In late 2005, Chief Minister Mulayam Singh Yadav proposed the extension of an existing airstrip at Nagla Kehri near Saifai village in Etawah. For ages, Etawah has been synonymous with Sarus Cranes found here in large numbers. The new airstrip will extend over a stretch of two kilometres, endangering the habitat of the tallest crane in the world. The state government believes that the new airstrip will promote industrial growth in the area. Even if that is a legitimate demand, surely they should seek an alternative site that is less ecologically fragile?
The Indian Sarus Crane Grus antigone, a highly endangered species and considered vulnerable by the IUCN and ‘protected' under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, has historically been present in large numbers in the state's Etawah and Mainpuri districts. Several villagers from surrounding settlements were asked to scare away the cranes, which nest in the wetlands, even as contractors surreptitiously fill up these vital bird habitats in blatant violation of the Allahabad High Court order of 2002.
In 2002, the Ministry of Agriculture had proposed to clear vast tracts of wetlands for agriculture in what was to be a World Bank-funded project (Sanctuary Vol. XXI No. 5, October 2001). On the basis of a writ petition by the Wildlife Trust of India (WTI), the District Magistrate of Mainpuri had ordered that the wetlands must be protected from draining or any such activity that threatened such ecologically sensitive areas. It had also ordered that no pattas would be permitted within the state's wetlands. A similar order was issued by the District Magistrate of Etawah as well.
But what does one do when the State Government, sworn to implement court orders, itself violates them? In a preemptive move, the WTI has filed an application against the Government of Uttar Pradesh before the Supreme Court's Central Empowered Committee asking that work on the extension of the airstrip be halted immediately. The extension would unfailingly be followed by roads, hotels and residential complexes and this would imperil the Sarus Crane population still further, and in the process harm many other bird species for whom the wetlands are a vital wintering halt.
Ironically, since the project falls below the 50-crore category (this is another environmental disgrace, as project proponents across India now routinely break up their project cost without disclosing the unified nature of their relationship) it does not require an Environmental Impact Assessment to be carried out. And though the Government authorities in conjunction with some villagers are trying to downplay the significance of these wetlands, fieldwork carried out by the Wildlife Institute of India has recorded five pairs of Sarus Cranes breeding in these wetlands, which successfully raised 15 chicks between 1999 and 2002. A breeding pair of the fast-declining Black-necked Storks uses this wetland for foraging, and presently has three chicks that require to be fed, but the wetland is dry presently.
More dangerously, the state is planning to set up a sugarcane mill in nearby Etah district with enough capacity to include sugarcane from the districts of Aligarh, Etah, Etawah and Mainpuri. The sugarcane industry in Uttar Pradesh is a sick industry, benefits a few individuals, and is responsible for reducing the water table due to its very high water requirements. All the wetlands in the four districts are likely to suffer if this move by the state is allowed to progress.
The Wildlife Protection Society of India has filed an application to the Supreme Court of India requesting that the land use, that is presently perfect for both villagers and Sarus Cranes, not be allowed to change. Farmers and ancient farming practices are the sole reason for the Sarus Cranes and scores of other waterfowl to continue persisting in the wetlands of this region. Changing the land use without long-term planning will be severely detrimental to the well-being of the people and the wildlife of the region. The project will affect the 2,500-3,000 Sarus Cranes in Etawah and Mainpuri (30 per cent of India's population) and the hundreds of cranes in the other two districts as well. At least 250 Black-necked Storks (over 25 per cent of Asia's population) will also face an uncertain future. Etawah's wetlands are also important wintering and stop over grounds for hundreds of thousands of several species of migratory birds.
According to the International Crane Foundation, the heritage wetlands of this region are our future hope for the reintroduction of the critically-endangered Siberian Cranes, after Bharatpur, should they return. Most Indians have come to accept as inevitable the penchant of Chief Ministers to locate large projects in their own constituencies. This case is no different. Saifai is Mulayam Singh Yadav's native village and the airstrip is being promoted by him in an attempt to showcase it as an example of development for the benefit of his community. Construction activity is in full progress and while laying the foundation stone, the Chief Minister is believed to have promised to land a Boeing-737 here during the 2006 Saifai Mahotsava (December 16). That such flights will come at the cost of the flight of the Sarus Cranes is an irony lost on the political and business ruling class of Uttar Pradesh.
Please take a few minutes to understand the issue and then lend your name to the Sanctuary campaign asking the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh to realign the airstrp such that the state bird is protected. You can take the first step by writing a polite letter along the lines suggested and posting it to the Chief Minister and the Ministry of Environment and Forests.Â
