“Environment Conclave 2018: Conserving Ecology of Uttarakhand”
High Time To Strike Balance Between Development and Ecology
Quote: “I am not against the development process but development work should be carried with absolute responsibility, especially in Eco sensitive Himalayan region. Just to give you an example All-Weather Road project for “Chardham” yatra is now being constructed in the Himalayan Region. I think this construction should be done with absolute responsibility by the use of high-end technology so that ecology shouldn’t be disturbed by this. If we do it then it may be possible that cost of construction would be increased but to save the ecosystem of Himalayas we shouldn’t hesitate in spending more money in that region. I think it would be good if road would be constructed as elevated corridor, thereby protecting trees and plantation in the region.”- “Padambhushan Chandi Prasad Bhatt”
- Environmentalists Congregated to Deliberate Upon Environment Conservation and Wildlife Protection in “Environment Conclave 2018: Conserving Ecology of Uttarakhand”
- Himalayas You and Me (HUM) Foundation and Governance Democracy & Politics Organised Environment Conclave 2018: Conserving Ecology of Uttarakhand in Dehradun
One day event was held at Aketa Hotel, Dehradun Uttarakhand and witnessed huge congregation of Top forest officials, Bureaucrats, Experts and Environmentalists, key players in energy sector, experts in wildlife conservation, officials from relevant govt. Departments, representatives from local NGOs and community. With more than 500 participants from different parts of country, local community and school children, the event made a lasting impression in the minds of participants by encouraging behavior change within this select group of event attendees, Reports Amit Bhanot in Governance Democracy & Politics (GDP), March Issue
“Environment Conservation today is of prime importance and the pressure of population and market is creating havoc for the sensitive environment, especially in the eco sensitive Himalaya Region. Unabated interference of man in the glacier region and exploitation of natural resources is creating environmental imbalance. I am not against the development process but development work should be carried with absolute responsibility, especially in Eco sensitive Himalayan region. Just to give you an example All-Weather Road project for “Chardham” yatra is now being constructed in the Himalayan Region. I think this construction should be done with absolute responsibility by the use of high-end technology so that ecology shouldn’t be disturbed by this. If we do it then it may be possible that cost of construction would be increased but to save the ecosystem of Himalayas we shouldn’t hesitate in spending more money in that region. I think it would be good if road would be constructed as elevated corridor, thereby protecting trees and plantation in the region,” This is quite a justifiable concern of eminent environmentalist and Gandhi Peace Prize winner Padambhushan Chandi Prasad Bhatt, who was the prime crusader of famous “Chipko Andolan”.
He was giving key note address as Chief Guest in the first edition of one day “Environment Conclave 2018: Conserving Ecology of Uttarakhand” with a theme “Conserving The Oxygen Reservoir of Inda” organised by Himalayas You and Me Foundation (HUM) in association with Governance Democracy & Politics (GDP) Magazine on February 24, 2018 at Hotel Aketa, Dehradun Uttrakhand.
He reiterated that “Sab Chalta hai” attitude is not at all acceptable when it comes to sustainable development and we have to give back to mother earth, whatever we are taking from it in the name of development and exploitation of natural resources. Today we are not returning back whatever we are taking from nature and it would result in havoc for the life on earth. “Our ancestors had coined various values and commandments for the conservation of environments but we are continuously breaking them that is leading to many natural calamities in the sensitive ecological zones. So if we have to move up the ladder of growth and prosperity then conserving our rich flora and fauna is imperative,” he added.
Famous Singer and Guest of honour in the conclave, Shri Narendra Singh Negi also took part in this noble cause of Environment Conservation and committed to continue her association with this cause in coming time too. “It is of great concern that 500 Hydropower projects are being planned in a small state of Uttarakhand and if this plan is executed then it will totally destroy the ecology and rivers of the state. But as the greed of humans and government is increasing with each passing day, days are not far when we will not have revers in remote villages even for crimination,” He added. He said that he is not against development and small projects of 10-15 MW can easily be constructed and there is no need to have mammoth projects that destroys the whole ecology on one hand and force lakhs of people to migrate to other location on the other.
He quoted that he is quite happy that this sort of event is being organized in the Dehradun so that awareness regarding Environment and protecting the wildlife would be spread among the common citizens, especially children. He urged people of the area to save trees and forests and contribute towards Clean and Green environment.
