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nvironment, both in the rural and urban context has large scale ramifications on development and internal security.  Citizens of any country need a conducive atmosphere to live decent lives, earn their livelihoods and fulfill their aspirations.  At present agriculture and forest lands are being taken over or handed over to multinationals and big national companies.  There is very little land that is available and fit for cultivation.  As such the rural population has no choice but to migrate to towns and cities.  The only solution for stemming this large-scale demographic shift is to provide meaningful and sustainable livelihoods especially for the marginalized communities.

    Rural – urban migration has become a reality all over the world.  These migrants join the stream of daily wage labourers for building mega malls, industrial offices and housing complexes, themselves residing in jhuggis till they are uprooted and join others in slums.  We have to consider the slum dweller as a human being and a legitimate citizen of the city.   Unless it is understood that people do not live in slums out of choice but out of compulsion and a need to survive, the government will not take appropriate steps for their rehabilitation to colonies with basic amenities like water, electricity, sanitation facilities, medical cover, education and recreation for the children.  And, if this migration is accepted as an inevitable phenomena  Human Rights and Constitutional obligations have to be complied with, to take care of the vulnerable and weaker sections of the society.

    Let us take the Delhi scenario.  Of the total population of nearly 12 million in the national capital, one-third are living in slums.  If we agree that urban poverty is a product of people’s disempowerment, it is an extension of rural poverty. One of its worst manifestations is homelessness, of being uprooted from their original habitat with nobody to care for their basic needs.  Such a situation leads to unemployment, destitution, debt, atrocities, communal riots, floods (like the one in Mumbai), rape and torture of women.  This deprived, dislocated and dispossessed population has no recourse but to vent their anger in activities leading to lawlessness and internal security.

    For bridging the gap between the rich and the poor, the haves and the have-nots, a concerted effort has to be made by all stakeholders – government, judiciary, politicians, civic agencies, NGOs, civil societies, communities and of course our would be citizens, the school children.  Cultivable land should not be allotted for industry; fallow land should be reclaimed and utilized for agriculture, marginalized communities provided with means for livelihoods of their choice, education, especially for women and the girl-child should be encouraged, medical facilities provided in every village with good infrastructure in the form of roads and housing.

    In towns and cities, the Master Plan has to be well structured to cater to the migratory population.  Most of the Master Plans are market driven and deal with land management.  They barely deal with social issues.  If a certain percentage of land is meant for housing for the poor (30% in case of Delhi) it is given to the development authority for allocation.  However, a developer in collusion with the development authority can manipulate by putting 30 % of dwelling units on 2% of land, thus subverting the whole provision as laid out in the Master Plan.   Relocation of slums in far off localities, at great distances from work places, without basic amenities is indeed traumatic.  If possible, existing slums could be upgraded with the necessary facilities provided for earning livelihoods.  The judiciary should play its part boldly and prevent subversion of laws and ensuring that their orders are implemented.  An attitudinal change has to be brought about in the society where all sections can stand up and demand their basic amenities like adequate supply of drinking water, electricity, proper solid waste management, schools for all, parks and green cover, free medical aid and good means of transportation.  Then only the people can say that environment, development and internal security have truly been integrated for the benefit of the society.  q

Col. Valmiki Katju
vkatju@devalt.org

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