Daijiworld Media Network – Mangalore (SP)
Mangalore, Feb 16: Former chairman of Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB), Dr H C Sharatchandra, put forth a strong plea in favour of conducting a detailed scientific study and evaluation of the unique Western Ghats here, for saving the bio-diversity of the region. He was speaking at an interaction programme on the environmentally sensitive nature of Western Ghats, which was held in the city on Monday February 14. The programme was held at the auditorium of Roshni Niyala here under the aegis of Western Ghats Workforce, Committee of Environmental Experts, ministry of environment, and forest department.
“The report of Danida study group, comprising of environmental experts from the country and abroad, had made an effort to implement only some policies towards this end. The report, prepared at a cost of Rs 28 crore, and such other efforts, will fail to achieve their actual objectives, unless backed by honest intentions. Having some pre-determined notions will not serve any purpose other than preparing a report and forgetting about it later,” Dr Sharatchandra, who was a resource person, observed.
Dr Sharatchandra pointed out that Western Ghats contain some of the rarest and unique bio-diversity in the entire world, and that a number of them are not even known to the people. “Preparing a report is not the end. Its recommendations should be properly implemented. Otherwise, any report that will be prepared, may meet the same fate as that of Danida report,” he felt.
He noted that Western Ghats have been playing a stellar role in ensuring a good climate and rains in the coastal region. He advocated for protecting the Western Ghats for the conservation of water sources and rains in the region. The non-management of pollutions effectively by huge industries here since they set foot here two decades back, have endangered the sensitive nature of Western Ghats, he felt. He informed that meetings to gather people’s opinions on conservation of Western Ghats have been organized at four places in the state, and that the meeting in Sirsi was held in the past. After Mangalore, these meetings will also be held in Mysore and Srigeri, he revealed.
Prof Keshav Korse, member of Western Ghats Workforce, presided. Environment experts, Dr N A Madhyastha, Dr K Prabhakar Acharya, Vidya Nayak, National Fishermen’s Forum general secretary, Vasudeva Boloor, organic farmer, B K Parameshwar Rao, and some others also participated as resource persons.
Range forest officer, Clifford Lobo, welcomed.