One of the prominent figures in the Indian water conservation landscape is water activist & conservationist Janak Daftari. He works on the issues of Mitti Devnath, Mula Mata and other rivers in Maharashtra's High Court and Supreme Court. He simultaneously runs an awareness campaign, "Jal Jagruti", for students, professionals, and citizens and provides technical inputs for water conservation projects and organic sewage treatment plants. Janak Daftari considers himself an environment worker than an environmentalist, working on the ground than from the comfort of his office. “Article 51 of our Constitution urges every citizen to protect the environment, which strongly resonates with me. Moreover, meeting Dr. Rajendra Singh, the "Jal Purush of India", inspired my dedication to water conservation,” he states.
A well-known name in the design and architecture fraternity is Alfaz Miller, Principal Architects, ABM Architects who believes in tackling the problems of city and its people through design and architecture. “What really fascinates me is the sheer number of architecture and interior design schools, and the influx of qualified individuals. However, despite this, it’s hard to find exceptional designers that are committed to their trade for the betterment of the society. We've abandoned our values and common sense because of the overly greedy real estate industry, that has priced us out of our heritage lead- ing to unrealistic costs compared to other countries,” he shared.
BALANCING NATURE & INFRASTRUCTURE
Expounding on the relevance of traditional methods in today’s world, Janak Daftari articulated, “When discussing innovation and sustainability, one must consider the long-lasting impact of our construction methods. Unlike nat- ural hillocks that last for centuries, human-made structures of cement & concrete only last 60-80 years. India's centuries-old philosophy respects the Panch Mahabhuta— earth, water, air, fire, and space. Implementing respect for nature in today's building design is essential for true sustainability. The concept of embedding these values into younger generations, much like planting a tree, is crucial for our future.
Addressing some of the most noticeable changes in the design sector, Alfaz Miller said, “Technology has dramatically changed our world with a shift towards accelerated pace of work. However, your work needs to be thorough and stand the test of time to sustain success in terms of lifecycle of the building as well as your own repute. My advice is, if you're here just for money, look elsewhere; there are plenty of other professions. Be passionate and serious about your work; it’s intensely hard and demanding and it needs to create a positive impact for the country.”
Janak Daftari agreed, “Remarkable examples of engineering in India, such as water conservation in Rajasthan with minimal rainfall, demonstrate the power of applying traditional wisdom. Embedding this awareness at the grassroots level is crucial for creating a sustainable future.”
Alfaz Miller added, “One must take design seriously, if you're focused on money, don't pretend to be a designer—be a manufacturer or contractor. True designers should be proud and strive for excellence in their field and be passionate about contributing to the society through his/her work.”
In discussing the necessity of balancing environmental welfare and our infrastructure needs, Janak Daftari said, “In Mumbai, we are building more and more infrastructure, but it’s like pouring three liters of water into a one-liter bottle. This affects the quality of life.”
“Technology is fantastic but it’s just a tool to bring designs to life, faster and better,” expressed Alfaz Miller. “If you use technology ap- propriately, it can help tackle the increasing demands of the growing populations, but over dependance on technology can harm the over- all sustainable functionality of the project, harming the environment as well.”
“We must be mindful of environmental impact of construction. Infrastructure is necessary for India, but we must approach it thoughtfully and sustainably. We must harness "jugaad" positively, working with and around our environment.” - JANAK DAFTARI
"The appalling condition of our cities stem from lack of urban planning and designing appropriate to our climate. This has resulted in poor quality of buildings and infrastructure, overburdening our natural resources.” - ALFAZ MILLER
Recent studies suggest that the young generation has significant concerns about the environment, and the planet . The developers should consider the relevance & impact of their projects for not 10, but at least next 50 years .
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