Prof. GD Agrawal

Dr. G.D. Agrawal's Fast Successful

2009-02-23T04:07:00.001-08:00

Press Release - 20.02.2009

2009-02-23T04:06:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release

GoI Suspends Work On Loharinag-Pala Dam

In a letter dated February 19, 2009 to Dr. G.D. Agrawal, the Union Ministry of Power stated that it had decided to suspend work on the Loharinag-Pala hydropower project on the Bhagirathi river with immediate effect. In response Dr. Agrawal ended his fast this morning at 11:00am.

It may be recalled that Dr. G.D. Agrawal had begun a fast-unto-death on June 13, 2008 demanding that the Bhagirathi river be allowed to flow in its natural form from Gangotri to Uttarkashi. He suspended that fast on June 30, 2008 after the Union Ministry of Power decided to appoint a High Level Expert Group to look into the technical issues pertaining to ensuring adequate environmental flows in all stretches of the Bhagirathi river and keeping it alive.

Dissatisfied with the delays and the nature of the discussions in the HLEG, Dr. Agrawal resumed his fast-unto-death in New Delhi on January 14, 2009.

“The decision of the Union Ministry of Power has been taken at the instance of the Prime Minister’s Office. This is a welcome decision. Earlier the Prime Minister had taken the important step to designate the Ganga as India’s National River. The latest decision shows that the Prime Minister recognizes the gravity of the demand to ensure that the Bhagirathi river should be allowed to flow unhindered in its uppermost reach. We hope that the Government of Uttarakhand will be equally sensitive to the special reverence that Indians have for the Ganga and not resume work on its suspended projects,” says Dr. Ravi Chopra, Director, People’s Science Institute, Dehra Doon.

Press Release - 12.02.2009

2009-02-12T02:23:00.000-08:00

Bhagirathi Bachao Sankalp
Under the Banner of Indian Council for Enviro Legal Action (ICELA)
Kuriyal Bhawan, Bhairav Chowk, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
Telefax: 01374-222937

E-mail:bhagirathibachaosankalp@gmail.com

Website: www.tapasya-bhagirathi.blogspot.com
For immediate release
Dr. G.D. Agrawal to continue his fast : 30th day
Dr. G.D. Agrawal, who is on a fast-unto-death against the construction of any project on the Bhagirathi between Gangotri and Uttarkashi has rejected the Union Ministry of Power’s request to end his fast saying that he could only do so once the natural flow of the Bhagirathi between Gangotri and Uttarkashi is guaranteed by the government and all works on the Loharinag-Pala HEP are stopped.
Meanwhile, recent reports in Dehra Doon’s local newspapers, attributed to highly placed sources, suggesting that the state government is likely to soon resume work on the Pala-Maneri and the Bhaironghati, hydro electric projects on the Bhagirathi, have been challenged by Dr. Ravi Chopra, Director, People’s Science Institute, Dehra Doon. “These reports are contrary to the stated policy of the Government of India,” says Dr. Ravi Chopra.
Giving details Dr. Chopra said, “In a letter dated February 5th to Dr. G.D. Agrawal, the Union Ministry of Power states that the GoI has confirmed that no further hydroelectric projects will be undertaken on the Bhagirathi.”
Dr. Chopra also dismissed the claims of these highly placed sources that the Government of Uttarakhand would soon resume work on its suspended HEPs once the recommendation of the High Level Expert Group (HLEG) for 4 cumecs environmental flow downstream of the Loharinag-Pala HEP were accepted by the Government of India. “This recommendation of the HLEG has clearly been rejected by the Government of India. Referring to a meeting held with Union Minister of Power, Shri Sushil Kumar Shinde and the Minister of State Prime Minister’s Office, Shri Prithiviraj Chavan, among others, the above-mentioned letter states that it has been agreed that the minimum flow of water from Lohari Nagpala barrage in the river bed during the lean period shall be ensured at 16 cumecs or as may be decided by the Ganga River Authority, which is under formation. The so-called highly placed sources appear to be highly motivated and are deliberately trying to mislead Uttarakhand’s people and decision makers,” charged Dr. Chopra.

Aviral Rahegi Bhagirathi Ki Dhara

2009-02-03T04:07:00.000-08:00

Protests over dams on River Ganges

2009-02-02T21:38:00.001-08:00

A River, A Man: The State Responds to Dr GD Agarwal's fast to save Ganga

2009-02-02T21:37:00.002-08:00

Professor GD Agarwal's fast against hydel projects in Uttarkhand

2009-02-02T21:37:00.001-08:00

Press Release - 30.01.2009

2009-01-30T03:43:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE

January 30, 2009
Environmentalists, social activists organize collective fast in support of Dr. Agarwal
New Delhi , January 30, 2009: A congregation of environmentalists and social activists from various parts of the country today undertook a collective fast at Gandhi Darshan, in support of renowned environmentalist Dr. G.D. Agarwal, who is on fast-unto-death for putting an immediately halt to all construction activities on the 600 MW Lohari Nag Pala Hydropower Project in Uttarakhand. His fast-unto-death continued for the seventeenth day today.
In the morning, the congregation assembled at Gandhi Darshan on the occasion of Gandhiji’s Martyrdom Day today and undertook the collective fast to express their support to Dr. Agarwal even as his fast to maintain uninterrupted flow in river Bhagirathi continued for the 17th day today.
“Waterman of India” Rajendra Singh, noted Supreme Court Lawyer Prashant Bhushan, Dr. Ravi Chopra, Director People’s Science Institute, Dehradun, Banwasi Sewa Ashram’s Shubha Bahen and Abhimanyu from Chitrakoot, among others, were present on the occasion.
Dr. Agarwal, who has served as the Head of the Department of Environmental Engineering at IIT, Kanpur, had earlier undertaken a fast-unto-death in June last year to press for his demand for allowing free and unhindered flow of Bhagirathi river between Gangotri and Uttarkashi.

