Leaders apathetic toward environment issues, says conservationist

Darjeeling

21 Nov 2013

Noted academician, environmentalist crusader and writer Ajay Singh Rawat has lamented the apathy of politicians in including environmental concerns in their political manifesto while citing rampant misuse of power in Uttarakhand.

Presently in town for the first Tenzing Norgay Memorial lectures on Himalayan issues organised by St. Paul’s School, Rawat said, “It is sad that in our country, environment issues have taken a back seat. Not a single political party has mention of environmental issues in its manifesto.”

He stressed on the need to preserve and conserve the environment, failing which it could create havoc in the near future. “Very soon, the third World War will be fought for water because of rampant deforestation of forest areas,” warned the environmentalist.

Delivering his key note address on the fragile Himalayan belt, Rawat pointed out its significance and importance. “Nearly 0.3 per cent of the world’s total plantation area is found in the Himalayan belt, but it harbours only 10 per cent of the world’s vegetation. In fact, the very concept of forest culture originated in the Himalayas. Deforestation is affecting global climate change and it is the Himalayan forests that are slowing the process,” he said.

Rawat was also of the view that a holistic approach should be adopted to preserve the Himalayas’ ecology. “Every plant found in the Himalayas has medicinal value and as such the region is a rich and abundant area to meet human needs. Therefore it becomes imperative we preserve the prized Himalayas,” the environmentalist told a gathering comprising students, teachers, and prominent dignitaries.

Rawat’s hour-long speech also touched on several incidents of environment violation in Uttarakhand by influence people and their legal implications, and he urged the residents of the Darjeeling hills to take recourse to Right to Information (RTI) and Public Interest Litigation (PIL).

“I took the help of RTI and filed many a PIL to stop illegal mining and haphazard construction of roads in Uttarakhand, which has eventually resulted to a decline in such activities,” informed Rawat. “Hills residents here can take preventive measures against such activities if there are any to stop destruction of the environment.”

St Paul’s principal Joy Haldar explained the necessity felt to hold the lecture on Himalayan issues. “The day’s lecture is not a one-off thing,” he said. “We will continue to have similar lectures going forward. The idea behind holding such lectures and activities is to make a meaningful impact to stakeholder across the country. Besides conducting lectures, we will also come up with newsletters to provide factual information to people.”

Responding to a question about the lecture being associated with Everester Tenzing Norgay, Haldar said, “We wanted the lecture to be conducted in the name of an icon from the hills. After a lot of brain storming we came to the conclusion that the legendary mountaineer was the ideal personality as his very name is synonymous with the Himalayas.”