ToxicsWatch, Journal of Earth, Science, Economy and Justice

April 4, 2015

To

1. Prime Minister's office

New Delhi

2. Shri Prakash Javadekar

Minister for Environment & Forests (MOEF)

Govt of India

Dear Shri Narendra Modi ji and Shri Javadekar ji,

This is to broadly endorse the concerns about reconstitution of CPCB. 

As we understand, the CBCB, SPCBs and whole pollution bureaucracy was created 41 years back through the passage of Water Pollution Act of 1974. 41 years later, the state of our rivers, water bodies and aquifers have gone much worse than they were before passage of this Act  and creation of this bureaucracy. In fact, in 41 years, we have yet to see a success story of this pollution bureaucracy cleaning up a river or water body or even a stream. Only thing this bureaucracy is known for is pollution and corruption. That failure is a major reason for the state of Ganga, Yamuna and other rivers of the country. 

So besides making the CPCB accountable by appointing independent and public spirited minded persons on it, please also revamp the functioning of the pollution institution architecture to make it democratic, transparent and accountable. The state of our rivers won't improve without  that. 

We would look forward to your response. 

Thanking you,

Yours Sincerely,

Himanshu Thakkar

South Asia Network on Dams, Rivers and People (SANDRP)