(186 words)
For further information, please contact: Anil Gautam-0135-2762516, 9412176896Pavitra Singh 011-32088803, 9410706109

Dr. G.D. Agarwal in Amar Ujala

2009-01-29T03:25:00.001-08:00

Press Release - 28.01.2009

2009-01-29T03:04:00.001-08:00

Bhagirathi Bachao Sankalp
Under the Banner of Indian Council for Enviro Legal Action (ICELA)
Kuriyal Bhawan, Bhairav Chowk, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
Telefax: 01374-222937, E-mail:bhagirathibachaosankalp@gmail.com, Website: www.tapasya-bhagirathi.blogspot.com

For Immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE
January 28, 2009
Erstwhile princely states’ rulers pledge to protect and preserve Ganga’s honour and dignity
New Delhi , January 28, 2009: Rulers of erstwhile princely states in India today pledged to unitedly impress upon the government to maintain the honour and dignity surrounding the river Ganga as well as its national river status. At a general meeting organized today in the campus of Gandhi Darshan, by “Waterman of India” Mr. Rajendra Singh in support demands raised by Dr. G.D. Agarwal on the issue, speakers said they were ready to shoulder the onerous duty of protecting the river Ganga.
Maharaja Gaj Singh, representing the erstwhile Jodhpur state, said that all concerned should come forward to protect the river Ganga and help in effectively highlighting the demands raised by Dr. Agrawal before the Centre. The today’s meeting was organized in response to the earlier ultimatum that the erstwhile royalty had served upon the government that if it failed to stop work on the Lohari Nag Pala Hydropower project by January 28, 2009, they would launch an agitation on the issue. Members of the erstwhile royalty said their ancestors had entered into an agreement in 1916 with the then British government, to not allow any construction activity on the Ganga upstream of Haridwar.
Speaking on the occasion, Mahant Shivananda from Haridwar said that the river Ganga represented nation’s honour which is supreme. But the government deceived Dr. Agarwal on the issue of maintaining the dignity and honour of the important river, he said. He said that all should unitedly forge a common front to prevail upon the government that issues of faith cannot be weighed in terms of pieces of silver. He appealed to the government to maintain the dignity, respect and honour of the national river.
Mahant Veer Bhadra from Sankatmochan Foundation, Varanasi, said that Lord Rama’s name and the river Ganga were two important basic tenets of the Indian philosophy of life. He lamented the government was not taking the requisite steps to protect and preserve the river Ganga.
Former Tehri (Uttarakhand) ruler Manujendra Shah said that the flow the river Ganga should not be hindered.
Noted environmentalist Sunita Narain said that unhindered flow of water in a river is a pre-requisite to preventing pollution in it. She said that a river can be said to be alive only if it has a free flow of water in all its stretches. Ms. Narain said that detailed project report of hydro power project only document details of a particular project while completely ignoring the important factors governing the river’s very existence. She said that Dr. Agarwal’s efforts would result in the emergence of a new dawn on important environmental issues.
In his address to the gathering, Dr. Agarwal termed the river Ganga as the nation’s identity. He said that maintaining pristine and natural flows in the upper reaches of the river is highly important. He said it is highly unfortunate that the river Ganga’s festive spirit has been completely ignored by the people.
Mr. Digvijay Singh, former Chief Minister of Madhya Pradesh said that there is a special place for the river Ganga in the hearts and minds of the people of India. Mr. Singh praised the efforts of Dr. Agarwal in raising important issues connected with faith and belief and urged all concerned to fully supported the cause of protecting the river Ganga.
Gandhi Peace Foundation’s Radha Bahen said that Dr. Agarwal’s commitment to the protection of the sanctity of the river Ganga is exemplary as it is not an ordinary river.

(570 words)
For further information, please contact: Anil Gautam-0135-2762516, 9412176896Pavitra Singh 011-32088803, 9410706109

RN Singh resigns from HLEG in protest

2009-01-27T04:15:00.001-08:00

Noted environmentalist set on agitation path again

2009-01-27T04:14:00.000-08:00

Professor goes on fast unto death to save the Ganga

2009-01-27T02:43:00.001-08:00

"R. N. Singh resigns from HLEG in protest against 'unscientific attitude' " : Garhwal Post (English), Dehra Doon Edition, January 26, 2009

2009-01-26T04:54:00.001-08:00

"Scientist resigns over apathy" : Hindustan Times, Dehra Doon Live, (English), January 26, 2009

2009-01-26T04:53:00.000-08:00

"Environmental flows needed in Bhagirathi, says Planning Commission Member" : Garhwal Post (English), Dehra Doon Edition, January 25, 2009

2009-01-25T04:39:00.000-08:00

Press Release - 25.01.2009

2009-01-25T04:38:00.000-08:00

Bhagirathi Bachao Sankalp
Under the Banner of Indian Council for Enviro Legal Action (ICELA)
Kuriyal Bhawan, Bhairav Chowk, Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand
Telefax: 01374-222937, E-mail:bhagirathibachaosankalp@gmail.com, Website: www.tapasya-bhagirathi.blogspot.com

For Immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE
January 25, 2009

R.N. Singh resigns from HLEG in protest against its “unscientific attitude”

Says he recommended 16 cumecs of environmental flow while HLEG report has just 3 cumecs

