Environmentalist asks govt to set up institute for eco study

In a bid to save the Himalayas from further degradation, prominent environmentalist and Magsaysay award recipient Chandi Prasad Bhatt have asked the government to establish a multi-purpose institute to examine the changes in the glaciers, lakes, and forests in the region.

Bhatt, in a letter to Environment Minister Jairam Ramesh, Congress President Sonia Gandhi and others, said the region was under constant threat due to increased incidents of floods and landslide. "43 per cent the area of our country lies in the region of Ganga, Many rivers originate from it and these rivers contribute almost 63 per cent to the water resources," Bhatt said. According to the scientists, Himalayan glaciers are shrinking and rivers are changing their course due to which the frequency of floods and landslides is increasing, he said. "Every year during monsoon, millions of people are rendered homeless and property worth crores is destroyed due to floods and it also affects the economy of our country," he said, adding, the region also needs special attention because the entire Himalayan region lies in Zone IV and V, the most active seismic region, making it vulnerable to earthquakes. An 'Eco Task Force', set up by the Planning Commission in 1982 for development of Himalaya, had recommended an 'Eco Development Commission' chaired by Prime Minister but nothing has happened as of now and with the increase in temperature, glaciers are shrinking, and threat is looming large on the Eco system, he said.