IT’s Up To US

Yes Indeed, It’s Up to Us to decide what kind of future and Environmental Heritage we want to leave behind for the future generations. A lot has been said and written about air pollution and Global Warming, many steps have been taken but, do they really suffice?

There are innumerable environmental issues in this Country. Air pollution, water pollution, garbage pollution and wildlife natural habitat pollution so on and so forth. The situation was worse between 1947 through 1995. According to data collection and environment assessment studies of World Bank experts, between 1995 through 2010, India has made one of the fastest progresses in the world, in addressing its environmental issues and improving its environmental quality. In Spite of this, India has a long way to go to reach environmental quality similar to those enjoyed in developed economies. Pollution remains a major confront and also an opportunity for India.

Some consider economic development is leading to environmental issues. Others believe economic development is fundamental to improving India's environmental management and preventing pollution in India.Whereas some others suggest that India's growing population is the primary cause of India's environmental degradation. Systematic studies challenge this theory.

Pragmatic evidence from countries such as Japan, England and Singapore, each with population density similar or higher than India, yet each enjoying environmental quality vastly superior than India, suggests population density may not be the only factor affecting India's issues.

Major environmental issues are forest and agricultural degradation of land, resource depletion (water, mineral, forest, sand, rocks etc.), environmental degradation, public health, loss of  biodiversity, loss of resilience in ecosystems, livelihood security for the poor.

The major sources of pollution in India include the rampant burning of fuel wood and biomass such as dried waste from livestock as the primary source of energy, lack of organized garbage and waste removal services, lack of sewage treatment operations, lack of flood control and monsoon water drainage system, diversion of consumer waste into rivers, cremation practices near major rivers, government mandated protection of highly polluting old public transport, and continued operation by Indian government of government owned, high emission plants built between 1950 to 1980.

India's water supply and sanitation issues are related to many environmental issues as well.

I can point out  some of the recent instances that have caused alarming Environmental Concerns in the North-East.

Those of us, who have travelled along the road from Shillong to Cherrapunji, will very well remember the picturesque landscape and the elegant greenery, but because of massive deforestation that  heavenly abode created by the Almighty has been obliterated to a large extent. There are some stone crushing plants installed which have denuded trees and forests from the hills for extracting stones.

The State Government should take cognizance of the matter and act accordingly, so that such indiscriminate cutting of trees is brought to a halt.

Cherrapunji which is still holding the world record for the most rainfall in a calendar month and in a year as per record is currently receiving very low rainfall and is on the verge of losing that badge for the evident reasons of unabated clearing of all types of vegetation there. If imminent steps aren’t taken to curb this, there will be a catastrophic change in the environment of the region which will even adversely affect the ‘Human Ecology’.

Similarly, deforestation on a massive scale has been going on in Arunachal Pradesh which has also jeopardized the ecological balance in the region.

 North-East has always been referred to as an ‘Environmental Utopia’, but if such deforestation at an exponential rate is carried out than it won’t take much time to mislay this elusive tag.

Delhi, the National Capital is the most polluted city in India and also the 2^nd most polluted City in the World. It is certainly a matter of great concern as the pollution is making millions of people susceptible to physical ailments.

 Delhi Chief Minister Arvind Kejriwal had introduced the odd-even formula for vehicles twice to check the pollution in the city but it’s not in operation now. More concrete steps should be taken to check pollution not only in Delhi but also throughout the country.

We as the citizens of the country also have a major role to play in keeping our country clean and pollution free. Concerted efforts can only produce the desired results and just playing the ‘Blame Game’ will only hamper the cause. Campaigns like the ‘Swachh Bharat Abhiyan’ will only work if general public cooperate and involve themselves, although  in some parts of the country the  common people have taken part  but by and large there is apathy, ignorance and casual attitude towards the issue. There has to be a serious attitudinal change among the people of our country to keep it clean and free from pollution. I would like to mention the exemplary State from the Northeast, Sikkim and also our  neighbouring country Bhutan where the government and the public have acted together to maintain a pollution free and in fact a clean and a paradisiacal environment there.