JANASHAKTI APRIL 1991
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FEDINA NEWSLETTEUndJa
2/1991 (Apr)
_ ________.
Environmental Degradation:
Shadows of “Development’
Arun Kotenkar
If all the pronouncements of
politicians, scientists, journalists and
NGO-activists are any indication,
'environmental degradation' has
really come of age! Presidents, Prime
Ministers and Ministers for
Environment exert themselves to
show
how
'green' they are!
Rhetoric
on
environment
(sustainable
development,
ecological
harmony etc.) is
flourishing, but
with very little
practical
consequences.
From
the
ecological point
of view, the term
'sustainable'
would mean a
sound
and
balanced relationship between living
bcingsand theirenvironment and also
the capacity to regain the balance in
case of disturbance. In this definition
it is obviously presumed that the
genuine basic needs of living beings
are fulfilled. But for many,
sustainability has a different meaning.
How to sustain the extensive
exploitation of existing resources for
consumption without caring for their
recovery or regeneration? Massive
industrialisation is assumed to be the
key for 'development'. The more and
faster the resources are exploited, the
sooner we attain unlimited prosperity.
This is the prevailing attitude.
There has to be a drastic restructuring
of the destructive industrial system. A
change in the elaborate lifestyles of the
elite is also called for. Though many
realise that something is going wrong
with the environment, they still hope
to
maintain
the
present
growth-oriented economic and
cultural systems. This dominant
ideology is backed up, when
necessary, with political means or
even police force, when concerned
people resist. Often, environmental
disasters are considered by these elites
as unavoidable side-effects of
'development' which can be
controlled by devising hew
technology or by enacting pollution
laws, so that life can go on happily as
usual.
These growth-oriented systems of
production, consumption and culture
are, in the long run, unsustainable. We
cannot fool ourselves that the
environmental crisis can be solved by
technological trouble-shooting
measures, defending simultaneously
the socially unequal and ecologically
incompatible structures.
Many people take the standpoint that
the Third World should
first concentrate on
rapid
industrial
growth, solve its
poverty problems, and
worry later about the
environment.
Environment is seen by
many leaders as a
barrier
to
'development'. But
there is now sufficient
evidence
and
experience to demolish
this kind of thinking.
Ecological destruction
is emerging as a major
cause of poverty itself.
The poor are the main
victims.
When forests are logged by timber
companies, thousands of tribal and
rural people lose their resources.
When big trawlers sweep up the
INSIDE
Environment:
Eco-logical Answer
3
Editorial
'3
Declaration: Workshop on
Environment and
Development:
4
Trees and You (Poem)
6
News from our Areas
7
marine resources, thousands of
traditional fisher-folk lose their
livelihood. When industries dump
their toxic wastes into rivers or on
open land, farm lands are destroyed,
direct water supply of the poor is
contaminated. Thus, dangerous and
chronic diseases are becoming
common. About 40,000 farmers and
consumers die every year from tne use
of toxic pesticides.
When western companies find it more
profitable and want to avoid protests
from their people in the West, they
shift their hazardous industries to the
Third World. Bhopal is a well-known
example. When huge industrial
projects come up in the name of
'development* and 'helping the poor',
they displace thousands of people
from their sources of livelihood.
About 5 to 6 lakhs of people are
displaced every year in India.
According to the World Watch
Institute in Washington every year
about 10 million people in the ITiird
World become "environmental
refugees", victims of 'development'
which is increasingly cutting off the
access for the poor people to useful
water, grassland, agricultural land
and forests. The construction of dams
on Narmada (with the help of the
World Bank) will displace more than
3 lakhis of tribal and rural people.
The issue of ecology must be seen in
the context of unequal distribution of
resources and wealth worldwide and
within a country. There is very little
for a majority of people to fulfill their
basic needs. The elite will continue to
use and destroy world's resources.
