- Most of us would be aware of the definition of insanity. Doing the same things but expecting different results is the definition of insanity. You must be wondering what is the connection that I am attempting to establish here. The global community is quite aware of how environmental degradation has wreaked havoc around the world leading to unmitigated challenges in the form of erratic weather patterns. Reams and reams have been written about the grave consequences of erratic weather patterns leading to man-made human suffering inflicted on large populations spread across the globe. Of course, government authorities are leaving no stone unturned in their efforts to reduce the debilitating effects of environmental degradation, with moderate success.
PC: The Indian Express
- Yes, the arguments that developmental activities are inevitable in commensurate with the modern-day requirements and expectations of the present generation fed on cutting-edge technologies. The mind-boggling inventions/innovations unearthed in the present times only mean the natural resources available come at a premium but with adverse effects on the environment. Several instances of disasters occurring have become the order of the day. In the Indian context too, from the eco-sensitive Aravalis to Goa, governments seem determined to ignore the monumental natural disasters like the one witnessed in the Wayanad recently. Sadly, there seem to be no lessons learned to address the serious concerns.
- Look at the actions of some of the state governments on the matter akin to how the left hand does not know what’s happening with the right hand. Haryana authorities’ desertion of the environment is inexcusable mentioning a communication gap that even as one department was notifying the Rajawas Aravali tracts in Mahendergarh as protected forest, another auctioned off one-fourth of this land for mining. This is far from an isolated flub. The SC and other institutions’ efforts to preserve the mountain range have been resisted by successive state governments. When mining and real estate lobbies get a friendlier hearing than Nature, a select sliver rakes in profits, and large populations end up paying a heavy price. This is seen everywhere of late.
PC: Times of India
- Similar stories are playing out in other states too. In Goa, experts are warning that a change in land use law enabling casual conversion of green zones for residential and commercial construction will lead to the dangerous destruction of hill slopes, natural cover, and agrarian spaces. Beneficiaries include politically influential figures, which raises doubts, as in Haryana, about how much policymakers are aligned with genuine public interest. The devastating landslides in Wayanad served notice of what is at stake, as Goa shares the region’s topography. Rampant construction in ecologically fragile zones would be a bad idea in any era: ours is haunted by climate change. If govt wilfully ignore this fact, all other conservation efforts get negated.
