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Each phase of human development is characterised by certain prevailing thoughts and ideas, which often gets translated into the common lingo. The same could be said of twenty first century in which Sustainable Development has become the key words of human development for policy makers, activists, down planners and intellectuals. Although by definition 'Sustainable Development' could mean too many things at the same time, it remains imperceptive and vague, nonetheless, it seems to have created a web of hope and redemption.
It was keeping this in mind that a two-day convention on 'Large Infrastructure Projects, Sustainable Development and the law - Emerging issues & concerns' was organised here in New Delhi from July 25-26, 2008. Organised by Confederation of Indian Industries in association with the Bar Association of India, CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for Sustainable Development and Society of Law Firms, the convention witnessed a large number of participants attending the debate.
The convention felt that as public services and goods are increasingly sought to be delivered in a public-private partnership, the governments need to strike a right balance between viability, affordability and sustainability of large infrastructural projects.
The convention on the first day was co-chaired by Chandrajit Banerjee, Director General, CII and Lalit Bhasin, President, Society of Indian law firms. The convention was addressed by such eminent persons as Fali S Nariman, senior advocate, Supreme Court of India and NN Meena, Minister of State for Environment & Forests, Govt of India.
The plenary session on the first day discussed 'Integrating Sustainability into large civil construction projects: Legal & Policy Dimensions' and was chaired by Mohit Saraf, Senior partner Luthra & Luthra Law Offices and KP Nyati, Principal Advisor, CII-ITC Centre of Excellence for sustainable Development. The session was addressed by Raj Kalady, MD, India PMI Organisation Centre; Krishna Sarma, Managing Partner, Corporate Law Group; Raj Lawrence, Vice President Infrastructure Asia, Singapore; DG Kadkade, Chief Advisor, Jaiprakash Associates and Suresh Prabhu, Member of Parliament.
Speaking on the occasion, Krishna said that the solution to energy needs and overall development of North East people depended on the construction of smaller dams, which is environment-friendly. "India is the third largest dam constructors in the world with 3,000 large dams," said Krishna. She said that out of 162 potential hydropower projects, 72 were in the North East totalling 31,885 MW capacities.
She pointed out optimum use of Ranganadi River in Arunachal Pradesh which had a huge potential. "Wherever there is a construction of dams and people are displaced, the govt should make sure that they are made a stakeholder in the development and are not left out to feel displaced," she said.
Raj Lawrence of Singapore-based Infrastructure Asia said that the Govt should give adequate incentives to sustainable projects in the country. He also stressed the need of cultivating the mindset of reduce, reuse and recycle the scarce natural resources. Pointing out the fact that by 2025, the world's population will have increased at least 50% from 6 billion to 9 billion, the energy consumption too will go up by 25%. "This will put massive pressure on energy regeneration," he said.
Lawrence pointed out that construction industry was the biggest contributor to waste generation. In UK, he pointed out, 50% of carbon dioxide emission is from industrial production and building construction - double that of transport.
Giving an in-depth insight into the rehabilitation of displaced people during the construction of large thermal power plants, DG Kadkade, Chief Advisor, Jaiprakash Associates averred that the bone of contention during rehabilitation project is poorly maintained land records by state governments. He further stressed that modalities of rehabilitation is not very clear in most states.
Kadkade felt that government should give priorities to projects in states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand where displacement is low.
The most riveting part of the convention was a thought-provoking speech by Suresh Prabhu, Member of Parliament. Taking a dig at the so-called experts, Prabhu said that Sustainable Development should not be seen in isolation only to be remembered on Population or Environment Day. He said that Sustainable Development is all-inclusive concept related with overall human development.
"India, which has more than a billion population, needs big projects because it has to sustain a huge population. It needs big industries and bigger development projects. India has 2.2% of world's land mass and 16% of the world population, which puts extra pressure on its resources," Prabhu said.
Prabhu also stressed the need of calculating the economic cost of ever-depleting natural resources and the need of a National Land Policy for integral macro national needs with individual micro needs.
