Biodiveristy Development Issue

8/4/2019 Biodiveristy Development Issue

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GREEN PUNE MOVEMENT

Released on 10/10/10 by ICC-CDE in response to the call by 350.org by

Dr. Jayashree Firodia at the Green Pune Movement Event in Pune, India


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Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

ACTION RESOURCE PACK FOR LOCAL ISSUESBIO DIVERSITY PARK PUNE ISSUE

This Action Resource Pack is the first of a series of Local Issue Resources

developed by the Centre for Development Education, Pune to provideyoung children an understanding of local issues, to stimulate discussion

amongst them, to help them consider various perspectives and to

express their own opinion about it.

It was released in Pune at 10:10am on 10/10/10, in response to a call by

350.org at that unique designated moment for initiating action for

climate change at a city-based event led by the Green Pune Movementan informal association of over 50 organisations and individuals

working towards sustainable development in Pune city.

This pack consists of materials to help young people understand the

issue, activities that use a set of cartoons and quotes loosely based on

real opinions as a stimulus for discussion and for considering their own

perspectives. The idea is for young people to think critically about a

range of opinions and to develop their own views on local issues in this

case - the Bio Diversity Park Issue. The activity is based on the

participatory methodologyOpen Spaces for Dialogue and Enquiry

(OSDE) and the social interaction model, the Jurisprudential Inquiry

Model (JIM).

Centre for Development Education works with schools, colleges and the

community on projects related to global issues like climate change,

sustainable development, child rights and more. CDE currently manages

the International Climate Challenge - a project that encourages local

action among the youth aged 14 20 to mitigate climate change. The

ICC works alongside the EVS curriculum of over 30 schools and colleges

in Pune and Mumbai.


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Words in Context

Biodiversity is the diversity of plantand animal life in a particular habitat

or in the world as a whole.

Biological diversity, or "biodiversity,"

refers to the variety of life on earth.

Bio Diversity Reservation proposed in

the Pune Development Plan for the

23 newly merged villages.

This has become an issue as the law

allows 4% of construction in these

areas.

A carbon footprint is "the total set of

greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions

caused by an organization, event or

product". For simplicity of reporting,

it is often expressed in terms of the

amount of carbon dioxide, or its

equivalent of other GHGs, emitted.

For instance, the carbon footprint of


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Words in Context

Carbon Sink is a natural or artificialreservoir that absorbs, accumulates

and stores carbon compounds for an

indefinite period.

E.g. forests absorb the carbon dioxide

emitted by the cities and human

civilizations.

Clean air share is a mechanism

suggested by CDSA (Centre for

Development Studies and Activities -

Pune) to issue shares to the citizens

by creating a stake for them in thecity Biodiversity Development Plan.

Climate mitigation is any action taken

to permanently eliminate or reducethe long-term risk and hazards of

climate change to human life,

property.

It is to take preventive action to

reduce the carbon footprint of

individuals, organisations and

societies.


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Words in Context

Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is

a form of corporate self-regulation

integrated into a business model. In

CSR businesses would embrace

responsibility for the impact of its

activities on the environment,

consumers, employees, communities,

stakeholders and all other members of

the public sphere.

Development plan is laying out a

pattern of human settlement, using

science, technology and resources of

the time to achieve balance andcreate physical spaces (both built and

unbuilt).

Forestry is the art and science ofmanaging forests, tree plantations, and

related natural resources. The main

goal of forestry is to create and

implement systems that allow forests

to continue a sustainable continuation

of environmental supplies and services.


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Words in Context

National Action Plan on Climate

Change (NAPCC) includes a Mission on

Green India, that would enhance

ecosystem services and focus on

increasing forest cover.

The Ministry of Environment & Forests

(MoEF) is an Indian government ministry.

The ministry is responsible for planning,

promoting, co-ordinating and overseeing

the implementation of environment and

forestry programmes in the country.

It is responsible for conservation and

survey of the flora and fauna, forests and

other wilderness areas; prevention and

control of pollution; afforestation, and

land degradation mitigation.

A public utility is an organization that

maintains the infrastructure for a public

service (often also providing a service

using that infrastructure)

Example: Electricity, natural gas, water

and sewage. Telephone services may also


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Words in Context

Sustainable development has beendefined as balancing the fulfilment of

human needs with the protection of

the natural environment so that these

needs can be met not only in the

present, but in the indefinite future.

In other words: development that

"meets the needs of the present

without compromising the ability of

future generations to meet their own

A national Mission on sustainable

habitat was launched to make habitat

sustainable through improvements in

energy efficiency in buildings,

management of solid waste and modal

shift to public transport.

Step topography is created by volcanic

action where lava flow creates layers

of rock. This creates areas of slope

interspersed (means to distribute

among other things at intervals) with

small flat areas which look like steps.


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FACILITATORS NOTESSet the scene

Introduce the three ground rules recommended when exploring differentperspectives. It is important to allow some time to discuss these ground

rules as some participants can find them quite challenging at first sight.

After discussion, invite participants to accept these ground rules for the

session. Put up the ground rules so it may be seen

Introduce the case:

Present the case to them and explore the two main perspectives

mentioned, the differing views, the reasons and the values in conflict

Introduce the perspectives

Introduce the cartoons and quotes provided. You could give a couple to

each group, or give each group the whole set. You dont need to use all of

them especially if you are working with younger children.

Make them think:

Who might hold this opinion? How has this perspectives been formed?

What question would you like to ask him or her to understand the

perspective better?

Get them to discuss:

Which perspective do you identify most closely with? Why? Are there

any perspectives you find particularly difficult to accept? Why? Are there

any other perspectives which you think are important but are not

represented here?

