Dahanu's Environmental Narrative

Over a decade long quest for environmental justice, the Dahanu narrative is full of contradictions and complexities.

Dahanu Taluka was one of only three regions declared as an Ecologically Fragile Area (EFA) in the country in 1991, at a time when environmental consciousness was slowly building up. This was followed by a protracted legal battle resulting in the setting up of the Dahanu Taluka Environment Protection Authority (DTEPA) a quasi-judicial authority by the Supreme Court in 1996. The enacting of the Notification restricted the setting up of polluting industries and did not  permit the change of land use in the taluka, besides several other clauses. 

With this notification and the setting up of the special Authority, a protective cover was cast on Dahanu, shielding it from the acquisitive reach of commercial interests and land grabbers. Large project proponents were unable to subvert the law or get speedy clearance as expected. Land owners could not convert the status of their lands from agricultural to non agricultural. Every large project proposed in Dahanu was scrutinized by the expert Authority, and only if the members were convinced was passed, but with constant monitoring. Illegal constructions along the coast were taken to court and brought before the Authority. Dahanu's dream of rushing headlong into the booming neo-liberal economy and 'unregulated' development was considerably thwarted, if not crushed.

The implementation of the regime put in place to protect the environment and livelihoods of communities in Dahanu, makes an interesting narrative. That it divided and polarised Dahanu society significantly, with powerful lobbies pushing for the 'opening of Dahanu' was obvious from several events and actions that unfolded in the last decade. However, the antagonism to the environmental movement was not restricted to the builders and commercial interests but included political parties like the Communist Party of India (Marxist) (CPM), representing the rights of the tribals to development and employment. 

It is important that in the larger discourse on the environmental movement, the impact and effectiveness of the legal framework and its various political, social, economic dimensions be put in the public domain.

Members of Tamarind Tree have been active campaigners for the protection of Dahanu's environment even prior to the formation of the organisation. While the campaign lies low currently, Tamarind Tree would like to put forth our views, thoughts, perspectives and analysis as well as reports and documents of the last fifteen years.