New Delhi, January 25, 2009: In a major development, Mr. R.N. Singh, a senior member of the High Level Expert Group (HLEG) today resigned from the group in protest against what he termed as “official apathy on the part of HLEG in recommending maintenance of the required environmental flows in the river Bhagirathi”. Mr. Singh, a scientist nominated by the Centre to the HLEG said that his repeated assertions of maintaining the required flow of 16 cumecs in the river Bhagirathi was not considered favourably by the HLEG.
Mr. Singh said as a scientist, he did not agree with the most unscientific way of working of the HLEG members. Stating that most members did not even have a science background, he said while he had recommended maintaining 16 cumecs of water in the river Bhagirathi as minimum environmental flow, the other members in the HLEG had decided otherwise. He said he felt unhappy at the mention of merely 3 cumecs in the HLEG’s last draft report and hence resigned in protest. He said he was unhappy not only because his views on the issue had been totally ignored but also due to the unscientific methods being followed by the HLEG.
Today, noted preacher Sant Gopal Maniji Maharaj met Dr. G.D. Agrawal at Akhil Bhartiya Mahasabha Bhawan, Delhi, to express their support to him even as his fast to maintain uninterrupted flow in river Bhagirathi continued for the 13th day today. Sant Maharaj told Dr. Agrawal that there has been a deviation in the maintenance of cultural values and all those who are hell bent on killing the river Ganga in the name of development will have to face the consequences in the future. Dr. B.N. Pandey, a freedom fighter and organizing secretary of Akhil Bharatiya Swantantra Sangram Senani Sangathan, also met Dr. Agrawal and expressed his support. He said that his organization would do everything to help achieve the desired objectives.
Meanwhile, Union Power Minister Sushilkumar Shinde assured a delegation of supporters of Dr. G.D. Agrawal that he would instruct maintenance of “shoulder-deep” water level in the entire stretch of the river Bhairathi. The minister said this when the delegation comprising of “Waterman of India” Mr. Rajendra Singh, Mr. S.K. Gupta, P.C. Tyagi, Mr. Pradeep Nagrath and Dr. Ravi Chopra, met him in Delhi on Saturday and apprised him of the demands.
People are coming in large numbers to meet and express their support to Dr. Agrawal. Today’s visitors include noted environment lawyer and Magsaysay Award winner Mr. M.C. Mehta, Dr. Ravi Chopra, Director, PSI Dehradun and Rajendra Singh. Besides, a large number of students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi, also met Dr. Agarwal and expressed their support for the cause.
Dr. Agarwal, who has served as the Head of the Department of Environmental Engineering at IIT, Kanpur, had earlier undertaken a fast-unto-death in June last year to press for his demand for allowing free and unhindered flow of Bhagirathi river between Gangotri and Uttarkashi.

For further information, please contact: Anil Gautam-0135-2762516, 9412176896Pavitra Singh 011-32088803, 9410706109.

Press Release - 24.01.2009

2009-01-24T03:59:00.000-08:00

"Ganga ko rashtriya nadi ghoshit karna mahaj aupcharikta" : Amar Ujala (Hindi), New Delhi Edition, January 23, 2009

2009-01-23T04:23:00.000-08:00

"G.D. Agrawal ka upvaas jaari" : Amar Ujala (Hindi), New Delhi Edition, January 20, 2009

2009-01-23T04:22:00.000-08:00

"Ganga ko tanal vahini naam dene ki ninda" : Amar Uala (Hindi), New Delhi Edition, January 19, 2009

2009-01-23T04:21:00.001-08:00

"Vikas ke naam par maili ho gayi Ganga" : Dainik Jagran (Hindi), New Delhi Edition , January 15, 2009

2009-01-23T04:19:00.000-08:00

To Save the Bhagirathi: Prof.G. D. Agrawal’s Satyagraha

2009-01-22T22:07:00.001-08:00

Save Environment Save earth

2009-01-22T22:06:00.000-08:00

Prof. G.D. Agarwal to resume fast-unto-death

2009-01-22T22:05:00.004-08:00

Prof. G.D. Agarwal

2009-01-22T22:05:00.003-08:00

Mr GD Agrawal to resume fast against hydel projects

2009-01-22T22:04:00.001-08:00

Mr GD Agrawal to resume fast against hydel projects

2009-01-22T22:03:00.002-08:00

GD Agrawal: A Gandhian from Chitrakoot

2009-01-22T22:03:00.001-08:00

G D Agarwal a new rishi to save the Ganga

2009-01-22T22:02:00.002-08:00

Dr. Agarwal's Fast unto Death

2009-01-22T22:02:00.001-08:00

An URGENT APPEAL regarding Dr. G.D.Agarwal's fast unto death

2009-01-22T22:00:00.000-08:00

"GoI's decision to declare Ganga national river farcical : Dr. G.D. Agrawal " : Garhwal Post (English), Dehra Doon Edition, January 23, 2009

