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Wise Coastal Practices for Sustainable Human Development Forum

Questions about salt extraction.

Posted By: R Sudarshana
Date: Tuesday, 1 June 1999, at 6:11 a.m.

In Response To: The repercussions of salt extraction / Bhavnagar Bhal-India. (R. Sudarshana)

You have now read about the salt and water circus of Bhavnagar Bhal in the coast of Gujarat (The repercussions of salt extraction / Bhavnagar Bhal-India). Several questions bother my mind whenever I think of the situation there. Answering these questions would perhaps make it possible to find reasonable solutions to the peoples' problems. Moreover, it would also make us understand what went wrong, what could be the wiser practice for the future and how to define the so called 'wisdom' in coastal zone management. I invite you to try and answer. All those who answer and provide me with their addresses will get an illustrated scientific publication on the region.

Question 1. WAS THE SALT REVOLUTION A WISE PRACTICE?

Every coastal zone management plan attempts to generate a good socio economic foundation. If the region turns prosperous, there is every possibility that society has succeeded - especially if the commercial practice does not inflict culture shocks. Then, is the salt revolution in this region a wise practice?

Question 2. WHAT WENT WRONG?

It appears obvious now that something went wrong somewhere. Looking back, where do you think you can draw lines ? At what stage would you say, 'Enough folks, we shall change the direction now?

Question 3. WHAT WOULD HAVE BEEN A WISE VISION?

What were supposed to be the simultaneous measures of social welfare during the boom of salt market ? In other words, what should have been the wise vision during the salt revolution?

Question 4. WHAT ACTION SHOULD WE TAKE?

Well, it happened, didn't it ? Now, what should we do ? Please do not suggest that we move the people away. They will never go away and what is more, even the towns and cities in the region are highly affected today. Please also do not just suggest to bring water from somewhere else or desalinate from ground water or sea. These things will be done anyway over time. But, they are only 'give that ball to the baby and silence him' measures. Provide a perspective view. What should be done as regulatory measures at the industrial level? What should be done as conservation measures at the environment level? Please do not suggest harsh and highly disciplined measures. Very disciplined measures will never be followed strictly in a democratic society. Come on, rake up your wisdom.

Question 5. A GLOBAL PERSPECTIVE.

It is not just the case of Gujarat. There are several regions in the world like this today. The Indonesian capital is getting threatened by this phenomenon. Bombay, the mega-city in India is nervous. Many countries in south east Asia will rise their hands if you ask them. So, the salt and water circus is a global theatre. Could you find global prescriptions on wiser practices in this matter?

Please answer the above questions. Down the week, I will get back to you on another story from Gujarat.

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