Counter The Environment Change

THE result of environment change, such as the increasing number of unusual and extreme weather events like unusuall rains during the month of September and dry month of July and initial part of August this year in the state capital have forced the environment experts to put their thinking cap on. The sudden change in rain pattern is an indicator that how fast the climatic conditions are switching phases. The climate change phenomenon is already in evidence across the world and state of Uttar Pradesh is not an exception.
On one side world’s major polluters are trying to reach formulae to reduce emission- targets but it still has a long way to go. The damage to environment caused by western countries cannot be repaired easily, it would be years before the damage inflicted is reversed even partially.
Its vital for the states like uttar pradesh, which will be the worst affected by the consequences of climate change. Everyone knows that the state is poorly equipped to deal with these, climatic change process. Now there is urgent need to take steps to prepare for future.
The state population is expected to cross 25 crore in next 10 years. By that time requirements of water and food would be doubled. The state is already facing shortage of food and potable water, and one can see that the state would be extremely water-stressed in the days to come. It gives chill down the spine to think about the situation after 20 years, When the effects of global warming are factored in.
The state is currently facing a lower acreage of arable land provide for the food needs of a far larger population. But the if the climate change is allowed to take place more and more farmers would leave cultivation and flee for urban areas. Unfortunately, this frightening scenario does not seem to have dawned on our policymakers.
The state of Uttar Pradesh must prepare and apply effective safeguards against such an eventuality. The state must be prepared to take some tough measures include resolving contentious issues such as the construction of dams. Small- to medium-scale reservoirs may prove useful, safety of local ponds, local water bodies like lake, baolis, small wells, particularly in areas such prone to floods when Nepal discharges water from its dams during the rains. The eastern UP that experience good rains during the monsoons but are water short during other period of year these water bodies could be of use.
State can employ modern farming techniques and making it profitable for small-scale farmers to grow food crops, by enforcing environmental laws, curbing deforestation and preventing any further reduction in catchment areas.
It is ironic that heavy industries not only in India but in the world are collectively responsible for much of the historic emissions that have led to this fast-building environmental crisis, but fallout of huge industrialization process is brunt by farmers . Now it’s a challenge for the state like Uttar Pradesh to make a policy which is eco friendly that could meet the challenge of environment degradation by effectively utilising every possible resource. Or the state would be facing the threat of environmental disaster. Please counter the environment change before its too late.
artanupam@gmail.com