Imagine an alpine meadow without flowers or a mountain lake without fish, but that is the dire prediction being made.
Some environmentalists are warning that half the species may be extinct by 2050 due to mankind’s industrialisation, urbanisation and pollution. More than 220 species have vanished in Switzerland alone over the past 150 years.
A mountain lake without fish? Just under a half of animal life is on the list of endangered species and over one third of ferns, flowering plants, moss and lichens, are thought to be "at risk".The introduction of invasive alien species, that then spread at the expense of indigenous ones, has apparently made it worse."These organisms adapt easily and manage to undermine indigenous species without too much difficulty. Moreover, they can cause diseases unknown at our latitudes, as well as considerable damage to agriculture," Nicolas Wüthrich, a spokesman for the environmental non-governmental organisation Pro Natura, has told swissinfo.com.
"The rainbow trout, for example, is a fish of American origin whose presence in our rivers endangers the survival of our local trout."
Moss is under threatHere on PlanetSKI we recently reported on the dangers bees are facing.
Species becoming extinct is of course a natural phenomena and has been going on for millions of years. Now though it appears to be speeding up and blame is being laid on mankind.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Tk 700 crore for climate change fund
The Government has allocated Tk 700 crore in the Climate Change Fund constituted with the Government's own resources for the fiscal 2009-2010 to counter the impending disaster.Minister for Finance AMA Muhit announced the allocation in the proposed budget placed in Parliament yesterday.The allocation, which is more than double than the allocation given for the current fiscal, was approved earlier by the Cabinet in principle. The immediate past Caretaker Government had allocated Tk 300 crore in the Climate Change Fund for the current fiscal.The Finance Minister in his budget speech said the creation of a Multi-Donor Trust Fund with support from donors is in progress.The proposed Fund received a commitment of US$ 97.9 million from the Governments of UK and Denmark," he said.The Minister said Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has proposed to provide Tk 490 crore as budgetary support during the next three years, to cope with the environment related disasters. At the same time, he said Japan has proposed to contribute Tk 700 crore from their Japan Debt Cancellation Fund (JDCF) facility in managing the risk due to climate change.The Finance Minister referred that the super cyclone Sidr and the two consecutive floods of 2007 severely affected lives of the people. The cyclone Aila which ravaged many parts of Southwestern Bangladesh last month once again reminded us how riskprone we are to natural calamities. "The rise of sea water level due to the melting of ice from the Himalayas and North Pole is causing saline water intrusion through our estuaries in the coastal areas. The adverse effect of climate change is directly affecting our agriculture, fisheries and bio-diversity," he observed.The Minister said the disaster and calamity due to climate change cannot be reversed. "Therefore, we should aim to mitigate dislocation and sufferings, and to build the capacity to adapt lives and livelihoods in the coastal areas. As part of this aim, we shall complete soon the review of medium and long term strategies that have been prepared to prevent the disasters relating to climate change," he added. The rehabilitation of the displaced people of the affected areas is of prime importance because nearly 2 crore people will be displaced by 2050 due to climate change. Hence, as a basic strategy, we may put forward the demand to establish our rights in obtaining the status of global citizen for our affected people, he said. He said the government is committed to prepare a detailed action plan designed to face the disasters due to climate change. The main focus of our activities would be to carry out regular dredging of rivers and canals, strengthening the embankments along coastal areas and establishing adequate number of cyclone shelters, reduce air pollution caused by diesel-run vehicles, control environment pollution due to industrialisation, extend and preserve forestry and develop sufficient environmental experts, he said.
Polluting unit plan scrapped
This is probably a first in the history of Giridih.
Giving into public protests, the local administration today stalled the construction of a sponge iron unit by Shivam Group in Udnabad on pollution grounds. It also promised the villagers that no clearance would be given to any such plant in the future without a public hearing.
The decision was taken by Giridih deputy commissioner Vandana Dadel today after a meeting with the villagers and representatives of Shivam Group. Dadel accepted that there was distrust among the villagers because of the existing sponge iron units that cause pollution.
Soon after the announcement, villagers under the banner of Purwanchan Prayawaran Sangharsh Samiti lifted their indefinite dharna that began on June 5. At the meeting, Dadel first heard the 11-member group of Purwanchan Prayawaran Sangharsh Samiti, led by villagers Dilip Upadhyay and Kedar Yadav. Upadhyay said they were not against industrialisation, but the opening of another sponge iron plant in Mohanpur region would only add to the already high level of pollution.
Their other demands were installation of an electro-static precipitator (ESP) machine that would function round the clock, return of land acquired from villagers without registry, restructure of district environment committee (DEC) to include the people from the industrial belt and arrest of industrialists who threaten the villagers.
Pramod Agrawal, one of the owners of Shivam Group, argued that they had followed all pollution norms. But the villagers refused to buy his theory. After listening to both the sides, Dadel said that the ongoing work on the sponge iron plant would be stopped. She added that she would soon form a committee of specialists, who would visit factories to ensure functioning of ESP.