2009-01-22T21:27:00.000-08:00

"Fast-Unto-Death" :Hindustan Times, Dehra Doon Live, (English), January 23, 2009

2009-01-22T21:26:00.000-08:00

Press Release - 22.01.2009

2009-01-22T03:57:00.001-08:00

For Immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE
January 22, 2009
Government of India’s decision to declare the Ganga as the national river is a farce: Dr. G.D. Agrawal
New Delhi , January 22, 2009: Renowned environmentalist Dr. G.D. Agarwal’s fast-unto-death for putting an immediately halt to all construction activities on the 600 MW Lohari Nag Pala Hydropower Project in Uttarakhand, continued for the ninth day on January 22, 2009.
In a statement issued today, Dr. Agrawal termed as “farce”, the Centre’s decision to declare the Ganga as the National River. He said the government has not come up with any notification to match its announcement nor it has initiated any official activity in connection with the matter.
Dr. Agrawal, while interacting with media persons at Akhil Bhartiya Mahasabha Bhawan, Delhi, the site of his fast-unto death, said that the government, in order to show its sincerity in the matter of declaring the Ganga as the National River, had merely handed it over to the Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF).
Meanwhile, ever increasing number of people are visiting Dr. Agrawal at Akhil Bhartiya Mahasabha Bhawan, Delhi, to express their support to him. Among those who visited Dr. Agrawal today include “Waterman of India” Rajendra Singh, noted Supreme Court Lawyer Prashant Bhushan and his wife Deepa Bhushan, Arvind Kejriwal (Magsaysay award winner), Structural Engineer Dr. K.S. Chawla, Ms. Priya Patel (Arya Vihar, Uttarkashi), Ms. Shashi Tyagi of Jal Biradari, Rashtriya Swabhiman Andolan’s national chief Acharya Jitendra and its national secretary Mr. Rakesh Dubey, Mr. Rakesh Agarwal, (Nyayabhumi), Kailash Tiwari, Prem Dhingra and Mahesh Dubey (all from Bhopal), Mr. Diwan Singh of Natural Heritage Trust, Pani Baba Arun Kumar and Dr. Ravi Chopra, Director People’s Science Institute, Dehradun. Besides, a large number of students of Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), Delhi, also met Dr. Agarwal and expressed their support for the cause.

For further information, please contact: Anil Gautam-0135-2762516, 9412176896Pavitra Singh 011-32088803, 9410706109

"Ganga's national river status being violated : Mehta" : Hindustan Times, Dehra Doon Live (English), January 22, 2009

2009-01-21T21:49:00.000-08:00

NTPC's Lohari-nag Pala Dam violates Ganga's national river status : M.C. Mehta" : Garhwal Post (English), Dehra Doon Edition, January 22, 2009

2009-01-21T21:47:00.001-08:00

Press Release - 21.01.2009

2009-01-21T20:42:00.000-08:00

For Immediate Release

PRESS RELEASE
January 21, 2009

NTPC’s Loharinag-Pala dam violates Ganga’s national river status: M.C. Mehta
New Delhi , January 21, 2009: Noted environment lawyer and Magsaysay Award winner Mr. M.C. Mehta has criticized the Central Government’s indifferent attitude to renowned environmentalist Dr. G.D. Agarwal’s demand to immediately halt all construction activities on the 600 MW Lohari Nag Pala Hydropower Project in Uttarakhand. Mr. Mehta met Dr. Agarwal today at Akhil Bhartiya Mahasabha Bhawan, Delhi, where he has been fasting-unto-death since Wednesday, January 14, and expressed his support for the cause.
Mr. Mehta asserted that the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) was causing irreversible damage to the river Bhagirathi by building a dam at Loharinag on it, completely ignoring the Government of India’s decision to declare the Ganga as a national river.
“Waterman of India” Mr. Rajendra Singh, also expressed his support to the demands raised by Dr. Agarwal and warned that if the Centre failed to give any concrete response to the demands before January 28, 2009, the activists would be forced to launch an agitation on the issue. He said that the descendents of erstwhile princely estates which had entered into an agreement in 1916 with the then British government, to not allow any construction activity on the Ganga upstream of Haridwar, would also participate in the agitation. He said the river Ganga was a symbol of India’s faith and culture and it was the life support system for the country’s population resident in the northern plains. It becomes imperative on the part of the government, therefore, to completely halt all dam construction activities on the important river.
Among others who met Dr. Agarwal today to express their support for the cause included Swami Shivananda of Matra Sadan, Haridwar, who turned up at the site of fast-unto-death along with his disciples. In addition, Mr. Subodh Nandan Sharma and Lalit Tyagi of Brijghat, and others who visited Dr. Agarwal said that they would begin a Ganga Bachao Yatra on January 25, 2009 which would leave for Delhi the same day and reach there on January 28. Mr. Ghanshyam, founder of “Judao”, a Jharkhand-based organsiation also met Dr. Agarwal.

For further information, please contact: Anil Gautam-0135-2762516, 9412176896Pavitra Singh 011-32088803, 9410706109

Paniwale baba adig, halat bigadi" : Dainik Jagran (Hindi), Dehra Doon Edition, January 21, 2009

2009-01-20T21:58:00.000-08:00

Report par tiki sarkar ki nigahein" : Hindustan (Hindi), Dehra Doon Edition, January 21, 2009

2009-01-20T21:56:00.000-08:00

Agrawals's fast enters sixth day" : Hindustan Times, Dehra Doon Live (English), January 20, 2009

2009-01-19T22:33:00.000-08:00

No govt response to Dr Agrawal's fast-unto-death" :Garhwal Post (English), Dehra Doon Edition, January 20, 2009

2009-01-19T22:31:00.000-08:00

Agrawal's fast-unto-death enters 3rd day" : Garhwal Post (English), Dehra Doon Edition. January 17, 2009