The energy consumption.pcr capita in
USA is about 35 times, in Europe
about 20 times than that in India
(World Resources 1987: India 8, Europe
165, USA 280gigajoules). Within India
the relations are similar between the
upper and middle class consumers on
one side and the poor people on the
other side. Industrialised countries
account tor 5/6 ot world's
chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) use,
adding to the "greenhouse effect".
They use 3/4 of fossil fuel. This
'development' must stop at once and
possibly reversed.
If we look for the cause of many
problems of ecology, it turns out to be
the very notion of 'development'
which we have internalised. Fulfilling
the boundless 'wants' by putting faith
in technology is the present
understanding of 'development'. This
must inevitably destroy the
environment.
GLOSSARY
Ecology:
Study of the household of nature
(Greek: oikos = household; Logos =
knowledge).
Erosion:
The breakdown of solid rock into
smaller particles and its removal by
wind, water or ice.
CFC:
(Chlorofluorocarbons) Compounds of
carbon and halogens, named 'freons',
used mainly in aerosol cans,
refrigerators, air conditioners, plastic
foams etc. Released into the
atmosphere they are dissociated
under ultra-violet radiation to release
free atoi^is of chlorine which cause
depiction of ozone. The ozone layer in
the atmosphere is a protective shield
for living beings on the earth. Many
countries including the USA, Canada,
Sweden and in Europe have banned
the use of CFC in most aerosol cans.
Greenhouse effect:
Heating of the air caused by
permitting incoming sun rays but
inhibiting outgoing radiation. Carbon
dioxide in the atmosphere, produced
by the combustion of fossil fuel,
absorbs the sun rays, heating the
atmosphere.
HITLERISM AGAINST NATURE
We are fond of extolling the achievements of man and are apt to talk with pride
of his conquest of nature. This is at present of the same order as the Nazi
conquest of Europe. As Europe is in revolt against the tyrant, so is nature in
revolt against the exploitation of man. When man preys upon man it is a form
of cannibalism. When men set out to 'conquer* nature by exploitation, it is no
less a form of cannibalism, for man is a part of nature. If he is to survive he
must learn to cooperate with his fellow men. If he refuses to learn this lesson,
nature will hit back and exterminate him no less surely than the oppressed
masses of tortured Europe are already hitting back, and will shortly exter
minate the tyranny that has been ruling them since 1940.
-From the book The Living Soil by E.B. Balfour.
2
EDITORIAI
ENVIRONMENT:
Eco-Logical Answer
The increasing emphasis on ecological
harmony among western scientists
and thinkers is a natural fallout of an
"exploiting" philosophy. For those
outside this ideological trap, the
concept of Gaea - of living earth - is but
a natural and perfectly logical part of
the symbiotic relationship that exists
among all beings in this universe, both
animate and inanimate.
The sudden
interest in
ecology by
the so-called developed countries has
not developed out of a sudden
altruism or a love for nature. Indeed
their prescription has been that the
developing countries which have 80%
of the world's population but use only
20% of the world's resources should
cut down on consumption. This
moral posturing to further their
grossly destructive life-styles is fully
supported by the national elites of
developing countries.
To develop and adopt a totally
environment-friendly lifestyle
necessarily means a total rejection of
the present destructive structures and
can only be a part of a new integrated
approach to life - one that is more
friendly not only to fellow humans but
also to all constituent parts of our
Edwin Jayadas
cosmos. The emphasis will be on
satisfying the needs of all before
embarking on the non-essentials.
Coexistence, both with fellow beings
and nature, and not "exploitation" of
resources whether natural or human,
will of necessity be central to such a
doctrine.
While it is difficult for all individuals
to make global policy or to drastically
change the direction the world is
■noving in, those really concerned
oout the state of our environment can
begin by being vegetarian. It makes
ecological and economic sense.
Etcfinology Vs. Environment
Imbalances in economic development have resulted in the rapid depletion of
natural resources. ‘The perception of development and progress endorsed by
internationalfinancial institutions like the World (Banfand I9d(Thasgiven
rise to complex, structural deficiencies leading to ecological disaster and
cultural disintegration.
