Mapping of Environs of Dharavi Slums of Greater Bombay - Research Paper Example

Mapping of Environs of Dharavi Slums of Greater Bombay 1. Identification of the central issue This research paper encompasses Dharavi slum in Mumbai city, its growth, its ecological aspects, and its redevelopment concentrating on the efforts to improve the slum to minimize the possible dangers. 2. Statement of the research question The research paper answers a controversial issue about the ecology of Dharavi slum and measures taken to improve the slum and make it sustainable. 3. Literature review Raghavswamy, Gautam and Krishnamurthy argue that Dharavi slum is one of the biggest slums in Bombay. They argue that the housing present in Dharavi slum is prone to risks of natural occurrences such as floods, earthquakes, and related landslides. They go further and explain that Dharavi slum grew from a small village in the marshland with no governmental support to a million-dollar economic area. According to Roy (2010), the Maharashtra Government in India has given the green light on the Dharavi slum redevelopment project. Roy argues that these redevelopments and change of Dharavi slum, the government will have helped a lot in controlling congestion in the areas, prevent diseases outbreaks and more so provided necessary health care to the sick thus reducing mortality cases. 4. Thesis statement Slums especially Dharavi slum, appear in areas where urban planning and zoning regulations do not exist hence lack the necessary basic municipal services such as storm drainage, clean water, waste collection, sanitation, and adequate infrastructure. 5. Evidence The most advocated way to free humanity from slums is by overthrowing the system that breeds them by the combined struggle of workers and rural poor globally. The government has to intervene and provide job opportunities to the qualified individuals who lack jobs. Although many people disapprove the slums and those who live there, in many cases, slums have historically depicted the foundation of many different cultures. It is the responsibility of the society to find ways of improving the slum areas rather than despising and undermining them yet they have a range of people with potential and ability to raise the country’s economic status. Dharavi Slum A drastic population growth in the cities has led to an extensive eruption of slums in the urban centers. Slums represent overcrowded informal settlements within city areas that pose miserable living conditions. This paper answers the controversial question of why slums lack the necessary basic municipal services such as storm drainage, clean water, waste collection, sanitation, and adequate infrastructure1. Slums appear in areas where urban planning and zoning regulations do not exist. Not all slums in the world depict the same living conditions. For instance, some slums provide better living conditions than others do. People living in slums portray diverse interests means and backgrounds and therefore not homogeneous. Statistics denote that out of every three people living in cities live in slums. This paper discusses in depth about the three aspects of urban ecology, which include social, physical, and biological in relation to Dharavi slums in Mumbai city2. The growth of urban slums Slums have proved affordable and accessible settlement areas for individuals in the poor countries where advanced urbanization and industrialization has boomed in the recent years especially in Mumbai city. Many people prefer to live in slums where competition of land and profits s intense3. Slum dwellers do not only refer to the poor people in the society. In most cases, research portrays that most of the slum dwellers in many parts of the world include university students, civil servants, university lecturers, and private sector employees. Slums present places where people with different potentials stay hidden and submerged in the society. Slums have given rise to most of the major musical and dance movements of the 20th century due to its vibrant mixing of different cultures. The growth of urban slums does not come out from the blues but is influenced by two main reasons that include population growth and governance. Many people have decided to migrate to the urban centers to search for employment opportunities. Roy (2010) denotes that according to a recent UN-HABITAT report cities have become highly congested thus leading to the development of urban slums. Why do people migrate to urban centers rather than searching for employment? This has been a controversial issue in the society. Many people leave their rural areas and head for the cities in search of good and better pastures. Low incomes from agricultural produce and better living facilities in the cities have made people seek refuge in the city areas. It is evident that people would advocate for a luxurious life with adequate health facilities, educational facilities, and better infrastructure. In addition, many people run to the urban centers in search of freedom from restrictive social or cultural realities. This urge to settle in urban areas has led to an immense increase in cities subsequently leading to growth of urban slums. The government has also played a role in the development of urban slums. The government fails to understand and recognize the rights of the poor people living in urban centers and improvise adequate planning strategies. This contributes to a great part the growth of urban slums. Many people who come to the cities come with an aim of looking for job opportunities. The governments in many countries portray a hostile approach to urbanization and fail to provide services to these people fearing to enhance slum growth. Therefore, the attitude of a government to a certain country becomes a major component to the growth of urban slums. In addition, the government fails to provide sufficient planning tools to deal with the rapid urbanization and respond to the reality on the ground4. Urban ecology Urban ecology encompasses humans living in cities and urbanizing the landscapes. The urban ecology of Mumbai city denotes an emerging interdisciplinary field