PRESS NOTE
8 June 2012. CHENNAI Thirty-eight environmental and social organisations from across Tamil Nadu have expressed their disappointment with the Department of Environment’s lack of seriousness and consultation in drafting the State Environmental Policy. The fact that a draft outline of the policy note was on the Department of Environment’s website for public comments came to light only on 5 June through a newspaper article, they said. The deadline for submission of comments is 9 June. Even this draft is in English, thereby denying the Tamil-speaking majority, including many of our elected representatives, an opportunity to influence the policy.
The activists said they welcome the Government’s initiative to draft an environmental policy. However, an environmental policy for a rapidly industrialising state needs to actively seek out the concerns of affected people, they said. Passive and elite consultation through the internet reflects poorly on the transparency ideals professed by the State Government.
The first meeting to develop the outline was held on 5 April in GRT Grand Hotel. The “Record of Discussions” uploaded to the website contains a list of core group members to “finalise the Tamilnadu State Environment Policy.” Activists have faulted the Department of Environment for including only industry representatives in the “core group” calling it a conflict of interest. No NGOs or social activists were involved in the drafting of the outline.
The activists have urged the Department of Environment to translate the policy outline in Tamil, extend the deadline for comments by at least two months, and conduct widespread consultations, at least at district level, among farmers, fisherfolk, workers and other public interest citizen groups. They have called for removal of industry representatives from the core committee, and inclusion of eminent leaders and people’s representatives with a proven track record of protecting the environment in their place.
For more information, contact: Nityanand Jayaraman — 9444082401
Statement by:
Chennai
South Indian Fishworkers Welfare Association (Then India Meenavar Nala Sangam)
Tamil Nadu Fisher People’s Association (Tamilnadu Meenava Makkal Sangam)
Tamil Nadu Fisherfolk Development Association (Tamilnadu Meenava Munnetra Sangam)
All India Fisherfolk Traditional Association (Akhila India Meenava Parampara Sangam)
Indian Fisherfolk Association (India Meenava Sangam)
Nochikuppam Fisherfolk Livelihood Organisation (Nocchikuppam Meenava Vazhvurimai Iyakkam)
Human Rights Advocacy and Research Foundation
People Union for Civil Liberties Tamil Nadu & Pondicherry
Global Alliance for Incinerator Alternatives
SUSTAIN
Poovulgain Nanbargal
The Other Media
Save Chennai Beaches
Reclaim Our Beaches
Save Tamils Movement
Exnora
Coimbatore
Save Coimbatore Wetlands
Discover Wild Foundation
Nature Conservation Society
Arulagam
Environmental Conservation Group
Mattram
Oli
Cuddalore
CONFET
FEDCOT
SIPCOT Area Community Environmental Monitors
Dindigul
Tamizhaga Nadigal Padhukappu Koottamaippu
Tamil Nadu Environment Council
CEDA Trust
Kanchipuram
Tamil Nadu Fisherpeople’s Federation
Nagapattinam
Coastal Action Network
Nilgiris
Nilgiris Wildlife and Environmental Association
Salem
Speak Out Salem
Salem Citizens Forum
Tamil Nadu Green Movement
Tamil Nadu People’s Right Movement, Salem
Kanjamalai Padhukappu Iyakkam
Mettur Padhukappu Iyakkam
Thoothukudi
All India Fisherfolk Federation, Thoothukudi
Veeranganai Penngal Iyakkam