2009-01-19T22:29:00.000-08:00

Dr. G. D. Agrawal resumes fast-unto-death

2009-01-19T03:49:00.001-08:00

January 19,2009

Dr. G. D. Agrawal resumes fast-unto-death
Protests broken promises

Charging the Government of India with not keeping its solemn commitment to keep the River Bhagirathi alive in its pristine stretch from Gangotri to Uttarkashi, Dr. G.D. Agrawal has resumed his fast-unto-death from Makar Sankranti Day, Wednesday, Jan 14, 2009.
You may recall that Prof. G. D Agrawal, former Professor & Dean of Students at IIT-Kanpur, the first Member-Secretary of India’s Central Pollution Control Board and one of India’s foremost environmental scientists went on a fast from June 13, 2008 to seek uninterrupted flow of River Bhagirathi (Ganga) in its natural form between Gangotri and Uttarkashi. His demand was very limited & specific, i.e., that the River Ganga be allowed to flow in its natural form in this 125 km stretch from its origin. This is the only stretch left now where the Ganga can still be seen in its pristine form.
Dr. Agrawal requested the Govt. of India & the State Govt. of Uttarakhand to stop construction of Hydro Electric Projects (HEPs) in this stretch so that river flow was not diverted through tunnels that would destroy its ecology and its unique self-purifying properties. (Please see attached diagram. A series of dams is planned all along the river from Gangotri to Rishikesh – almost one dam every 25km.)
Indians across the world got sensitised and lent their support to Prof Agrawal. Many wrote or met the PM of India and the CM of Uttarakhand and requested them to protect the Holy Ganga – whom Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru described as India’s civilizational identity. The protest forced the Govt of Uttarakhand to suspend work on two state-sponsored HEPs. After the intervention of a group of IITians and others, the Government of India gave a commitment in writing on 30th June 2008 ‘to ensure perennial environmental flows in all stretches of River Bhagirathi and to keep it alive’. It decided to appoint a group of experts to study the issue and recommend ways to achieve this in three months. On this assurance Dr. Agrawal suspended his fast on June 30, 2008 after 18 days. But he also warned the government that he would resume his fast if this commitment was not kept.
In a cunning move, the GoI asked the Chairman of the National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) to form a group of experts to determine the environmental flows that would be required to keep the Bhagirathi alive in the entire 125km stretch. NTPC, a public sector corporation, is building a dam at Loharinag, barely 50 kms downstream of Gangotri. The consequent High Level Experts Group was packed with serving engineers – none of whom has even a working knowledge of the subject of environmental flows and being on the government payrolls dare not take an independent stance (See attached note). Not surprisingly, the steamroller majority of officials is loath to release the environmental flows required to keep the river alive.
In the meantime, NTPC has continued construction of its Loharinag-Pala HEP. More than six months have passed, the group of experts has not yet submitted its report and the pristine character of the river continues to be destroyed. They have not taken cognizance of the recent declaration by the Prime Minister of the Ganga as India’s National river and his announcement of the formation of a Ganga River Basin Authority to take all decisions on activities in the Ganga Basin. The PM himself is the head of this Authority.
Dr. Agrawal does not belong to any party or group. He is a rare individual with a rishi-like lifestyle. The River Ganga and Dr. Agrawal deserve our support. You can write directly to him at bhagirathibachaosankalp@gmail.com and express your support. You can also write to the following urging them to protect the sanctity and integrity of the Bhagirathi-Ganga as promised on June 30, 2008. Also inform others who are interested in saving the Ganga and Dr. G.D.Agrawal.
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For further information contact:

Pavitra Singh: bhagirathibachaosankalp@gmail.com; 9410706109
Dr. Anil Gautam: mobile number - 9412176896, 9759112331
Mabel Gergan: 91-135-2773849, 2763649

Stop work at Lohar Nag Pala project : Agrawal" : Hindustan Times, Dehra Doon Live (English), January 16, 2009

2009-01-19T03:42:00.000-08:00

Environmentalist resumes fast for the cause of Bhagirathi" : Hindustan Times (English), January 15, 2009

2009-01-19T03:41:00.000-08:00

G.D. Agrawal phir anshan par" : Dainik Jagran (Hindi), Dehra Doon Edition, January 15, 2009

2009-01-19T03:39:00.000-08:00

G.D. Agrawal begins fast against hydel projects on Ganga" : Garhwal Post (English), Dehra Doon Edition, January 15, 2009

2009-01-19T03:36:00.000-08:00

G.D. Agrawal to resume 'fast-unto-death' from today" : Garhwal Post (English), Dehra Doon Edition, January 14, 2009

2009-01-19T03:34:00.000-08:00

Ecologist to resume fast today" : Tribune (English), Dehra Doon Edition, January 14, 2009

2009-01-19T03:29:00.000-08:00

Dr. G.D. Agrawal's Fast Successful

2008-06-30T05:06:00.000-07:00

Today, June 30, 2008 Dr G.D. Agrawal received a letter from the Government of India stating "The Government of India commits itself to ensuring perennial environmental flows throughout the Bhagirathi river." It has also decided to establish a high-level experts committee to recommend how this will be done. The committee will submit its report in three months.

This offer of the GoI has been accepted by Dr G.D. Agrawal. He will break his fast at 7 pm today at Maharana Pratap Bhawan, Lawrence Road, B-4 Block Keshavpuram, New Delhi.

For further details contact:

