In view of increasing instances of natural disasters, there is a need for a new strategy for environment and ecological conservation for development in the Himalayan region.
The eminent scientists and environmentalists who participated in a recent national seminar at SRT campus Badshahithaul here said that though the development of the hills was important it must not be done at the cost of environment. Otherwise, the situation would become worse in this ecologically imbalanced and extremely sensitive region in respect of disasters.
The unplanned roads, illegal mining of sand and boulders, interference with nature were among the principal causes of the frequent disasters in the State, the participants said on the conclusion of the seminar on Geo-environmental hazards and Neo-tectonic activities in Himalaya organised at SRT campus by its geology department.
The speakers stressed that the nature alone could not be held responsible for the Uttarakhand tragedy, but unplanned development and forced irregularities were also to be equally blamed for it.
The result of the interfering into nature was there for all to see. Where there used to be dense forests a few years back high-rise concrete buildings have been raised. The climate is changing fast.
National Disaster Management Authority’s Dr Surya Prakash said that small or big quakes result when the formation of the mountains or the hills were disturbed or altered. He stressed upon the proper system of drainage of water during the disaster.
Dr Sl Aswal described the global warming and monsoon direction as father of disasters. He said that in the Himalayas, the nature was being exploited too much for personal gains. We have turned ourselves away from Nature and begun a blind race for development in a wrong direction.
The consequences of this were being suffered by all, rich and poor, big and small.
On the occasion, the campus director Prof R C Ramola, Dr NP Naithani and Dr KK Bangwal were among those present.