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Home Page Article 1
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Heritage & Tourism
(The following article was published in a book "a case for conservation of heritage and environment of coastal regions", by INTACH - Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage, in its first edition of October 2003.)
This article has been reproduced herein with the permission of its author.
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Conservation of Natural Heritage in the Coastal Region of Dahanu Taluka
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by Nergis Irani 1
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 Dahanu Taluka is located on the western coast of India in Thane District, approximately 120 kilometers north of Mumbai. Dahanu is predominantly inhabited by the Warlis, an indigenous tribe of India who with 1,75,000 people constitute 66% of the population (compared to 38% forests, 32% farms, 24% grasslands and 2.6% acre wetlands). The economic welfare and culture of the Warlis, (whose name means King of the Jungle) is closely linked to a healthy and rich natural environment. The livelihood of some 30,000 fishermen also depends on the natural resources of the region.
While the talukas surrounding Dahanu have become degraded and socially fragmented, Dahanu remains an oasis in a heavily polluted and industrialized belt - it is free of slums and crime and has surplus employment opportunities. The Warli tribals and fisher people of Dahanu choose to live and work here, although they could easily opt for employment in the surrounding industrial belts. In fact, Dahanu's thriving agro/marine based economy provides surplus employment to thousands of outsiders.
In spite of the comprehensive system of laws intended to protect the environment, lands, culture and economy of India's tribal people, corruption within its executive institutions is leading to environmental degradation, adhoc urbanisation and unplanned industrialization of India's tribal rural regions. Government, bureaucrats and police collude with the builders, industrialists and multinationals to exploit the poor - misappropriating their land and water, terrorizing their communities and denying them access to their fundamental rights. Such activity in turn leads to the marginalization of the tribals and fisher folk whose livelihood and communities are directly linked to the sustainable use of natural resources.
How has Dahanu's horticultural and marine-based economy thrived in an area otherwise ravaged by unplanned ad hoc industrialization? How has the rule of law prevailed in Dahanu while poverty and lack of exposure to Government machinery deter enforcement of environmental rights in surrounding tribal belts? How has Dahanu remained relatively pristine in a region scorched by slums and pollutions? it has all been due to the persistent and relentless efforts of Dahanu Chapter of INTACH.
The world today is concerned about the need for a sustained thriving economy. The key to this is 'Sustainable Development'. This is why there was a world conference to discuss this issue at length. We see Dahanu Taluka as a perfect prototype of sustainable development wherein all its citizens have been enjoying the fruits of labour based on Dahanu's Natural Resources. The livelihood of hundreds and thousands of its citizens and the neighbouring tribal areas such as Jawhar and Mokhada are dependant on ensuring that the Dahanu Notification of 1991 (terming Dahanu as an ecologically-fragile area) is implemented in totality. INTACH Chapter at Dahanu and the Dahanu Taluka Environment Welfare Association (DTEWA) with the support of the Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority
(DTEPA) have been fighting tooth and nail these past many years to ensure the implementation of the laws.
In addition to the green industries carefully listed in the Dahanu Taluka Notification of 1991, we should like to see there revitalisation of Dahanu's sustained economy through the setting up of the following industries in this rich coastal resource belt.
Health and Organic Foods:
There are tremendous possibilities given Dahanu's proximity to Mumbai. Many local framers' wives have started making masalas, toffees, squashes, dried fruits and chikoo wines/liquors - the aloe vera squashes are very famous. All these products are being sought after by consumers in Bombay, and by health shops in particular. Furthermore, with a growing awareness of the toxic nature of synthetic pesticides, there is a burgeoning market in the Mumbai middle class community for organically grown fruits and vegetables. The government has to train the citizens of Dahanu in making these products, which fulfill the health product criteria, e.g. how to meet the standards of international organic certification, to use no preservatives and no sugar, etc. Chikoohas endless possibilities for the marketing of sugar free sweets and sweetmeats. The market potential is unlimited in the field of health foods.
Herbal Farms and Research Centers for the Development of Holisticc and Ayurvedic Medicines:
Encouragement should be given to setting up of herbal farms by the tribals on their landholdings and by the other farmers. Today people are concerned about the use of allopathic medicines and are all shifting to the use of Ayurveda and herbal medicines. This tremendous potential for the use and export of herbal medicines will create wealth for India.
Daries, Poultry Farming, Bee Keeping, Plant Nurseries etc.:
They have great potential given Dahanu's proximity to Bombay. There is already a large market for honey.
Camping, Trekking / Hiking:
Dahanu can be a 'Nature Observation Area' for the children of Bombay - the locals can organise various trips for them - given a boost to a lot of people involved in other businesses e.g. transportation, tour organisers, hotel and restaurant owners, and so on. The children can also do various projects like marine studies and animal sporting as part of their school curriculum or it could be their weekend recreation.