Dr Ravi Chopra 09411135976

Dr Anil Gautam 09412176896
Mr Pavitra Singh 09410706109

Dr G.D. Agrawal's Fast Enters 13th Day

2008-06-26T00:48:00.000-07:00

ICELA files petition in HC against hydel projects on Bhagirathi

2008-06-24T22:29:00.000-07:00

Press release 23 June, 2008

2008-06-23T22:07:00.000-07:00

June 23, 2008 DehraDoon

I will fight for Maa Bhagirathi till my last breath: Dr. G.D. Agrawal

Dr. G.D. Agrawal, who is on a fast-unto-death in support of his demand for maintaining an unfettered flow of the river Bhagirathi (Ganga), shifted to Delhi on June 23, 2008. He is continuing his fast-unto-death at at Maharana Pratap Bhawan, Lawrence Road, (B-4 Block).
Dr. Agrawal reached Delhi as per the originally planned schedule. He has with him the official letter from the Uttarakhand government on its decision of suspending work on two major hydroelectric projects namely 480 MW Pala-Maneri and 381 MW Bhairon Ghati. Dr. Agrawal is now seeking for an immediate withdrawal of Loharinag Pala, on which work is being executed by NTPC, a government enterprise, and is also seeking a written assurance regarding the same.
In its June 23, 2008 issue, Garhwal Post, a Dehradun daily newspaper has reported that Dr. Agrawal has ended his fast. A few other newspapers have reported that Dr. Agrawal has had to face stiff opposition from the locals in Uttarkashi and that he has also had to shift his base to Delhi under duress. According to Shri Anil Gautam, who was with Dr. Agrawal at Uttarkashi since last fortnight, said that such statements appearing in a section of the media are figments of imagination, misleading, false and lack truth in content and character. Speaking on behalf of Bhagirathi Bachao Sankalp, Shri Gautam out-rightly rejected these contentions based on hearsay.
He said that even though a crowd of about 70-80 persons had gathered at Manikarnika Ghat at Uttarkashi, and had resorted to sloganeering against Dr. Agrawal, but these were the persons who had a direct stake in the execution of these projects. These included mostly contractors and employment hopefuls, but Dr. Agrawal has not been moved by these protests.
He said that it had been decided on June 16-17, 2008, that in the event of Uttarakhand government taking a decision to suspend work on its hydro schemes, then the base for fast-unto-death would be shifted to Delhi to pressurize the Centre into withdrawing the Loharinag Pala hydro-power project. He said that reports to this effect were also published by many newspapers. Especially, after Uttarakhand's Power Secretary Shri Shatrughan Singh handed an official letter from the Uttarakhand government to Dr. Agrawal, on its decision of suspending work on two major hydroelectric projects namely Pala-Maneri and Bhairon Ghati, that it was finally decided to shift the base from Uttarkashi on June 22, 2008 and continue the fast-unto-death at Delhi from June 23, 2008 onwards.
He said the only aberration has been in terms of a slight change in the original schedule whereby it was earlier planned to leave Uttarkashi on June 22, 2008 at 4pm after a public meeting in which delegates from around the country were to assemble at Uttarkashi. However, in view of the Uttarkashi district administration's refusal to grant permission, the programme was cancelled and since there was no point to stay back at the place, Dr. Agrawal along with his entourage left for Delhi at 8 in the morning, said Chetan Garg, who was in Uttarkashi. He said that confusion has prevailed mainly due to rumour-mongering by a group of people with vested interests.Meanwhile, Dr. Agrawal's fast-unto-death continued for the 11th day on Monday June 23, 2008. According to Shri Gautam, Dr. Agrawal's objective remains as clear as it was at the time when he sat on an indefinite fast: Ensure unfettered flow of the Bhagirathi or he will fast-unto death. He said that instant gains cannot be allowed to rule over the issues of faith and belief.

Jagat Guru Shankaracharya should initiate stringent measures to save the river Ganga

Under the aegi s of Ganga Sewa Abhiyan, sponsored by Jagadguru Shankaracharya, his disciple Swami Paripurnanand Saraswati Ji Maharaj and Shri Prem Dutt Nautiyal today commenced a fast-unto-death at Subhash Ghat, Har-ki-Pauri (Haridwar).
The principal objective of the fast-unto-death mentioned in its 7-point demand charter is to declare national heritage status for the river Ganga and free the river of its exploitation and pollution. In addition, the Abhiyan is also demanding that there should be no change in the land use pattern, ensuring an unfettered flow in the river Ganga, removal of all obstacles in the path of the river Ganga, cleaning all tributaries of the river Ganga and also maintain the tributaries' free flow.Contact Person: Dr. Vijay Verma – 9410561001 (M).

Press Release- 21st June 2008

2008-06-21T02:04:00.000-07:00

June 21, 2008 DehraDoon/Uttarkashi

Dr. G.D. Agarwal to continue his fast-unto-death in New Delhi
On June 20, 2008, Secretary, Power, Housing and Urban Development Shri Shatrughan Singh called on Dr. G.D. Agrawal at Manikarnika Ghat where he is on a fast-unto-death, and handed over an official letter No. A.SHA. 140 / P.S. / Camp / dated June 19, 2008, to him.
Dr. G.D. Agrawal welcomed the Government's decision to immediately suspend work on two major power projects (480 MW Pala-Maneri and 381 MW Bhairon Ghati) in the Bhagirathi valley and said that the move reflected the government’s recognition of the importance and need for maintaining an unfettered flow of the river Bhagirathi. Dr. Agrawal, however, pointed out a few discrepancies in the government’s recent move:
1. The work on the two projects -- 480 MW Pala-Maneri and 381 MW Bhairon Ghati -- has merely been suspended and these two projects have not been completely withdrawn.
2. Maneri Bhali – I and Maneri Bhali – II projects have already been commissioned and as such are proving highly detrimental in maintaining unfettered flow of river Bhagirathi. He, however, said that the Government can make amends by suitably scaling down the limit of power production, the specifics of which can be worked out at a later stage.
“Suspension of work on two major power projects is a positive sign and we are thankful to the government for the same but this leaves out the NTPC’s Loharinag Pala from the purview of projects which are needed to be completely shut down for all times to come”, said Dr. Anil Gautam, one of Dr. Agrawal’s students who is also camping in Uttarkashi. He added that until this project is completely done away with, unfettered flows of Bhagirathi cannot be ensured. He reiterated Dr. Agrawal’s resolve to continue his fast-unto-death and said that he would end his fast-unto-death only after his demand of maintaining an unfettered flow in the river Bhagirathi between Gangotri and Dharasu, was acceded to by the Government.
In a major development, Dr. Agrawal has decided to shift his base to New Delhi and continue his fast there from 23rd of June. Dr. Agrawal felt that shifting his base would be helpful to pressurize the central Government to withdraw the Loharinag- Pala project on the river Bhagirathi. He asked all Indians who revered Ganga as their mother to join him in his struggle.
Yesterday, on June 20, 2008, Jagatguru Shakaracharya Swami Swarupananda Saraswati arrived at Uttarkashi's Manikarnika Ghat and met Dr. Agrawal to extend his full support to the campaign. The Jagatguru also asked one of his disciples Swami Paripurnanand to join Dr. Agrawal in his fast-unto-death.
Meanwhile, support from across the country is flowing in even as Dr. Agrawal's fast-unto-death in support of his demand continued for the ninth day today. Today, a letter of support from Aviral Bharat Hindu Mahasabha was received at Uttarkashi.
Dr. Agrawal's failing health condition is causing concern to his supporters. Recently, doctors who examined him had also advised urine examination and kidney and liver tests.

