Prevent catastrophe
There should be a focus on the
Western Ghats ecology. The catastrophic monsoon floods in Kerala and parts of
Karnataka is a wake-up call. There is need for preservation of the fragile
western peninsular region. The
recent havoc in Kerala is a consequence of short-sighted policymaking, and
warned that Goa may also be in the line of nature’s fury.
Western Ghats should be a matter of
concern to state governments of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Goa and
Maharashtra. The task before the governments of these states is to initiate
correctives to environmental policy decisions. There is a
need for stronger protection of the Western Ghats ecology.
Quarrying and mining near the sea
should be controlled. Find out the
sensitive core and what activities can be carried out there. The goal has to be sustainable development
for the Ghats as a whole. The role of big hydroelectric dams, built during an
era of rising power demand and deficits, must now be considered afresh and
proposals for new ones dropped. Other low-impact forms of green energy led by
solar power are available. Kerala’s Finance Minister, Thomas Isaac, has
acknowledged the need to review decisions affecting the environment, in the
wake of the floods.
Indian rainfall is controlled by
orography - Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, Himalayan Mountains - destruction of
these not only affect the rainfall but also cause disaster. In the case of
Kerala it caused severe disaster and inundated the rivers with rubbles, mud,
etc. This caused the reduction in the water holding capacity of the rivers that
flooded the state.
The other ecological disaster is
the violation of CRZ norms by realtors and government [MoEF&CC] by reducing
the zone to favour tourism activities and helping sand mafia to remove sand
from the river mouths where they meet the Sea. This forced sea water in to
rivers. Cutting of mangroves - protective walls - helped this process by not
able to protect the sea water waves. We make laws but government weakens them
to serve their vested interests. Bureaucrats blindly support them. These are
lakhs of crores business.
Undoubtedly it is the outcome of
ignoring experts’ reports. Every citizen should urge the Governements to pay
proper attention at least now. As we are trying to keep the national goals
ahead of the personal goals, we need to keep environment protection ahead of
developments to save the human loss which is most essential.
Humans have destroyed whole
environment to fulfill their unnecessary selfish desire. But, now the time has
come to wake up from deep sleep.
There are many ways to save us from
natural calamities but one of the important way is that there should be ban on
the activities like mining and industrial development in those cities which are
situated near the sea.
While the recent floods in Kerala
may not be directly connected to the destruction of the ecological balance in
the Western Ghat, it is prudent to preserve the forests which reduce the green-house
gases and thereby decelerate the process of global warming. Despite warnings
from ecologists, the forest area in the ghat region is being destroyed by
mining and industrial activities. The imbalance in climate is causing extreme
and erratic climate changes
Ignoring people has become the
norms and practice of the Government. Concerned citizens are ridiculed &
portrayed as anti-development. The redressal cells should be formed at all
level and public voice must be counted.
No comments:
Post a Comment