The latest occurrence of unprecedented floods and landslides in the
state has once again led to discussions on the gadgil committe and
kasturi rangan committee reports, which have been put on the back burner
by the successive governments. As I understand both these reports have
categorically predicted such disasters if corrective measures were not
adopted at the earliest. But it appears the objections by various
parties in implementation of the recommendations are based on the big
question, "how or why the people staying at these places be barred from
their agricultural activities in the name of environment?". A very
relevant objection! So it is for us to decide which is important ,
environment or the welfare of the inhabitants . Since both have to be
protected it is for the rulers to find out ways to have a proper balance
between the two.But, as for me, the entire question
boils down to another basic issue which is population explosion !. The
total population of india has grown from.about 30 crores in the sixties
to 130 crores now! So for accommodating the additional 100 crore people
the space had to be found out from the existing land only as land does
not grow like population. This has led to un restricted constructions
which in turn led to laterite and granite mining resulting in fissures
in the earth crust. Such fissures give way in the wake of heavy rains
leading to such landslides. Also in the name of large scale construction
activities, we have filled or blocked the areas which used to waterways
that allowed free flow of water during rainy seasons. All these
together have contributed to the present disaster, i believe. So ,i
feel, it is high time we did something to arrest the population growth ,
lest the situation will be more dangerous in the coming years. The
people at present living in vulnerable areas should be rehabilitated at
comparatively safer locations and all constructions in tge vulnerable
areas like hill side, sea shore etc be banned immediately. I am sure
none of the politicians will dare to consider the above suggestions ,
but hope some saner elements will be there to think of this .
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