Let them reflect

What could the two main outcomes be? What are the desirable and

undesirable consequences of the two outcomes? Could there be a third

outcome - a compromising outcome?

Let them express

What is your opinion on this issue? Express your voice. This activity is

intended to help participants think critically about the Bio Diversity Park

Issue in Pune and inspire action to bring about change in a participatory

and democratic manner.


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Step 1: Introduce the issue

Step 2: Discuss rules and make themclear

Step 3: Introduce the perspectivesask participants to think about it

Step 4: Discuss in groups

Step 5: Reflect and Express


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Presenting the caseThe development plan - proposed by the Pune

Municipal Corporation for the 23 newly merged villages - states that the areas which are hills i.e.

having a slope of 20% or greater will be reserved as

Bio Diversity Parks.

The law says that no construction can be carried out on

the hilly areas but it can be used for agricultural

purpose, public/private parks, health clubs, publicutility services and forestry

And in any case the maximum Floor Space Index FSI

shall not increase 4%

It is important to note that we have a step topography

i.e. slopes interspersed with flat plateau-like areas

(that resemble steps) since Pune lies on the border ofthe Western Ghats and the Deccan Plateau.

Now some people say that with the increasing

population of Pune, we should have constructions4%

- on those areas which that are flat and use this space tocreate places to live in natural healthy environments.

But other people say that the hills are the lungs of Pune

and should not be constructed upon. They wouldhamper the climate of Pune.


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Exploring the Issue Which are the two mainperspectives mentioned in thecase?

Why do you think they havethese differing views?

What values are these twodifferent sets of peopleupholding?

Which are the two basicvalues that seem in conflict?


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RULE 1Every individual brings to thegroup valid knowledge as a resultof their own experiences and

background

This ground rule accepts thatthe knowledge and views that

each person brings to thediscussion are valid andshould be respected, notcriticised as inaccurate or

wrong.


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RULE 2 All knowledge is partial andincomplete

No matter how well informedan individual is, or howcomplete a piece of research

might appear to be, there willbe aspects which have notbeen considered andinformation which has not

been thought about.


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RULE 3 All knowledge can bequestioned

Participants are encouraged toquestion all knowledge, to ask

where it originated, the

assumptions on which it isbased, and to explorealternative interpretations andimplications.


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PERSPECTIVE 1

I think that the builders and the people who want toconstruct on the hills are taking us for a ride. They saythat they will construct only on 4% of the hills buteventually will end up damaging 30 40% of the hillsto build roads, power-stations, sewage treatment plantsand such services.


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PERSPECTIVE 2

I really dont know what is happening? Lots ofrich people come here and say that these hillsshould be protected from constructions. What iswrong if there are constructions? At least thepeople around here will get some employment.


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PERSPECTIVE 3

I suspect that the energy, water and otherresources that are now available to thelocal people around the hills will bediverted to these constructions and resultin water shortage and power-failure forthe local people.


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PERSPECTIVE 4

I think that it will be good for the economy ifthese hills could be developed sustainably asresorts. Using energy efficient technologies andrenewable resources and greening the entirehills could even help water tables to rise andgenerate income for the city through eco-tourism.


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PERSPECTIVE 5

Wow! Isnt it great to have a beautiful

house among the trees and hear birds sing!

Even spending a weekend at a resort

nearby could rejuvenate our system and

refresh it. Now we dont have to go all the

way to Lonavala!


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PERSPECTIVE 6

I think it is a money making scheme of the

builders and politicians. They have already

made up their minds to construct upon the

hills and there is little we can do to avoid

it. I dont think citizens can take any actionto stop these policies.


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PERSPECTIVE 7

I think if construction on the hills is allowed thenit will destroy some of the native endangeredspecies of flora and fauna. In fact, we need to createmore of these biodiversity hot spots so we can alsogive enough space to other beings apart from humansand live in harmony with nature!


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PERSPECTIVE 8

The hills around Pune act as a carbon sink andare the lungs of city. The best idea would beto make it a biodiversity park as planned. Ifwe let construction happen then trees willbe cut and this will lead to rise in temperaturein the city and other related climateproblems.


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THINKWho according to youmight hold this kind ofopinion?

How has this perspectivebeen formed?

What question would youlike to ask her or him tounderstand the perspectivebetter?


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DISCUSS Which perspective do youidentify most closely with?

Why?

Are there any perspectivesyou find particularly difficult toaccept? Why?

Are there any otherperspectives which you thinkare important but are notrepresented here?


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EXPRESS(On a piece of paper)

What are the two main decisionsone can see in this issue? What are the desirable andundesirable outcomes for

decision I What are the desirable andundesirable outcomes fordecision II Are there any other ways in whichthis issue could be resolved?

Any compromising judgment?What is your opinion on this issue?

Lets hear your voice...

You could mail your voice [email protected] before 31stMar 11 and

we could compile it into an interesting format sothat it is heard!!
mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]


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AcknowledgementsGreen Pune Movement

CDSA

350.org

Sapphire Graphics

Aashapura Stationary

Devendra & Ameya

ICC & CDE Team

- www.cdeindia.in
http://www.cdeindia.in/http://www.cdeindia.in/


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Resource Pack developed by:

Centre for Development Education

D2/3 Ratan Park Phase II, Pashan Sus Road, Pune 411021, IndiaW: www.cdeindia.in E: [email protected] M: +919371069730
http://www.cdeindia.in/mailto:[email protected]://www.cdeindia.in/mailto:[email protected]:[email protected]://www.cdeindia.in/

Documents

Biodiveristy Development Issue