Efforts will be taken to restructure DEC while the circle officer will conduct an inquiry to find out whose land had been forcefully acquired.
On the controversial issue of threat, superintendent of police A.V. Minz asked Upadhyay to file a complaint so that he could order a probe.
Giving into public protests, the local administration today stalled the construction of a sponge iron unit by Shivam Group in Udnabad on pollution grounds. It also promised the villagers that no clearance would be given to any such plant in the future without a public hearing.
The decision was taken by Giridih deputy commissioner Vandana Dadel today after a meeting with the villagers and representatives of Shivam Group. Dadel accepted that there was distrust among the villagers because of the existing sponge iron units that cause pollution.
Soon after the announcement, villagers under the banner of Purwanchan Prayawaran Sangharsh Samiti lifted their indefinite dharna that began on June 5. At the meeting, Dadel first heard the 11-member group of Purwanchan Prayawaran Sangharsh Samiti, led by villagers Dilip Upadhyay and Kedar Yadav. Upadhyay said they were not against industrialisation, but the opening of another sponge iron plant in Mohanpur region would only add to the already high level of pollution.
Their other demands were installation of an electro-static precipitator (ESP) machine that would function round the clock, return of land acquired from villagers without registry, restructure of district environment committee (DEC) to include the people from the industrial belt and arrest of industrialists who threaten the villagers.
Pramod Agrawal, one of the owners of Shivam Group, argued that they had followed all pollution norms. But the villagers refused to buy his theory. After listening to both the sides, Dadel said that the ongoing work on the sponge iron plant would be stopped. She added that she would soon form a committee of specialists, who would visit factories to ensure functioning of ESP.
Efforts will be taken to restructure DEC while the circle officer will conduct an inquiry to find out whose land had been forcefully acquired.
On the controversial issue of threat, superintendent of police A.V. Minz asked Upadhyay to file a complaint so that he could order a probe.
Green beckoning
The government plans big to improve the country's overall environment emphasising retrieving the degraded river system, checking pollution, promoting renewable energy and proper use of water along with taking up massive afforestation programmes.
In the proposed budget for 2009-10 fiscal year, Finance Minister AMA Muhith spells out different environment-friendly initiatives to be implemented by different ministries.
A special initiative will shortly be taken to save the Buriganga river from pollution, the minister said.
Expressing firm stance against river pollution, the minister said the government will provide soft loans to the polluters, if necessary, for taking measures to properly dispose of toxic industrial and clinical waste.
"But they have to complete the tasks within the stipulated time. No new industries will be allowed to be set without putting in place an appropriate waste disposal system," he said.
However, the main focus of the government's activities would be to carry out regular dredging of the rivers and canals, strengthening the embankments along the coastal areas and establishing adequate number of cyclone shelters.
Reducing air pollution caused by diesel-run vehicles, controlling environment pollution due to industrialisation, extending and preserving forestry and developing sufficient environmental experts are also on the agenda of the government.
The minister said the government is also framing the 'water use act' and bringing necessary amendments to the Water Resource Planning Act, 1992 to ensure the optimum and sustainable use of water resources.
The government is also planning to bring 20 percent of total land under afforestation programmes by 2015 to attain self-sufficiency in forest resources.
Primarily, the government has set a target to bring 4,314 hectares of land under the afforestation programme, create strip gardens over an area of 2,355 kilometres and plant 23 lakh saplings.
The minister also said about a development programme for maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity in the Sudarbans at a cost of Tk 650 crore.
In his budget speech, Muhith also committed to prepare a detailed action plan designed to face the disasters due to climate change.
The government has also allocated Tk 400 crore from its own resources to add to an existing Tk 300 fund. Disbursement of money from this fund will start next fiscal year to take different programmes for battling the impacts of climate change as the cabinet approved it in principle.
"Disasters and calamities due to climate change cannot be reversed.
Therefore, we should aim to mitigate dislocation and sufferings and build the capacity to adapt lives and livelihoods," the minister said.
He also talked about formation of a "multi-donor trust fund" with support from donors. The proposed fund has received a commitment of $97.9 million from the UK and Denmark.
Besides, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has proposed to
provide Tk 490 crore as budgetary support during the next three years to cope with environment related disasters. The JICA will also cancel a debt of Tk 700 crore from its Debt Cancellation Fund (JDCF).
"We are encouraging production of renewable energy by providing various financial incentives through both public and private channels. Besides, we have also taken initiatives to conduct a feasibility study for setting up small hydro-electricity projects.
"The use of solar and biogas as sources of energy has so far been tried mainly in the rural areas. We are taking initiatives to use this technology in population concentration areas in the cities as well."
He said the government is encouraging production of renewable energy including solar power, biogas and small hydro power.
"We are actively considering the issue of importing environment friendly energy technology in the context of current level of environmental degradation.
"We would like to take an integrated approach to tackle the problems arising from increasing traffic jam, deteriorating water supply and drainage system and environmental pollution."
However, the minister was found positive towards the use of pesticide as he withdrew VAT from the product's raw materials.
