Released on 10/10/10 by ICC-CDE in response to the call by 350.org by Dr.

Jayashree Firodia at the Green Pune Movement Event in Pune, India

GREEN PUNE MOVEMENT

ACTION RESOURCE PACK FOR LOCAL ISSUES BIO DIVERSITY PARK PUNE ISSUE This Action Resource Pack is the first of a series of Local Issue Resources developed by the Centre for Development Education, Pune to provide young children an understanding of local issues, to stimulate discussion amongst them, to help them consider various perspectives and to express their own opinion about it. It was released in Pune at 10:10am on 10/10/10, in response to a call by 350.org at that unique designated moment for initiating action for climate change at a city-based event led by the Green Pune Movement an informal association of over 50 organisations and individuals working towards sustainable development in Pune city. This pack consists of materials to help young people understand the issue, activities that use a set of cartoons and quotes loosely based on real opinions as a stimulus for discussion and for considering their own perspectives. The idea is for young people to think critically about a range of opinions and to develop their own views on local issues in this case - the Bio Diversity Park Issue. The activity is based on the participatory methodology Open Spaces for Dialogue and Enquiry (OSDE) and the social interaction model, the Jurisprudential Inquiry Model (JIM). Centre for Development Education works with schools, colleges and the community on projects related to global issues like climate change, sustainable development, child rights and more. CDE currently manages the International Climate Challenge - a project that encourages local action among the youth aged 14 20 to mitigate climate change. The ICC works alongside the EVS curriculum of over 30 schools and colleges in Pune and Mumbai. Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

Words in Context
Biodiversity is the diversity of plant and animal life in a particular habitat or in the world as a whole. Biological diversity, or "biodiversity," refers to the variety of life on earth.

Bio Diversity Reservation proposed in the Pune Development Plan for the 23 newly merged villages. This has become an issue as the law allows 4% of construction in these areas.

A carbon footprint is "the total set of greenhouse gases (GHG) emissions caused by an organization, event or product". For simplicity of reporting, it is often expressed in terms of the amount of carbon dioxide, or its equivalent of other GHGs, emitted. For instance, the carbon footprint of a person travelling by car everyday is heavier than a person who Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA travels by bus.

Words in Context
Carbon Sink is a natural or artificial reservoir that absorbs, accumulates and stores carbon compounds for an indefinite period. E.g. forests absorb the carbon dioxide emitted by the cities and human civilizations.

Clean air share is a mechanism suggested by CDSA (Centre for Development Studies and Activities Pune) to issue shares to the citizens by creating a stake for them in the city Biodiversity Development Plan.

Climate mitigation is any action taken to permanently eliminate or reduce the long-term risk and hazards of climate change to human life, property. It is to take preventive action to reduce the carbon footprint of individuals, organisations and societies.

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

Words in Context
Corporate social responsibility (CSR) is a form of corporate self-regulation integrated into a business model. In CSR businesses would embrace responsibility for the impact of its activities on the environment, consumers, employees, communities, stakeholders and all other members of the public sphere.

Development plan is laying out a pattern of human settlement, using science, technology and resources of the time to achieve balance and create physical spaces (both built and unbuilt).

Forestry is the art and science of managing forests, tree plantations, and related natural resources. The main goal of forestry is to create and implement systems that allow forests to continue a sustainable continuation of environmental supplies and services.

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

Words in Context

National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) includes a Mission on Green India, that would enhance ecosystem services and focus on increasing forest cover.

The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) is an Indian government ministry. The ministry is responsible for planning, promoting, co-ordinating and overseeing the implementation of environment and forestry programmes in the country. It is responsible for conservation and survey of the flora and fauna, forests and other wilderness areas; prevention and control of pollution; afforestation, and land degradation mitigation.

A public utility is an organization that maintains the infrastructure for a public service (often also providing a service using that infrastructure) Example: Electricity, natural gas, water and sewage. Telephone services may also be included.

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

Words in Context
Sustainable development has been defined as balancing the fulfilment of human needs with the protection of the natural environment so that these needs can be met not only in the present, but in the indefinite future. In other words: development that "meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.

A national Mission on sustainable habitat was launched to make habitat sustainable through improvements in energy efficiency in buildings, management of solid waste and modal shift to public transport.

Step topography is created by volcanic action where lava flow creates layers of rock. This creates areas of slope interspersed (means to distribute among other things at intervals) with small flat areas which look like steps.

