Dandi, in Navsari district, is a small village on the western coast of Gujarat.This is also the site of historic salt satyagraha by Mahatma Gandhi in 1930.The Central government has decided to declare Dandi and three surrounding villages as an eco-sensitive zone under the Environment Protection Act, 1986.This is a project for the overall development and conservation of the Environment of Dandi and its surrounding villages based on Gandhian Teachings on environmental conservation and village development .

            Main project components are conservation of the coast and coastal resources, adopting nature- based development of resources, promoting integrated village and community development and promoting eco-tourism and “Branding of Destination Dandi”.                               

            Under mangrove afforestation and bio-shield, about 100ha of mangroves and about 50ha of bio-shield will be planted on the coast along the 8km shoreline. Additional activities, such as beach nourishment will be undertaken based on scientific studies.     Conservation of coastal features and wetlands project will support all measures to conserve wetlands, beaches sand dunes, marshy areas and mudflats.

            Promoting non-convention energy sources will reduce dependence on conventional energy and encourage adoption of the Gandhian approach to development based on natural resources. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind will be set up which will provide clean energy to local communities.

            Conservation of water will see restoration and redevelopment of water bodies and rain water harvesting to promote and demonstrate Gandhi’s teaching on conservation of water and water and water quality. It will support household level dependable and adequate supply of potable water in the four villages. For this a desalination plant will be constructed in addition to restoration and improvement of traditional water bodies.

            Waste management will be carried out to promote practices such as cleanliness and the reuse of waste based on Gandhian teachings; activities related to generating energy and manure from waste and sewage; sewage treatment plan and solid waste management facilities will be instated.

            Carbon neutral villages project will support activities to transform the Heritage Area including the four villages to be clean and green; to become carbon neutral and to achieve the aim of creating a “non-polluting area” to demonstrate the Gandhian ideal of preservation of the “purity of nature”

            Livelihood improvement activity will  promote Self-Help based Income Generation Activities including capacity building for desalinization, to make the wasteland suitable for agriculture, horticulture or fodder cultivation; piloting salinity tolerant crop and plants; and sericulture and related improvements in the saline water bodies.  Self-Help based promotion or manufacture of Khadi products and local handicrafts, especially products to replace any use of plastic by mainstream Khadi products, in the tourism activities will get support.

            Village development; will be carried out on the lines of support development of nature trails, landscape development in the entire Heritage Area, with an ambience suitable for learning of Gandhian thoughts on self-help, village development and environmental conservation.Support will also be given to conservation, cleaning and hygienic maintenance of the Dandi beach, and all other tourism facilities and attractions under construction through active involvement of the Panchayat. The village communities will be provided with capacity building support for construction of rain and cyclones shelters; and facilitate and ensure safety of built spaces in the four villages.

To promote Dandi as a tourism destination which signifies environmental conservation; including branding, such that all products used and associated with Dandi are environment positive to promote Gandhian values and networking:

            To promote Dandi as a tourism center, advanced communication linkages will be supported so that (a) this eco-tourism destination is promoted; (b) the “Dandi March” pilgrimage is facilitated; (c) the entire Heritage Area becomes a major centre for learning on Gandhian thoughts and philosophy in active collaboration with the National Gandhi Museum, the Sabarmati Ashram and similar centres of learning in the country and abroad.

This is a project of the Ministry of Environment & Forests, Government of India and will be implemented by Society for Integrated Coastal Zone Management (SICOM) in collaboration with the Village Panchyats, the Gujarat Ecology Commission (GEC). The Gujarat Vidyapith, Ahmedabad. Other Centres of Gandhian learning in India will also assist this project. The financing will come from the world Bank assisted Integrated Coastal Zone Management (ICZM) Project, being implemented by SICOM. The initial outlay for the project is about Rs.25 crores, to be completed in about two years.

            The Village Panchayats will be primarily responsible for upkeep, maintenance and sustenance of the assets and opportunities created by the project. A plan for supporting the Village Panchayats will be prepared under this project.

            The Government  of Gujarat has proposed to declare  the Gulf of Kutch and Dandi  as eco-sensitive zones looking at their unique ecology and historical importance.The move would mean that an industrial unit or any other project coming up in the area would need prior approval of the local people.

KP