Climate change a challenge for the whole world, not just Doon: Uniyal
PIONEER NEW SERVICE | Dehradun
The Uttarakhand Forest minister Subodh Uniyal said that global warming and the phenomenon of climate change is a challenge not just for Dehradun or Uttarakhand, but for the entire world. He stressed on the vital role played by forests in this aspect. Speaking as the chief guest at the dialogue on
‘Progress with purpose, growth with green- balancing development and environmental conservation’ organised by The Pioneer here on Wednesday, the Forest minister appreciated the initiative on this relevant issue, adding that he felt honoured to be part of this interaction.
The director general of Uttarakhand State Council for Science and Tehnology (UCOST) Durgesh Pant said that Uttarakhand is important from the environmental and other aspects, citing the example of Asia’s first engineering college being founded in Roorkee along with institutions like the Survey of India being established the colonial era, Indian Institute of Remote Sensing in the 1960, and Forest Research Institute, Forest Survey of India and other nationally and internationally important institutions in the State. He pointed out that though environmental damage is likely to occur during developmental works, science and technology along with awareness holds the solution to achieving the balance between development and conservation.
The Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) vice chairman Banshidhar Tiwari said that it is the collective duty of all stakeholders, the government, civil society and every individual to ensure that the inherited natural resources are handed over to the future generations. He said that behavioural changes are also responsible for the problems being faced in achieving the balance between development and conservation.
The Bureau of Indian Standards, Dehradun director Saurabh Tiwari said that all citizens should focus on recognising the importance of standards in their lives, stressing on the value of benchmarks. Speaking about standards in construction, water conservation and other aspects, he said that BIS always involves stakeholders in the standard-making process.
Anthropologist and author Lokesh Ohri urged the authorities to stop the axing of healthy mature trees in Dehradun. Citing an example, he said that builders were called by the authorities for a meeting but even the architects of citizens were not involved. He urged the authorities to involve the citizens and other stakeholders in developmental plans, while stating that citizens are eager to collaborate with the authorities to develop a Dehradun with cycling paths which is also pedestrian friendly.
Padma Shri recipient orthopaedic surgeon Dr BKS Sanjay said that the uncontrolled rise in population is a major factor responsible for depletion of natural resources and other problems being faced by the public. Stating that Nature can thrive without humans though humans cannot survive without it, he stressed that sustainable development is the only solution to the problems being faced by society.
Founder of Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation, Anoop Nautiyal said the population explosion in Uttarakhand in recent years is an alarming factor affecting both environmental and developmental aspects. Stating that while Dehradun generates about five lakh kilogrammes of garbage daily, he pointed out that lakhs have migrated from rural and mountainous areas of the State and many continue to do so. He said that this is mainly due to an imbalance between developmental and conservational efforts.
The dialogue was attended by prominent personalities of the State along with concerned citizens and youths from various educational institutions.
