Leaders must lead by example, call spade a spade

Sustainable development demands approaches that are both geologically and ecologically sound. Such development also enhances disaster-resilience and hence national security, especially when climate challenges to slope stability are becoming far more unpredictable

Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed a global virtual event on the environment and said that it is not the planet that is fragile, but our commitments to the planet, to nature have been fragile. He was right. This was not the first time that Modi showed his love for nature. At the COP26 summit, he called for zero carbon emission by 2030. During his Environment Day messaging, he called for connecting people with nature, spoke of climate justice and kept talking about Swachh Bharat, converting garbage areas into green zones. Good. But does his idea flow down the line to the last officer or the BJP worker on ground?

The recent news that veteran environmentalist Ravi Chopra has resigned as chairman of the Supreme Court's High-Powered Committee (HPC) on the Char Dham project is highly disturbing. This clearly shows the frustration on part of Chopra who said that his belief that the HPC could protect this fragile Himalayan ecology has been shattered". The fact that the Char Dham project is being aggressively pushed through ignoring all environmental aspects has come to light several times earlier when Uttarakhand villages had landslides, mudslides and devastating impact with villages getting washed away.

Modi narrates stories of Indian ethos of love for nature, worshipping sun, water and trees. The Char Dham road is supposed to give better connectivity to the pilgrim destinations of Kedarnath, Badrinath, Gangotri and Yamunotri and the government agencies and contractors sadly forget this much professed love for nature and try to thrust roads on the nature. Consider what Chopra wrote in his resignation: "Sustainable development demands approaches that are both geologically and ecologically sound. Such development also enhances disaster-resilience and hence national security, especially when climate challenges to slope stability are becoming far more unpredictable."

Juxtapose this with the narrative one heard in Indian Idol Season-12 in which Pawandeep Rajan told the viewers about the catastrophe Chamoli district suffered due to flash floods. One has also not forgotten the landslides on the hurriedly executed highway to Shimla through the hills of Himachal Pradesh.

So, the question that arises is whether the thoughts of the PM remain limited to the PM himself? Why doesn't the government walk the talk?

I have written several letters to Modi and got prompt responses, forwarding them to various departments, some with directions for action. Appreciate the PM and the PMO for such quick actions. But the tragic part is that these directives are not followed to ensure the end result. One of my complaints about destruction of wetlands in Uran across Mumbai harbour has been referred to the Environment Department which said the Inspector General of wetlands has been assigned with the task. There is no report after that. Let me present another case study point about the Uran Municipal Council throwing Swachh Bharat to the wind and dumping garbage on mangroves and very close to residential colonies. The complaint saw some 15 mails being exchanged between various officers with no result despite our repeated reminders. Ultimately, one has to seek the High Court intervention to get the garbage dump shifted.

What is happening in Karnataka, particularly in Bengaluru, is also highly concerning. Yes, we are referring to the vanishing lakes and greenery and ecological disasters. This city was once upon a time a shining example of environment is today presents pollution, water shortage and unscientific garbage management. BJP rules Karnataka but do the party top leader's idea flow through the State into action with visible results? That's the question one asks.

Environment is not the only issue. The PM also raises concern, sometimes belatedly though, on violence by his followers – be it the beef issue, hijab protests, love jihad and even valentine's day protests – with hardly any ground action. And those who voice their opinions which are unpleasant to certain quarters invite trolls. There is absolutely no harm in protesting. But the 'digital violence' with personal attacks is definitely uncalled for.

The inaction or absence of any reprimand by the top leadership, which otherwise talks of universal love and tolerance, gives the impression of silent acceptance. This in turn emboldens further trolls and adds to the charged atmosphere. Sociologists and psychologists can explain this better. But the fact remains that the entire atmosphere gets charged which is always avoidable and not in the interest of social harmony.

Take Covid protocols. How many of our leaders follow them? The Prime Minister's event for the inauguration of a Gobar-Dhan (Bio CNG) plant at Indore has exposed the lack of respect for Covid norms with no one wearing masks and sitting close to each other as though the virus does not exist. The PM spoke virtually from his Delhi office, but the audience were at different outdoor locations in Indore. During the election rallies too, we have even seen the leaders not sticking to the mask rule and the audience following suit.

Back to our leaders' preaching and back to my base Mumbai. The Maharashtra Government has displayed an impressive tableau at the Republic Day Parade showcasing the State's biodiversity. The State's first family of Thackerays' is also an environmental lover. Now the same Shiv Sena Minister in-charge of Urban Development has called for reviving the quarries which were closed after a National Green Tribunal order making it mandatory to get prior environmental clearances (EC) over four years ago. The Government-owned city planner City and Industrial Development Corporation (CIDCO) is making all out efforts to get the EC by hook or crook.

What is the Thackeray Government doing? The CM has asked the Environment Secretary to look into it. That's all. Then there are violations on wetlands, mangroves and hills about which too the government's pro-environment action is not visible. There will be hundreds of such cases across the State.

Ultimately, the story boils down to one common thread: lead by example starts with the leader himself, whoever and whichever government it could be. Gandhiji practised what he preached. He didn't mince words when it came to expression of unacceptance when it came to calling spade a spade. But our current set of leaders seem to be busy using the spade for cover-ups rather than throwing away the filth.

(The author is a Mumbai-based media veteran. He is known for his thought-provoking communication.)