INDIAN SOCIAL AND POLITICAL ENVIRONMENT REFLECTION-2

House on Fire-Indias ecological security Undermined

Submitted to:

Prof Vandana Swami

Submitted By: Anirban Chandra(122011) Section B

Submitted On March 30th, 2013

Anirban 122011

INTRODUCTION The reading emphasizes the link between the ecological problems, crises arising out of it and globalization. Even though sustainable development is the official stand in India, the problem is that environmental problems are created faster than the generation of resources to tackle them. We understood the different facades of globalization (demand, export, import, and consumerism LEARNING AND TAKEAWAYS FROM THE READING 1. Extent and nature of development: we agree on the importance of development in mining, industries, imports but we need to question the extent, nature of development. 2. The historical trend and Globalization: There were examples, policies, and laws to stop the trends during 1970s and 80s after which rampant, unsustainable consumption of natural resources was intensified by globalization. 3. Reasons of exploiting natural resources, Demand driven economy: The pursuit of double digit economic growth, spawned the need for cheap extraction of natural resources keeping the law of demand in mind evident in the urban infrastructure, power stations, mineral production which had the impact on rural and forest areas with rich biodiversity (bauxite plateau of Goa, Coal landscapes of eastern India). 4. Exploited Local populace: All these developments did not contribute to the welfare of local-population. In States, rich in mining resources,(Jharkhand,

Orissa)contributing 8-10% of GDP but with low growth rate and low per capita income. 5. Effect on Employment and Agriculture: Mining industry decreased the agricultural area, and also without substantial contribution on the employment front. 6. Regulations violated to encourage investment: Even though Environmental safeguards were in place but were violated to encourage foreign Investment and tools like environmental impact assessment (EIA) were eased for private organizations to invest. 7. Export Driven Economy: Annual production of minerals shows tendency for exports. Incentives for investment, policies encourage exports. And it failed to ensure the access to such materials by its own citizen; the sustainability, rights of local communities. Removal of restriction violates such requirements only to meet global demands.

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Anirban 122011

8. Import Liberalization: Import of hazardous waste(like metal ashes, depleted uranium) for recycling(100 broad kinds of waste),coupled with lack of standards for care for disposal of waste, vulnerable workers, and less technological advances in waste treatment made India the dumping ground of the West for deregulated corporate globalization. Rules like Hazardous waste rules were with loopholes (like they were not applicable to Export processing Zones).We also have the production process for polluting industries (produced here for consumers in the west-like foreign pharmacy companies). 9. Consumerism: Globalization leads to change in life style like usage of plastics, detergents (non-bio degradable products).Hazardous waste, along with electronic waste were another impact of consumerism. The richest (with per capita income of more than 30k per month, 1% of population) per capita emission and energy consumption is more than the world average. We have more energy consumption in electric appliances like air conditioners, washing machines. Survey by Greenpeace shows a well-off Indian consumes 2.3 times energy of comparable world average. EFFECT OF UNSUSTAINABLE PATH TO GLOBALIZATION 1. Indian using twice of what natural resources can sustain, costing 10% of GDP 2. Climate change-CO2 emission doubled since 1985 resulting in increased temperature, decreased food grains. Even though National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), with good initiatives is there, but it is riddled with problems for implementation. We depend on ecologically damaging water dams, chemical fertilizers. 3. Crises: food insecurity, water shortages, dislocation of livelihood-situation exacerbated with globalization as it had direct effect on soil degradation, agricultural productivity, and increased importance of cash crops (resulting in food insecurity). CONCLUSION The reading highlights the importance of equilibrium between the Man and Nature through consumption and production for a developing country like India, and we have to frame policies to support its own bio-capacity, not according to the right to development .Though policies can be in place, we need a shift in mind-set of citizens and strict implementation of the policies. For that, according to me, proper awareness programs, stronger and fair media, higher literacy level, incentives for sustainable development will pave the way.
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