'Big dams whicharepart of the dominant development scenario have uprooted
the indigenous people andhave visibly marginalised them. 'Water-logging and
salination is steadily endangering the agro-systems of vast areas. Irrational
timber logging and deforestation leads to erosion offertile surface soil. This
not only degrades land but also raises the river/tanfbed and also increases
the possibility offlash floods. (Desertification and soil degradation are the
disasters we have brought upon ourselves.
Land is being degraded in other ways as well. Tor instance, an ever-increasing
dose of chemicalfertilisers and pesticides is being infused into the soil. The
green revolution, popularisation of mono-culture, and emphasis on cash crops
have all reduced the nutrient content in the soil. Modem industrialsocieties
have failed to hold themselves responsible for the future of the coming
generations.
The dangers from nuclear and other toxic waste, radiation, pollution of air,
water andsoil are all looming large. This has affectednot only human beings,
but also all other living beings on the earth. !A. majority of industries that are
dangerous because of the radiation andpollutants they emit are located in the
Third 'World countries. Many of the poorer nations have become dumping
yards for industrial toxic wastes of developed countries.
'We have been witnesses to Chernobyl and Bhopal. The Qulf ‘War
demonstrated how modern warfare can have serious environmental
consequences.
The questions to be ashed are, 'developmentfor whom?', and'development at
what cost?'. ‘Economicgrowth needs to be linked to environmentalprotection.
symbiotic relationship among human beings, the animal world and nature
has to be established. A new thinking has to emerge and the political will to
act has to be generated. There has to be a thrust towards low cost,
labour-intensive, people-oriented and environmentally sound technology. The
search for alternatives needs to be a conscious striving of all responsible
sections ofsociety.
3
Declaration
UNDERSTANDING OF MANIKGANJ
(Workshop on Environment and Development: A Sub-Regional Perspective)
This workshop of non-governmental
organisations
(NGOs)
and
environmental
activists
of
Bangladesh, India and Nepal, held at
Koitta from October 9 to 13, 1990,
expresses grave concern at the
increasing ecological destruction in
the Himalayar-Gangetic sub-region
and, as its inevitable consequence, the
steadily deteriorating living
conditions of the entire population.
The suffering of the poorer people,
women, children and tribals has been
disproportionately more.
water-logging, soil salinisation and
lowered ground-water levels. The
induction of poisonous chemicals
sprayed on the land have exposed
peasants to new diseases. Even the
unborn have been affected by the
pesticide residues and toxic
substances present in the womb and in
mother's milk.
Forests are the natural regulators of
the soil, water and air. Forests of the
sub-region have traditionally been the
reservoirs of fruit, fodder, fuel wood,
medicinal plants and material for
disrupted. Inheriting the colonial
form of silviculture, forest
departments have engaged in
clear-felling and replacing traditional
tree species which are valuable for
people's livelihood with timber of
commercial value.
The existing policies which debar
people's traditional access to their
forests has led to the breakdown of
mechanisms which had in the past
ensured both the interest of people
and the protection of forests. Transfer
of custodianship to the forest
There has been in the sub-region
increasing incidence of floods,
drought, quicker run-off of rain water,
accelerated
soil
erosion,
water-logging,
depletion
of
ground-water, siltation of rivers,
sand-bar formation, drying up of lakes
and rivers in lean season, sand
depositions during cyclonic storms
and flash floods, and salt water
intrusions in the deltaic regions. These
arc the results of increasing
destruction of forests everywhere,
from high alpine woodlands to
mangroves of the coastal regions,
apart from the tectonic forces active in
the Himalayas. Barring the last factor,
all are caused by humankind in the
name of "Development".
The use of fertilisers and pesticides has
led to .the ruination of the soil,
destruction of aquatic resources and
the erosion of production basis of
produce such as pulses and milk. In
the name of endowing the soil with
artificial fertility, nature's fertilising
agents have been destroyed.
