seem a
paradise compared to the rest of India's rapidly industrializing west
coast. The forests and mangroves of Dahanu Taluka are considered the
"lungs" of overcrowded and polluted Bombay -- just three hours away by
train.
In 1996, to protect the region from industrial dumping, the Dahanu
Taluka Environmental Welfare Association argued and won a case before
India's Supreme Court. The Court upheld that there should be no
change of land use patterns in Dahanu, that only 500 acres of "green
industries" be permitted, that a 25-km buffer zone around Dahanu
Taluka be kept free of polluting industries, and further ordered that
the economy be concentrated in fishing, agriculture, forestry,
horticulture and eco-tourism, and that Warli culture be preserved.
The Court also commissioned a study by the National Environmental
Engineering Research Institute and ordered implementation of its
recommendations. The study found that increased coastal activity and
increased transportation activity in Dahanu Taluka are not
environmentally viable.
Within four months of the Supreme Court Order, the state government
and P&O selected Dahanu Taluka for the new port, stating that it will
require less dredging than other potential sites, thereby reducing
costs. The port is to harbor 29 ships and handle hazardous materials,
coal, oil, gas, chemicals and cement. In August, P&O's chief officer
in India announced on Australian radio that he is going to support
the "denotification" of Dahanu, which would cancel its designation as
an ecologically fragile area and nullify the Supreme Court Orders.
P&O expects to formalize a contract before the end of the year.
Fourteen local grassroots and environmental organizations have formed
the Peoples Alliance for Implementation of the Law (PAIL) to protest
the port.
REQUESTED ACTIONS:
1) Write polite letters to India's Prime Minister and Minister of
Environment and Forests
- Commend the Central Government for the Dahanu Notification of 1991
(which declares Dahanu Taluka an ecologically fragile area) and the
Supreme Court decision of 1996 concerning Writ Petition No. 231 (which
further protects Dahanu's precious forests, mangroves, flourishing
horticulture and fishing economies and unique indigenous cultures).
- Tell him you have been shocked to learn that P&O Ports Pvt. Ltd
(Australia) plans to build an industrial port in Dahanu, in violation
of the Dahanu Notification and the Supreme Court Orders. Urge him to
safeguard India's laws and sovereignty against any attempt by P&O to
"denotify" Dahanu.
- Tell him you support the 14 local democratic organizations that have
formed the Peoples Alliance for Implementation of the Law (PAIL), and
urge him to defend their democratic right to insist on the enforcement
of environmental laws. Tell him you support their petition for Dahanu
to be upgraded to "Sanctuary" status or declared a World Heritage
Zone.
2) Write a polite letter to the Chairman of P&O.
- Tell him you are shocked to learn that P&O Ports Pvt. Ltd.
(Australia) has selected a port site in Dahanu, India, an ecologically
precious and fragile region, protected by Indian environmental laws
and Supreme Court Orders.
- Express your strong objection to the announcement made on ABC radio
(Australia) by P&O Australia's chief executive in India, who said he
supports the "denotification" of Dahanu, which would nullify existing
environmental protections. Demand that P&O respect India's democratic
laws and choose a port site outside ecologically fragile regions.
- Tell him you are aware that P&O also owns Princess Cruises. Cruise
clients would certainly be outraged to know that P&O is prepared to
destroy the natural beauty and traditional sustainable lifestyle of
Dahanu Taluka.
Addresses:
(Note: to send faxes, mark your country's international
access code first, then the numbers after the +sign.)
Mr. I.K. Gujral
Prime Minister of India
South Block
New Delhi
INDIA
FAX: +91-11-301-6857 Or -9817
Professor S. Soz, The Honourable Minister
Ministry of Environment and Forests
Paryavaran Bhavan, CGO Complex
New Delhi
INDIA
FAX: +91-11-436-2222
The Lord Sterling of Plaistow, CBE - Chairman P&O
79 Pall Mall
London SW1Y 5EJ
UNITED KINGDOM
FAX: +44-171-930-8572 Or -8573
This Global Response Action was issued in support of and with
information provided by the Peoples Alliance for Implementation of the
Law, Thane, a group of 14 fishing, tribal and environmental
organizations in the Dahanu area.
GLOBAL RESPONSE is an international letter-writing network of
environmental activists. In partnership with indigenous,
environmentalist and peace and justice organizations around the world,
GLOBAL RESPONSE develops Actions that describe specific, urgent
threats
to the environment; each Action asks members to write personal letters
to individuals in the corporations, governments or international
organizations that have the power and responsibility to take
corrective
action. GR also issues Young Environmentalists' Actions and Eco-Club
Actions designed to educate and motivate elementary and high school
students to practice earth stewardship.
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Read original at : http://www.mail-archive.com/ecofem@csf.colorado.edu/msg02512.html
