Uttarakhand is a State with the distinction of also being the land of origin of the unique Chipko Andolan which had exemplified environmental conservation for the nation and global community. This public movement had also generated public awareness on environmental concerns, said Uttarakhand Governor Krishan Kant Paul. He was speaking as the chief guest at the inauguration of a sensitisation programme on forests and environmental issues for the members of the higher judiciary organised by the Indira Gandhi National Forest Academy (IGNFA) here on Wednesday.
Referring to the present state of affairs, the Governor said that the relevance of the Chipko movement — a successful and one of its kind initiative of the concerned public — has become all the more important in present times for the conservation of the environment. Acknowledging the role of the three-day long sensitisation programme being held by IGNFA for members of the higher judiciary, the Governor also stressed on the need for eliciting focus on and efforts towards achieving the desirable balance between the execution of developmental works and ensuring environmental conservation. Pointing at environment conservation in view of the damaging effects of global climate change, the Governor stressed on the need for eliciting focus on the rising level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and the need for its absorption along with the development of means for the optimisation of photosynthesis. Consistent scientific research activity is necessary in order to facilitate this, he added. Citing some examples in context, the Governor spoke of the carbon trading phenomenon having more negative impacts than benefits considering which there is a need for all the developed nations to rethink. Paul emphasised on the need for further boosting the plantation of trees in order to tackle the consistently rising emission of various green house gases. He pointed at the need for organizing programmes to enable varied all-India services to learn from each other and discuss various important issues. Expressing concern at the consistent rise in the emission of green house gases, the governor emphasised on tree plantation, adding that forests are the only means to absorb the carbon and to make the environmental conditions further conducive to living for humans. Referring to the role of the judiciary in the sphere of environmental conservation, he cited the decision on the Godarvarman case in the Supreme Court during the nineties decade. He called the Forest Rights Act 2006 significant with special focus on the scheduled tribes and traditional forest dwellers, adding that if implemented properly, the act can prove very useful. Emphasising on the necessity for involving villagers and Van Panchayats in efforts aimed at facilitating the protection of forests, he said that they would act responsibly towards forest conservation especially as their livelihood is linked to the forests.The IGNFA director Shashi Kumar also expressed his views on the occasion. According to the academy officials, an introductory programme on forest and environmental issues was started for officers of the judicial services in 2010 by IGNFA. Since then, the academy has so far held six courses which were attended by a total of 148 judicial officers. The programme inaugurated on Wednesday is being attended by 27 participants from various States.