July 2, 2012 Forest department in a bind Experts , villagers slam officials for building 20-km fence in Kas without giving a thought to ecology he move to put up a 20-km long fence along the Kas plateau near Satara a day ahead of the UNESCO’s recognition of the entire stretch of Western Ghats as world heritage site has caught the state forest department on the wrong foot. It seems the department was in such a hurry that neither did it wait for the UNESCO’s announcement nor allowed the committee, appointed by it, to submit a feasibility report. Now, the department has realised its “mistake” after a public outcry and has decided to reconsider its decision. Environmentalists and villagers are opposing the move as it will restrict the movement of natives as well as wildlife. The locals say that it is an encroachment and will not serve the purpose. During monsoon, especially in August, the plateau comes to life, with a picturesque view of various types of flowers embracing the plateau. However, the forest department contends that it had fenced the plateau, famously known as the valley of flowers, to protect rare and endangered species of plants from cattle and wild animals. Dharmaraj Ghorpade, chairman of the Satara Panchayat Samiti said, “Why did the forest department suddenly put up fencing now while it did not take any action for so many years. The fencing will create difficulties for wildlife, which is a part of the plateau’s richness.” T Devidas Deshpande
[email protected] SANJAY KARANDE The 20-km long fence was put up a day ahead of UNESCO’s announcement Amit Kadam, member, Satara Zilla Parishad, has also joined Ghorpade in opposing the forest department. On June 12 when the department had convened a meeting to discuss the fencing issue, P N Munde, Chief Range Forest Officer of Kolhapur, too had disapproved the department’s proposal. Later, Munde admitted that it was a mistake and the fence will be withdrawn in phases. A week later, Pravinsinh Pardeshi, State secretary, forest and environment department, had visited the plateau and had announced that a committee would be appointed to find a solution. Well-known author Dr Sandeep Shrotri, who has penned books on Kas plateau, was appointed a member of this committee. Shrotri, who works with Satarabased NGO Ranwata, said, “The fencing will affect the eco-system in many ways. While external soil or metal is harmful for the plateau’s ecology, they have used concrete and iron to build the fencing. The oil paints on the pillars will seep in the water and pose danger to migratory species of fish. Also people come here to see nature’s beauty but the fence will obstruct their view.” Shrotri added, “Now no development work can be carried out here as per the International Union for Conservations of Nature (IUCN) guidelines.” Meanwhile, the wildlife warden of Pune along with several organisations, researchers and ecologists have decided to organise a public consultation on the issue on July 7 in Pune. July 2, 2012 July 8, 2012 CITY www.punemirror.in/city PuneMirror MONDAY, JULY 9, 2012 7 Participatingin60showsofSatyashodhak,aplayonMahatmaandSavitribaiPhule,hasleftalastingimpactonthelivesof16PMCClassIVemployees It’s all play for these workers Devidas Deshpande
[email protected] MAHENDRA KOLHE M ost days, Shobha Bansode leaves her house in the morning and sweeps the streets in different parts of the city. However, during the last six months, her persona has undergone a transformation as she dons the role of Kashibai in 19th-century Pune. Satyashodhak,a play based on the life of Mahatma and Savitribai Phule and produced by employees of the Pune Municipal Corporation (PMC) staged its 60th show at Balgandharva Rangmandir on Saturday. Bansode (50) is one of several labourers whose life has changed since she started attending rehearsals for the drama. Bansode, who was forced to leave school at 13 and married early, has Earlier, I could barely recognise the alphabet. Now, after this play, I can read newspapers SHOBHA BANSODE, A SWEEPER WHO PLAYS THE ROLE OF KASHIBAI The workers say the play changed their lives been working as a sweeper for the last 20 years. “Earlier, I could barely recognise the alphabet. Now, after this play, I can read newspapers. I am eager to know what is happening in society,”she said. “I did this with the support of my husband and kids. My husband actually said I am doing society a double service now,” she added. Nagnath Gaikwad is one of the conservancy staff workers, a drainage labourer, working in the PMC for the last 30 years. He is due to retire in five months but he is proud to be part of the experiment. He underwent rigorous training for singing and body movement and also sang and composed many of the songs in the play. “The play has increased our energy levels. Now, even outside of the play, we find ourselves propagating Mahatma Phule’s principals.” Shahir Sadashiv Bhise, another worker, said, “Until a year ago, we had had only heard of Mahatma Phule. Except for his his birth or death anniversaries, we didn’t really relate to him. Now, I think I have understood him 100 per cent.” Director Atul Pethe said, “I realised these labours have different voices and skills. I just gave them a platform, training and exposure.” Pethe started workshops six months prior to the play and all of them were together from morning to evening. The labourers took workshops in anatomy, voice modulation and composing songs. Nearly all of them were illiterate or semi-literate, public readings of books on Mahatma Phule were arranged. Mukta Manohar, secretary of the PMC employees union, said, “Mahatma Phule gave the downtrodden and the worker class a voice. When these workers enact scenes from their lives, it becomes more natural.” The play was written by G P Deshpande and has 25 actors of which 16 are PMC employees, three are theatre students and the rest are experimental theatre artistes. July 9, 2012 July 10, 2012 July 12, 2012 July 13, 2012 July 15, 2012 July 16, 2012 July 18, 2012 July 22, 2012 July 23 2012 July 23 2012 July 24, 2012 July 25, 2012 July 28, 2012 July 26, 2012 July 29, 2012 July 29, 2012 July 30, 2012 July 30, 2012