"I propose to withdraw VAT on the import of raw materials to produce pesticides to keep pesticides easily available for farmers."
In the proposed budget for 2009-10 fiscal year, Finance Minister AMA Muhith spells out different environment-friendly initiatives to be implemented by different ministries.
A special initiative will shortly be taken to save the Buriganga river from pollution, the minister said.
Expressing firm stance against river pollution, the minister said the government will provide soft loans to the polluters, if necessary, for taking measures to properly dispose of toxic industrial and clinical waste.
"But they have to complete the tasks within the stipulated time. No new industries will be allowed to be set without putting in place an appropriate waste disposal system," he said.
However, the main focus of the government's activities would be to carry out regular dredging of the rivers and canals, strengthening the embankments along the coastal areas and establishing adequate number of cyclone shelters.
Reducing air pollution caused by diesel-run vehicles, controlling environment pollution due to industrialisation, extending and preserving forestry and developing sufficient environmental experts are also on the agenda of the government.
The minister said the government is also framing the 'water use act' and bringing necessary amendments to the Water Resource Planning Act, 1992 to ensure the optimum and sustainable use of water resources.
The government is also planning to bring 20 percent of total land under afforestation programmes by 2015 to attain self-sufficiency in forest resources.
Primarily, the government has set a target to bring 4,314 hectares of land under the afforestation programme, create strip gardens over an area of 2,355 kilometres and plant 23 lakh saplings.
The minister also said about a development programme for maintaining ecological balance and biodiversity in the Sudarbans at a cost of Tk 650 crore.
In his budget speech, Muhith also committed to prepare a detailed action plan designed to face the disasters due to climate change.
The government has also allocated Tk 400 crore from its own resources to add to an existing Tk 300 fund. Disbursement of money from this fund will start next fiscal year to take different programmes for battling the impacts of climate change as the cabinet approved it in principle.
"Disasters and calamities due to climate change cannot be reversed.
Therefore, we should aim to mitigate dislocation and sufferings and build the capacity to adapt lives and livelihoods," the minister said.
He also talked about formation of a "multi-donor trust fund" with support from donors. The proposed fund has received a commitment of $97.9 million from the UK and Denmark.
Besides, Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) has proposed to
provide Tk 490 crore as budgetary support during the next three years to cope with environment related disasters. The JICA will also cancel a debt of Tk 700 crore from its Debt Cancellation Fund (JDCF).
"We are encouraging production of renewable energy by providing various financial incentives through both public and private channels. Besides, we have also taken initiatives to conduct a feasibility study for setting up small hydro-electricity projects.
"The use of solar and biogas as sources of energy has so far been tried mainly in the rural areas. We are taking initiatives to use this technology in population concentration areas in the cities as well."
He said the government is encouraging production of renewable energy including solar power, biogas and small hydro power.
"We are actively considering the issue of importing environment friendly energy technology in the context of current level of environmental degradation.
"We would like to take an integrated approach to tackle the problems arising from increasing traffic jam, deteriorating water supply and drainage system and environmental pollution."
However, the minister was found positive towards the use of pesticide as he withdrew VAT from the product's raw materials.
"I propose to withdraw VAT on the import of raw materials to produce pesticides to keep pesticides easily available for farmers."
Beijing Olympics were the most polluted games ever, researchers say
The Beijing Olympics of 2008 were the most polluted games ever with athletes and spectators exposed to dangerous level of smog, researchers have concluded
China's Olympics had double the level of soot as Athens, triple the levels as Atlanta and 3.5 times higher than as Sydney.
The level of toxic smog of soot particles in the air was so high that at times the sun was blotted out.
Despite Chinese Government measures to reduce pollution around their capital city by shutting down factories, restricting car usage and slowing down construction, high levels of pollutants persisted.
However matters could have been worse had there not been evening showers and a change in the wind direction during the games.
Scientists found the weather played a greater part in reducing pollution than restrictions imposed by the Chinese Government
Researchers found for four fifths of the time athletes were exposed to levels of coarse particular matter higher than considered safe by the international health watchdog, the World Health Organization.
For the most dangerous types of soot particles – smaller than 2.5 microns which is more easily inhaled the lungs where they lodge and cause more serious respiratory health problems – these exceeded safe limits for the whole duration of the games.
WHO considered the exceeding of the limits were "excessive" while scientists found levels were a third higher than Chinese government experts claimed.
The findings were revealed as scientists from Oregon State University in the United States of American and their Chinese counterparts from Peking University published the conclusions of the research in the professional journal Environmental Science and Technology.
In the first comprehensive study of particulate air pollutants, scientists took samples before, during and after the games and compared readings from previous games.
American associate professor of environmental and molecular toxicology Staci Simonich said: "Considering the massive efforts by China to reduce air pollution in and around Beijing during the Olympics, this was the largest scale atmospheric pollution experiment ever conducted.
"Despite all that, it was some evening rains and favourable shifts in the winds that provided the most relief from the pollution.
"This demonstrates how difficult it is to solve environmental problems on a short-term, local basis."
