The Pelican Birds out of fear and loss of their offspring have migrated from the area where large scale careless cutting of trees have been identified in the satellite images. This was done for the ADB Project at the Brahmaputra Valley to construct largely the "Flood Embankment Project". This completely damaged the "Rural Toursim" and the necessary ecosystem ( see Social Audit Check point no: 6 ).
* BIRENDRA K JHA
Social Safeguard Policy 2009 of the ADB Bank ( Asian Development Bank ) if not followed honestly in the development projects, then it is a serious concern. There is provision of external auditor to audit the Social Safeguard Policy. But, honestly this provision is implemented, this is difficult to say. If executing agency is conducting the Third Party Social Safeguard Social Audit, and the concurrence and consent of the ADB bank is not taken then it is more serious matter.
Large scale Social Protection law violation is seen in the Asian Development Bank ( ADB ) projects. This itself breaks down the spinal cord of the Social Safeguard Policy 2009. The World Bank Safeguard Policy has also zero tolerance on the Social Safeguard Policy violation. This directs that something is wrong here in the Social Safeguard Auditing. Either people are not qualified or executing agency just cover this formality, where social safeguard protection violation is non reported.
This is demonstrated here if Social Audit is poor then how it brings disaster. The "Climate Resilient Brahmaputra Integrated Flood and Riverbank Erosion Risk Management Project in Assam" , is an ambitious project of the Assam Government, where project has been funded by the ADB Bank. The project with USD $ 255,000,000 cost, is expecting from the ADB Bank, that it shall protect the Social Safeguard Policy with heart and soul. Some Social Safeguard Audit Points are mentioned here ( audit point no. one to six ), where extreme violation is seen. This further demonstrates that if Audit is not conducted with Standard Practice using Qualitative and Quantitative data collection and analysis, then auditor is going to make only the "half-truth". Wherever Geographical observation is their, then satellite is an important tool in the hands of the Social Auditor to audit the status. The audit points mentioned here need further deep Social Safeguard Audit from External Auditor to ensure 100 % compliance.
Assam situated in the North Eastern side of India is exposed to floods. This has severely impacted livelihoods and food security of the people of Assam. Climate-resilient in the Brahmaputra River for enhancing women’s resilience in order to protect from disasters induced by floods is no doubt top priority. The overall project which is classified as Category “A” for the Involuntary Resettlement has constructed flood embankment (check dam) to stop flood havoc in the Brahmaputra Valley. This has arisen social safeguard violation. This is needed to be attended on top priority as National Interest. This audit point is just the tip of the iceberg. A deep thorough Independent External Audit can trace out more audit objection points for immediate countermeasures. The audit points from one to six is given here with audit objection :
☝Social Auditor's Check Point No- 2: This is another audit check point of interest for the Social Auditors. The upper satellite photograph is showing status prior to the ADB Project Construction ("Flood Embankment Project") shown in yellow circle mark in both the picture. The second picture is showing the "actual impact" of this project on the people and environment. Large scale forest cut is done here to construct the ADB Financed Project. ("Flood Embankment Project"). Forest in the North Eastern state can't be cut without approval from the Central Government. This is specific direction from the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India. There is no such approval from the Central Government as per record on hand. This is clearly contempt of the Hon'ble Supreme Court Order. Responsibility should be fixed with necessary legal measures to uphold the order and dignity of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.
☝Social Auditor's Check Point No- 3: Heavy violation is reported here. The upper satellite photograph is showing status prior to the ADB Project Construction ("Flood Embankment Project") shown in red, green circle and yellow curved line in both the picture. At red circle two numbers of houses removed. At green circle one house has been evicted. At the yellow curved mark at least two houses are seen evicted with the removal of dense trees at this area. Any removal of houses without paying compensation and removal of trees without proper authorization is illegal in India.
☝Social Auditor's Check Point No- 4: Check point is red, yellow and purple color circle mark. Red circle: Houses are disturbed here. Yellow circle: One house removed. Purple circle: Why tree cut here, when it was not within the zone of the ADB Project?
☝Social Auditor's Check Point No- 5: Serious public complain is here at the Tamulipathar site that houses evicted without Government Notification for the ADB Bank Project. The Government Notification is necessary and mandatory as per Law. Why this was done and who is responsible?
☝Social Auditor's Check Point No- 6: Pelicans Birds have been building nests in Brahmaputra Valley mostly at the Tamulipathar site, where the ADB Project has been constructed. This is the permanent colony for the pelicans. Thousands of nests have been made by the pelicans birds at the adjoining sites around the Tamulipathar site extending to the deep area where ADB Project has been constructed. Massive and irresponsible cutting of trees have damaged the nest of the the pelicans birds, who are otherwise must for climate change protection, environment protection, crops availability and promoting "Rural Tourism". The pelicans birds keep farmers free from various crop eating creatures also. Farmers complain that lot of pelicans birds nests have been damaged due to this project construction. These birds have become permanent source of income for the poor villagers who promote the "Rural Tourism". As thousands of tourists visit the site to watch the pelican birds. This "Rural Tourism" has allowed the villagers to conduct the "Rural Tourism" related business, like working as guide, tea & snacks vendor, transportation availability etc. With large numbers of trees cutting at the site rural farmers have lost the income, as pelican birds out of fear, after nest damage and pelican birds who have given give birth to their offspring's, have lost. They have moved to other site out of fear. Who is responsible for this careless act. Who shall hear the inner voice of the Pelican Birds.
Advise To The ADB Bank:
1. So far this is seen that Social Safeguard Monitoring is very poor in the ADB. The ADB is required to pump here good number of trained Social Auditors who are competent to evaluate the safeguard policy violation. If geographical trend is there then satellite data gives authentic data. A thorough independent social safeguard evaluation audit is required deeply for the whole project through satellite and field audit. This is just tip of the iceberg.
2. The agreement between the Government and the ADB Bank needs adequate explicit provision to address such violation. There should must be mandatory provision of the Conciliation & Arbitration Act where this type of problem, safeguard violation can be heard and resolved. So far the ADB Grievance Mechanism is extremely poor and non functional.
3. The identified complain of eviction of houses be re-examined whether adequate legal process adopted or not ? If not legal, then responsibility be fixed on the identified officers.
Advise to the Government Agency:
1. Hon'ble Supreme Court of India order on tree and forest trees cutting has been violated by the Government agency. A contempt case hang over the person who did such careless act. Adequate countermeasure by the Government agency be taken to protect and uphold the dignity of the Hon'ble Supreme Court of India.
Comments
Post a Comment