"We shall overcome ...."
One of the most important developments arising out of the court cases has been the growth of popular resistance to the "care-a-damn" attitude of industry, and the emergence of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) as the spearhead of environmental action. In Gujarat, the cases arose out of a public interest litigation filed by an advocate reacting to reports of the massive tolls that pollution is taking on urban and rural life. And the NGO, Consumer Education and Research Society, has also sought judicial intervention.
In fact, in the Odhav area of Ahmedabad, on July 3 1, irate residents went on a rampage and damaged property worth lakhs, belonging to,4 polluting units. Besides, residents of 7 villages in the Vapi-Ankleshwar belt have threatened that unless industry pays for the damage they have caused to agricultural land and cattle life by next month, they will be "taught a lesson".
In Calcutta, the NGO, Nagarik Manch, has become almost a single-window grievance redressal set-up for the residents. The Manch has interVened effectively in the Ganges Matter, and is now one of the key players in West Bengal.
In Kolaghat (Midnapore district), a mass movement, comprising residents, workers, farmers, fisherfolk, science activists and scientists from the Indian Institute of Technology, Kharagpur. is gathering strength. it has already forced the state's Environmental Improvement Programme to take up an urgent study of remedial measures to tackle the flyas ce emanating from the thermal power station there. "
But even more importantly, the environment movement in Calcutta has spread to the urban grassroots level. Says Bapi Dutta, owner of a small electric lamps unit, "Hundreds of local pukur bachao (save the waterbodies) and prodooshan virodhi samities (anti-pollution committees) have cropped up everywhere, and their young members are serious about their jobs."
"In the end, only public participation can help us keep industrial pollution in check," says T K Burman, Member-Secretary of the West Bengal PCB. That's at least one honest confession in this otherwise deceitful drama that has been prolonged for too long now.