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| Villagers, activists, farmers oppose abuse of agricultural, forest land | | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
Jammu, Aug 31: A high power delegation comprising progressive farmers, environmentalist, wildlife protectionists , NGO’s, aromatic and medicinal plant growers ,various social activists, ex-servicemen and representative of Gujjars and Bakerwals ,Panchs and Sarpanchs led by Pawan Padha district president J&K environment , ecology and wildlife protection council and Karor Singh district president NCP and chairman , Andher Vikas Manch Kathua called on former minister Randhir Singh ,NCP president J&K state .
While addressing the delegation Singh said that we have noted with augst and immense sense of trepidation the recent statement of Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister J&K state for establishing “Green Industry” in Ghati area in Tehsil and District Kathua.
This indeed is a travesty of situation that the so called Green Industry instead of being a boon is ostensibly to the peril of green concerns impinging on fragile ecology, environment and habitat of rare species in Ghati and surrounding areas.
The parlous state of ecology of Shivalik foot hills , which houses distinct flora , fauna and species and is rich in biodiversity , requires strong slew of measures for conservation and preservation of ecology near the world famous wildlife sanctuary Jasrota habitat of leopards .
But the same is being decried by mindless decision to promote industrial units in this area.
From all angles, it makes a bad economics to undermine the natural resources and endowments of the fragile ecology of Ghati area by undertaking a venture, which to say the least, is anti thesis of greening and renewal of natural resource base of fragile environment.
Needless to state that the natural watershed in Ghati is life sustaining resource for the areas around also contributes to the underground water regeneration , which objectives would be negated by conceiving ill advised schemes of setting up of industrial units in the area.
Singh said that it needs no emphasis that all the areas above national highway provide natural drainage system, which are getting increasingly choked owing to urbanization, industrialization and burgeoning demands of economic growth. The adverse impact would be in terms of soil erosion, loss of diversity of flora and fauna and of the top soil.
Singh further said that these concerns have been raised and highlighted in different fora, but no concrete steps have been taken so far.
In this context, the statement of Omar Abdullah is condemned as it has serious portents for safe, healthy environment and unique biodiversity of Kandi belt in general and Ghati in particular.
It is really strange that when movements have been launched the country over to conserve natural resources , J&K state is embarking on such economic activities which will adversely affect the natural balance and natural resources.
In the name of economic development, we can’t afford to let go the major environmental concerns, which if ignored would induce irreversible adverse impact.
Singh who is also national president Aromatic and Medicinal Plants Growers Association of India recognized by the Ministry of Agriculture said that any such attempt to establish industrial unit in Ghati by SIDCO will be fiercely resisted.
Rather it is exhorted that state Government should undertake environmental mapping of such areas so that effective policy mechanisms are worked out for protection fragile ecology.
It is a myth at Green Industry will not harm the environment because apart from mammoth construction activity entailed in the process of establishment of industrial units, which will choke the natural drainage and watershed basin of Ghati and surrounding areas , any such venture will generate pollutants , industrial waste and detritus which will harm underground generation of water and further aggravate the problems of the area , smarting under stress due to variety of factors.
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