like-minded citizens, voluntary groups and environmentalists have decided to work together to increase public awareness about the imminent ecological disaster if the proposed smarty city project is executed on the tea-estate lands in Dehradun. This and other decisions were taken in a meeting held at the Dehradun residence of noted environmentalist and author Vandana Shiva.
In the 90 minute meeting attended by some citizens and members of varied organisers, all the participants presented their views on the recent development- planned construction of smart city on tea-estate land in Dehradun. Reaching broad consensus on the strategy to be adopted in the future, they have decided to work together to increase public awareness about the looming ecological disaster if the proposed project was to go ahead. To support the same, in case the project is executed as planned.
Taking into consideration various factors like the deceleration of Doon Valley as an eco sensitive zone, the 1996 report prepared on the carrying capacity based developmental planning of Doon Valley by National Environmental Engineering Research Institute, (NEERI) Nagpur and the security repercussions of proposed project site being in proximity of Indian Military Academy, the groups plan to prepare a detailed dossier while compiling all the relevant research which has been done on this aspect. The group then plans to submit their dossier to the relevant authorities in New Delhi to impress upon them the need to conserve the remaining green cover of the Doon valley. The groups have decided to keep working together in a coordinated manner and to specifically involve school and college going youngsters in this mission. Participants stated that even though the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) had submitted its proposal for developing Dehradun smart city on tea-garden land, the struggle against this plan is far from over. The tea gardens or at least the trees in those gardens which serve as the green lungs of the Doon valley will be protected and preserved in addition to which the greenery needs to be further rejuvenated. The road-map for campaign against project execution on the tea-gardens will be precise and all encompassing, based on principles of sound logic and qualified documentation along with an environmental and security perspective, said the participants.
Apart from Vandana Shiva, veteran journalist Raj Kanwar, members from Friends of Doon, Dr Kuldeep Shiva and Vinod Bhatt from Navdanya, noted educationalist Dev lahiri and Making a Difference by Being the Difference (MAD) head Abhijay Negi among others, participated in the deliberations.