GD's letter to CM (Uttarakhand)

2008-06-21T01:42:00.000-07:00

Sender: Place of Fast
Dr. Gurudas Agrawal Manikarnika Ghat, Uttarkashi June 17, 2008
To:
Honorable Bhuvan Chandra Khanduri
Chief Minister, Uttarakhand
Dehra Doon, Uttarakhand
Honorable Sir:
You are well aware of a fast un-to-death being undertaken by me since June 13, 2008 Ganga Dussehra, along with my expressed request to maintain natural flow and form of holiest of the holy Ma Bhagirathi Ganga river, while treating its 125 km long stretch from Gangotri to Dharasu as the mother of our culture and our forefathers' heritage. State Chief Secretary Shri Sujit Kumar Das informed me over the telephone that you would want to hold talks with me on this subject.
In today's morning newspapers, I read about a Cabinet Meeting held yesterday on June 16, 2008, in which there was a mention of your and Uttarakhand government's commitment towards protecting the natural form of Bhagirathi and the readiness of the state government to initiate all steps under its jurisdiction to ensure the same. But the effect was washed away immediately with a clause that laid down a condition of Centre's compensation in lieu of power and financial losses suffered. If your and Uttarakhand's faith, commitment and intentions are bound by truth and honesty, then:
1. All the gates of Maneri and Uttarkashi barrages should be opened and the Maneri Bhali-I and II power houses be shut down.
2. There should be an announcement of a policy/pledge of non-interference in the natural flow and form of the river Bhagirathi from Gangotri to Dharasu.
3. Administrative orders of shutdown of work on the Loharinag-Pala project should be handed over immediately to NTPC and Patel Engineering.
4. Pressure be applied for compensation in lieu of losses suffered and exercising the onus of responsibility of protecting the river Ganga, on the Centre. In doing so, you would not only get our support but also of every devotee and pure-hearted Indian citizen.
Please do not delay – it is an issue of Faith.

Sd/-
Gurudas Agrawal

GD's appeal

2008-06-21T01:40:00.000-07:00

Re: My Intention of "Fasting Unto Death" for Conservation of BHAGIRATHI
Dear: …………………………………...
1. As you are aware, R. Bhagirathi Ganga has a very special place in Indian culture, thought and tradition. In the past few years, however, the continuity, quantity, quality and regime of flows is being disrupted for generation of hydro-electricity like all other rivers. Already in the reach downstream of Maneri, long stretches of Bhagirathi remain water less for long periods. In near future this may become the state of the entire river. As a serious student of environment sciences and as a faithful Hindu, this is hard for me to swallow. I strongly believe that at least Bhagirathi upstream of Uttarkashi should be spared of any works that disturb it’s natural flow-regime, ecology, purity or piety and, after brooding over it for several months, I have decided to oppose such works with all the might I have.
2. What might do I have to oppose such works in the face of the terrible last for money, material comforts and particularly for electrical energy both on part of the governments and masses alike at the present state of our country? Well, I Pride to be from a culture that places the power of "Sacrifice and asceticism" (riL;k) above all other powers. And what is the use and meaning of "faith" if one is not willing to sacrifice for it! So after deep deliberation I have decided to "fast-unto-death" to oppose the destruction of this ecological marvel and the epitome of Hindu cultural "faith".
3. In Chitrakoot, where Lord Rama performed his Tapasya, on his auspicious birth-day, Ram-Navami, April 14, 2008, I hereby resolve, that barring circumstances unforeseen, I shall go on a "fast-unto-death" from Ganga-Dashehra, June 13, 2008 to oppose the foul meddling going on with the stream of Bhagirathi upstream of Uttarkashi. May Lord Rama give me the strength of staying firm in my resolve.
4. In the name of your affection and concern for me, I pray to you not to do anything that may even distantly try to make me waiver from my resolve and if by any means, you find me your blessings.
5. After May 15, 2008, I plan to stay somewhere around Uttarkashi most of the time. You could find my location from either M.C. Mehta Environmental Foundation (Tel: 011-41756519) or from People’s Science Institute (Tel: 0135-2763649)
With affectionate good wishes,
Your own cultural conscience

(G.D. Agrawal)

