PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
Forest minister Subodh Uniyal said that global warming and climate change are major challenges not only for Uttarakhand but for the entire world. He was addressing ‘Progress with Purpose, Growth with Green’, a dialogue organised by The Pioneer on balancing development and environmental conservation in association with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) at IRDT auditorium here on Wednesday.
Stressing on the importance of forests and the environment, the minister appreciated The Pioneer for organising a dialogue on the key issue and expressed hope that the deliberations during the dialogue and the views of the experts will help the government in its plans.
In his address, the vice chairman of Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA), Banshidhar Tiwari emphasised on adopting a sustainable model of development in the State. He said that it is the collective duty of all stakeholders, the government, the civil society and every individual to ensure that the natural resources which we have received from our ancestors are handed over to our future generations. Tiwari averred that the MDDA is working in the direction of protecting the environment while planning and executing the development projects. Citing the example of the work for widening the road leading to the residence of the chief minister, Tiwari said that cutting of trees was avoided. He said that large scale plantation is being done in Dehradun. Recently, the MDDA has undertaken rejuvenation work of old ponds in Miyanwala and Defence Colony. Tiwari added that changes in the building bylaws were made to ensure that minimum green area is maintained in the houses and construction of urinals has been made mandatory to prevent wastage of water.
He said that the government is also encouraging construction of houses in the old Koti Banal style in the villages located in the mountainous areas of the State with wooden blocks. The experts are not recommending construction of concrete structures in the mountainous areas.
Tiwari said in the new housing policy a subsidy upto Rs four lakh is given in the construction of houses in the Bakhli style. He said that people of Uttarakhand have an innate affinity towards the environment and it has helped the State in achieving its sustainable development goals.
