By Panca-pandava dasa
I have read with interest the articles concerning ecology and environmental issues in the Dham, particularly in Vraja.
I have spent the last six years in Vrindavan, not so long, but long enough to see the growth of the environmental problems. These are caused partly by the development in Vraja but also by the local people, including ourselves as members of ISKCON.
I agree with Dayananda Prabhu’s comment on Urmila Mataji’s article “Our Heart in Vrindavana…and our intelligence and hands and pocketbook, too!“, where he says “We really need to think outside the box on this one. Western attitudes toward problem solving are not going to work here.”
I am a qualified electrical/mechanical engineer and was asked by some devotees what could be done to clean up the water in Govind Kund, at Goverdhan. My first thought was to install some filtration and aeration plant to clean up the water. However after visiting Govind Kund and sitting there for a few hours, chanting and watching what was going on, I realised the problem is not so simple. The kund was covered with a green slimy film, similar to that at Radha Kund. The reason for this green slime is that the local people use the kund to wash their cloth using detergent. Therefore before trying to clean the kund you have to stop the locals washing their cloth in it. This is much easier said than done, they have been doing it for generations, but it is only in the last ten years or so that they started to use detergent. So you either have to get them to stop using detergent or wash their cloth somewhere else. The only way this can be done is to provide a more convenient place and or method for the local people to wash their cloth, otherwise they will simply continue. They don’t care about the green slime.
The above is just an example of the root of the problem. Urmila Mataji urges us all to stop using plastic bags, and I agree wholeheartedly with her, I have seen many cows eating plastic bags and then suffering. However again there has to be a practical and economical alternative available in place before you can get any change, recycled paper bags simply are not available apart from the small ones you see made from newspaper, but these are hardly practical for carrying 2kg of potatoes. So unless the shopkeepers have a practical and economical alternative they are simply not going to change.
Immediate change can be made where it is practical, for instance at Mathura station all the “chai” wallahs use clay cups, I am not sure if this is the policy of the Railways or Mathra, but plastic cups are not allowed. Yet even in our own temple in Vrindavan at feasts we persist in using plastic cups, the same is true of most temples in Vrindavan, also at Gokulananda Mandir which is under the management of Srivatsa Goswami who was mentioned as trying to do something about environmental issues. So first we should look to ourselves to see what we can do in our own house to improve the environment.
Education is obviously a very important factor in achieving change and I know Rupa Raghunath is doing a wonderful job in helping to educate the local chidren in Vrindavan. We have to be realistic about what can be done in the short term and what should be planned as long term projects, i.e. proper sewerage systems and alternative energy supplies.
One other issue to bear in mind is that not all the residents of Vrindavan are Vrajavasis, I would estimate that may be upto 50% are from outside Vraja. This 50% are there only to make money, they don’t have the devotional attitude of the Vrajavasis and they don’t chant the Lords holy Names as Urmila Mataji might think everyone in Vrindavan does.
What is needed is a methodical study of the problems, their real cause, as in the problem with the kunds, and then finding practical and economical alternatives that fit with the local culture and environment. Trying to import old waste trucks from the west and have them go around Vrindavan will just not work, to start with they are too big to get around the small narrow streets of Vrindavan. We have to be realistic in our proposals and most importantly get the local people to buy into them also, it is no good just to get the visitors doing things, although obviously it is a start. One example would be to get the investment for a plastic recycling factory capable of recycling all types of plastic, you would then put a value on used plastic bags. Within a few months you would not see a single plastic bag on the streets of Vrindavan.
I am not trying to be negative in this article, but just trying to get us all to see the real problems and find practical solutions to improving the long term environment of Vraja. To do this we will need to influence the local politicians and leading members of the society. Vrindavan has its own municipality, separate from Mathura, so both need to be convinced of the need for change, without their co-operation we will be banging our heads against the proverbial brick wall.
There is a U.P. Tourist Board, this would be a good place to start lobbying for help and assistance in trying to make some change, they have control over certain State funds which may be available as Mathura/Vrindavan is one of the major tourist destinations in U.P.
So let us seek the mercy of Their Lordships Sri Sri Radha Syamasundar, Krishna Balaram and Gaura Nitai that we may be able to preserve the environment of Sri Vrindavan Dham.
Hari Bol
PAMHO. AGTSP.
