To measure the progress of a society, we have to take into account the indicators of quality of life and ecological sustainability.
Similarly, there are two indices to measure human development or the quality of human life : human development index (ADI) and human freedom index (HFI).
The human development index says good health and adequate nutrition ensure better longevity and happiness. Without ecological sustainability, neither human development nor freedom can be got. The ecological sustainability depends on the conservation of ecology, life support systems and biodiversities.
In Odisha, the non-renewable resources are overused, while adequate mechanisms are yet to be developed for proper use of the renewable resources. Depletion of non-renewable resources is now a cause of concern. No-holds-barred exploitation of the resources have not only triggered environmental problems, but also triggered a crisis of mineral deficit on which
we have become so much dependent.
The renewable resources include water air and earth. If these resources are used within their limits, no problem will crop up.
Similarly, non-renewable resources include different kinds of minerals and fossil fuels. Over-exploitation of the minerals and fossil fuels is now a matter of worry for many nations. Especially, those nations which are on the path of development through industrialisation need minerals and energy to run their industries. Growing deficit of these things would stop their industries and halt their growth.
Now, growing Bhubaneswar is reeling under several problems pertaining to civic amenities, ecology, drainage, population, infrastructure and traffic etc. Due to over uses of underground sub- soil water, water table is sinking fast leading to water shortage. Similarly, building construction works in the capital city are going on throughout the year, causing environmental hazard.
The high rising buildings and apartments are now mushrooming across the city. The construction industry is consuming a vast quantum of water. In some cases, drinking water supplied through pipes by the PHD Department is used for construction of buildings in the capital city.
A large section of people is using motors for pumping out water from the pipes for constriction works of building. The administration is taking no stop against the illegal use of water in the city.
Again the Bhubaneswar municipal corporation (BMC) is silent on the growing menace of encroachment of roads and open space by the neighboring buildings. The moneyed people are constructing tall buildings without permission and with least regard to the law of the land and the convenience of the people around. They unabashedly grab public road sides and open spaces, causing great deal of problems for the city dwellers.
The twin cities of Bhubaneswar and Cuttack are now becoming a crime prone where one or the other crime is happening at greater
frequency.
The administration and police system of the capital seem to have collapsed as criminals are out on their missions, unchecked. The common people are falling victim to the growing crimes in the city like loot, robbery, theft, vehicle lifting, organised attack, hooliganism, rape, murder and the like.
Now, it is election time. The wrong people should not be elected by the common men. For, these people after getting power form a nexus with the anti-social elements. As a result, criminals get patronage and support. The criminal incidents go on multiplying.
The State capital is now a safe haven for circulation of black money. Especially, in the real estate sector, the use of black money is rampant. The anti-corruption departments and the Income Tax department are not able to check the flow of the illegal money in this sector despite many complaints. The construction companies are in league with the land mafia, criminals and politicians. As a result, they manage to dupe their gullible customers.
Now, the temperature of the whole of Odisha is soaring. Bhubaneswar has recorded up to 42 degrees Celsius and above recently. The temperature is going to rise more in times ahead. Hence, the skies will rain embers in the month of May and June. Because we have developed a concrete jungle everywhere and our water bodies are converted to develop land, we have very little options to get a relief from the rising and intolerable heat. The capital city is rising very fast in all directions so far as the concrete structures are concerned. This is inviting radiation and adding up to heat wave.
It is time we became conscious of our worth to change our fate as well as our surrounding. We have to exercise our voting right judiciously so that right representatives go to the Assembly and Parliament. We need representatives who understand our problems and make laws that best suit our conditions and make our living easy.
(The writer is a former senior forest officer and an environmentalist)