Development vs Conservation

With recent natures furry in Uttarakhand, it is the example of the sober consequences that we
have to face if we play with the nature.
There is a long tussle going on between Development & Conservation. Both are necessary for
the society. Development (Economics) is complementary to Environment. With our country that
is on the path of super power must accomplish the development goals to be ahead in the race &
with that there is need for the conservation of the environment, which if not caring at the infant
stage will give the results afterwards with lots of destruction & then all these developments that
are done will get futile. So there is need to take care of both the aspect for the sustainable growth
of our country.
There is innate behavior of hounding by people to the nature & they are sacrosanct towards the
importance of the nature & its function in maintaining balance of the nature & ecosystem.
Now it has opened a butt between environmentalists, ecologists and bureaucrats.
Environmentalist vs Mafias
In 2011 notification, to declare a Economic Sensitive Zone (ESZ) extending to distance of 130
km from Gomukh where Alaknanada begins, upto Uttarkashi remains unenforced to this day.
Uttarakhand government misgivings on this move based on argument that it would impede
development . A lot of disturbance to ecology & destabilization of hill slopes caused by
construction of hydel power projects along Baghirathi & Alaknanda.
Large scale hydroelectric power projects are being pushed in the hill states in the name of
promoting clean energy. A lot of these projects leads to displacement, loss of forest rights & loss
of access to water for the local communities. Hydro projects are posing serious threat to both
natural ecology & stabalisation of hills slopes.
Another example is of Gadgil Panel Report on Western Ghats, which recommended some
measures for Anthirapally Hydro Power project in Kerala. He observed that the area is highly
sensitive to ecology & also for some endangered & endemic species. But Kerala government got
furious and told that they cant accept this proposition as it is impracticable as the project would
promote them electricity & development of the area.
If they would have accepted the panels recommendation they it would become problem for land
mafias as it would impede their personal development.
Actually nowadays there is more emphasis on the growth factor rather than on environment
factor. As for growth more industries, more infrastructure are required & for setting up these
there has to be the exploitation of the environment. And these are getting over & over every day
& leading to depleting natural resources of the environment. The problem is that economic

development can be seen instantly as development is happening very fast, but the natures furry
can be seen afterwards. So people are more concerned about the short term benefits but dont
focus on the long term consequences of it.
As more & more roads, dams, constructions in large part of country, more power projects are
coming these days. So they require large amount of land to accomplish these things. In some
villages, the corporates are given large amount of land without looking for the damages to the
environment & with the selfishness they are destroying the environment.
Effect on Ecology
With so much of industrialization happening all over the world, the Ozone Layer in many polar
regions are depleting. One recent example is of Antarctica where Ozone layer is closing
gradually. And by 2050 it will be closed permanently. Then think the results that could prove
disaster. All the glaciers will melt & in a result all the water will come down the surface will
raise the sea level and cause the natures fury.
After the some geologists given their research to the Uttarakhand government for the
cosequences of the construction of hydroelectric power projects, construction of hotels. But they
didnt focused on the report & hastenly constructed all the projects. And now they are facing the
consequences.
Many development projects require both forest & non forest land. Guidelines tells that work
must not commence on non forest land until prior permission for the forest land is not granted.
Due to poor enforcement , many project promoters cleverly start work on the non forest land
portions.
Steps to Mitigate
More awareness & sensitivity towards the environment is the key to environmental conservation.
A possible measure for this would be to inculcate awareness. Providing infrastructure for waste
management, water harvesting and paper recycling in schools and colleges can go a long way in
sowing the seeds of environment consciousness in young minds.
Apart from this, at the micro level, each one of us can contribute towards the betterment of the
environment, simply by living by the principle of REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE. Really,
it does not take much time or effort to be judicious about the usage of precious resources like
electricity, water and paper. Small steps do have a profound impact-and the sooner we realize
this, the better it will be for our Earth and our future generations.

There is no second opinion that development is foremost thing in the country without that the
society cant grow, society could not get benefited. But at the same time we must see the other
side of the coin that what could be the cosequences if development will happen at a pace in
which there is no environment friendly measures taken which is called natures gift. For
sustainable development conservation is very important.
We can say Uttarakhand tragedy was only the show cause notice from the nature to the earth. It
is ready for more disaster. If you play with the nature, she will definitely hurt you. And its
proved in previous many disaster.
Conclusion
For development to happen government must take steps in the renewable sources of energy like
Solar, Wind, Geothermal, Ocean Thermal, Biogas, Hydrogen Fuel. Government can reduce the
usage of SUVs in the country by increasing taxes on them as they are fuel guzzlers They are
also polluting environment as well as eating so much fuel.
Development can happen by using other sources of energy. There is definitely cost is there &
gestation period is more but we must think of the next few generations to stay healthy.
So government must think some credible steps & sober thinking about the environment &
ecology. If they become sacrosanct about this it is not far to see some more natures furry. Its just
a show cause notice from nature. India has two tradition. One in Judiciary taarikh pe
taarikh and in government committee pe committee.
So instead of making more committees, think some credible solution for both development as
well as conservation of the ecology. Because if there is development at the cost of ecology then
we can see more Uttarakhand like disasters.
The need of the hour is that there should be strict regulations & periodic monitoring on these
developmental projects so that ecological imbalances should not happen again and again. Its
fervently hoped that the Ministry of Environment & Forest takes up a thorough review & carries
out appropriate modifications to ensure that conservation takes precedence over clearance of
forest land & ecologically sensitive areas for non forestry purposes.

Name : Abhijit Roy