How about when we visit Vrindavan we carry some cloth bag and resusable sturdy plastc tote bags in our luggage? In the US, people have started using those when buying groceries. Grocery stores are selling them.
when i grew up in india, we used to carry cloth bags for grocery and vegetable shopping.
our leaders can try to convince indian politicians to declare Vrajadham(Vrindavan, Mathura, Gokul, Govardhan Parvat) as a protected area something on the lines of Vatican and Rome. Then we can have special rules to protect the Dham.
I was shocked to learn that Janmashtami is not a national and bank holiday whereas India observes many other insingnificant days as national holidays.
Hare KrushNa
your servant
Hare Krsna, Pancha-pandava prabhu.
I am the devotee that suggested getting old waste removal trucks from the West, as mentioned in your article. I have since realized that to be an impractical and not well thought out suggestion. Besides them being to big for the narrow roads in Vrndavana, these trucks also cause lots of pollution.
However, I still think that the main idea of my comment is a good one, and that is to start with, we could try to keep Vrndavana clean – free from papers, plastics and all dirt lying around. This can be achieved by creating some trash removal system. Influential devotees in India could ask the Mathura municipality to provide land to create a waste depot to dispose of trash or the request could be put to the U.P Tourist Board, as you suggest.
Instead of using trucks to pick up trash, the local people with bicycle carts and bullock carts could be engaged, thus creating employment for them. There could also be pick up points.
Your servant
Nitai dasa
Hare Krishna
PAMHO AGTSP
Nitai prabhu I am sorry if I caused any offence with my comment about the waste trucks, it was not intended. I wanted to use it as an example of practicality.
Rupa Raghunath Prabhu has set up some waste collection points in Vrindavan already, they build a ramp and then park a tractor trailer at the ramp, then locals come along with rickshaws and other means and put the waste in the tractor trailer. When it is full it is taken to be emptied, I am not sure where though. So there is already some work being done.
Actually India is very good at recycling, most things here get recycled one way or another, the real problem is plastic, because there is no locally based technology to deal with it. You can sell most of your waste except for the plastic, particularly bags as they are not clean. So if somehow we can put a value on used plastic bags they also will be collected. This was why I suggested the plastic recycling plant, but it has to be able to deal with used bags.
I agree however about trying to keep Vrindavan clean, the system at the moment is everyone puts the waste in the street and then what isn’t eaten by the monkeys, dogs, pigs or cows gets collected every few days.
I have been staying in Punjab for some time recently and here you pay someone Rs.20 a month and they collect all your waste and take it to a collection point where it is removed by the municipality. In Vrindavan I used to pay someone to sweep in the front of my house and remove the waste, but they just dumped the waste in the street. So by increasing the number of collection points like the ones Rupa has built would be a start in the right direction.
Again sorry if I caused any offence, please forgive me.
Your servant
Panca-pandava dasa
Hare Krsna, Panca-pandava prabhu.
No offence taken. Could you or someone else give us more information on this waste removal system that you say is presently organised by Rupa Raganutha prabhu. Collection points, timings etc. It would also be good to know how this waste is disposed off, if the dumping grounds have proper recyclying facilities etc.
I also think there were some valid contributions from devotees such as Mother Urmila. Instilling green consciousness amongst visitors and locals is good. There should be a group or body of individuals which takes all suggestions into consideration and see whats workable.
Thank you again and no offence taken.
Your servant
Nitai dasa.
I noticed a similar situation when I visited Mayapur last November. I was shocked to see the ammount of plastic wraps and bags around the road leading to the gathas.
It seems that a viable way to help this situation, will be to organise a campaign that addresses specific issues or areas. The usage of plastic bags is something that it is addressed in many places around the world, so there are alternatives that are already successfully proven.
If our temples promote a environmentally friendly campaign, I am sure there will be great success. The option of the cloth bags is one that may not be complicated to organise. It is ‘traditional’, practical and also can bring some remuneration for those local villagers that could be involved in the fabrication and distribution of them. It will certainly be an alternative ‘industry’ just as the clay cups.
I am convinced that particularly foreigner devotees can make a great impact in their ecological behaviour in the dhamas and also -due to the strength of some western currencies- make a great contribution towards funding such campaigns.
