Development and Environmentby Dharmendra Kapri | 28-02-2017 04:04 |
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Development is aimed at improving the quality of life. An increase in population of a country necessitates rapid development to provide the basic amenities to the people. Development involves establishment of new townships, shopping centres and health facilities setting up of industries expansion of transport- roadways, railways, airways, seaways creation of educational institutions, sports complexes and recreation centres building of dams and canals setting up of financial institutions,religious centres and administrative offices. Etc All development projects need space. The space is usually made available by clearing the forests and reclaiming the waste land. Both the methods of acquiring space destroy the natural habitats of plants and animals. Habitat destruction has been the main cause of extinction of species. Some animals migrate to new habitats were they are likely to disturb the ecosystem balance. If proper habitats are provided, the species with dwindling population will automatically stage come back without human efforts. The productive areas of grasslands, croplands and woodlands is fast reducing because of development projects. The loss is compensated by increased productivity but this definitely has a limit. Every scientific and technological discovery introduces benefits as well as risks. We should find out the ways to eliminate the risk before using the discovery for the benefits. We should improve our ecosystems with the new scientific and technological knowledge rather than to spoil them. Ecologically, we are our worst enemies, but we should strive for becoming our best friends. Modern industry and agriculture are polluting the life supporting systems- air, land and water by releasing harmful chemicals. Conservation of life supporting systems should be given more importance than the economic programme is development because the former is essential for the very existence of mankind whereas the latter only improves the quality of life. Ecologists and conservationists must be associated with the officials who prepare plans for the development of the country. Environment impact report must be prepare before starting any new development project.
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