Prof Simonich added that despite some favourable weather and the pollution control efforts the games were still the worse – and were about two to four times higher than that of Los Angeles on an average day.
And the difference between the study's findings and the official Chinese figures reflected a difference in measurement methodology – although the study's methods had been widely accepted by the international science community for many years.
But she stressed there was no scientific evidence athletes or spectators suffered health problems during the games.
However Beijing's 17 million population face a long-term struggle against the toxic atmosphere which is said to cause 1 million premature deaths annually across China.
The city is surrounded by mountains that trap air pollutants while rapid industrialisation has seen fumes from factories, cars and coal-fired power stations increase dramatically.
She said: "The athletes and visitors were only exposed for a very short time. Millions of other people there face this air quality problem their entire lives.
"It was unlike anything I've ever seen – you could look directly at the sun and not have a problem, due to the thickness of the haze."
China's Olympics had double the level of soot as Athens, triple the levels as Atlanta and 3.5 times higher than as Sydney.
The level of toxic smog of soot particles in the air was so high that at times the sun was blotted out.
Despite Chinese Government measures to reduce pollution around their capital city by shutting down factories, restricting car usage and slowing down construction, high levels of pollutants persisted.
However matters could have been worse had there not been evening showers and a change in the wind direction during the games.
Scientists found the weather played a greater part in reducing pollution than restrictions imposed by the Chinese Government
Researchers found for four fifths of the time athletes were exposed to levels of coarse particular matter higher than considered safe by the international health watchdog, the World Health Organization.
For the most dangerous types of soot particles – smaller than 2.5 microns which is more easily inhaled the lungs where they lodge and cause more serious respiratory health problems – these exceeded safe limits for the whole duration of the games.
WHO considered the exceeding of the limits were "excessive" while scientists found levels were a third higher than Chinese government experts claimed.
The findings were revealed as scientists from Oregon State University in the United States of American and their Chinese counterparts from Peking University published the conclusions of the research in the professional journal Environmental Science and Technology.
In the first comprehensive study of particulate air pollutants, scientists took samples before, during and after the games and compared readings from previous games.
American associate professor of environmental and molecular toxicology Staci Simonich said: "Considering the massive efforts by China to reduce air pollution in and around Beijing during the Olympics, this was the largest scale atmospheric pollution experiment ever conducted.
"Despite all that, it was some evening rains and favourable shifts in the winds that provided the most relief from the pollution.
"This demonstrates how difficult it is to solve environmental problems on a short-term, local basis."
Prof Simonich added that despite some favourable weather and the pollution control efforts the games were still the worse – and were about two to four times higher than that of Los Angeles on an average day.
And the difference between the study's findings and the official Chinese figures reflected a difference in measurement methodology – although the study's methods had been widely accepted by the international science community for many years.
But she stressed there was no scientific evidence athletes or spectators suffered health problems during the games.
However Beijing's 17 million population face a long-term struggle against the toxic atmosphere which is said to cause 1 million premature deaths annually across China.
The city is surrounded by mountains that trap air pollutants while rapid industrialisation has seen fumes from factories, cars and coal-fired power stations increase dramatically.
She said: "The athletes and visitors were only exposed for a very short time. Millions of other people there face this air quality problem their entire lives.
"It was unlike anything I've ever seen – you could look directly at the sun and not have a problem, due to the thickness of the haze."
EMPOWERING PEOPLE ENSURING HEALTH
One small step might lead to a great leap. Two years ago, a handful of residents from Rayong paid a visit to the National Health Commission Office in Nonthaburi. Their wish was simple: To ask Dr Amphon Jindawatthana, the NHC secretary-general, if the new National Health bill (2007, or BE 2550) could offer some solutions to their decades-long grievances. In particular, the Rayong locals thought a clause on the people's right to request a "health impact assessment" (HIA) and to participate in that very process themselves might enable them to better address the overwhelming pollution that has been plaguing their livelihood since the introduction of the Eastern Seaboard Development Programme in the coastal province in the 1980s.
From that day, April 9, 2007, the NHC has delegated a group of researchers (mainly from the Healthy Public Policy Foundation) to embark on this HIA scheme in Rayong. A series of public meetings called "Samatcha Sukkhapap" (Health Assembly) were held in which the magnitude of pollution and its evident effects on local health were discussed.
Feeling the urgency of their crisis, when no concrete mitigating measures had yet been undertaken, the people of Rayong resorted to another channel. In October of the same year, 27 representative villagers filed a lawsuit against the National Environment Board for having failed to enforce the 1992 National Environment Act by announcing a pollution control zone in the area.
On March 3 of this year, the provincial administrative court issued a verdict in favour of the plaintiffs. The NEB has since appealed the case, but at the same time complied with the court's order: The area around the Map Ta Phut industrial estate has been designated a pollution control zone since May 1.
"Here, we have been suffering for so long and we know that an EIA [environmental impact assessment] by itself is not enough," said Charoen Dejkhum, one of the villagers who filed the historic lawsuit.
