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'Progress' comes to my village [contd]

Also, the lease was for a mere Rs.7,000 for the year. Since the Resort management in that year, cut most of the trees, reshaped the land extensively using earth-movers, made it difficult for villagers to worship in the lands, conducted parties on the land, day and night, where alcoholic drinks are served, the Gram Sabha, [-the village plenary] passed a resolution in 1998 that lands be never ever leased out again.

What is the outcome? At the time of this writing on Aug 12, 2004, members of East Coast Citizens' Organisation [ECCO], are being led in circles with no luck with the police, the courts, the press, the pollution control board, the district collector and officials of the state government. Several resorts along the ECR flout laws, but ECCO has taken this Muttukkadu issue as a classic instance to test the power of civic action. Can ambiguity and non-action by authorities lead by default to illegal corporate gain? We will know in the coming months. It is an emerging story and you can follow it here.

This seemingly isolated issue concerns all Indians. One day you too will face variations of this controversy. And you will probably despair and ask, " what can individuals do in the face of all odds stacked against them?"

Maybe reading this story as it unfolds, will enable you to find the right motivation. Maybe you will learn the patience, skills and perserverence required to make a difference in India. Maybe you will change India for the better.

But at the current moment the heights are with the Resort. Villagers are either in silent resentment or deep in apathy. Parties rage on, on the temple lands at great cost to the environment and helpless, somewhat overawed neigbours. Turtle breeding has ended. The beach is littered with styrofoam cups, bottles and party-plastic litter. The Resort maintains 3 acres of temple lands as lush lawns, at a great cost of water. Their security guards patrol the disputed lands and villagers stare sullenly. We are in the fourth year of a drought. Water levels have fallen. The hotel has close to 100 guests and a large swimming pool. Water supply has proved inadequate for their needs. It has just dug a new 25 feet diameter well, abandoning its old one. Water quality has changed. Muttukkadu can longer boast of sweet water.

Across the road is a newer arrival, the Green Coconut Resort. Noisy parties late into the night, scandalous waste management and utter disregard for the environment are arousing ECCO members.

Before we turn to prosaic details of the campaign, let us share this vignette. For two centuries the family of Naickers has been the keeper of traditional herbal knowledge. They have prepared and dispensed, free of cost, a sure-fire, cure for jaundice and several insect bites. The current keeper of that knowledge is Baby Amma, now seventy. Following a spiritual experience, when a youngster, she embraced Islam and chose to remain single. She is deeply, quietly religious and has made a pilgrimage to the Karbala.

She lives in a small dwelling, next to the controversial partying venue of MGM Resorts. She endures noisy parties several times a week. Her nephew's children are slowing heading towards permanent deafness. Baby Amma still dispenses with her cures to the few who come to her doors.    [NEXT PAGE]