State of Environmental Decision-Making in India - A workshop for practitioners

State of Environmental Decision-Making in India

A workshop for practitioners

Organised by

Environment Support Group, Bangalore

&

Citizen consumer and civic Action Group, Chennai

Bangalore, 23-26 April, 2017

FOCUS OF THE WORKSHOP

This workshop is designed to assist practitioners deepen their understanding of environmental justice in the context of growing challenges of the 21st Century. The workshop will present a critical review of key environmental, social justice and forest protection laws and policies, and evolving environmental jurisprudence. Participants will be invited to reflect on the ways in which people interact with the natural and the built environment, with particular attention to the social processes that promote and maintain ecological inequalities, generate sustainable or unsustainable patterns of resource use, and privilege particular types of knowledge about our relationship with the environment. The resource persons will draw from their activism, research and academic experience to share some of their own challenges and strategies to understand and address environmental justice issues. Participants will learn to assess political and communication strategies, technological innovations and ethical values as tools for achieving sustainable environments.  The workshop is envisaged as a beginning of a shared learning journey, and as a means of strengthening existing solidarity networks or building new ones.

Objectives of the workshop are to provide participants an operational understanding of:

· Environmental Impact Assessment of developmental, infrastructure and energy projects, its strengths, weaknesses and opportunities.

· Forest rights, securing rights of adivasis and other forest dwelling communities, conservation of bio-resources and protection of associated traditional knowledge, and ways to tackle bio-piracy.

· Prevailing problems in conservation of forests, wildlife habitats, biodiversity, ecologically sensitive areas, wetlands, rivers, commons, etc.

· Democratic decision making relating to land use planning (urban and rural) and land acquisition processes.

· Securing environmental and social justice through innovative engagement with governance systems and a variety of litigative opportunities.

· How to plan from the ground to build an economically viable, socially just, environmentally sensitive and ecologically sound and healthy society for the benefit of present and future generations.

LOGISTICS

Workshop Fee

₹ 6,000 per participant payable in advance by Wire Transfer/DD/Cheque in favour of 'Environment Support Group', payable at Bangalore.

The fee includes cost of simple shared boarding, food, course fee, and field travel costs. We do not want the course fee to be a deterrent to your participation. So please talk to us if you need financial assistance.

All participants are required to cover their own travel costs. Again, talk to us if you need travel support.

Accommodation

Participants will be accommodated in a government run training hostel close to the ESG Workshop Space. Accommodation is comfortable, but not luxurious. Those in need of a hotel within walking distance of the workshop venue will be assisted with choices.

Workshop Venue

ESG Workshop Space, 1575, Intermediate Ring Road, Banashankari II Stage, Bangalore 560070 (abutting ESG office)

Important Dates

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Keeping in view the need for comprehensive participation in the workshop, we recommend a four night (five days) stay in Bangalore. For those travelling long distances, we strongly recommend that you arrive by the night of 22 April.

WORKSHOP REGISTRATION

Registration will close at 8 pm on April 18, 2017. Please click this link (https://goo.gl/forms/nW2SAw1j14nLqmKM2) and complete the form.

Please submit the form online and, also, email a signed and scanned copy to harsh@esgindia.org.

KEY CONTACT PERSONS

Harsh Vardhan Bhati is the workshop coordinator and can be reached for any issue relating to participation in the workshop. Cell: +91-9871379060 Email: harsh@esgindia.org

For all logistical support, such as hotel bookings, travel, board and food arrangements, etc., please contact ESG's Logistics Manager Ms. Pushpalatha on +91-80-26713560~61 or +91-9880663608 or pushpa@esgindia.org.

ORGANISERS