Jul 26,2010
Story/Place- Nagpur
NAGPUR: It has been raining questions regarding forest, wildlife and environment issues in the ongoing monsoon session of the state legislature in Mumbai. Does it mean that our MLAs are becoming green? TOI spoke to a section of environmentalists, who don't feel that is the case.
The session is in full swing now, and the number of questions on wildlife, forest and environment issues may go over the 100 mark by the time the session concludes on July 28. Till July 16, 62 such questions had come up for discussion in the House.
Noted wildlife expert Kishor Rithe says the trend about asking questions on problems related to wildlife is good. "But looking at the questions, I don't think it will really change the ground situation," he felt.
Several of the questions asked appeared to be superficial like — number of tigers in the state; whether crop compensation would be given for loss due to wildlife; new method of tiger census; worshipping God in Tadoba; restrictions in Chandoli and Koyna sanctuaries etc. Most of the questions were such that information could have been acquired by any individual under RTI, and you don't need to be an MLA for that.
Wildlife experts said, there are 41 protected areas (PAs) in Maharashtra. These PAs have been playing an important role by contributing several ecological services for the development of their 'command areas'. These areas act as healthy watersheds, which enrich underground watertable, provide pest controllers, regulate climate for agriculture, provide conservation-based employment to locals and also give minor forest produce to buffer villages.
"The present set of questions by MLAs do not highlight the importance of PAs and have failed to address the real issues," Rithe said. MLAs who have never seen or known the ground reality in a particular area appear to be raising questions about such areas, he said.
For example, Achalpur MLA Bacchu Kadu raised a question on Koyana and Chandoli wildlife sanctuaries in Satara district. Similarly, the MLA from Satara district Vikramsingh Patankar asked questions related to Melghat. It would be very unlikely for any of these MLAs to have visited either of the PAs.
Interestingly, several questions pertained to Sahyadri Tiger Reserve and the maximum were complaints about wildlife and damage from them. The newly formed Sahyadri Tiger Reserve has been in the media for illegal projects in the reserve under political patronage.
However, none of the MLAs raised the burning issue of 'climate change'.
Bittu Sahgal, environmentalist and editor of 'Sanctuary' magazine, said, "We should be more concerned about the present situation of environment. The casual questions and casual answers in the House won't help to overcome the crisis."
Nishikant Kale, president of Nature Conservation Society, Amravati (NCSA), feels that MLAs should also be worried about the deteriorating situation of our wildlife reserves. "Sadly, the questions asked by the MLAs hardly made any difference. So many questions were raised but no one asked why things have been worsening. Our MLAs are beating about the bush," said Kale.
Debi Goenka, executive trustee of Conservation Action Trust (CAT), Mumbai, also felt that core issues of threat to wildlife and forests from proposed mining activities in Vidarbha have been sidelined in the volley of questions raised by the MLAs.
TOI spoke to a couple of MLAs who raised questions. Independent MLA from Achalpur Bachhu Kadu said, "The fact that MLAs asked so many questions indicates that they are very much concerned about environment."
Kadu had raised a question on Chandoli and Koyana sanctuaries. However, he himself did not know which question he had asked. "I'll know about it when the issue comes before the House," he quipped. The MLA admitted he has never visited these two areas.
MLC Jainuddin Javheri says as forest and wildlife is mostly centred in Vidarbha, questions pertaining to it are bound to increase. MLAs asking many questions on these issues don't necessarily mean they are turning green. "Many questions asked by the MLAs get twisted replies and hence the issues fail to get justice," Javheri said.
source-timesofindia.indiatimes.com
sourced by Jimsjungleretreat .com
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