Dinesh Kamath's news 'Stop the thoughtless environmental destruction' that was published in Newsband

Stop the thoughtless environmental destruction

Our rivers are a major resource for our country, and there is a great deal of scientific literature on why they should be protected and rejuvenated for the benefit of the national capital region. The entire nation needs water.

NDA government, has been making a high-profile campaign of river-cleansing projects since it is found that people are exploiting nature to the maximum. Hence, it is high time government enforced strong laws for environmental degradation.

Respect for nature is important it would not carry weight without knowing about them in full. We do have Freedom of speech, writing and action but we do not have Free time to contemplate on our culture to respect Nature. We would rather expect the others from the world to talk about this.

Sustainable management of an ecosystem implies that and rivers cannot be managed in isolation from their floodplains, nor can rivers and their floodplains be treated without considering the demands put upon them by agriculture, industry, nature conservation and other interests. The natural floodplain is an important part of any water system and any alteration of the floodplain should be carefully evaluated. This does not mean that flood plains cannot be subjected to any human activity. Instead of indulging in any blame game, national and local authorities, experts and stakeholders should put in place necessary monitoring and protection mechanisms for all river systems and catchments areas.

Myopic irresponsible eco-terrorists want to destroy the country by coming in the way of all developmental work. One can remember the stupid arguments brought out by these so called eco-warriors on Narmada Dam and the extent to which they stooped to stop work on this important project. After completion of this project drinking water is being given even to most remote parts of various states. Heavens have not fallen down either.

All our water bodies, rivers have been under threat for long time, many areas have become prime real estates, rivers have become sewers. Governments have turned a blind eye, become indifferent to public protests. Mafia, politicians, police nexus flourishes.

What we ought to be doing to prevent degradation of our water sources is to pool all the best practices and honestly implement diverting the sewage, industrial effluent to water treatment plants and ideally recycle the waste to improve the overall green cover in our country. Politicians must behave more responsibly and be proactive in restoration, improving the water bodies, pass laws which will deter the mafia from looting the sand, encroaching the lake beds, river banks, destroying the trees and bushes. People should stop being complacent educate the children to preserve a healthy environment.

Integrated river basin planning, sustainable management of water within river basins is not something we can take lightly in water deficient NCR. Floodplains, a crucial part of the water cycle, is fundamental in meeting these objectives.

We should drive away our ignorance regarding different parts of the environment by asking the experts to explain to us perhaps with diagrams and figures, how a river works, the role of floodplains, what is recharging and how it occurs, biodiversity present on the river banks, consequences of damaging etc.

The average educated and common people who value Environment should get themselves well informed about ways of protecting environment from the Experts.