MunnarEnvironmental issues crop up in any discussion on development. Kerala government wants development and environmental conservation to go hand in hand.
“The environment is anything that isn’t me,” Sir Albert Einstein said. Karl Marx said the charm of nature lied in its contradictions. Many a scientist have made it clear that science should be made efficient to understand nature.
On June 5, 1972, heads of states gathered in Stockholm. They talked environmental conservation and drew up a legal framework for it. The meeting’s anniversary is marked as the World Environment Day.
The slogan for last year’s environment day was ‘Seven Billion Dreams, One Planet, Consume With Care’. This time the theme is ‘Zero Tolerance for the Illegal Wildlife Trade.’
Kerala’s development was initially envisaged as agriculture-based. The state has per capita agricultural land of 0.08 hectare. If we estimate that 110 people lived one every square kilometre on average, it means a unit of land accommodates 3.6 times more people than planned. This data shows production has to increase 3.6 times.
We have our own development models. We should strive to update and implement them. We need environment-friendly development activities based on decentralisation of power.
We have to identify the resources in each area and nurture them and limit consumption at the same time. That would form the base of our vision for comprehensive development. If we err on our methods we should be able to correct them. That is the only way to ensure sustainable development. The concept developed in a situation when man exploited natural resources without a thought for future generations. This is a concept that cares about future.
Environment is an area of knowledge which demands careful handling. If a factory is found to be polluting the environment, the remedy is not to close it down. We have to subject them to strict regulations and introduce scientific waste-management plans to make sure that they exist as environment-friendly systems.
We need more research facilities to study environment-related subjects. Those who have gathered expertise in the field should give their opinion on the matter. We can find a permanent solution when we intervene wisely after studying expert opinions and the public sentiment.
We have to study in detail issues such as waste management, resources depletion, energy mismanagement, unauthorised exploitation of nature and unscientific use of water and find solutions through legislation if needed. We need to change the norms in accordance with the times. Law should be strictly implemented in matters related to environment.
At the same time, we should keep away from the misuse of environmental issues. We have to control blind and extreme environmental fundamentalism. This government is committed to the conservation of environment without affecting development.
Committed to eco-conservation that doesn’t hinder development: CM
Monday 06 June 2016 08:13 AM IST
