Human greed leading to ecological degradation: K.J. Varghese

The greed of mankind has led to grave danger to the future of the environment, said K J Varghese, IFS, Chief Conservator of Forest.

He was speaking at the valedictory function of a three-day international seminar on “The Green Path to Sustainability: Prospects and Challenges”, organized by the Assumption College.

Mr. Varghese highlighted the adverse impact of human activities on the ecology. “Man has destroyed the earth and its resources. His greed has been the cause of natural calamities, climate change, global warming and great damage to the environment,” he said. He also stressed the role of women in environmental movements all over the world.

Delivering the presidential address, Rev. Fr. Joseph Naduvilezham, Manager, Assumption College opined that people must be educated to make surroundings clean and healthy to live with reverence and respect for the environment.

Dr. P P Raveendran, Director, College Development Council, distributed the Best Presentation Awards. Dr. Sr. Suma Rose, Principal, Assumption College, distributed the certificates to the participants.

The major issues that were dealt with during the three-day conference were Biodiversity Conservation and Management, Environmental Quality and Pollution Assessment, Sustainable Natural Resource Management, Alternatives for Energy Conservation, New Approaches for Greener Environment and Society and Environment. About 50 papers were presented in four venues and there were 14 lectures by eminent scientists and environmentalists from reputed national and overseas research institutes. The speakers on Friday included Dr. K. Narayanan (Indian Institute of Technology, Mumbai), J. Ansari (National Institute for Interdisciplinary Science and Technology, Thiruvananthapuram) and T. V. Anna Mercy (Kerala Agricultural University).