June 20 press release

2008-06-21T01:16:00.000-07:00

June 20, 2008 DehraDoon/Uttarkashi

Dr. G.D. Agarwal thwarts Government emissary
Dr. G.D. Agrawal today told State Power Secretary Shatrughan Singh that even though the Government's recent decision to suspend work on two major power projects in the Bhagirathi valley was a welcome step in the right direction, he would not end his fast-unto-death until his demand of maintaining an unobstructed flow in the river Bhagirathi between Gangotri and Uttarkashi, was acceded to by the Government.
In the morning, the Power Secretary Shatrughan Singh called on Dr. Agrawal and handed him an official letter containing decisions taken by the State Cabinet in a meeting held on June 19, 2008. During the talks, the Power Secretary urged Dr. Agrawal to end his fast-unto-death. Dr. Agrawal responded that the Government's decision to suspend work on two power projects namely 480 MW Pala-Maneri and 381 MW Bhairon Ghati projects was welcome but his original demand has not been met. Dr. Agrawal also rejected all requests from the visiting Government emissary to end his fast-unto-death and said that more was required to be done to maintain an unobstructed flow of the River Bhagirathi in its 125 km stretch between Gangotri and Uttarkashi.
In a major development, Jagatguru Shakaracharya Swami Swarupananda Saraswati today arrived at Uttarkashi's Manikarnika Ghat and met Dr. Agrawal to extend his full support to the campaign. Yesterday, the Shankaracharya has also sent letters to Prime Minister Manmohan Singh, UPA Chairperson Ms. Sonia Gandhi in support of Dr. Agrawal's campaign to save the river Bhagirathi.
Meanwhile, Dr. Agrawal's fast-unto-death in support of his demand continued for the eighth day today. Already, doctors have reported Dr. Agrawal's failing health condition due to a prolonged denial of any food and nutrition to his body. Yesterday, they had also collected his urine samples for examination and recommended kidney and liver tests.
Various other organizations and individuals have also stepped up their support to Dr. Agrawal on the issue. Today, Swami Chidanand Muni of Parmarth Niketan (Rishikesh) and Swami Hansdas, secretary of Rashtriya Sant Samaj met Dr. Agrawal and conveyed their support on the issue to him.

Dr G.D. Agrawal's Fast-Unto-Death

2008-06-20T23:46:00.000-07:00

Dr G.D. Agrawal, the doyen of environmental engineers in India[1], has been on a fast-unto-death from June 13, 2008 demanding that River Bhagirathi Ganga be allowed to flow in its natural, unrestricted form, from Gangotri to Dharasu. Ultimately, six dams or barrages will be built on this stretch of the river. These are (see map):
(1) Bhairon Ghati I (380MW): still in the planning stage.
(2) Bhairon Ghati II (65 MW): also in the planning stage.
(3) Loharinag-Pala (600 MW): NTPC began construction over 2 years ago. A road, a tunnel and a residential colony are under construction.
(4) Pala-Maneri (480 MW): construction work inaugurated on June 11, 2008.
(5) Maneri-Bhali I (90 MW): a barrage built in the 1970s.
(6) Maneri-Bhali II (304 MW): a barrage inaugurated in May 2008.
Once these structures are completed, River Bhagirathi will flow in tunnels over half the stretch from Gangotri to Dharasu.
Dr G.D. Agrawal has asked for a legally valid guarantee from the Prime Minister of India that none of the above structures would be constructed or operational (MB I & II). In response, the Chief Minister of Uttarakhand, Shri B.C. Khanduri, has let it be known through his intermediaries and the press that he is willing to drop Bhairon Ghati I and II and the Pala Maneri dams, for which the Government of India should compensate the state of Uttarakhand. He has also said that for the cancellation of the Loharinag-Pala dam, Dr Agrawal should shift his fast to New Delhi and take his demand to the Government of India.
Dr Agrawal has bluntly rejected this 'offer' of the Chief Minister and has reiterated that:
(1) The conditionality of compensation for canceling the BG I & II and Pala-Maneri projects from the GoI is irrelevant to Dr Agrawal. (The Chief Minister should cancel all the projects first and if he wants the state to be compensated he can demand that separately from the GoI. (He should not make the compensation issue a condition for Dr Agrawal.)
(2) The MB-I & II barrages should be decommissioned by permanently opening all their gates.
(3) The CM should immediately order the stoppage of all the work on the Loharinag-Pala project.
Dr Agrawal has told Shri Khanduri's intermediaries that once he has a firm, legally beinding, commitment from the CM of Uttarakhand to cancel the BG I & II and Pala-Maneri projects and to decommission MB I & II, he is willing to consider taking his demand for the cancellation of the Loharinag-Pala dam to New Delhi.
In a strongly worded statement on June 18, 2008 Dr Agrawal has expressed his contempt for senior BJP Leaders like Murli Manohar Joshi and B.C. Khanduri, Shri Ashok Singhal's machinations and the meeting convened by Baba Ramdev and others.
In the meantime, Dr G.D. Agrawal's firm stand continues to receive strong support from scientists, professionals and common people as evidenced by the signatures on an online petition, sympathy fasts, dharnas and signature campaigns across the country and the steady stream of visitors in Uttarkashi. On June 18, 2008 Jagadguru Swami Swaroopanand, Shankaracharya of Dwarka Peeth, has also appealed to the Prime Minister of India and the Chairperson of the UPA to heed Dr. Agrawal's call.
_______________________

Dear Anil,I had shared the background with you and others on this list because you has certified them as a select group of friends. I hope the information remains within the group. But I may be wrong because already two people outside the list have asked me about what your first email means. I do hope your 'selection' has been appropriate and discreet.As for any discussion, all we have so far is a response from Soumya which does not really throw any further light of what could be a strategy - particularly in view of whatever may be the "presence of long standing people's struggles" . (Also, I might add that the remark about "low local participation" may not be fully correct.)WarmlyDunu

On Tue, Jun 17, 2008 at 2:51 PM, anil sadgopal <anilsadgopal@yahoo.com> wrote:

[1] A civil engineer from IIT-Roorkee, Dr Agrawal did his Ph.D. from the University of California at Berkeley. He was the Head of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering at IIT-Kanpur. In the early 1980s he became the first Member-Secretary of India's central Pollution Control Board, where he established the pollution regulatory structure and guidelines for the whole country.