Mr. O. P. Nandimath, Coordinator, Center for Environmental Education Research and Advocacy (CEERA) delivered an informal lecture on 12 July 2001. He highlighted first on the basic objectives of CEERA, which he laid was based on the development of knowledge base, to built a community and as a center for source for policy reforms. He emphasized on the ineffective existing environmental legislations in India, which may be around 250.
CEERA is involved in Research & policy reforms as well as in the formulation of law reforms. The lack of political wills as well bureaucratic will was coming on the way of effective implementation of environmental legislation. He described the Indian laws as Anglo-saxon legacy and doubted about the efficacy and about the effectiveness of such laws. He cited the example of the 1971 legislation on the law on water, which was a copy of the Scottish model, which in fact was discarded by Scotland itself in the year 1973.
He stressed on the need for revival of the traditional knowledge and practices for the protection and preservation of environmental. The pro-active people's participation was a very important component in the decision making process, so that decisions can be made more sustainable which implementing such decisions.
Mr. Nandimath stressed on the need for the renewal of traditional knowledge, the knowledge that could help in the revival & regeneration of forest. In a reply to a question by one of the participant that whether there was a conflict between the two dual concepts of rights to environment and Environmental rights, he said that there was no conflict between these concepts.
He was of the view that alternate legal system should be developed which would empower the local /tribal/indigenous people for up keeping and safeguarding the natural resources. There was a need for taking a middle path between the two conflicting viewpoints of two schools of thought of delimitation & possibilities. Upon being asked he also spoke of ancient truth which described the "Rinas" or "obligations", i.e. "Pitra Rina" (that we owe to our father), "Guru Rina" (that we ow to our teacher), and "Van Rina" (that we ow to our forest). Thus emphasising on the "Van-Rina" he said that giving respect & paying respect to nature has been our ancient legacy.