Agriculture has become a high-cost
operation which has led to increased
indebtedness of the poorer farmers
and accelerating landlessness. The
pull of commercialisation has deeply
affected agricultural patterns,
replacing subsistence crops with crops
for industrial use. The induction of
flush irrigation systems has led to
house construction. Given the
importance of forest cover, the
manner of functioning of the forest
departments in Bangladesh, India and
Nepal is a reason for special concern.
In fact, these departments have
proved inherently incapable of
managing forests.
Today, the area under forest cover in
the sub-region is much less than the
required essential minimum. There
has been a drastic reduction in the
diversity of plant and wildlife species
in the surviving woodlands. At the
same time the nexus between
agriculture and forestry has been
4
departments in all three countries had
led to widespread illegal felling, often
with the connivance of forest officials.
Ironically, in all three countries, the
blame for forests destruction is placed
at the door-step of the poorer people.
Forests have also been destroyed
because governments have pushed
big dams and large industry and
township projects in pristine wooded
areas. Unimaginative road-building
programmes have opened up the deep
forests for settlement.
Forest destruction leads to loss of the
soil's water-holding capacity, drying
up of surface water, and blocking of
the recharge of groundwater. This has
imposed a crushing burden on
villagers, particularly women who
have to trek longer distances to fetch
water and fuel wood. Deforestation
has also cut at the very root of life and
culture of the tribals of South Asia,
whose communitarian spirit and
conservation ethic have been
assaulted by the steady destruction of
their woodlands. The right of the
people to a safe and sustainable
environment has been wrested from
them by existing forest policies of the
sub-region.
DOMINANT DEVELOPMENT
PARADIGM
Much of the environmental maladies
of the sub-region have flowed from
the
"dominant
development
paradigm" which, in the name of
increasing the Gross National
Product, has been undermining the
common people's access to resources
for healthful living. The prominent
features of the dominant mode of
development can be summed up as
follows:
*This mode survives on the basis of a
"destructive circularity" which might
begin with the setting up of new
industries and building of dams,
which lead to deforestation, which in
turn leads to erosion and siltation.
This is followed by floods and ends in
human misery marked by social,
political and cultural fallout. The term
that aptly describes this whole process
is ecocide.
*The patriarchal tendency gains the
upper hand in this mode of
development, giving birth to newer
forms of gender-violence against
women.
Although "modern
development" has played a positive
role in terms of fighting pre-modem
superstitions, it has given rise to many
forms of equally dangerous dogma
and irrationality.
*The dominant mode of development
is marked by the emergence of new
patterns of colonisation, occurring not
only at various international levels of
economic expansionism and control
but also within the structures of the
nation-states of the sub- region.
Within the nation-state, colonisation is
deeply felt by various social, ethnic,
cultural and gender groups.
proposes three categories of action to
be taken by the NGOs of the
sub-region.
* Cities, as the focus of "development",
register malignant growth while the
villages decay. This anomaly results
in the rise of unemployment,
mushrooming slums, eruption of
vices and violence of all types - social,
economic,
political
and
environmental.
Many NGO groups have already set in
motion programmes on the
environment and related alternatives,
mostly at the field level and involving
the participation of people at the
grassroots. These programmes can be
taken by more groups active at the
grassroots level in the sub-region.
Such programmes should include the
following:
* This mode of development survives
on the basis of centralisation of all
types of power at the apex of the
system, and the usurpation of people's
power. There is increasing reliance on
militarisation and growing insecurity
among the people. Together with the
I. ALTERNATIVE PROGRAMMES:
1.Promotion of the type of
development
which
is
energy-efficient, non-pollutant, not
amenable to centralisation,
"women-friendly", and is low-cost
Today, the area under forest cover in the sub-region is much less
than the required essential minimum. There has been a drastic
reduction in the diversity of plant and wildlife species in the
surviving woodlands. At the same time the nexus between
agriculture and forestry has been disrupted. Inheriting the
colonial form of silviculture, forest departments have engagedin
clear-felling and replacing traditional tree species which are
valuable forpeople’s livelihood with timber of commercial value.
centralisation of power, there is lack of
popular participation in programme
development. Hasty and immature
decision-making is fueled by an
inordinate reliance on foreign funding
and participation. The existing
top-down approach to development
provides preferential protection to the
interests of a country s elites.
