Sri Vijaya Puram, November 14: Climate change is bringing about various kinds of natural disasters, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are highly vulnerable to it, Lieutenant Governor Dr. Dinesh Sharma said while addressing a dialogue programme on climate change in Aligarh, Uttar Pradesh. Dr. Sharma is a former Rajya Sabha member and former Deputy Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh.
The imbalance in nature lies at the root of disasters such as cyclones, earthquakes and floods, he said. The weather cycle is changing and becoming destructive, and the melting of glaciers is raising sea levels and submerging coastal areas.
Several challenges have emerged in the Islands because of climate change, the Lieutenant Governor said. Rising sea levels have increased the threat of coastal erosion. Rising water temperatures are destroying mangrove reefs, which act as a protective barrier for the Islands against tsunamis and storms and are the backbone of the marine ecosystem. Cyclones are becoming more powerful and causing greater damage, and rising sea levels are also reducing the availability of fresh water, he said.
Describing the Andaman Islands as the guardian of the nation’s borders, Dr. Sharma said comprehensive development works would be taken up in the Islands at a faster pace in the coming years. Connectivity by waterways and airways would be improved and port areas developed, while ensuring that no harm is caused to the environment, he said. The Islands, with more than 80 per cent forest cover, also possess unparalleled natural beauty. He said the adverse effects of climate change are also being seen on the mainland, citing rising temperatures and drought.
Maintaining environmental balance is extremely important for human life, Dr. Sharma said. India is a country where the Earth, water and the Sun are worshipped, and all its festivals and beliefs are closely linked with nature, he said. Life becomes easier through harmony among water, forests, animals and climate, and several natural imbalances have now emerged, changing people’s lives, while pollution is spreading various diseases.
Along with cutting trees, it is equally important to plant more of them, he said, citing the tradition in Gujarat of planting trees in the names of one’s ancestors during Pitru Paksha, with people taking responsibility for protecting them. India is described through the trinity of Gau (cow), Ganga and Dharti Mata (Mother Earth), nature has always held great significance in the country’s culture, and even snakes are worshipped as deities, he said, adding that the spirit of nature conservation must not be allowed to weaken.
Dr. Sharma also said that mobile phones have transformed human life but have brought certain social distortions, creating distances among family members and reducing communication. Basic social etiquette is changing, families are becoming smaller and respect for the elderly is declining, he said, adding that along with environmental balance, there must also be balance in family relationships and values.
He appealed to people not to disturb the balance of nature, to take a pledge to plant trees in the names of their ancestors, and to ensure that the trees they plant are properly nurtured and protected.
Member of Parliament Mr. Satish Gautam, MLA and former Minister Mr. Thakur Jaivir Singh, MLAs Mr. Anil Parashar and Mr. Ravindra Pal Singh, Members of the Legislative Council Mr. Chaudhary Rishipal and Mr. Manvendra Singh, Engineer Mr. Rajiv Sharma, Mr. Krishan Pal, former MLA Mrs. Ramsakhi Katheria and Mr. Shiv Narayan Sharma, among others, were present.