"I believe that everyone who learns there is now a law that aims to protect their health will be elated. I admit, though, that a number of us in Map Ta Phut have not yet been exposed to the HIA process and thus still do not understand what it is all about."
A humble man, 66-year-old Charoen admits the difficulty for people with little education like him to understand technical terms like the BOD or pH level of the water supply in their fight to prove the severe effects of industrialisation. Their traditional "indicators" of a healthy environment consist of the presence of a variety of marine life, fireflies and a "waterway that is so clear and cool one can see fishes swimming around and about", he says, citing a famous line by Sunthorn Phu (a classical Thai poet who was also a native of Rayong).
In the worlds of academia and legal contests, however, Charoen's set of knowledge has been routinely brushed aside. Worse, lack of access to relevant information and other resources has put locals in every way at a disadvantage vis-a-vis big investors and their allies in the bureaucracy. The EIA offers no solace: For years, it has been heavily and repeatedly criticised for the poor, haphazard quality of research that is usually supportive of the prospective project owner (who tends to be the same person who hired the EIA consultants in the first place).
The application of HIA and the Health Assembly, however, seeks to tilt the balance. Suphakij Nunthavorakarn, researcher from the Healthy Public Policy Foundation, reckons that the Map Ta Phut case is the first practical test of the National Health Act in the country. Although critics say the 2007 law seems to have little power in penalising the wrongdoers, Suphakij argues the intention is deliberate - to foster an awareness of citizens' rights to know and to participate than to adopt the usual authoritative approach.
"Through the HIA and Health Assembly mechanisms, the locals of Rayong have had an opportunity to sit down together to review the impact of the entire programme of industrialisation here and, importantly, to ask themselves if this is what they really want for future generations," Suphakij notes.
Over the course of about a year, four rounds of public meetings were conducted, the first three in Rayong and the last in Bangkok. Suphakij stresses participation by every stakeholder (although he accepts that representatives of the business sector and the state agencies will tend to take either an inactive or defensive stance during the meetings). A number of studies have been reviewed, compiled and analysed, out of which emerged a bigger picture of how serious and urgent the problems in Rayong are, and some have also been used as evidence in the successful lawsuit against the National Environment Board, adds lawyer Surachai Trongngam of an NGO called Environmental Litigation and Advocacy for the Wants (Enlaw). A poll was also conducted with about 1,200 citizens in 350 villages around the coastal province on their expectations of development in their hometown.
The themes of the Health Assembly meetings gradually shifted from the scrutiny of past problems to brainstorming on alternatives and proposals of recommendations (see sidebar, 'The future [is] yet to come'), which have already been forwarded to the cabinet via the National Health Commission Office.
Originally a seaside town, Rayong once subsisted on a three-pillar economy: Orchard farming and fishing, tourism and agro-based industry. The discovery of natural gas in the Gulf of Thailand and subsequent launch of large-scale industrialisation under the so-called Eastern Seaboard Development Programme, with Map Ta Phut as the focal point, has radically transformed the area and its population. Rayong has become dependent on mega-industrial projects. Initial euphoria over the astronomical economic gains, however, soon fizzled out as the locals realised the huge price tag on the environment and their quality of life.
By the end of the HIA and Health Assembly process, a bold, unanimous resolution has taken shape - that continuation of industrialisation at all costs is not such a good idea. Instead of accepting the status quo - that more factories have to be built for the sake of economic growth and the focus should be on minimising the release of pollution - the people of Rayong have learned they can look beyond the immediate and express their aspirations for the future of their own town: That it will become free from pollution and geared towards a sufficiency economy (based on agriculture and eco-tourism) with strong social cohesiveness.
Will such a dream ever materialise, though? The current economic downturn and the authorities' fear of driving investors away are likely to add pressure to any attempts to curb mega-projects. The proposal by the Health Assembly of Rayong to suspend the expansion of the petrochemical industry at Map Ta Phut and to implement pertinent pollution mitigation measures has so far been met with a lukewarm response from the Abhisit cabinet. The government's penchant for growth is also well reflected in a recent decision by the Ministry of Industry to revoke a ministerial announcement on the list of industries that require an HIA (which was issued last year in compliance with Article 67 in the 2007 Constitution). Even in Rayong, there have been persistent calls by some interest groups who oppose the announcement of the Pollution Control Zone.
Another barrier concerns the definition of "health impact". Until now, Suphakij says, the narrow biomedical perspective still predominates. But it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the victims to try to link their illnesses to a certain industrial source ("Imagine having to pinpoint some particular stacks of the factories as being responsible for their sickness!" he jibes).
Hopefully, the more inclusive and integrated concept of HIA will become better accepted in the wider circle. Suphakij argues that the discovery of an alarming amount of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air, among several other indicators at the Map Ta Phut industrial estate should be more than adequate to prompt a rethink on such uncontrolled development programmes.
