None of the major and minor national or regional political parties have included in its election manifesto the issue of taking steps to tackle climate change effects.
The hazards created due to climate changes have made life deplorable across the globe. If Governments over the world do not make efforts to tackle the calamities, the very concept of sustainable existence will be a myth.Our elected Governments are misusing the natural resources and putting great strain on the earth. The resources are over exploited, leading to heavy pollution.
The principles of a sustainable society demand (1) respect and care for community life, (2) improving quality of life, (3) conserving the earth’s vitality and diversity, and (4)minimizing depletion of non – renewable resources.The unscrupulous politicians are dividing the communities and creating factionalism for narrow political gains and their own self-interest. All that they want is to strengthen their vote bank. The healthy community life of the country is at stake due to this.
Sustainable living strictly discourages development at the expense of the future generation. It does not mean a sort of development where one group is set against the other. Take for example, the Niyamgiri case where the Government, in league with Vedanta, was trying to push the aboriginal communities of the hills into the corner by destroying their habitat through exploration of minerals. The exploitation of natural resources at present is going on unethically without any respect for the principle of conservation and concern for the interest of common people, who are directly affected by the ill-effects of such operations.
No political parties of India so far has raised a voice for sharing of benefits of development among the poor and affluent within a fair and judicious management of natural resources and conservation of natural environment. None is eager to restore natural climate of a region.
A huge sum of money is spent for creation of artificial forests in place of natural forests that got devastated for excavation and extraction of minerals in Keonjhar and other mining areas, but hardly has any forest patch been created for the larger benefit of the local village communities, especially the forest dwellers, who depend on the forests for minor forest produces.
The real aim of development is to improve the quality of human life. If the climate of the country is good and healthy, the people will definitely be happy and healthy. The quality of human life is a process that says that human beings must realize their potential and build confidence among them thus being able to lead a life of dignity and fulfilment. Economic growth is an important component of such development. This is not happening in India. No political party of India is giving stress on such important factors.
The dignity of life of people, especially in a State like Odisha, can be ensured if the bureaucratic set-up and police do away with hypocrisy. They must ensure that the administration is friendly to the common people and that there is no room for corruption and highhandedness. Unfortunately, the bureaucracy is still going the British way of the yesteryears and is hardly carful about the people at the grassroots.
The Government must come forward to conserve the earth’s vitality and diversity. Conservation of life support systems and biodiversity is very much necessary for sustainable growth and happiness for one and all. No party, unfortunately, is speaking out for conservation and scientific use of natural resources.
The minerals like oil, gas and coal etc, are non – renewable and hence, we ought to use them moderately and follow conservation practices and methods. Even the by-products of such things can be properly used. All the members of an administration should act in such way that decency, dignity and quality of life is ensured for everybody.
The earth has a carrying capacity. Its minerals must be used with utmost care and caution. Especially while setting mining and industrial ventures, we must ensure that no harm is caused to eco- systems. The limits of earth to withstand to the exploration of minerals and the resultant pollution vary from region to region.
Water, energy and raw materials must not go waste under any circumstances. So the life style should be planned to maintain balance of life. Similarly, technologies should be invented for minimization of uses of natural resources and carefully uses of them. A national framework for integrating development and conservation should be made for sustainable and dignified lives of the citizens.
The environmental laws of the international unions and of our own land should be followed in letter and spirit.
(The writer is a former senior forest officer and an environmentalist)