Fruit and Vegetable Processing Industries and a Proper Marketing Infrastructure:
Dahanu's climate and soil allows the growing and production of all varieties of fruits and vegetables. It is one of the most productive areas and a great success story in 'Sustainable Development'. We have with us a report by Dr. Ritu Dewan called Development Amidst Fragility - a title which is self-explanatory. To quote just one paragraph from the report, ' We would like to state categorically that we are not against progress, modernisation and industrialization. The point of discussion is the concept of development which mechanically equates industrialization with 'progress', agriculture with 'backwardness' and mega projects with 'growth'. Dahanu Taluka is one of the largest producers of Chikoos and mangoes, which have to be sold off at a pittance to the middlemen, as there is lack of processing industries here. Furthermore, the chikoo fruit is very delicate and spoils easily, it cannot be stored in cold storage like many other
fruits. Dahanu could be the center for fruit and vegetable production. The neighbouring farming areas like Nashik, which is only 130 kms. away, and Gujarat border areas only 18-22 kms. away could both transport their produce to Dahanu ofr processing. The processing units could be a boon, too, for the Tribal population of the area since they own their own lands. The tribals who represent 66% of our population have the land, the knowledge, the energy BUT not the water promised to them since decades. What is needed here in Dahanu are 'watershed management programmes' and the waters for the 'Surya Canal' project which was envisaged for them'.
Hospitality Tourism:
The chikoo farmers are experiencing well over a 50% drop in the production of the crop ever since the advent of the BSES coal-based Thermal Power Plant. The encouragement of hospitality tourism within the farms would not only augment their income but also create many more jobs for the tribals living in the area. It is essential, however, to ensure that the farmers house tourists in their own homes, in tents or in bio-degradable structures.
Eco-Tourism, Spas (Health Farms), Yoga Centres and Senior Citizen Centres:
Dahanu is a perfect prototype area for all the above. It is already famous among the health concious people for its organic foods and its farm products. People can come here for various health rejuvenation programs. People from the urban areas all over India and the world seek greener and cleener pastures. Alaska, many parts of Africa and South America have revitalized and conserved their natural wealth. Tourists who wish to experience natural living eagerly seek these areas. Dahanu, which is strategically placed near Mumbai, Surat and Baroda has everything to offer the discerning tourist thanks to ite pristine environment, its plentiful and portable water, and fresh organic farm produce. Furthermore, it would create employment opportunities because statistics show that each bed through tourism provides employment to 5 local people.
Afforestation Programmes, cleaning up of the beaches & removal of obstructions to the free flow of water on the wetlands:
If we really protect Dahanu and re-create her natural resources to its original splendour (before the coming of the BSES), India could make a fortune through eco-tourism. Tourists from all over the world would flock to Dahanu as they do now to many parts of South America and Ceylon. It entails restoring the forest cover for the discerning tourists and restoring our wetlands to energise marine wealth for export and for local consumption.
Proposal to Make Dahanu Taluka a Mojor Software Technology Park
Everyone is aware of the importance of how innovation and technology makes a positive impact on India's economic development.
India has come a long way in taking full advantage of IT and in embracing the knowledge economy as something that will fundamentally change everything we do - the way we do business, the way we live, and the way we interact with each other. However, India still has a long way to go to dramatically increase our productivity and our efficiency and thereby improve our competitiveness.
The cities in the country are the current hub of all activity - but the cities are over crowded and expensive.
All over the world the IT service industries are moving out of the cities:
- New York City vs Homdel, NJ: home of AT&T and Lucent
- New York City vs York Town, NJ: home of IBM's TJ Watson Research center
- San Jose vs San Francisco
- London vs Bracknell
Places like Yorktown and Homdel, while being hubs for software development on the East Coast of the USA, are also considered to be amongst the most desirable places to live, because of their pristine environment and proximity to a major city - both elements that can be provided by Dahanu Taluka
Dahanu Can Lure Software Companies Into Maharashtra / India
Advantage DahanuDetail
Strategic location :
Just 120 km north of Mumbai, and 375 km south of Ahmedabad, Easy access via rail and road (Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway). Further easy access can be provided via hovercraft.
Desirable Quality of Life for IT employees :
Low crime rate, pristine environment especially after the BSES switches over to gas, long coastline, good schools and hospitals for IT professionals with families.
Low real estate costs :
Access to power :
Telecommunication infrastructure :
Water supply :
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Software Technology Parks need to be located relatively close to the financial centers, so that there is easy access for the financial industry client. Creating hovercraft facilities between Dahanu and Mumbai will provide this easy access for luring software companies into the region. At present there are trains running all day long (both local and express) between Dahanu and Mumbai. Also Dahanu lies right off the Mumbai-Ahmedabad highway.
When IT (Information Technology) employees have families, they wish to move out of the crowded cities into areas with lower crime rates, where they can have larger homes, fresh air for the children, better access to the outdoors, good schools, colleges and hospitals. Dahanu has been notified as an ecologically fragile area, and with its large beaches, 49% forest cover, plentiful fruit orchards, numerous schools and hospitals it will provide all these facilities to IT employees.
The software industry generally shies away from the high real estate prices of the cities, because most of their programmers do not require direct access to the financial clients in the cities; only a few 'analysts', 'sales/marketing reps' and 'project managers' require direct access to clients. The bulk of the employees namely the programmers, can work off site, in areas where the cost of real estate is lower. Dahanu, located 120 kms from Mumbai, provides the ideal mix of low real-estate costs, desirable living environment for employees, with proximity to the city.
With the restructured 500 MW gas-based BSES power plant located in Dahanu there should be easy access to power for Software Technology Parks in Dahanu.
Dahanu provides both wireless and STD service. This infrastructure will however need to expanded to support a software industry, in particular optic fiber telephone exchanges will need to be introduced to the area.
Dahanu taluka, known as the fruit and fish basket of Maharashtra, has plentiful water supply and a robust fruit, fish and vegetable market.
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