* The predominance of economic
forces marks this paradigm of
development. Among its negative
results is the disappearance of
spiritual values.
* The consumption pattern of the elites
sets an example for the other classes,
including the poor.
and appropriate to the local setting.
2. Afforestation with multiple species
on high mountains, wastelands,
roadsides and embankments.
Access of the people to forests
should be the guiding light of these
activities. Local communities must
be given, if not ownership, then the
guarantee of long-term use of forest
lands and produce.
3. Programmes to stop chemicalisation
and resort to organic natural
farming.
4.Promotion of inter-cropping and
crop rotation to maintain the
symbiotic relationship between
crops.
ACTION PLAN
To counteract the environmentally
destructive legacy of the dominant
mode of development, the workshop
5
5. Regeneration of lakes, desiltation of
rivers and excavation of agricultural
tanks; promotion of open water
fisheries; measures to stop the
depletion of ground-water, and the
rejuvenation of mangroves.
IL TRAINING:
1.Re-examining existing training
programmes and methodologies,
giving central thrust to ecological
concerns. Organising sub- regional
workshops for trainers.
2.
Promote
understanding of
inter-regional issues through
training of grassroots workers by
organising exposure programmes.
3.Strong communication links
between the NGOs of Bangladesh,
India and Nepal in order to clear
misconceptions
regarding
environmental issues and to
support each other's activities.
III. DOCUMENTATION AND
RESEARCH:
l.Case studies of the effect of
technologies on environment and
development.
2.Environmental policy review at the
regional level.
3.
Advocacy
and its role in
sub-regional
environmental
activity.
Role of local and indigenous
4.
technologies.
The relationship between belief
5.
systems of different areas and
groups and the environment.
6. Cri tique of the pa ttems of activi ty by
multinationals, as well as
multilateral and bilateral funding
agencies.
Trees And you
Cradle for you as a child
(Baby cartfor training you to waltz
Wooden toys to play with
A slate to start uniting
Tencil to scribble
(Rjibber to erase
Cane to the teacher to teach you
Wooden cot you sleep on
Chairs and tables you use to study
Sofa, to relax
Almyrah andbookshelfto feep your
things
(Doors and windows ofyour house
<Ihe broom you use to clean
Tope to tie things
Taper to read, write and other use
Leaves plate to eat anddrintz
Cardboard box to keep item
Ladder to climb
Toot mat andcarpetfor (cleanliness)
Tlatform for marriage and other
ceremonies
Wheel chair when sietz
Walking sticfcwhen old
Coffin when die
Taelwoodfor cremation
(Matchstick to light fire
In addition to food and oxygen, I
givefodder to
Tour animals and manure to your
crop.
9-lence use me carefully.
Courtesy: Caritas India
7.An action study programme on
women and the environment.
Publication:
8.Promoting the role of information
exchange through media and NGOs
to provide better knowledge and
understanding of regional
environment and development
issues.
v- Fedina has published the much ac’ claimed book Where There is No
Doctor in Kannada. The transla
tion work was done by Drs.
Sharada Dabade and Gopal
Dabade of Kittur. Copies of this
book are available at Fedina Of
fice, Bangalore.
6
Name:
Age:
Occupation:
Life Span:
Tree Medium Size
50 years
Voluntary Service
20 to 200 years
Services Rendered
Production of Oxygen
@ Rs. 5/- per kg.
lOOOkg/year
2.5 lakhs
Pollution control
5.0 lakhs
Control of soil erosion
and fertility, humidity
recycling of water
3.0 lakhs
Shelter/home for
animals, birds, fruits,
flowers, fire wood,
protein conversion
5.15 lakhs
Timber
0.05 lakhs
Total
15.70 lakhs
(Often tree is cut for timber which
is hardly 03% of its real value.)
