Inauguration of the Shivalik butterfly part at lacchiwala near Dehradun has elicited some appreciation for Chief Minister Harish Rawat from some members of the scientific and environmentalist fraternities.
However, observers have stressed that the effect of such positive developments remains uncertain in the middle and long term considering the wide spread indiscriminate and often illegal exploitation of natural resources.
To mark the conclusion of the wildlife week on the weekend, the Chief Minister not only inaugurated the butterfly park but also stressed on developing crocodile and reptile park.
Additionally, he also directed forest department officials to develop 10 parks each of Kaphal trees and Burans trees across the state.
Environmentalists state that measures like the ones inaugurated or announced by the Chief Minister are positive developments but they are unlikely to enrich the environmental wealth of the state considering the state-of-affairs and types of activities being allowed to continue rampantly to the detriment of the environment, society and other aspects.
A citizen wanting to remain anonymous after retiring from a senior post in the state’s forest department expressed concern at the detrimental activities and chain reaction being set by them to the considerable detriment of the environment.
He said, “During my service in different forest divisions and on successive posts, one of the discouraging aspects I struggled with was that while we are expected to discharge our responsibility of protecting and nurturing the forest and wildlife while also keeping public interest in mind, we are unable to do much against the unplanned constructions, land encroachments, blatant violation of pollution control norms, rampant poaching of wild animals and birds continuing due to factors like resource deficiency and the ever-present hand of dubious elements strengthened with political backing. It is not uncommon for the result of long period conservation efforts in protected forest areas being counter balanced or diluted by the varied anomalies being abetted in areas bordering forests,” said the official.