‘Big dams shouldn’t be allowed in the forests of Himalayas’
30 July 2013 4:55 AM IST
Natural calamity has become an annual affair in our state. Should we prepare present generations for the future calamity?
There must be disaster education now at all level as the victims are all. This would help the community to prepare against the shock and hit of the disaster.
What should be the ideal role model of development in our state?
We need an ecologically – centered economic model which can keep a balance between ecology and economy. The regular economic model form elsewhere is not suitable for mountains.
What is the impact of dams which are in various stages of planning or construction in our state?
Ecologically, the big dams are not in favour of Himalayas. It goes against the nature’s functioning as there is no law and rule that governs the nature.
Recently in Delhi, CM Vijay Bahuguna said, ‘we have suggested to the centre that some of the degraded forest areas could be released for habitation.’ What is your opinion?
I think there must be a special provision for disaster victims to find suitable locations, be it any place and permission must be granted by the Government of India for the same.
Numerous hydropower projects, encroachments of holy rivers by concrete structure and blasting of mountains to build roads are the man-made contributors that invited nature’s fury in the mid- June. What is your opinion?
This is certainly a man-made disaster because of poor construction structure and policies – both buildings and roads are main cause. The problem was that roads were built manually. Today, JCB and dynamite are used, which shake whole fragile mountain region. It collapses with a single burst of heavy rain. Similarly, buildings were created in places that were against the laws of nature.
Recently, minister of environment and forests Jayanthi Natrajan visited Uttarakhand, and there was talk of green bonus? How justified is the state’s demand for green bonus?
Yes, we deserve green bonus because many development projects are not allowed here due to ecological limitations. Besides this, the Government of India must develop unique employment opportunities here, which is ecologically-based and eco-friendly. For example, raising a forest orchard and harvesting water must provide employment to the local community. This would generate both the ecology and economy.
How can we maintain balance between environment and development?
Ecologically, these big dams should not be allowed in the forest of Himalayas. It goes against the nature’s functioning as there is no law and rule that governs the nature.
Do you think government machinery is sufficient to tackle natural disasters of any form or any intensity?
Unfortunately, we don’t have any system both in education and society, which can cover this responsibility. Therefore, a specified attitude is required to care for this sensitive and burning issue.
What is the future of Uttarakhand?
The future of our state is very optimistic and full of hope. This hill state will go ahead and one day becomes the leader of all Himalayan states.
There must be disaster education now at all level as the victims are all. This would help the community to prepare against the shock and hit of the disaster.
What should be the ideal role model of development in our state?
We need an ecologically – centered economic model which can keep a balance between ecology and economy. The regular economic model form elsewhere is not suitable for mountains.
What is the impact of dams which are in various stages of planning or construction in our state?
Ecologically, the big dams are not in favour of Himalayas. It goes against the nature’s functioning as there is no law and rule that governs the nature.
Recently in Delhi, CM Vijay Bahuguna said, ‘we have suggested to the centre that some of the degraded forest areas could be released for habitation.’ What is your opinion?
I think there must be a special provision for disaster victims to find suitable locations, be it any place and permission must be granted by the Government of India for the same.
Numerous hydropower projects, encroachments of holy rivers by concrete structure and blasting of mountains to build roads are the man-made contributors that invited nature’s fury in the mid- June. What is your opinion?
This is certainly a man-made disaster because of poor construction structure and policies – both buildings and roads are main cause. The problem was that roads were built manually. Today, JCB and dynamite are used, which shake whole fragile mountain region. It collapses with a single burst of heavy rain. Similarly, buildings were created in places that were against the laws of nature.
Recently, minister of environment and forests Jayanthi Natrajan visited Uttarakhand, and there was talk of green bonus? How justified is the state’s demand for green bonus?
Yes, we deserve green bonus because many development projects are not allowed here due to ecological limitations. Besides this, the Government of India must develop unique employment opportunities here, which is ecologically-based and eco-friendly. For example, raising a forest orchard and harvesting water must provide employment to the local community. This would generate both the ecology and economy.
How can we maintain balance between environment and development?
Ecologically, these big dams should not be allowed in the forest of Himalayas. It goes against the nature’s functioning as there is no law and rule that governs the nature.
Do you think government machinery is sufficient to tackle natural disasters of any form or any intensity?
Unfortunately, we don’t have any system both in education and society, which can cover this responsibility. Therefore, a specified attitude is required to care for this sensitive and burning issue.
What is the future of Uttarakhand?
The future of our state is very optimistic and full of hope. This hill state will go ahead and one day becomes the leader of all Himalayan states.
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