Ecology And Development
Chairman of the Interim Election Council of Ministers Khil Raj Regmi has stressed the need for maintaining a strict balance between development activities and the environment to achieve sustainable growth and development in the country. Speaking at a programme organised by the Ministry of Science, Technology and Environment to mark World Environment Day in Kathmandu the other day, Chairman Regmi said that the world has witnessed catastrophes of various kinds after being unable to maintain a balance between the environment and development. As observed by Chairman Regmi, nature has gifted humankind abundant resources, and a high level of development and progress has been achieved by the conscious utilisation of these resources. However, excessive use and exploitation of natural resources in the name of development have caused many environmental problems and health hazards in the world, which have become a matter of serious concern for all. Development activities at the expense of the environment do not ensure sustainable development. Instead they create disasters.
The world has already faced several problems caused by unsustainable human activities in the name of development. Climate change is the most visible and serious problem the world has faced. Nepal also is facing the consequences of global climate change. The Himalaya, which is the source of fresh water not only for Nepal but also the entire South Asian region, has come under direct threat due to climate change. The snow in the Himalaya is fast melting, exposing the black rocks of the mountain slopes. Similarly, heavy deforestation and excessive use of land for cultivation and grazing for livestock are also leading to serious environmental degradation. As a result, Nepal, in recent years, has seen loss in its bio-diversity and also faced greater natural disasters in the form of floods, landslides and soil erosion. Similarly, water sources are drying up in the hilly areas whereas environmentalists and experts have warned that Nepal’s Chure area is in the process of desertification. These consequences of environmental degradation are the product of human activities.
Thus, as observed by Chairman Regmi, there must be strict balance between development and the environment. Those activities carried out in the name of development without paying due attention to ecological and environmental conservation are not development but destruction. The survival of human beings and animals would be at risk if environmental degradation continues at the present alarming rate. Thus, it is high time we focussed our attention on ensuring that our development activities are environment friendly.
The world has already faced several problems caused by unsustainable human activities in the name of development. Climate change is the most visible and serious problem the world has faced. Nepal also is facing the consequences of global climate change. The Himalaya, which is the source of fresh water not only for Nepal but also the entire South Asian region, has come under direct threat due to climate change. The snow in the Himalaya is fast melting, exposing the black rocks of the mountain slopes. Similarly, heavy deforestation and excessive use of land for cultivation and grazing for livestock are also leading to serious environmental degradation. As a result, Nepal, in recent years, has seen loss in its bio-diversity and also faced greater natural disasters in the form of floods, landslides and soil erosion. Similarly, water sources are drying up in the hilly areas whereas environmentalists and experts have warned that Nepal’s Chure area is in the process of desertification. These consequences of environmental degradation are the product of human activities.
Thus, as observed by Chairman Regmi, there must be strict balance between development and the environment. Those activities carried out in the name of development without paying due attention to ecological and environmental conservation are not development but destruction. The survival of human beings and animals would be at risk if environmental degradation continues at the present alarming rate. Thus, it is high time we focussed our attention on ensuring that our development activities are environment friendly.