The researcher at the Healthy Public Policy Foundation also notes his own dilemma: The HIA and related mechanisms are "not at all an overnight solution" - it takes a lot of time for the public to understand the whole picture and try to address the issues at their roots instead of going after individual culprits. "But all the while, the locals have been languishing, having to face a host of problems on a daily basis," he lamented.
Aware of the bad reputation of EIA in Thailand, the proponents of HIA have thus opted for a non-monolithic approach in developing and promoting HIA. Two laws in particular espouse their use: The 2007 constitution and National Health Act with somewhat different premises (see inset box). Suphakij also cites a number of organisations that have been involved in the application of HIA - from the National Health Commission Office to the Department of Health, Department of Disease Control, the Office of the Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, and a string of communities, universities and non-governmental organisations around the country.
"We don't want the HIA to be monopolised and abused by certain exclusive groups like what has happened with the EIA," said Suphakij. "So if any one group has stuck a dead-end, at least there will be others to carry on. Interestingly, a few EIA experts have begun to pay attention on how to incorporate HIA into their works.
"The real power of HIA is not in any particular piece of legislation, or in getting people to sit together in a meeting. The power of HIA is in the process that allows the society to learn together and to participate in the decision-making on an equitable basis. Through HIA, we hope to empower the people by inculcating knowledge."
It remains to be seen how the lofty goal will turn out down the road. For Map Ta Phut folk like Charoen Dejkhum, having learned about the HIA process, the elderly have drawn a long wish list of what he would like to see happen in his village one day - the return of the abundant fish and crabs, a proper waste-water treatment pond, a playground for children that also serves as a "lung of the community", and perhaps a chance to be able to drink the fresh and free water from the rain and the stream nearby ... all "so that our children will be able to enjoy a better future", he muses.
At least, the man has already made a small but significant step in that direction.
From that day, April 9, 2007, the NHC has delegated a group of researchers (mainly from the Healthy Public Policy Foundation) to embark on this HIA scheme in Rayong. A series of public meetings called "Samatcha Sukkhapap" (Health Assembly) were held in which the magnitude of pollution and its evident effects on local health were discussed.
Feeling the urgency of their crisis, when no concrete mitigating measures had yet been undertaken, the people of Rayong resorted to another channel. In October of the same year, 27 representative villagers filed a lawsuit against the National Environment Board for having failed to enforce the 1992 National Environment Act by announcing a pollution control zone in the area.
On March 3 of this year, the provincial administrative court issued a verdict in favour of the plaintiffs. The NEB has since appealed the case, but at the same time complied with the court's order: The area around the Map Ta Phut industrial estate has been designated a pollution control zone since May 1.
"Here, we have been suffering for so long and we know that an EIA [environmental impact assessment] by itself is not enough," said Charoen Dejkhum, one of the villagers who filed the historic lawsuit.
"I believe that everyone who learns there is now a law that aims to protect their health will be elated. I admit, though, that a number of us in Map Ta Phut have not yet been exposed to the HIA process and thus still do not understand what it is all about."
A humble man, 66-year-old Charoen admits the difficulty for people with little education like him to understand technical terms like the BOD or pH level of the water supply in their fight to prove the severe effects of industrialisation. Their traditional "indicators" of a healthy environment consist of the presence of a variety of marine life, fireflies and a "waterway that is so clear and cool one can see fishes swimming around and about", he says, citing a famous line by Sunthorn Phu (a classical Thai poet who was also a native of Rayong).
In the worlds of academia and legal contests, however, Charoen's set of knowledge has been routinely brushed aside. Worse, lack of access to relevant information and other resources has put locals in every way at a disadvantage vis-a-vis big investors and their allies in the bureaucracy. The EIA offers no solace: For years, it has been heavily and repeatedly criticised for the poor, haphazard quality of research that is usually supportive of the prospective project owner (who tends to be the same person who hired the EIA consultants in the first place).
The application of HIA and the Health Assembly, however, seeks to tilt the balance. Suphakij Nunthavorakarn, researcher from the Healthy Public Policy Foundation, reckons that the Map Ta Phut case is the first practical test of the National Health Act in the country. Although critics say the 2007 law seems to have little power in penalising the wrongdoers, Suphakij argues the intention is deliberate - to foster an awareness of citizens' rights to know and to participate than to adopt the usual authoritative approach.
"Through the HIA and Health Assembly mechanisms, the locals of Rayong have had an opportunity to sit down together to review the impact of the entire programme of industrialisation here and, importantly, to ask themselves if this is what they really want for future generations," Suphakij notes.
Over the course of about a year, four rounds of public meetings were conducted, the first three in Rayong and the last in Bangkok. Suphakij stresses participation by every stakeholder (although he accepts that representatives of the business sector and the state agencies will tend to take either an inactive or defensive stance during the meetings). A number of studies have been reviewed, compiled and analysed, out of which emerged a bigger picture of how serious and urgent the problems in Rayong are, and some have also been used as evidence in the successful lawsuit against the National Environment Board, adds lawyer Surachai Trongngam of an NGO called Environmental Litigation and Advocacy for the Wants (Enlaw). A poll was also conducted with about 1,200 citizens in 350 villages around the coastal province on their expectations of development in their hometown.