Hoping these initiatives make progress for the pleasure of Krishna and the devotees
About 5 years ago in Ireland the government passed a law whereby plastic bags could not be given out free by shops, garages, restaurants or vendors of any kind. Prior to this law being passed the streets, hedgerows and highways and byways were defaced by hundreds and thousands of plastic bags everywhere.
Since that law was passed the problem of plastic bag litter has all but been eradicated.
The government tax in Ireland for even the smallest and flimsiest of plastic bags is 23 cent (Euro).
So as well as cleaning the place up the government also gets some revenue. Perhaps some of our devotees who have the ear of government ministers in India should pass the message on……….
For anyone who is interested in the fate of the Yamuna, I highly recommend “The River of Love in an Age of Pollution” (The Yamuna River of Northern India) by David L Haberman, who is a devotee scholar. He has been coming to Vrindavan since 1980, and has thoroughly researched his book, which is published by Univ of Calif press.
For anyone serious about the ecology of Vrindavan, I recommend two things: (1) Obtain this book (and others), and begin reading about the problems and solutions. If you are serious and inclined to take active steps toward environmental preservation, I’m willing to send you a free copy of the book. This is a limited offer. (2) Those who are really committed to starting and sustaining something in Vrindavan should contact Srivatsa Goswami to find out how to coordinate your efforts with those already established by local Vrindavan environmental leaders.
As a 60 year old man who has worked for decades in large corporations and in ISKCON, I am strongly against “reinventing the wheel”. In other words, when there are experts who are already working on a problem, it is important to learn from them. After carefully learning and applying others’ methods, one can develop his or her own strategies.
I extend my deep respects to you, who are participating in these discussions on ecology, and urge you to move toward activism. My email is dayananda@deepecology.us.
ys, d
URMILA’S EFFORTS SHOULD BE SUPPORTED AT ALL LEVELS!
There may be other issues, but as far as I know there are four major environmental problems in Vraj:
1. Waste management. (For example, sewage contaminating the Yamuna).
2. Deforestation, begun on a large scale in the 1900s and continued.
3. Environmentally destructive exploitation of natural resources like coal.
4. Recyclable waste, which is being discussed in several posts here on dandavats.
All these are difficult to solve. Regarding Yamuna, according to Haberman, the most serious, and nearly impossible issue with the Yamuna, is the Delhi exploitation of her, which nearly dries her up and pollutes her unimaginably. After Delhi, it is the Chambal tributary that restores her prior to reaching Vraj.
To the extent that was might have an effect, we should try to do something and not get discouraged with the enormity of the issues. Krishna will arrange for the results. Nevertheless, since we visit His Vrindavan, we should be conscious of the issues and ensure that, at minimum, we are not part of the problems.
URMILA’S EFFORTS SHOULD BE SUPPORTED AT ALL LEVELS!
ys, d
Hari Bol
PAMHO. AGTSP.
Regarding comment#6:
Mumbai had big floods 2 years back. 40+ inches of rainfall happened in 24 hours, half the Mumbai was under water, 1000+ people died drowning. plastic grocery bags were main culprit, they clogged the drains.
Maharashtra state government banned plastic grocery bags and industry-lobbyist made a big noise and after a while plastic bags came back.
government can legislate, but given the state of law-enforcement in India, it may not be highly effective. businesses will find ways not to pay tax on plastic bags.
IMHO, the best alternative is to change the hearts and minds of people. Indian people usually copy white westerners. If they see white visitors not using plastic bags and carrying cloth bags and reusable plastic tote bags, they will copy them.
i think there is some document in iskcon for foreign devotees about visiting Vrindavan and Mayapur, we can add things about not using plastic bags in Dham.
i blog on indian email groups and try to teach them about BhagvadGita and also about living eco-friendly.
Hare KrushNa
your servant
I pledge $100 to Urmila for her expenses. The Vaishnava system is for someone to offer his or her words, deeds, intelligence, money, or life. I’ve given her money in the past. I trust her implicitly.
Urmila urges ISKCON pilgrims that go to Vrindavan to use their financial influence to change the use of plastic bags. Let’s make this a movement. We need to start somewhere. Let’s organize and make Urmila our leader, if she’s willing.
Here are some of my “straw man” suggestions.
