Although international-level discussions and seminars on conservation and development of environment are being held for the last three decades, nothing much has been achieved because of non-implementation of the suggestions made, director of the Biodiversity Board, Swaminathan Foundation, Kerala, Anil Kumar has said.
He was inaugurating a two-day UGC-sponsored national seminar on “Conservation and sustainable development of eco system in Western Ghats” organised by the Department of Botany, Sahyadri Science College and the Environmental Study Centre, here on Thursday.
Discussions on protecting biodiversity would not serve any purpose unless their recommendations were effectively implemented, he said.
Dr. Kumar pointed out that the Western Ghats were among the 32 biodiversity hot spots of the world. “It is a matter of great concern that the medicinal plants here are being exposed to the threat of wanton destruction,” he said.
Referring to the claim by Union Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee that India would emerge as an economic superpower by 2020, he said that economic development without ecological balance was of no relevance. “It is important that economic growth and conservation of natural resources move in tandem,” he said.
Dr. Kumar said that conservation of environment was not the sole responsibility of the Government. Voluntary organisations should join hands with the Government in the efforts, he said.
The Swaminathan Foundation would suggest remedial measures to address the issue of farm suicides, he said.
Dr. Kumar expressed concern over the craze for junk food among the youth. Food habits were normally based on the natural climatic conditions of a particular area and if they were stretched beyond the boundaries of the region, a natural imbalance of sorts would result, he said.
Principal of the college B.R. Siddaramappa presided over the function. Environmentalists C.S. Chandrasekhar and G.S. Janardhan were present.