The themes of the Health Assembly meetings gradually shifted from the scrutiny of past problems to brainstorming on alternatives and proposals of recommendations (see sidebar, 'The future [is] yet to come'), which have already been forwarded to the cabinet via the National Health Commission Office.
Originally a seaside town, Rayong once subsisted on a three-pillar economy: Orchard farming and fishing, tourism and agro-based industry. The discovery of natural gas in the Gulf of Thailand and subsequent launch of large-scale industrialisation under the so-called Eastern Seaboard Development Programme, with Map Ta Phut as the focal point, has radically transformed the area and its population. Rayong has become dependent on mega-industrial projects. Initial euphoria over the astronomical economic gains, however, soon fizzled out as the locals realised the huge price tag on the environment and their quality of life.
By the end of the HIA and Health Assembly process, a bold, unanimous resolution has taken shape - that continuation of industrialisation at all costs is not such a good idea. Instead of accepting the status quo - that more factories have to be built for the sake of economic growth and the focus should be on minimising the release of pollution - the people of Rayong have learned they can look beyond the immediate and express their aspirations for the future of their own town: That it will become free from pollution and geared towards a sufficiency economy (based on agriculture and eco-tourism) with strong social cohesiveness.
Will such a dream ever materialise, though? The current economic downturn and the authorities' fear of driving investors away are likely to add pressure to any attempts to curb mega-projects. The proposal by the Health Assembly of Rayong to suspend the expansion of the petrochemical industry at Map Ta Phut and to implement pertinent pollution mitigation measures has so far been met with a lukewarm response from the Abhisit cabinet. The government's penchant for growth is also well reflected in a recent decision by the Ministry of Industry to revoke a ministerial announcement on the list of industries that require an HIA (which was issued last year in compliance with Article 67 in the 2007 Constitution). Even in Rayong, there have been persistent calls by some interest groups who oppose the announcement of the Pollution Control Zone.
Another barrier concerns the definition of "health impact". Until now, Suphakij says, the narrow biomedical perspective still predominates. But it is extremely difficult, if not impossible, for the victims to try to link their illnesses to a certain industrial source ("Imagine having to pinpoint some particular stacks of the factories as being responsible for their sickness!" he jibes).
Hopefully, the more inclusive and integrated concept of HIA will become better accepted in the wider circle. Suphakij argues that the discovery of an alarming amount of toxic volatile organic compounds (VOCs) in the air, among several other indicators at the Map Ta Phut industrial estate should be more than adequate to prompt a rethink on such uncontrolled development programmes.
The researcher at the Healthy Public Policy Foundation also notes his own dilemma: The HIA and related mechanisms are "not at all an overnight solution" - it takes a lot of time for the public to understand the whole picture and try to address the issues at their roots instead of going after individual culprits. "But all the while, the locals have been languishing, having to face a host of problems on a daily basis," he lamented.
Aware of the bad reputation of EIA in Thailand, the proponents of HIA have thus opted for a non-monolithic approach in developing and promoting HIA. Two laws in particular espouse their use: The 2007 constitution and National Health Act with somewhat different premises (see inset box). Suphakij also cites a number of organisations that have been involved in the application of HIA - from the National Health Commission Office to the Department of Health, Department of Disease Control, the Office of the Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning, and a string of communities, universities and non-governmental organisations around the country.
"We don't want the HIA to be monopolised and abused by certain exclusive groups like what has happened with the EIA," said Suphakij. "So if any one group has stuck a dead-end, at least there will be others to carry on. Interestingly, a few EIA experts have begun to pay attention on how to incorporate HIA into their works.
"The real power of HIA is not in any particular piece of legislation, or in getting people to sit together in a meeting. The power of HIA is in the process that allows the society to learn together and to participate in the decision-making on an equitable basis. Through HIA, we hope to empower the people by inculcating knowledge."
It remains to be seen how the lofty goal will turn out down the road. For Map Ta Phut folk like Charoen Dejkhum, having learned about the HIA process, the elderly have drawn a long wish list of what he would like to see happen in his village one day - the return of the abundant fish and crabs, a proper waste-water treatment pond, a playground for children that also serves as a "lung of the community", and perhaps a chance to be able to drink the fresh and free water from the rain and the stream nearby ... all "so that our children will be able to enjoy a better future", he muses.
At least, the man has already made a small but significant step in that direction.
K'taka should check air pollution- study
A leading think-tank has called for urgent Government action in implementing strict vehicular emission norms along with curbing wanton deforestation to arrest rapid environmental degradation in India.
A study by Prof. C.M. Lakshmana at Population Research Centre of Bangalore-based Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) painted a gloomy picture of the scenario and said the situation warrants implementation of Central Pollution Control Board’s recommendations to prohibit 20-year-old vehicles from plying and phasing out of 15-year-old or more vehicles.
