BLOGS

Far from the madding crowd


11/6/2014

When the state that was the country's biggest agricultural success story in the 1970's tops the list of indebted farmers, it is obvious that there is something very rotten in the state of agriculture in the country." (A. Malekar)

We all are victims of unhealthy culture. In a culture of conquer-control-consume- repeat we are endlessly forced into repeating and facilitating this diabolical process to no end. Its happening with everyone. Thinkers all over the world are beginning to wonder what they can do about a problem that threatens to destroy the world.

Gaurav and Gurpreet are among those remarkable individuals who not only work hard to bring the much needed change but also take time out of their long days to share their stories. Their views reveal a kind of obsession and passion to lead the world to the path untread.

Their organization Khetri Virasat Mission that started nine years back aims to provide farmers with a platform for sharing their opinions on farm safety and health. They are basically fighting for three main issues - Khetri i.e agriculture, health and environment. As these issues are closely linked as well as dependent on water, so this issue also comes under their ambit.

Finding a safe sustainable heaven along with a sense of community is the driving force behind "Khetri Virasat Mission". Their mission chronicles the vanishing tradition of organic farming, how organic farming provides all of us a lesson in sustainability. They provided a great insight into the daily life of the people who provide the world's food.

They gave an up close look about at the farm life of Punjab that how green revolution took away the self sufficiency of her villages. They discussed in detail of how Punjab, one the most prosperous state of India once, is today reeling under severe economic, social, ecological and political crises. Governance has failed to take any action and because of this society, economy of the region is suffering. The capitalist model of consumption has led to the depletion of natural resources of the region. Added to this is the government apathy towards this issue. This has led to severe environmental toxicity and unprecedented health crisis in the state.

Punjab ranks 23rdamongst states and UT's in Environmental Performance Index benchmarked by Planning Commission in its 2012 report.

The story doesn't end here. In Punjab there is not only decline in ground water levels but the excessive use of pesticides has contaminated the whatever water is available to a great extent. The pollutants are also found in the vegetables grown in the area. Traces of DDT, Benezenehexachloride were also found in the canal based drinking water supply sometimes ago when the pollution control board conducted test of water samples.

This has led to the increase in number of cancer patients especially in the cotton growing Malwa belt of Punjab consisting of the districts Bhatinda, Muktasar, Mansa, Ferozpur, Moga, Barnala, Faridkot and Sangrur. They have to go to Bikaner for their treatment as the government could not open a cancer speciallity hospital in the region. The train from Bathinda to Bikaner has come to be known as the cancer train over the years. (Marizon ki train)

Besides cancer there are some other health problems also due to environmental toxicity in Punjab like problem of reproductive health, premature ageing, grey hairs, pain in the joints and spinal problems, heart ailments, Paralysis, skin problems, asthama and arthritis.

Suicides have become common in this region. The cumulative effect of increasing debts, contaminated water, serious health problems like cancer, male and female reproductive problems, neurological ailments is the dwindling social structures leaving behind orphans, ruining families in these villages.

Inspite of so many reports suggesting diversification of crops in the region, focus is still on cash crops without any consideration for the soil degradation and ground water depletion. This is not only unsustainable agricultural growth but it is against the very fragile ecological balance also. Now our worthy politicians are luring farmers by promising more tube wells.

In order to give boost to the state economy government is encouraging the construction of malls, SEZ and other mega construction projects but the question is how the government will balance the increase in water demand by these constructions and the depleting groundwater of the state and who will take responsibility to replenish and re-charge these aquifers?

The only possible answer at this point seems to be that Punjab should move on the path of sustainable agriculture on priority basis. It rests on the principle that we must meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs. In this regard system approach will be very beneficial in understanding the sustainable agriculture as it includes everything in its scope from individual farm to local ecosystem and to communities affected by this farming system both locally and globally. It helps in exploring interconnectedness between farming and other aspects of our environment and also the interdisciplinary efforts in research and education. Moving on the path of sustainable agriculture is a process and in this process even a small decision matters a lot which can help in advancing further on the sustainable agriculture continuum. For this active participation of all the sectors is needed including farmers, labourers, policymakers, researchers, retailers and consumers.

We need to understand that the environmental issues are not separate from issues of public health and agriculture-rather, they are mutually interdependent. Environmental issues must be effectively integrated in overall development planning and programmes.

Environmental security should be viewed as a pre condition for economic and social development of the state; we must recognise that the sustainable development of Punjab can only come through an ecologically-sound strategy Matsyapurana says: "One who sinks a well, lives in heaven for as many years as there are drops of water in it but to dig ten such well equals in merit the digging of one pond; digging of ten such ponds were equal to making a lake, making of ten such lakes was as meritorious as adopting a virtuous son but begetting ten such virtuous sons had the same sanctity as that of planting a single tree."

By - Sachna Arora