By PRABEER SIKDAR
DEHRADUN, 4 June 2009: Mahesh Chander Mehta has to his credit more than 100 cases devoted to environmental protection in India. (A Google search of his name would generate 668,000 web pages!).
Beginning with his PIL (public Interest Litigation) on Taj Mahal Pollution case (1996), which resulted in the apex court banning use of coal/ coke in 200 factories surrounding the wonderful monument, he hasn’t looked back.
On World Environment Day (5th June), Mehta, winner of Ramon Magasaysay Award for public service (1997), is getting readied to launch a three-volume book (To be published by Prakriti Publications -- cost Rs 3000) detailing about his personal battles/ hardships encountered in his 30 famous cases including behind the scene stories.
During his short visit to Dehradun, he spoke to Garhwal Post and shared his concerns on environmental issues. Some excerpts.
What is special about your forthcoming book?
In my book I have recounted my personal experiences, which I faced during my court battles on environmental issues. I have tried to answer the politics/allegations/threats surrounding those cases. In all the three volumes, which mainly deal with Human Rights and Environment, I covered details about 30 cases only.
Sometime back, you went on record to say that India is not a poor country? Please elaborate
I still stand by what I had said that India is not a poor country. Provided, we Indians learn to manage our natural resources properly.
Take for instance the problem of drinking water crisis in different parts of India. Recently, from media, I came to know that some people in Bhopal were even willing to donate blood for drinking water.
What we need to do is conserve water and keep rivers clean from chemicals. Ironically, we completely neglected the upkeep of lakes, rivers and ground water resources in the country.
You are also known to be against construction of dams? How true?
This is untrue. I am not against construction of dams provided they are small and based on the Run-of-the-river hydroelectricity. But what is happening in Uttarakhand is that in the name of run-of the river damming, river water is being diverted in some projects in Uttarkashi.
What we must understand that Ganga, which has been elevated to the status of a National River, supports 450 million Indians.
A different section of environmental activists, after the stoppage of construction work on hydel power dam (Maneri Bhali) by the government have cited loss of employment/development in the state? Your reaction
Development should always be looked at from a wider perspective. Say for instance if majority gains but it also causes loss to a section of the minority in the process, the former should be given more importance.
If employment is an argument, the government can also take suitable steps by hiring unemployed youths for afforestation activities/ cultivation of fruit trees in the hills backed by a planned marketing strategy.
With regard to Uttarakhand’s power requirements, apart from Hydel power, the government could also tap solar and wind energy for meeting its energy needs. Unfortunately, instead of subsidising solar based implements like solar cooker/ solar lamps, the state government chooses to provide subsidized LPG cylinders to the poor, which is a lopsided policy.
Do you think the status of a National River would help protect Ganga?
Its status, legally, has definitely gone up after being categorised as a National River. Now, it is up to us how we treat her. Legally, Ganga’s status, now, is at par with our national flag. As we cannot disfigure the national flag, in the like manner, the same is also true of Ganga.
Unfortunately, in the name of tradition, we are also adding up pollution in the Ganga by throwing in wastes. This should be stopped.
But MC Mehta Vs Union of India (Ganga pollution case, 1987) only deals with management of industrial wastes and not wastes caused as a result of tradition followed by Hindus?Despite any apex guidelines on the latter aspect in this case, appropriate authorities viz District Magistrate or Sub-Divisional Magistrate can take action under Section 133 of CrPC. But unfortunately, there is no political will.
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