that focuses on how human and ecological processes coexist in human-dominated systems. The ecology of Dharavi slum has greatly contributed to the decline of Mumbai city’s efforts of enhancing sustainability. Moreover, urban ecology in Mumbai city studies about humans in the city, its nature, and the interrelation between humans, and nature. Urban ecology in most cases helps urban communities build vibrant, healthy cities. Dharavi slum in Mumbai city has pessimistically affected the natural resources present such as trees, open spaces, and rivers in terms of pollution, over-development, and other pressures. Therefore, observance of a suitable and sustainable urban ecosystem is important in designation of a healthier and better-managed community. The growth of Dharavi slum Raghavswamy, Gautam and Krishnamurthy argue that Mumbai city in Asia has one amongst the largest slums in the world, Dharavi5. It is in fact the biggest slum in the whole of Greater Bombay encompassing a total land of 4.5 square kilometers reclaimed land. Although depicted as a slum of embarrassing eyesore in the middle of India’s financial capital, it is home for more than 18,000 people living per acre. In Dharavi, traffic never stops and in essence, even at nightfall, the place looks lively and a verdant glade. This slum serves not only as a window for the India’s burgeoning cities, but also an urban space everywhere. The slum is highly congested thus depriving an individual the required privacy. For instance, being accustomed to live in an area where rats and mice provide company is not a wonder in Dharavi slum. The economic impact of Dharavi slum on the Indian government Dharavi remains to evidence its uniqueness by complementing Mumbai city that over years has exemplified India’s hopes of overthrowing China economically. Successive political leaders have tolerated with the issue of the slum’s growth due to its magnificent contribution to the economic development of the country6. Dharavi slum is the source of goods used by the country for world market. This is because of its huge conglomeration of cottage industries and primitive workshops. As a slum, it contributes greatly to the economic development of the country. International economic crises made Dharavi the financial hub at the heart of Mumbai city described as the economic engine of the country. According to the Indian government, many textile industries and export-driven productions globally have been wiped out in the recent months. This has forced most of the inhabitants of the slum to move away and look for other means and ways of making their living. Raghavswamy, Gautam and Krishnamurthy argue that Dharavi slum is acknowledged in the society for its resourcefulness since it has managed to grow from a small village in the marshland with no government support to a million-dollar economic miracle proving food both locally and internationally7. Why do those who glorify the slum as an conscientious spirit tend to close their eyes and act as if they do not to see the rapid population growth in the slum and the ecological conditions of the slum that make it unsuitable for human survival. The argument has brought controversies in the nation. The physical ecology of Dharavi slum The physical perception of the slum entails insecure residential status. Dharavi slum is very unsecure due to its polluted environments making it hard for the residents to fight for their rights of a safe environment. The congestion of the slum puts its residents at risk of road–traffic injuries from the dangerous vehicles. Moreover, Dharavi as an industrial area makes people face risks of air pollution from the industries. Evidenced in Bhopal, an upcoming slum in Mumbai city was an accidental release of methyl isocyanine from a pesticide industry that killed quite a large number of people. This air pollution incidence is a major physical threat to the overpopulated Dharavi slum. The quality of housing in the Dharavi slum is wanting. Most of the houses built are of poor quality not efficient to provide adequate shelter to the residents. As depicted by Raghavswamy, Gautam and Krishnamurthy, these houses poorly built put the residents at great risks of natural occurrences such as earthquakes, floods, and other associated landslides. Moreover, most slums are prone to accidental firebreaks that lead to massive destruction due to the congested housing structures8. Dharavi becomes not exceptional from these incidences. Physical characteristics of a slum do not only encompass on the consequences of natural or man-instated disasters but also focuses on the rescue mechanisms in the slum. For instances, a fire outbreak in Dharavi slum poses a major challenge for the rescue team and firefighters due its high population and mostly congestion. Pollution in rivers is very rampant in Dharavi slum due to its lack of effective and efficient ways to dispose industrial effluents. Most of the industrial discharge ends up in rivers causing harm to the residents and aquatic life. The environmental conditions at Dharavi do not gratify one’s sight. An approximate range of half of Mumbai’s population lives without toilets especially in Dharavi. This explains the rate of human waste disposal in the overpopulated area. Moreover, the slum is highly populated with rats and mice, which residents view as a normal habitual. It is in rare cases where people engage in planting, tendering and gardening plants in populated slums9. This is due to lack of space to carry out the planting practice. The biological ecology of Dharavi slum Biologically, almost all slums in the world experience disease outbreaks. Why does this ever occur? This question portrays a better understanding of the hygiene practices carried out in slums. As suggested by Megan (2006), Dharavi has poor sanitation processes thus infection of disease such as cholera, typhoid, bilharzias, malaria and tuberculosis is high10. Scholarly research depicts that incidences of sick people living in slums relatively is higher compared to people living in the city area. Dharavi as a highly crowded area faces great risks of rheumatic disease that is chronic and