‘Environment damage can be reversed’

Human lifestyle harms ecology more, says KSPCB chairman

The Karnataka State Pollution Control Board (KSPCB) would support State Education Department’s initiative to make it compulsory for new schools to possess a certain area of land, depending upon the student strength, said Board Chairman Vaman Acharya on Tuesday.

The Board would want at least 30 per cent land reserved for bringing up greenery, he said.

Stating that environment pollution was reversible through the very same technology which was its cause, Dr. Acharya attempted to alleviate fears that the Earth would be inundated in sea water due to global warming.

Giving examples of restoration of the Thames and the Danube, Dr. Acharya said change in lifestyle — such as resorting to walking and cycling, lesser use of plastic — could improve the environment.

Contribution of industries to environment pollution was just 14 per cent, with the rest being done by human lifestyle including excessive use of vehicles, he said.

Children’s role

He was speaking after giving away the Parisara Mitra and other awards to schools instituted by the Board at a programme jointly organised by KSPCB and others here. The initiative, started by the Board last year, had seen about four lakh students participating, with over seven lakh students having already participated this year, he said.

Due to changing times, parents now listen more to children, who can bring in the change, Dr. Acharya said. He gave examples of firecracker-free Diwali and eco-friendly Ganesha campaigns launched by the Board in Bengaluru.

Due to children’s persuasion, many parents had shunned crackers and went for eco-friendly Ganesha, he said. This is the way to take the environment protection campaign forward, Dr. Acharya said.

In all, 36 schools — higher primary and high schools — were chosen for the award. After evaluation by experts, one best school was chosen for Parisara Mitra award, 10 were chosen as Green awards and 10 others for Yellow awards.

Minister for Forest, Environment and Ecology B. Ramanath Rai on Tuesday said the department was considering opening an urban Eco Park in Mangaluru to sensitise children about environment.

He was speaking at Parisara Mitra school award distribution ceremony organised by Karnataka State Pollution Control Board here. Mr. Rai said the park, only at Bengaluru at present, is planned in association with the Regional Science Centre, Pilikula. The blueprint is getting ready and modalities would be finalised soon, he said.