Dr Agrawal's 18 days long fast ends after achieving desired goal.
I am very happy and thankful to Dr Agrawal to end his 18 days long fast after achieving desired goal. With the anxiety mounting high, I was eagerly waiting for this news and was getting disappointed after reading news that the fast is continued. I was worried a lot when there was no news about his health for more than a week after 22nd June
Then yesterday the most welcome news arrived through personal mail by Shri. M. C. Mehta of Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action
Dr. G.D. Agrawal succeeded in forcing the Government of Uttarakhand to suspend the construction work on the hydroelectric projects and get Government of India’s commitment to suitably ensure perennial environmental flow in all stretches of river Bhagirathi. It is a significant achievement by dedication, sacrifice and tapasya of Environmental Guru, Dr. Dr. G. D. Agrawal. We all are relieved and delighted that Dr Agrawal will be active and lead the struggle.
Letter from M.C. Mehta of Indian Council for Enviro-Legal Action 1st July 2008
Dear Dr. S.V. Ranade
Thank you for extending your support to the cause of saving Mother Ganga. As you know, the Government of Uttarakhand has suspended construction work on the projects under its control between Uttarkashi and Gangotri. Yesterday, the Government of India committed to suitably ensure perennial environmental flow in all stretches of river Bhagirathi" and has directed the NTPC to constitute a high level expert group to release a report within three months. Dr. G.D. Agarwal has ended his fast as of the 30th of June on these assurances
In our view, this is the first milestone of the movement. At least both the Central and State Governments have realized that the dams were not in keeping with the principles of sustainable development and environmental protection, and were hurtful to the millions of people who worship and have innate faith in the Mother Ganga. However, in order to achieve our end goal of maintaining the uninterrupted flow of the river and having it protected as a World Heritage Site, your constant support is necessary
We apologize that it has taken so long to respond to your inquiry. Though you have previously given us some information on your volunteer form, please take the time to let us know the specific way in which you would like to help. Kindly indicate in which of the following ways you feel you can help the movement, and how much time you can commit per week
Organizing public meetings and disseminating information
1. Creating and distributing posters and flyers
2. Organizing talks in educational institutions
2. Helping in your professional capacity
3. Organizing a letter writing campaign or petition
4. Helping in your professional capacity
5. Assisting in any other way – please indicate
If you have already been committing your time to the campaign please let us know in what way.We greatly appreciate your assistance.
Sincerely,
sd/-( M.C. Mehta )
In response to the letter and on behalf of All environmental NGOs in Sangli and Kolhapur and members of our environmental forum, I would like to assure Dr. Agrawal, Shri Mehta and all other leaders of Save Ganga Movement that we shall create public awareness, publish all news in this www.envis.org website, and provide an open platform for discussing technical and environmental aspects of dams on rivers and river pollution
We should study the original documents submitted by NTPC for getting environmental clearance for hydroelectric projects on Bhagirathi and do cost benefit analysis exploring the cost of unaccounted and ignored losses due to permanent damage to national heritage, aesthetics, religious feelings of Hindus and all Indians who take pride in Ganga’s legacy. In the light of new developments and assurance by central government, we should specify the minimum flow required to be maintained in Bhagirathi with scientific justification. At the same time we should also help government in suggesting viable alternatives for energy and urban water supply needs and modifications in design and operation of hydro-electric projects.
In my humble opinion, I feel that such proactive approach will help in convincing people about our sincere unbiased motives for ensuring sustainable development without damaging national heritage and sanctity of rivers.
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