PIONEER NEW SERVICE/Dehradun
Development is vital but is incomplete if it is not in harmony with nature, Padma Shri recipient orthopaedic surgeon Dr BKS Sanjay said at the dialogue organised by The Pioneer on balancing development with conservation.
He said that while nature can thrive without humans, people cannot survive sans nature, adding that one must align development with nature, not against it. Citing various issues being faced by society, he said that sustainable development is the only solution.
Dr Sanjay stressed on the need to check the uncontrolled rise in population, stating that this is resulting in depletion of resources and rise in pollution. Stating that stress is responsible for about 70 per cent of health issues, he said that in order to address this issue, aspects like introduction of green belts are necessary in urban planning.
He cited the example of the stretch between Dehradun and Mussoorie, stating that now this area is full of buildings and people while agricultural lands and wooded areas have decreased. He exhorted the gathering to adopt minimalism, stressing that one must take what is needed instead of indulgence. “Coillective effort is needed to conserve the environment. Our dependence on plastics is also proving to be disastrous and we must check this. Solar energy is a better alternative which must be used more. Sustainability and awareness are vital along with measures like the use of local and natural products in order to address the issue of achieving balance between development and conservation,” he added.