NEWS FROM OUR AREAS
Community Halls:
International Women's Day:
March 8th will not be easily forgotten
by the people of Sarjapura. Women
from all the villages turned out in large
numbers to celebrate the 3rd
International Women's Day at
Sarjapura. S. Sarojamma, the
Headmistress of the Middle School at
Sarjapura, was the chief guest. Y.
Shreerama, an active local dalit, spoke
about the role of women in society.
An exhibition of the various
programmes of Fedina was also
Even though it was planned to have
community halls in all the villages
where we function, non-availability of
land has made this dream a remote
possibility. However, work is going
on in two villages and is progressing
well. A third village where land is
available has also been identified and
the work should begin there in the
near future. Pressed bricks are being
used in all the community halls.
Alternative roofing system will also be
used to reduce the amount of wood.
This method of roofing will reduce the
use of steel considerably.
authorities also actively participated
in this programme. Evaluation of our
training programme, tribals and the
environment,
government
programmes, tribal culture etc., were
the main issues deal th with during
these 3 days.
Tribal Health:
With the help of Vivekananda Youth
Movement, Fedina-Vikasa organised
a one-day meeting at Nadahadi tribal
settlement. About 120 women and 50
men participated in this function. A
special attraction of this gathering was
the Baby Show that was organised to
mark the occasion. Prizes were given
to the most healthy babies. Traditional
medicines were prepared in the
presence of the participants to
demonstrate their use. The entire
programme was funded by the tribals
themselves.
Core team meeting:
organised to mark the occasion.
Samples of locally made medicines
which are quite effective in treating
common diseases without any
side-effects were also displayed.
Leadership Training for Women:
Since our programmes at Sarjapura
are mainly women-oriented, it was
decided to conduct a leadership
training for women. 21 women
participated in this 3-day programme
conducted at I.Y.D. premises at
Koramangala. Being away from their
usual surroundings of the village,
helped them to actively participate in
the workshop without any outside
interference and much freedom. Our
own staff members were the resource
people for this training. There were
discussions and group dynamics to
initiate participation by all.
In all the 5 creche centres of Fedina at
H.D. Kote we give importance to
health, attendance and cleanliness of
children. Equal importance is also
given to the establishment of good
relationship of parents and children.
To give motivation for these
objectives, we have introduced a
scheme of giving prizes to children
who perform well in the above
objectives.
At the beginning of January 1991 our
team at Wayanad had two weeks of
intensive discussion and meetings to
prepare an action plan for the first half
of the year. This has resulted in the
drawing up of programmes upto July.
Even though this programme
schedule keeps the team on their toes,
they have been quite successful in
implementing all the activities until
now. It was decided at this meeting to
rearrange the staff and programmes.
The practice of giving full
responsibility of a particular area to a
particular team member had its
limitations. Hence it is planned that
each of the core team members will be
involved in the specific programmes
of other areas as well.
Cap art follow-up Programme:
Environment:
27 people participated in this 3-day
programme which was conducted at
Damanakate. The function was
inaugurated by the Zilla Parishat
President. Local government
Special emphasis is given to
environmental issues in the action
plan for the first six months of 1991.
To this effect film shows, slide shows
and exposure trips are being
Creche Programme:
conducted. Our team spent one day at
Kuruva Island which is a natural
forest about 60 kilometres away from
Sultan Battery. This was an enriching
experience for our staff.
Adivasi Aikya Sami thy:
It is to the credit of our team at
Wayanad that the Adivasi Aikya
Samithy has reached the stage where
they are competent enough to take
over the programmes in all the areas.
It has been a long process of training,
meetings and discussions. Now the
Aikya Samithy is in charge of all the
activities and the core team plays only
an advisory role. Non- tribal
animators are replaced by the tribals.
