On development, TATA, and the turtles

The magic words “development, economic growth, employment opportunities” are often used as an excuse to muzzle or silence opposition to environmentally destructive projects. I’ve had the pleasure and privilege of hearing this over the last four years, as I’ve followed the Dhamra port trail. Development and economic growth are of course critical, especially in a state like Orissa, and ports are possibly part of this recipe (whether we need an assembly line of ports like bus stops is another debate altogether), but at what cost? Environmental and allied livelihood concerns blatantly dismissed as affordable trade-offs, a distraction at best, or a vested interest at worst. Well, welcome to the Dhamra Port Project!

Four years ago, November 2004 to be precise, the port area was a thriving habitat in itself, covered with Suadea intertidal grass as far as the eye could see. Circa 2009, it’s a scarred patch, on it’s way to becoming a modern development marvel - concrete and steel; never mind the presence of rare species of crabs, frogs and snakes - not to mention turtles offshore - in pristine habitats which they’ve known as home since time immemorial.

Port construction continues unhindered.

On this campaign, as you’ve traveled with us, you’ve possibly heard, noticed and joined us around activists chaining themselves to things, or for that matter “turtle” activists conjuring up in the strangest of places, claiming insurance at corporate offices, to claiming swimming pools in fancy hotels as their’s, udrawing the public spotlight on the Dhamra Port and the TATA’s role and leadership, or rather the lack of it. That’s the story the media covers or chooses not to quite often, that gets passed on by word of mouth or it’s equivalent in virtual spaces. But quite often though, there’s also been someone putting on unexpected formal togs that one normally doesn’t associate with a greenie, striding into the TATA’s board room to discuss, dialogue, negotiate and stop an ecological disaster. That’s my colleague Ashish Fernandes, whom you’ve been hearing from, over the re-initiated process of dialogue we’ve had with the TATAs and their fellow port promoters, since October 2008.

Where we stand now on this issue is definitely not promising. TATA and their co-promoters’ decision to not suspend dredging pending an assessment could potentially be the final straw on the back of the already over-burdened turtles, not to forget the probable impacts on Bitharkanika.

However, not all is lost. I believe we’ve made some progress. Progress in the form of a commitment from the TATAs to do an independent and comprehensive assessment. Progress in the form of a commitment to withdraw if this assessment were to suggest potential damage to the turtles and the environment. The simple fact that we’ve helped the TATAs move to this position in about a year’s time, is I believe a testament to the public power of campaigning - alliances, a select but supportive media, other organisations and groups, and importantly, a public constituency, which has been chirping, discussing and acting on this issue, on our site and in other new media avenues.

There now remains the tiny bit of convincing the TATAs and Mr. Tata that an independent assessment is pointless unless the dredging stops. And so it boils down to this. It’s up to all of us to remember the power we have,because they will never act against their perceived economic interests. We all need to ensure that when a company isn’t behaving responsibly, they are reminded. And sometimes, they need us on their back, because in a world in which planetary costs don’t figure in the balance sheet, the bottom line doesn’t always drive them toward doing the right thing.

Everyone, even corporate statesmen, have their vulnerabilities. With Achilles it was his heel. With Mr. Tata, it’s possibly his oft-talked about love for animals and his desire to ‘do the right thing’. Well, for the sake of the turtles and for these ecologically sensitive and valuable areas, I for sure hope this “oft-talked trait” kicks into demonstration.