Prime Minister Narendra Modi has rightly given a slogan ‘Sabaka Saath Sabaka Vikas’ for bringing further unity among the Indians to build a new India. But is it possible in a scenario in which corruption rules the roost and our natural environment is on a path of degradation?

There are instances when police are seen violating human rights and elected representatives are facing criminal charges. How it is possible to unite the people in one platform, when a section of people live amid plenty and another in penury. Hunger has not been wiped out from the country yet. Economic disparity is rampant.

The World Desert and Preservation of Desertification Day is observed on June 17. Today, it is widely apprehended that the survivability of the globe is diminishing very fast only because of destruction of the biological systems of nature by human beings.

 We claim that, our biological systems are increasing beyond forest lands due to human efforts. It means the general public is interested to plant trees to prevent atmospheric pollution and conserve soil fertility. As far as possible less carbon should go to the atmosphere to save it from the menace of pollution.

As the developmental works, including vehicular activities, are growing up very fast throughout the country the carbon deposits are increasing in the atmosphere. This cannot be checked as we are not prepared to compromise on the front of progress and development.

We need energy for development. Instead of fossil fuel and thermal power, our dependence on solar energy should be more and for this technology and cooperation of the public with the Government’s initiative are important. 

It is the duty of the State and Union to make infrastructural development for harvesting solar energy for day-to-day uses of the people.

If solar energy becomes the sole means of domestic use of the citizens, then we can achieve a lot in our crusade against pollution.

This year the Government of India claims that one per cent of forest cover in India increased last year. The present percentage of forest cover of the country is 24.39. Again 1,215 crore plants will be planted along the highways in the coming years to have control over climatic disasters. In such a scenario, we are only focusing on massive tree planting and neglecting protection of natural eco-systems.

In reality, one third or more natural eco-systems of the country are degraded due to various biotic factors. Such damaged eco-systems should be regenerated and protected from climatic disasters. Again, we are facing atmospheric temperature quite higher than the normal range.

The natural green covers should be sustainable. Generally, the evergreen plants are seen in coastal plains, which are wind firm and non-brittle. But in hills and other dry lands in the rest of the geophysical conditions, the dry deciduous forests are seen.

Various diversified ecological systems are seen in Odisha. When evergreen forests are seen in the seacoast and coastal plains and also on river banks and deltas, in the hills, dry deciduous forests and in the valleys and swamps, evergreen plants are seen. Similarly, in dry rugged lands, almost all kinds of deciduous forests are seen.

The screw-pine forests of the coastal region can provide protection from cyclonic storms. They act as a massive green wall sea wind, which divert the sea wind up ward and chock the landfall in the nearby areas besides reducing the strength of wind.

The screw pine can come in almost all types of soil, topography and climate. It can come on sea, prime sand of sea-coast and silt deposits of rivers and protect from the sea waves and erosion.

In past, the Paradip seacoast, the Gopalpur seacoast and the Bhitarkanika estuary were full of screw-pine forests. The screw pine forests provide shelter to various types of wild creatures.

Especially, the winged birds like pigeons, parrots and several other ground birds make their nests in the pine forests while a number of herbivores and carnivores are also found.

Paradip is a combination of words like ‘Para’ meaning ‘pigeon’ and deep meaning ‘island.’ So it is an island of pigeons.

The pigeons were getting shelter in the screw-pine forests of Paradip. Screw pine is therefore a mangrove species. It has stilt roots and massive crowns. So in the seashore planting, screw pine should be given preference. No other species can colonise so fast like the screw-pine.

Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik a few days back released an atlas called “Disaster Management” in respect of Odisha. It is good.

The screw-pine should be utilized to protect our State from recurring disasters from the sea. Its massive crown helps maximum absorption of carbon from atmosphere, which other species do less. It propagates through root suckers. It is an in situ species of coastal climate. Hence, this species should be propagated adequately in coastal climate under disaster management programme.

Four things like healthy atmosphere, healthy water body, healthy soil and healthy culture are required for a healthy society. Sabaka Saath – Sabka Vikash is not possible in absence of them.

 Needless to say, the slogan can never be translated into reality without adequate focus on environment.

(The writer is a former forest officer and an environmentalist, M: 9937460649)