The Hindu : New Delhi News : On a mission to reclaim the Yamuna

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Monday, May 07, 2007
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New Delhi

On a mission to reclaim the Yamuna

An Indian Forest Service officer turned environmentalist, Manoj Kumar Misra is now leading the Capital in its battle to save the city's only river, the Yamuna, says Bindu Shajan Perappadan

Taking the issue of protecting the river out of the Government domain and bringing it into the public domain, Manoj Kumar Misra's "Save the Yamuna'' campaign is about asking Delhiites to come together for their river.

Peace Institute

Founder and chief executive of non-government organisation Peace Institute Mr. Misra says: "People should ask the Government about who gave them permission to kill the river. I want the people to know all the facts about the river and then make an informed choice about it. And, of course, if 90 per cent of us decide that we are fine with the river dying then so be it.''

Mr. Misra recently launched a signature campaign to save the river and has approached schools, religious places and residential colonies to spread awareness about the fate of the river and the need for the Government to take immediate action to stop its exploitation.

The passion for nature that Mr. Misra brings to his work is easy to trace. Born and brought up in a small village on the foothills of the Himalayas and opting for the Indian Forest Service, when it came to selecting a profession, it was a natural choice, says Mr. Misra.

"Nature was very much part of my growing up years and later when selected for the Indian Forest Service it was `a punishment posting' at Chandrapur in Maharashtra that changed my life forever. It was here as a trainer that I rediscovered nature and started all over again. I went back to the forests. That experience helped me throughout my career.''

However, Mr. Misra did not stay long with the Government opting out 21 years after he joined. Speaking with the confidence of having worked with and for the system he says: "There are several ills that plague the system, including inadequate training and mentoring. The training system followed for the Indian Forest Service official was laid down way back during the British times. Things have changed and we have not managed to move ahead. Professional standards have been relaxed and the mentoring regime is not strict and as a consequence officials are not aware of the ground realities. To put it simply they don't know their forests. However, the biggest bane is the fact that there is no accountability. Not enough people are hauled up for taking wrong or motivated decisions. When it comes to the environment no one gets punished,'' says Mr. Misra.

Speaking about why he quit service, Mr. Misra says: "I had to quit for personal growth. I thought I had exhausted my resources as an insider. When in the Government there is only so much that you can do and for me it just seemed time to move on.''

Stating that environmental concerns have got lost in a bureaucracy that is individual-oriented, where contacts count. When the main concern is one's chair, "real concerns'' get sidelined. "Besides I believe that we have lost our understanding of nature. We have become extremists today. There is a hue and cry if one tiger dies but when an entire habitat gets destroyed there isn't even a murmur of protest,'' rues Mr. Misra.

"The same thing has happened with the Yamuna. We have made it an issue dealing with polluted water only. That isn't the case. The Yamuna issue is about the riverbed, its flood plain, the flowing water and our responsibility as users of the river water. When the Government allowed the building of the Akshardham temple it was the beginning of the end for the flood plains of the river. What surprises us is the fact that the Government is aware that construction here is not safe and yet it is continuing to do so,'' says Mr. Misra.

Mr. Misra has meanwhile led some 23 environment-based projects successfully in different parts of the country. He had also authored the new forest policy of Chhattisgarh when in service and prepared the blue print for the Forest Crime Prevention Bureau for the State, besides being associated with numerous environmental projects across the country.

"Today, however, I dream of a city that has the conviction to stand up and reclaim its river,'' says Mr. Misra.

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