1. Lobby the Krishna-Balaram authorities to provide reusable bags for shopping. They can charge a few rupees for the bags, and offer something for their return. The shopkeepers may also catch on, and may start offering bags on which they can make even a small profit.
2. In time, perhaps shopkeepers could (a) make a small profit from reusable materials; (b) be fined for not using them.
3. Like recyclable bottles in the West, perhaps we could implement a system whereby poor people could make small amounts by turning in bags for a refund.
2. On the bags, at least on some of them, catchy environmental slogans might be printed, slogans like “Service to Yamuna Devi”, “Yamuna devi ki seva”.
3. Someone might go to Michael Duffy or Srivatsa Goswami, who are leading Vrindavan environmentalists, and find out what might be the most valuable and practical ecological impact that ISKCON could have in Vrindavan. Whoever goes should be clear that the initiative has to be in ISKCON’s name.
4. A small delegation might go to Ganga Prasad’s store and other major ISKCON suppliers to inform them that we favor reusable packing, and that we are going to continue to lobby for its use.
5. Sponsor a half-day Vrindavan or Yamuna cleanup during pilgrimage times, in other words, during Kartika, Gaura Purnima, Holi, Divali, Govardhana Puja, and so on. For this event, we can use slogans from the scriptures as themes, not Western environmental themes. These themes are already in use, so we don’t need to reinvent the wheel, just find out what they are.
6. Find out what Indian environmental laws are in place. Some of these laws may not be enforced due to corruption or widespread disobedience. We can then inform our own membership (ISKCON devotees) of the spiritual need to obey such laws. The Indian legislature has already passed many laws that remain unenforced.
7. Let us Westerners keep in mind that we should be bold, but not arrogant with Vrajbasis, even with shopkeepers and those we think are exploiters. After all, many experts, particularly Indian ones, point to the Western culture as the primary bad example of earth exploitation and propagator of the fossil fuel based culture.
dayananda@deepecology.us — www.deepecology.us
Hari Bol
PAMHO. AGTSP.
Regarding taking actions:
i recently exchanged email with KurmaRupa Prabhuji from Vrindavan and learnt that we do not have a gobar gas plant for our Goshalas in Vrindavan. He mentioned that the land is not owned by iskcon and also a portable gobar-gas plant might be possible.
Can we have a fund-raising campaign for gobar-gas plants for our Goshalas in Vrindavan? This can be a very good inspirational eco-friendly project for our Goshalas and show iskcon’s commitment for better environment.
Hare KrushNa
your servant
hari bol prabhu,
i found a solution for sanitation and water crisis which can be implemented in vrindavan,mathura with initiative from senior devotees from iskcon.this article is writtenby US ambassador to india David mulford The hindu newspaper 22 march,06
On February 7 in Chennai the Tamil Nadu Chief Minister inaugurated a public-private partnership that is now providing water and sewerage services to thousands of Tirupur area residents. The project was initiated in the mid-1990s when the Tirupur Exporters Association recognised the need to improve the area’s infrastructure to remain competitive in the knitwear industry but did not have the resources to finance the project.
The solution was to establish the New Tirupur Area Development Corporation, Limited, a group of private and public entities, which became the first public-private partnership in the water and sanitation sector in South Asia operating on a Build-Own-Operate-Transfer (BOOT) basis. Today, thanks to this initiative, Tirupur residents receive water every day for 4-6 hours, as opposed to receiving water only on alternate days at the best of times prior to the project. Household water connections have increased by 8,000 and local industry now has a reliable source of water. One hundred per cent of new domestic users have paid for the water connections to access high quality water — the fee covers the capital costs of each new connection.
The Tirupur project is a great example of how private sector involvement in public service delivery can dramatically improve access to water and sanitation. In India, where about 13 per cent of the world’s population that is un-served for water and 43 per cent of the world’s population that is un-served for sanitation resides, such improvements show the way forward.
The Tirupur project illustrates convincingly that private sector participation can provide the necessary complement to government investments to make it happen. It also demonstrates that the private sector can provide important services to the poor — and at costs lower than those paid by so-called beneficiaries of government subsidies. With a focus on the poor from the outset, the public-private partnership in Tirupur covered the water and sanitation needs of the entire city population, including close to 80,000 slum residents. In India, virtually all water and waste water systems are currently managed by the public sector, and most fail to meet the needs of th