debilitating. It is important to note that the river where industrial effluents are directed is the same place where people fetch their domestic water for either cooking, bathing or even drinking. This water is highly contaminated and unclean for use. Intake of this water in the body causes illness such as diarrhea and stomach upsets. These conditions are very common in Dharavi slum in Mumbai city. Moreover, infrequent bathing which is common in many slum dwellers causes scabies and bacterial skin infections. Lack of proper infant care also leads to many deaths of infants. A balanced diet is very essential to an individual health11. Most of the residents in slums face diet associated disease. In many cases, children tend to suffer from kwashiorkor at very tender ages. Lack of hygiene in slum areas especially Dharavi causes psychological, emotional and physical torture12. The main problem that hinders efficiency and effectiveness of health practices is lack of hospitals or sufficient healthcare facilities in the slums. Dharavi lacks enough medical facilities to cater for the immense population. Therefore, many people in the slum area end up lacking the necessary medical care services. The social ecology of Dharavi slum Social problems are very common in slums. It is important to note that most slums lack suitable infrastructure, electricity supply, educational facilities, and more so security offices. Inadequacy of these facilities leads to idleness to most of the slum dwellers that lack job opportunities. Most of them engage in immoral practices such as crime and prostitution as a way of earning income. Prostitution cases in the highly populated slum areas especially Dharavi slum is very rampant and women end up committing abortions. Sexually transmitted diseases are very common in slum areas13. Maintenance of security in Dharavi slum has been very hard for the security officers14. To control a huge population of people that is congested in one place becomes hard for most security officers. Therefore, death cases and violent robbery is not a new issue. Safety among the resident of Dharavi is always at hand. Moreover, violence of many women in Dharavi slum takes place due to absence of basic services such as streetlights. Drug abuse is a social issue that poses major threat to Dharavi slum. Many residents in the slum have become drug addicts. Peer pressure and idleness of many people has led to their involvement in severe drinking habits and taking of various stimulants. This affects the social well being of Dharavi slum both directly and indirectly. Measures the government has taken to answer the question of slum upgrading What measures has the government taken to ensure that Dharavi slum becomes sustainable? This has been the common question asked amongst individuals. Dharavi is the backbone of the country and the government has to look for ways of taking to another level. In answering the question about the measure the government has taken to redevelop Dharavi slum, the Indian government has improvised plans to deal with the major issues facing Dharavi slum. According to Roy (2010), the Maharashtra Government in India has optimistically contributed to the redevelopment of the slum thus proving green light on the Dharavi slum redevelopment project. The project aims at redeveloping the slum by constructing schools, hospitals, parks, housing, and roads on 30,000,000 square feet to serve approximately 57,000 families15. To curb pollution the government has proposed of only legalizing and relocating non-polluting industries in Dharavi. Roy argues that these redevelopments and change of Dharavi slum, the government will have helped a lot in controlling congestion in the areas, prevent diseases outbreaks and more so provided necessary health care to the sick thus reducing mortality cases. bbbbbbbThe government’s plan for Dharavi slum is to leave an adequate space for artisans and their work. Binti (2012), points that redevelopment of Dharavi slum leaves no room for exploration of such sustainable and economically viable low-rise, high-density approaches. Urban planners have approved that the present plans to change Dharavi will to a better part lead to a more sustainable and ecological stable environment for Mumbai city. Conclusion In conclusion, the growth of slums has posed a major problem to most of the big cities worldwide. This has led to a radical turn down of these cities economically and the societal at whole. This is because the measures taken to improvise the slum areas tend to be very expensive. The most advocated way to free humanity from slums is by overthrowing the system that breeds them by the combined struggle of workers and rural poor globally. The government has to intervene and provide job opportunities to the qualified individuals who lack jobs. Although many people disapprove the slums and those who live there, in many cases, slums have historically depicted the foundation of many different cultures. It is the responsibility of the society to find ways of improving the slum areas rather than despising and undermining them yet they have a range of people with potential and ability to raise the country’s economic status. Bibliography Landon Megan, Environment, health and sustainable development (New York: McGraw-Hill International, 2006). Raghavswamy, V., Gautam, N.C. and Krishnamurthy. (1986). EARTH AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE. Mapping of environs of Dharavi slums of Greater Bombay for site suitability using enhanced Landsat thematic mapper (TM) imagery. JOURNAL OF THE INDIAN SOCIETY OF REMOTE SENSING. Volume 17, Number 1, 49-54. Researcher, CQ, Issues for debate in sociology: selections from CQ researcher, (New York: Pine Forge Press, 2009). Roy, M. and Roy, A. (2010). Reengineering an urban slum: a case study of Dharavi, India. International Journal of Sustainable Society. Volume 2, Number 4, 420-437. Sigh Binti, A Rights Based Approach to Slum Rehabilitation and Housing: A Study in Mumbai, (Panama: GRIN Verlag, 2012). OFFICIAL WEBSITE OF MUMBAI CITY COLLECTORATE. Accessed on April 06, 2012, from http://mumbaicity.nic.in/index.htm Read More