Western Ghats Calling: SWGM: Reinvent or Perish!

Thursday, July 12, 2012

SWGM: Reinvent or Perish!

The resurrection of the loose-knit Save Western Ghats Movement in 2009 was indeed a shot in the dark, few of us who conceived it knew it as an 'art of the impossible' (recall the Bamboo musicians in the picture!). Any work of 'art' creates a 'dent', we knew. The unpredictable spontaneity did the trick, both at Goa and at Kotagiri. The unrealistic demand, at least at that time, of a 'western ghats ecological authority' was a work of 'art' for us. Like any work of 'art', there ought to be at least a buyer for it. The connoisseur in Jairam Ramesh saw value in putting money on it. The day he bought our art work at Kotagiri in 2010, we were left penniless. Not penniless in monetary sense but in every other sense of the term.!

First, our 'art' was redrawn to suit to the minister's 'drawing room'. Perhaps not without reason, the fine lines of an 'authority' were converted into hard lines of a what was construed as a 'panel'. Second, an imaginative piece of work was converted into a 'process', with a definite timeline to deliver the end-product a'la WGEEP Report. Pinning hopes on the leftover of the original, the movement laughed and cried at each stage of the process (post 2010), missing out on the next possible opportunity to get back on the drawing board for its next 'creation'. Living in a state of strange schizophrenia the SWGM instead has been lost in the illusory notion of being close to achieving the unachievable!

Many may disagree but any 'movement' is 70 per cent work of 'art' and 30 per cent 'commerce'. Since the first work of 'art' was bought at Kotagiri, this ratio has been reversed. What was spontaneously unpredictable could now be predictably contrived - the movement has literally been swallowed by time-bound activities. What is not written in the project document is most unlikely to be considered, cause-effect linearity determines the logic of any 'action'. No wonder, it is a losing battle that the 'movement' is currently engaged in, if at all. Unless the current batch of 'proponents' go back on the drawing board, commerce-driven gainful engagement will ensure that the SWGM only celebrates its 'past', something to 'w(g)eep over!

1 comment:

NarendraJuly 15, 2012 at 8:24 AM
The 'art' similie is good. Indeed, all movements are '70% work of art'. The rest are strategies, plans, mobilisation, advocacy etc. That also keeps things suited to local ethos.That it has been hijacked by Sh Jairam Ramesh and reduced to a mere panel with tacit consent of activists comes out as a needed hard blow. Comes out clearly that instead of moving on to its next 'painting' the activists stalled themselves and the potential in the movement.
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

Save Western Ghats Movement (SWGM)

SWGM has an unpleasant history. Hailed by India Today as one of the finest post-independence environmental movement, the mid-1980s march along the pristine 'ghats' had to wither away on account of internal squabbling between the organizers. Between 2006 till 2008, Sudhirendar Sharma got an opportunity to travel across the region to capture the latent energy among diverse actors to reignite the past. Together with Pandurang Hegde, who carried the painful memories of the past, the Save Western Ghats Movement of the 80's was revived at Peaceful Society in Goa in 2009. Peaceful Society (led by Kalanand Mani) had played stellar role in anchoring the SWGM in 1988.

SWGM Conferences

Three important congregations of activists, researchers, scientists, artists, politicians and thinkers have been organised since 2009 under the aegis of Save Western Ghats Movement - an informal platform of civil society actors. While the first, in 2009 in Ponda (Goa) revived the erstwhile movement of the mid-80's, the second in Kotagiri (Tamilnadu) in 2010 was major milestone as it led to the setting-up of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel by the Ministry of Environment & Forests. The third congregation at Moodbidri (Karnataka) in 2011 reiterated civil society commitment to conserve the ghats whatever be the outcome of the panel.

Sussegad

Sussegad, meaning `easygoing’, is often associated with the Goans but it does extend to other areas along the Western Ghats, notably hilly parts of Karnataka. Mellowed down by the warmth of the Sun, the coolness of the rains and the wisdom of the green hills, people in these parts of the Western Ghats are known for their simplicity and hospitality. Accommodating as they are, sussegad lends a distinct cultural identity to these people.

When the world elsewhere is racing against materialistic greed, sussegad provides the much desired calming effect. Gandhi used to say: `there is more to life than speed.’ People in the ghats seem to have imbibed that spirit from time immemorial. Being laid back and stealing siesta time during each afternoon may seem out of place for an average outsider but for people here it is an accepted practice that renders them inherent strength – of being in harmony with self, society and nature. It seems sussegad could be for the good of the entire society. Any takers!

Open House

By definition, activists are an interesting bunch of people with high octane levels. At the heart of activism lies the unflinching desire to bring the world on its feet. Unilaterally focussed, immensely committed and socially driven, activists have struggled to carve out a niche for themselves in the shrinking social space. Yet, they enjoy the patronage of the state and its cronies. Had there not been the state with its dubious designs, the breed called activists would not have existed? Wonder, who then is the real activist?

Do you agree with this notion?

All About Frogs

Pictorial Guide to Frogs and Toads of the Western Ghats has been published to help students, researchers, forest managers, photographers and general public in identifying a species in the field along with its status, ecology and distribution. Simultaneously it also aims at bringing awareness about amphibians among general public. This book covers 73 species of 156 frogs and toads recorded from the Western Ghats as of date. Written by Dr. KV Gururaja, the book is available through: http://shop.gubbilabs.in.