| |
| Organisations |
 |
 |
A unique prototype of a democratic institution set up to protect the ecology, natural resources and livelihoods of a region, the Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority (DTEPA) has for a period of twelve years been more than just a watchdog institution. Recognising the ecological politics of control over natural resources, the Authority has unwaveringly stood by the principles of social justice and equitable rights for local communities. With its landmark orders and judgements, the DTEPA has contributed to the environmental discourse and debate in India.
With the local groups in Dahanu seeking legal redress for consistent flouting of environmental laws, the Supreme Court in a landmark order, in 1996 recommended the setting up of a special Authority in "order to address the complex issues of planning and management of ecologically fragile areas". (Read Supreme Court Order, October 1996)
With the mandate to protect the ecologically fragile area of Dahanu taluka, specifically control pollution, consider and implement the 'Precautionary Principle' and the 'Polluter Pays' principle, the Authority was set up in December 1996 headed by Justice Chandrashekhar Dharmadhikari (Read Notification setting up of the special Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority, 1996). The Authority also has as its members experts from the areas of hydrology, environmental engineering, urban planning, etc. Government representatives like the Collector of Thane and Member Secretary, Maharashtra Pollution Control Board are also its members.
The Dahanu Authority continues to play an important role in ensuring that Dahanu Taluka becomes a model taluka of environmental protection and conservation.
For more information go to the DTEPA webpage
|
The Dahanu Taluka Environment Welfare Association (DTEWA) has been relentlessly crusading for the cause of environmental justice for the last decade and a half. Opposing the setting up of a fossil fuel based thermal power plant in the region in 1989, the group has since pursued a successful legal strategy to protect Dahanu from unplanned industrialisation and environmental degradation.
With DTEWA's lobbying, Dahanu was declared an ecologically fragile area by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, in 1991 and a special authority has been constituted to oversee Dahanu's development. The DTEWA is actively involved in lobbying this Authority to ensure that the overall development of Dahanu Taluka is in consonance with the principle of environmental protection and social justice. Towards this end, the DTEWA continues to play a significant role in ensuring that Town and Regional Plans for Dahanu Taluka made by government authorities are in compliance with environmentally sound values.
Several of the legal victories over the last two decades have in fact been landmarks in the history of environmental struggles in India, the latest one in March 2005 directing the local thermal power station to guarantee the setting up of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) a pollution control device, by a bank guarantee of Rupees 300 crore as the thermal power plant was evading to install one for over eighteen years. The DTEWA has been consistently demanding that the fossil fuel (coal) based plant switch to a cleaner option like natural gas given the horticultural and agricultural character of the region. Moreover while the plant continues to deplete the area of its natural resources and supply power to Mumbai, Dahanu continues to face an acute shortage of electricity.
Besides, the DTEWA is involved in campaigning on other environmental issues such as solid waste management, afforestation and conservation of mangroves.
The DTEWA consists of a group of local resident farmers and activists and has the legal support from sensitive lawyers in Mumbai.
For more information go to the DTEWA websiteRead about the Achievements of DTEWA
|
The Dahanu Parisar Bachao Samiti (DPBS) has as its constituents the farmers and horticulturists of Dahanu, emerging as a community response to the damaging effects of the fossil fuel based thermal power plant on their chikoo yield. The Samiti came together as a network of farmers in 2003, protesting the renewal of Reliance Energy's consent to operate license and has since been active in campaigning against the plant. The Dahanu Parisar Bachao Samiti's primary demand is for clean energy production, using cleaner fuel like gas. Members of the Samiti are deeply concerned about the impact of the polluting power station on their agriculture, horticulture and livelihoods.
|
 The Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) is a nationwide, non-profit membership organization. INTACH was setup in 1984 to protect and conserve India’s vast natural and cultural heritage.
The Dahanu Chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage is essentially involved in protecting Dahanu's culture and heritage. Initiated by a group of ardent environmentalists in the early 1990's, INTACH Chapter Dahanu now works closely with school children, instilling in them a sense of pride for their history, culture and environment. INTACH, Chapter Dahanu organizes treks, camps and environmental education workshops regularly. Members of INTACH have played an important and supportive role in the struggle against the coal-based thermal power station.
Chapter name: DAHANU
Convenor: Ms. Phiroza J. Tafti
Crescent Corner, P.O. Box No. 7, Dahanu Road - 401 602. E-mail: ptafti@yahoo.com
Co-Convenor: Mr. Farzan B. Mazda
"Moti Manzil", Irani Road, Dahanu Road - 401 602.
For more information about INTACH go to the INTACH website
|
Coming Soon
|
|
|
