I have answered some of the basic questions regarding the publicity surrounding Rally For Rivers in my earlier post (http://kazhugupaarvai.blogspot.in/2017/09/rally-for-rivers-issues-raised-1.html). This is the 2nd part of that series. Let me try to address some more issues raised against this rally.
(Concern #2) Plantation of trees as suggested by the RFR posters is not correct.
First of all, let's remind ourselves again that the Rally For Rivers will culminate with submitting a bunch of draft recommendations to the Central & State Governments. The Government will then need to come up with a policy to implement the recommendations.
The various steps will usually go like this for creating any government policy:
- Government receives draft recommendations
- Govt creates an agency to push this policy first
- A law has to be passed to establish the policy
- Draft will be open to people for commenting and providing feedback
- Once the feedback window is closed, final regulation will be drafted
- Policies/Procedures/Rules/Forms, etc. will be finalized
So, there is ample opportunity for everyone to provide their feedback when required.
The environment ministry is supporting the overall cause. They have promised to move all through the policy-creation steps quickly.
Academics versus ... Academics!
I have not in my entire life of over 3 decades, seen any two academics agreeing with each other on what is the 'right' solution! 😀
I too had my own doubts initially about the afforestation recommendations leading to water body rejuvenation. But after doing further research, it was found to be valid. I have already given some of my inputs in an earlier blog article (http://kazhugupaarvai.blogspot.in/2017/08/what-is-rally-for-rivers.html).
Some explanations of how it works in simple terms here ...
Is planting trees the only solution? Definitely not, but it is proven to be one of the most effective solutions, not just in increasing ground water levels but also to reduce flooding. So, it is a multi-faceted solution.
Agroforestry techniques are now being used in many countries to increase food production, check soil erosion and reduce flooding. Computational models show that if reforesting is done in 20-35% of the river’s catchment, a 10-15% reduction is seen in flood peak heights over time with forest growth.
It also helps bring some life-style changes and farming changes. Just take a look at how much water our commercial crops require versus horticultural farming.
And what one needs to remember clearly is that trees does not necessarily mean big trees. It includes a health mix of herbs, shrubs and trees as can be found in a typical tropical forest!
Watch this video to understand the role of trees / plants in the water cycle (from a different NGO):
The Tamilnadu Agricultural University has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding to come up with plantation planning for this Rally. They are experts in providing recommendations considering the native species of the land before going ahead with the plantation. TNAU seems to be just one of the expert entities involved in this project. Several environmentalists have already shown solidarity to the cause as well as the basic idea suggested.
Nowhere in the RFR page is it said that only tree plantation is the solution. So, all those cribbing about it can rest for now!
How do we even know this works?
References:
(Concern #2) Plantation of trees as suggested by the RFR posters is not correct.
First of all, let's remind ourselves again that the Rally For Rivers will culminate with submitting a bunch of draft recommendations to the Central & State Governments. The Government will then need to come up with a policy to implement the recommendations.
The various steps will usually go like this for creating any government policy:
- Government receives draft recommendations
- Govt creates an agency to push this policy first
- A law has to be passed to establish the policy
- Draft will be open to people for commenting and providing feedback
- Once the feedback window is closed, final regulation will be drafted
- Policies/Procedures/Rules/Forms, etc. will be finalized
So, there is ample opportunity for everyone to provide their feedback when required.
The environment ministry is supporting the overall cause. They have promised to move all through the policy-creation steps quickly.
Academics versus ... Academics!
I have not in my entire life of over 3 decades, seen any two academics agreeing with each other on what is the 'right' solution! 😀
I too had my own doubts initially about the afforestation recommendations leading to water body rejuvenation. But after doing further research, it was found to be valid. I have already given some of my inputs in an earlier blog article (http://kazhugupaarvai.blogspot.in/2017/08/what-is-rally-for-rivers.html).
Some explanations of how it works in simple terms here ...
Is planting trees the only solution? Definitely not, but it is proven to be one of the most effective solutions, not just in increasing ground water levels but also to reduce flooding. So, it is a multi-faceted solution.
Agroforestry techniques are now being used in many countries to increase food production, check soil erosion and reduce flooding. Computational models show that if reforesting is done in 20-35% of the river’s catchment, a 10-15% reduction is seen in flood peak heights over time with forest growth.
It also helps bring some life-style changes and farming changes. Just take a look at how much water our commercial crops require versus horticultural farming.
And what one needs to remember clearly is that trees does not necessarily mean big trees. It includes a health mix of herbs, shrubs and trees as can be found in a typical tropical forest!
Watch this video to understand the role of trees / plants in the water cycle (from a different NGO):
The Tamilnadu Agricultural University has signed a Memorandum Of Understanding to come up with plantation planning for this Rally. They are experts in providing recommendations considering the native species of the land before going ahead with the plantation. TNAU seems to be just one of the expert entities involved in this project. Several environmentalists have already shown solidarity to the cause as well as the basic idea suggested.
Nowhere in the RFR page is it said that only tree plantation is the solution. So, all those cribbing about it can rest for now!
How do we even know this works?
- This is not the first time someone is proposing such a solution. On a smaller scale, it has been implemented successfully in multiple states in the USA. Look up online regarding the River Revitalization Foundation and their work. You will be wondering why it is not being adapted all over the world!
- Such recommendations have been successfully implemented in Russia as well.
- Our own State of Kerala has begun implementing this in a small scale, since 2014 itself to rejuvenate its rivers.
- The municipal authorities of Pickering in North Yorkshire have used tree planting to reduce flooding. This is in stark contrast to other areas where heavy rainfall caused devastating flooding. Their initiative is called “Slowing the Flow”.
- In fact, the twelfth five year plan by Indian Government has a lot of emphasis on Watershed development.
- The idea has already been successfully implemented to help rejuvenate a struggling village into a model one in Maharashtra!
References:
- https://www.quora.com/How-is-a-new-government-policy-implemented
- http://isha.sadhguru.org/rally-for-rivers/how-planting-trees-works/
- http://www.alevelgeography.com/rejuventation/
- http://www.thehindu.com/news/states/river-rejuvenation-policy-a-must-for-every-state/article19398034.ece
- http://www.indiawaterportal.org/news/approach-restore-depleting-river-flow
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0022169412008190
- https://www.nature.com/articles/srep21930
- http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959378017300134
- http://isha.sadhguru.org/rally-for-rivers/case-studies-initiatives/
- http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/water/paper/Modelling-Hydrologic/Cauvery_GHTC.pdf
- http://wgbis.ces.iisc.ernet.in/energy/water/paper/Hydrological-Responses/JBD-5-1,2-011-14-38-Ramachandra-T-V-Tx[2].pdf
- http://serialsjournals.com/serialjournalmanager/pdf/1345722010.pdf
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