Greens want more funds for forests

The Times of India , Monday, February 29, 2016
Correspondent :
Nagpur: Though 2015 was a landmark year for India in climate change initiatives, greens are apprehensive about the way Centre is going to divert attention from forests to fast track linear projects in the name of development and cut funding for National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

Environmentalists not just want more funds to save tigers and forests but also cautious approach towards linear projects and inclusion of mitigation costs in project estimates.

"The ministry of environment, forest and climate change (MoEFCC) is tasked with environmental protection, tackling climate change, controlling pollution, managing forests and wildlife. Ironically, BJP government has diverted over 35,867 hectares of forest land for 783 projects in one year alone without any inspections," said well known environment lawyer Ritwick Dutta.

Conservationist KishorRithe said the Economic Survey (2015-16) focuses more on food security and states that India has the second highest undernourished population at 194.6 million, which warrants immediate attention.

"However, the Centre should focus more on our national parks, tiger reserves and forests, which are biggest harbingers of food and water security and protecting ecology," Rithe said.

Rithe said there is a strong correlation between forests, stability in agricultural production and food security. Areas sans forests have reported volatility in agricultural production which impacts food supplies and can result in spikes in food prices. "The best example of this phenomenon is Marathwada region in Maharashtra," he added.

"It is very sad that India has not made any significant attempt to stop destruction of existing forest cover, forget about the growth in forest cover or forest density which can help the world in its fight against climate change crisis," said Rithe. He called for policies for a visible change at village and regional level. "Signing treaties at global level won't help. The domestic sector alone could have brought the change instantly in India," the conservationist said.

"If fast-tracking projects is one issue, Jaitley's finance ministry has decided to drastically cut funds released to NTCA. This is not acceptable. Due to curtailed funds, relocation of villages in tiger reserves has been stalled," said another conservationist PrafullaBhamburkar.

Kaustav Chatterjee of Green Vigil said at Paris climate change meet recently, India has set itself an ambitious target of reducing its emissions intensity by 33-35% by 2030. However, this is possible only by conserving existing forests and better plantations.

Power sector expert AvinashPrabhune said it is high time India moves away from coal-based power plants to save environment and pushes renewable energy in a big way.

"Nagpur region has huge solar energy potential and hence an ambitious program to develop Nagpur as a solar city should be announced," said Prabhune.

However, Rithe says to get solar panel at less than Rs40 per watt is still a dream for Indian citizens. "Where can we see the effects of signing Paris agreement? In Maharashtra, we have huge space available along the irrigation canals where government can place solar panels and electricity can be supplied to the grid. The state has just announced a solar policy and still awaiting for its implementation and budget allocation," he said.

Greener Pastures

Centre diverted 35,867 Ha forest land for 783 projects in a year alone

Economic Survey for 2015-16 focuses more on food security

Focus on forest cover, it can improve food & water security

Environmentalists want more funds to save tigers & forests

Need to promote renewable energy & not coal-based power plants

 
SOURCE : http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/nagpur/Greens-want-more-funds-for-forests/articleshow/51182807.cms
 


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