Are environmentalists the new opposition? Are they opposing
anything and everything for the sake of opposing? Are they promoted by vested
interests? Are they against development? What is development? Should
development be the final and only criterion for anything and everything? These are some of the questions that come to
mind as we approach the World Environment Day on 5th June.
The day dedicated to the environment has been celebrated the
world over since 1972. It has grown in popularity over the years giving
publicity and strength to the environmentalists. The movement has grown
powerful without being monolithic. There is diversity within the movement.
Some, who are interested in saving the stray dogs, are so
obsessed with dogs that there is no consideration for the human beings who
become victims of the dogs on the streets and in the market places of our towns
and villages. Everything has to be done in proportion. There has to be a hierarchy
of values. Dogs do need to be protected but protection of human life should be
the first priority.
Species on the verge of extinction need special protection.
If the mighty tiger has become an endangered species, it is not because of
climate change but because of human beings who have gone on shooting sprees. We
owe it to the tigers to do all we can to save their species. By saving the
tiger we are in a way saving ourselves because the king of the forest is the
prime protector of forests. And we need forests for our survival.
We have to protect our rivers from pollution and our hills
from deforestation, both of which are taking place on a rapid scale. Our Khazan land is being destroyed on the
pretext of false development by builders. If not high rise new buildings, it is
the rubble of old buildings that is dumped in the khazans. It is a deliberate criminal activity that is carried out
under the cover of darkness. When even the holy river Ganges has not been
spared by polluters, can our Mandovi and Zuari be far behind?
Those who question and oppose this type of ugly activities
are called anti-development people by those who indulge in anti-people development.
Growth and development should be in sync with the people. As American writer Edward
Abbey has put it, “growth for the sake of growth is the ideology of the cancer
cell”.
The fight for environment is herculean. It will only get
bigger in times to come because it is going to be a fight for our survival.
However, it is a matter of happiness that there are new pro-environment
activities on big and small scales that any common man can take up without
having to confront powerful lobbies. These include planting and nurturing trees,
cultivating kitchen gardens, and bringing about awareness among people with
open minds.
Planting and nurturing by NGOs and others have been going on
for over five decades; so also the activities to prevent cruelty to animals.
The revival of kitchen gardens, which is promoted in villages and towns, is an
encouraging sign. Growing vegetables and fruits in spaces under our domain is
both environmentally sound and economically profitable. When environment and
economy combine, the result can only be health and prosperity. It is our hope
that this activity will bring environmental consciousness to greater heights.
We in Goa realized the importance of being self reliant in
food when the transporters from the neighboring states decided to boycott Goa
because of the entry tax imposed by our government. We realized how much we
depend on other states for vegetables and fruits. The entry tax may have thus
been a blessing in disguise for us. But did we also realize how much we have already
deprived ourselves of fields to cultivate food products by turning our fertile
fields into jungles of concrete? We have destroyed our green treasures to build
concrete monstrosities!!!
As if to expedite this “Goa in Concrete” process, our
resident and non-resident Goans are increasingly cementing and tiling whatever
space is left within their compound walls.
Excuses: monsoon grass is a problem; weeding
is expensive. True, but these can be overcome with modern methods. But no, we
want to be modern via shortcut. Our villages must be like cities. No problem if
our rain water runs into rivers without being absorbed by the soil. No problem
if our trees die early provided our immediate surroundings are clean. And the
garbage can be thrown by the road side, wet and dry, if not in the river while
crossing the bridge.
Our town people have become environmentally more aware. The
talk of urban farming is gaining ground. Recently, some progressive citizens of
Vasco-da-Gama have formed the “Goa Kitchen Garden Group” aiming to transform
the space around houses, the balconies in flats, and the terraces of buildings
into “green productive spaces”.
Every citizen of Goa should take a pledge this Environment
Day to keep Goa green and clean. Everyone
can play a proactive green role on a small or big scale depending on individual
capacity and collective collaboration.
Published in The Navhind Times, Panorama 02.06.2013
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