Noting that jump in vehicular population is the main source of air pollution in most of the Indian cities, ISEC, which carried out the exhaustive study, said environment-friendly mass transit must be developed in major cities in the long-run. Negative rates of growth in the number of registered motor vehicles have led to comparatively less environment pollution in States such as Sikkim and economically backward Bihar, said ISEC, which was established in 1972 by the late Professor V K R V Rao.
It was revealed during the survey that deforestation and degradation of forest area have led to drastic environmental degradation in States such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, which also have significantly higher growth of population. Interestingly however, the environment has not deteriorated much in States such as Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir despite higher population growth and higher percentage of forest area to the total geographical area because of "impressive man-environment relationship".
"Hence, more attention needs to be given to forest management and appropriate steps should be taken to avoid further deforestation. Steps for the conservation of bio-diversity need to be taken expeditiously". The impact of deforestation on the environment is manifested in the form of micro climatic change, increase in temperature and decrease in humidity/rainfall, flood and soil erosion. The rapid rate of industrialisation in the last four decades has been causing massive environmental degradation, pointed out the study, which underlined the need to implement stringent industrial policies to control pollution in order to promote sustainable environment.
However, despite hosting a very large number of registered industries, Andhra Pradesh has relatively low environmental degradation, the study revealed. In States such as West Bengal, Punjab and Haryana, thermal power plants are the main source of pollution.
Improper management of industrial effluents and solid wastes from industrial estates of Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan have been causing irreparable damage to the environment in these states. Discharge of mineral and industrial effluents with least concern for environment has resulted in ecological damages in Western Ghats and mid-Himalayan sections, it said.
Immigration to big industrial cities such as Bangalore, Patna and Lucknow too have resulted in much higher levels of environmental damage. Setting up of MNCs in backward regions also caused environmental degradation, the ISEC study said.
Of late, the creation of special economic zones (SEZs) has resulted in reduced land holdings. "The promotion of exports through increased industrial development, often on the shrinking agricultural land, is a matter of grave concern", Prof Lakshmana said. "This has directly led to reduction of gross agricultural land, thereby shrinking the net sown area and also the extinction of flora and fauna. This process has also been damaging the bio-diversity which is vital for our survival".
It is registered as a Society under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960, to create a blend of field-oriented empirical research and advances in social science theories leading to better public policy formulation
A study by Prof. C.M. Lakshmana at Population Research Centre of Bangalore-based Institute for Social and Economic Change (ISEC) painted a gloomy picture of the scenario and said the situation warrants implementation of Central Pollution Control Board’s recommendations to prohibit 20-year-old vehicles from plying and phasing out of 15-year-old or more vehicles.
Noting that jump in vehicular population is the main source of air pollution in most of the Indian cities, ISEC, which carried out the exhaustive study, said environment-friendly mass transit must be developed in major cities in the long-run. Negative rates of growth in the number of registered motor vehicles have led to comparatively less environment pollution in States such as Sikkim and economically backward Bihar, said ISEC, which was established in 1972 by the late Professor V K R V Rao.
It was revealed during the survey that deforestation and degradation of forest area have led to drastic environmental degradation in States such as Bihar, Uttar Pradesh and Madhya Pradesh, which also have significantly higher growth of population. Interestingly however, the environment has not deteriorated much in States such as Sikkim, Manipur, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh and Jammu and Kashmir despite higher population growth and higher percentage of forest area to the total geographical area because of "impressive man-environment relationship".
"Hence, more attention needs to be given to forest management and appropriate steps should be taken to avoid further deforestation. Steps for the conservation of bio-diversity need to be taken expeditiously". The impact of deforestation on the environment is manifested in the form of micro climatic change, increase in temperature and decrease in humidity/rainfall, flood and soil erosion. The rapid rate of industrialisation in the last four decades has been causing massive environmental degradation, pointed out the study, which underlined the need to implement stringent industrial policies to control pollution in order to promote sustainable environment.
However, despite hosting a very large number of registered industries, Andhra Pradesh has relatively low environmental degradation, the study revealed. In States such as West Bengal, Punjab and Haryana, thermal power plants are the main source of pollution.
Improper management of industrial effluents and solid wastes from industrial estates of Karnataka, Delhi, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab and Rajasthan have been causing irreparable damage to the environment in these states. Discharge of mineral and industrial effluents with least concern for environment has resulted in ecological damages in Western Ghats and mid-Himalayan sections, it said.
Immigration to big industrial cities such as Bangalore, Patna and Lucknow too have resulted in much higher levels of environmental damage. Setting up of MNCs in backward regions also caused environmental degradation, the ISEC study said.
Of late, the creation of special economic zones (SEZs) has resulted in reduced land holdings. "The promotion of exports through increased industrial development, often on the shrinking agricultural land, is a matter of grave concern", Prof Lakshmana said. "This has directly led to reduction of gross agricultural land, thereby shrinking the net sown area and also the extinction of flora and fauna. This process has also been damaging the bio-diversity which is vital for our survival".
It is registered as a Society under the Karnataka Societies Registration Act, 1960, to create a blend of field-oriented empirical research and advances in social science theories leading to better public policy formulation
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