Formation of Balavedi:
To cope up with the extra work load it
was inevitable to increase the number
of staff as well. Hence one field
officer, one community organiser and
nine more animator^ were appointed.
The office at Nilgiris is also shifted to
Bitherkad where facilities are
adequate to cater to our needs.
Street dramas:
These dramas were to highlight the
plight of women and the problems
they have to encounter in the villages.
Ill-treatment of women by their
drunken husbands., exploitation by
landlords, discrimination against
women etc. were very effectively
presented through these dramas
which lasted for two days.
Medical Camp:
As a counterpart of Adivasi Aikya
Samithy, we have formed a samithy
called Balavedi. The members of the
Balavedi are Adivasi children in the
age group of 10 to 15. The system of
functioning is the same as that of the
Aikya Samithy. It is hoped that this
Balavedi will develop a counter
cultural reform among the tribals in
future. Two camps were organised
for the members of the Balavedi - one
in Wayanad and the other in Tamil
Nadu. Both the camps were well
attended.
Workshooon Health:
i
In the month of February, Dr. Gopal
Dabade of Kittur conducted a
workshop on health for our team at
Wayanad. During the 3 days of
workshop , the participants were
given a clear picture of the health
situation in India and the problems
facing the tribals in Wayanad. He also
explained to them about the essential
drugs, banned and bannable drugs,
use of tonic etc.
.
Legal Seminar:
A one-day seminar was organised at
Ambalamoola for all the office bearers
to impart basic knowledge of law.
This is an important aspect as the
people are not aware of their
fundamental rights. Quite a bit of
malpractices and exploitation could
have been avoided if the tribals knew
their basic rights. Their ignorance is
well-exploited by the landlords and
politicians for their vested interests.
KITTUR
Land Issue:
NILGIRIS
Extension of work:
Dr. Satyanar from the Doctors
Corporate Hospital of Sultan Battery
conducted this camp where more than
hundred men, women and children
participated. Importance of hygiene,
nutritious food, preventive and
curative measures of various diseases
were explained. Medical check up
and distribution of medicines were
also organised at this one-day camp.
v
Fedina has extended its activities to 11
more villages in Nilgiris, making the
total number covered in this area to 30.
Much time and energy was spent in
recent months to look into the issue of
land which is a crucial problem facing
the poor and marginalised people of
Kittur. Our staff at Kittur have
managed to organise the people and to
make them aware of the various types
of exploitations to which they are
subjected to. Once the powerless
become powerful and organised, they
challenge the systems ifiat go against
them, lliis is not veiy palatable to the
landlords and politicians, who always
had their own ways of functioning*.
Many instances of exploitation and
corruption especially regarding land
issues are being examined not only by
our own team at Kittur, but by other
agencies as well.
Fedina-Scope:
Social Centre of People's Education at
Chengam taluk of T.S.R. district in
Tamil Nadu is another area where
Fedina has extended its activities
recently. 17 tribal hadis in the hilly
areas of Chengam are covered in this
programme.
Community Health:
An area of much concern for Fedina at
Chengam is the health problems
facing the tribals there. In view of this
we conducted two-day health camps
in two villages during which the
doctors and nurses who came as
resource persons explained to the
people about the importance of health
and common diseases affecting the
tribals at Chengam. Much care was
taken to create awareness among the
tribals about the need for curative and
preventive measures. Medical
check-up and distribution of
medicines were also done as part of
the camp.
Legal Aid Camp:
About 2000 people from all the hadis
assembled for this one-day camp. The
Village Administrative Officer and
many lawyers spoke on this occasion
highlighting the rights of the tribals.
Problems regarding land issues were
discussed in detail. Many of the local
newspapers gave adequate coverage.
Janashakti is the offical newsletter of the
Foundation for Educational Innovations in Asia
(FEDINA), 902 In diran agar I Stage, Bangalore 560038
VoU NoJ
April 1991
8
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