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

FACILITATORS NOTES
Set the scene Introduce the three ground rules recommended when exploring different perspectives. It is important to allow some time to discuss these ground rules as some participants can find them quite challenging at first sight. After discussion, invite participants to accept these ground rules for the session. Put up the ground rules so it may be seen Introduce the case: Present the case to them and explore the two main perspectives mentioned, the differing views, the reasons and the values in conflict Introduce the perspectives Introduce the cartoons and quotes provided. You could give a couple to each group, or give each group the whole set. You dont need to use all of them especially if you are working with younger children. Make them think: Who might hold this opinion? How has this perspectives been formed? What question would you like to ask him or her to understand the perspective better? Get them to discuss: Which perspective do you identify most closely with? Why? Are there any perspectives you find particularly difficult to accept? Why? Are there any other perspectives which you think are important but are not represented here? Let them reflect What could the two main outcomes be? What are the desirable and undesirable consequences of the two outcomes? Could there be a third outcome - a compromising outcome? Let them express What is your opinion on this issue? Express your voice. This activity is intended to help participants think critically about the Bio Diversity Park Issue in Pune and inspire action to bring about change in a participatory and democratic manner. Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

Step 1: Introduce the issue

Step 2: Discuss rules and make them clear

Step 3: Introduce the perspectives ask participants to think about it

Step 4: Discuss in groups

Step 5: Reflect and Express

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

Presenting the case

The development plan - proposed by the Pune Municipal Corporation for the 23 newly merged villages - states that the areas which are hills i.e. having a slope of 20% or greater will be reserved as Bio Diversity Parks. The law says that no construction can be carried out on the hilly areas but it can be used for agricultural purpose, public/private parks, health clubs, public utility services and forestry And in any case the maximum Floor Space Index FSI shall not increase 4% It is important to note that we have a step topography i.e. slopes interspersed with flat plateau-like areas (that resemble steps) since Pune lies on the border of the Western Ghats and the Deccan Plateau. Now some people say that with the increasing population of Pune, we should have constructions 4% - on those areas which that are flat and use this space to create places to live in natural healthy environments. But other people say that the hills are the lungs of Pune and should not be constructed upon. They would hamper the climate of Pune.

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

Exploring the Issue

Which are the two main perspectives mentioned in the case? Why do you think they have these differing views? What values are these two different sets of people upholding? Which are the two basic values that seem in conflict?

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

RULE 1
Every individual brings to the group valid knowledge as a result of their own experiences and background

This ground rule accepts that the knowledge and views that each person brings to the discussion are valid and should be respected, not criticised as inaccurate or wrong.

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

RULE 2 All knowledge is partial and incomplete No matter how well informed an individual is, or how complete a piece of research might appear to be, there will be aspects which have not been considered and information which has not been thought about.

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

RULE 3 All knowledge questioned can be

Participants are encouraged to question all knowledge, to ask where it originated, the assumptions on which it is based, and to explore alternative interpretations and implications.

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

PERSPECTIVE 1
I think that the builders and the people who want to construct on the hills are taking us for a ride. They say that they will construct only on 4% of the hills but eventually will end up damaging 30 40% of the hills to build roads, power-stations, sewage treatment plants and such services.

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

PERSPECTIVE 2 I really dont know what is happening? Lots of rich people come here and say that these hills should be protected from constructions. What is wrong if there are constructions? At least the people around here will get some employment.

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

PERSPECTIVE 3
I suspect that the energy, water and other resources that are now available to the local people around the hills will be diverted to these constructions and result in water shortage and power-failure for the local people.

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

PERSPECTIVE 4
I think that it will be g ood for the economy if these hills could be developed sustainably as resorts. Using energy efficient technologies and renewable resources and greening the entire hills could even help water tables to rise and generate income for the city through eco tourism.

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

PERSPECTIVE 5
Wow! Isnt it great to have a beautiful house among the trees and hear birds sing! Even spending a weekend at a resort nearby could rejuvenate our system and refresh it. Now we dont have to go all the way to Lonavala!

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

PERSPECTIVE 6
I think it is a money making scheme of the builders and politicians. They have already made up their minds to construct upon the hills and there is little we can do to avoid it. I dont think citizens can take any action to stop these policies.

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

PERSPECTIVE 7
I think if construction on the hills is allowed then it will destroy some of the native endangered species of flora and fauna. In fact, we need to create more of these biodiversity hot spots so we can also give enough space to other beings apart from humans and live in harmony with nature!

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

PERSPECTIVE 8
The hills around Pune act as a carbon sink and are the lungs of city. The best idea would be to make it a biodiversity park as planned. If we let construction happen then trees will be cut and this will lead to rise in temperature in the city and other related climate problems.

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

THINK Who according to you might hold this kind of opinion? How has this perspective been formed? What question would you like to ask her or him to understand the perspective better?

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

DISCUSS Which perspective do you identify most closely with? Why? Are there any perspectives you find particularly difficult to accept? Why? Are there any other perspectives which you think are important but are not represented here?

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

EXPRESS
(On a piece of paper)

What are the two main decisions one can see in this issue? What are the desirable and undesirable outcomes for decision I What are the desirable and undesirable outcomes for decision II Are there any other ways in which this issue could be resolved? Any compromising judgment?

What is your opinion on this issue? Lets hear your voice...

You could mail your voice to myvoicehills@cdeindia.in before 31st Mar 11 and we could compile it into an interesting format so that it is heard!!
Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

Acknowledgements Green Pune Movement CDSA 350.org Sapphire Graphics Aashapura Stationary Devendra & Ameya
ICC & CDE Team

www.cdeindia.in

Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA

Resource Pack developed by: Centre for Development Education D2/3 Ratan Park Phase II, Pashan Sus Road, Pune 411021, India W: www.cdeindia.in E: info@cdeindia.in M: +919371069730 Centre for Development Education, Pune, INDIA