Development Projects, Human Displacement, and the UN Global Compact: A Visit with different sectors of Indian Society.
August 2008 interviews with officials and IGOs: Key moments.
By Marie Mainil (mmainil)
*Bhubaneshwar, Orissa, meetings with NGOs and Ashok Dalwai, head of Ministry of Mining:
Orissa is one of India’s poorest states, and it is trying to boost its economy through its mining industry.
NGOs:
The environment is being cheated, and that of course, affects the livelihoods of locals.
Ashok Dalwai:
“There are certain areas where there has been a concentration of industries. Now, we are studying the carrying capacity of these areas in terms of emissions, in terms of water support, in terms of other environmental fallouts. We are very conscious…what are the number of industries that can come up in a given area, what nature of industries can come up there. And then we have a state pollution control board, which is continuously monitoring the levels of pollutants. The industry has to get clearance from this pollution control before it can go in. So, there are regulatory mechanisms to ensure the global standards are met in terms of environment friendliness and monitoring goes on thereafter. Okay? Then we do not divert forests just like that. If forest land is going to be utilized for industry, then that has to be compensated by setting up land to compensate for the loss.
So, there are very strict laws under the forest conservation act of 1990 and the environment act of 1996, okay, which are very stringent, and then there is a state pollution control board that monitors these things. Then water is concerned also. The water distribution or the allocation between—among various sectors is also decided based on the priorities. Whenever an irrigation project is constructed it will talk about the priorities of using water. Investment agriculture becomes last. So, therefore, only after we meet these basic needs can we talk about the various sorts of industry.
Then, of course, we always advise them [the industries] to use the proper technology that will not include pollution, and they must upgrade their technology continuously.”
Me: You just said “advise” them. Do you encourage them, or do they have to do it?
Ashok Dalwai:
“For example, when we clear the project initially we always ask them what kind of technology they’re using. So, when we clear the project, we have had a look at that. Secondly, when it is implemented, it has had clearance from the state pollution control board, so always we look at the technology being used there.”
At this point, it seems appropriate to bring the following report:
Country Environmental Analysis: Strengthening Institutions for sustainable growth
The World Bank, 2007
Here is a taste of the report:
“With its high population density, vulnerable ecology, extreme climate, and a significant number of people heavily dependent on natural resources, India’s environmental challenges are diverse and wide-ranging. Yet, while the country’s environmental regulations are rigorous, its environmental institutions and regulatory regime need to be significantly upgraded in order to sustain rapid economic growth and meet the surging public demand for a cleaner environment. Regulations have to be backed up by stricter compliance and greater cooperation between government authorities, civil society groups and industry. A mix of incentives, devolving more powers to local governments, and rewarding “good behavior” will also be required.”
For more of Ashok Dalwai’s interview, see post “Ashok Dalwai Interview” on this blog (April 2009).
* Planning Commission, Delhi:
A communication/outreach campaign is lacking with regards to Resettlement and Rehabilitation policy.
The planning commission also recognizes the importance of civil society when it comes to alerting them of issues in need of being addressed.
* At the UN Global Compact India network:
Water issues (the need of locals vs. powering industries, and environmental standards) is a taboo topic.
* At the UN Global Compact Headquarters in NYC:
When it comes to development projects and human displacement, the UN Global Compact, as of now, partners with the International Organization for Migration (IOM).
While IOM does a great job at contributing to the health needs of migrant workers and rescuing trafficked children, for example, it does not work on issues of resettlement and rehabilitation, land grab, and other issues of development projects and human displacement discussed in this post and the previous (India Field Work—Part I). Yet, there is a willingness among locals, and civil society actors I met to have access to an international mechanism such as the Global Compact.
My impression from discussions with staff at the UN Global Compact in NYC is that they do what they can given that the Global Compact initiative operates on a voluntary basis with regards to businesses involved. Meanwhile, I will argue that they also make incomplete decisions while choosing their partners. Given the prominence of development projects and human displacement issues, my sense is that it ought to be addressed by an initiative such as the Global Compact.
* At the World Bank, Delhi Office:
According to interviews with locals, NGOs, and staff at the World Bank in Delhi (located right across from the wonderful India International Center were I was staying), the image of the World Bank among locals has been improved in the last few years as a result of grassroots focused methods. In an effort to promote public awareness of the UN Global Compact, staff at the UN Global Compact in NYC told me they encourage businesses involved in the Global Compact Initiative to be inclusive of locals and civil society.
When I visited the World Bank in Delhi, I asked about their collaboration with the UN Global Compact. I was told: “There is no real cooperation, the Global Compact, that’s the UN.” Well, it seems to me that the Global Compact and its local networks might very well have something to learn from the World Bank…It is also my sense that both international bodies have progress to make when it comes to Resettlement and Rehabilitation policy.
* A Final Word for this post:
Nobody I interviewed during my field trip in India was against development.
The question is, of course, how to bring a somewhat fair development about.
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