Forest is mother of rivers: Bahuguna

Gangtok,Nov14: Propounder of Chipko Andolan against construction of dam at Tehri garwal, Uttarakand , and mass deforestation in the 70s, environmentalist Mr. Sunder Lal Bahuguna is here at the capital with a message “Save Himalaya, Save Water, Save Lives”. He has come here with his wife Bimla Bahuguna and Kishore Upadhaya, another environmentalist from Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a press conference Thursday he said, “No Himalayas, no water, no water no life”. He voiced against construction of big dams and mass deforestation. Small dams should be constructed so that environment and wildlife can be saved. Priority should be given to solar energy and wind energy, he said. Forest is mother of all rivers so they must be protected as river recharges ground water table, he said.
He had earlier met the governor in the morning and had discussions.

Chipko Movement leader lauds Sikkim’s green mission

GANGTOK, November 13: Applauding the efforts of the State Government in pioneering innovative steps with the launch of the State Green Mission and the recently concluded ten minutes to greenery programme, renowned environmentalist and recipient of Padma Vibhushan Sunder Lal Bhauguna said the experiment of Sikkim in regard to forestry and environment conservation should be brought in the notice of all the hilly regions including the Government of India so that they can understand the importance of forest and frame the policy likewise in protection and preservation of forest.
Mr. Bahuguna was here for a two-day visit to the State as part of the ‘Save Himalayan Campaign’ to create environmental awareness and emphasize on the need for more humane and ecologically sensitive development plans for the Himalayan region.
Addressing the State Forest officials during a programme held at the Forest conference hall here today, the Chipko Movement leader said, Sikkim can play a lead role among the States in the Himalayan belt in terms of environment protection. “Today protection and safeguarding of forest has become an essential fact as even the scarcity of water is felt everywhere,” he pointed out while calling for more forestation drive.
He added that the drafting of the new environmental policy would enhance the spirit in saving the environment further more.
On the occasion, C Lachungpa, Chief Conservator of Forest, (Landuse) also made a power point presentation on the green initiatives taken by the State.
Earlier, the State Forest Minister Bhim Dhungel felicitated Mr. Bhahuguna, who was accompanied by his wife Bhimla Bahuguna, his son Rajiv Bahuguna, and Dr. Kishore Upadhya.
India’s renowned scientist also visited Himalayan Zoological Park at Bulbuley and planted Rhododendron saplings in the vicinity of the Governor’s House, few kilometres above Gangtok town.
Later in the day, the Save Himalayan team interacted with the members of the Voluntary Health Association of Sikkim (VHAS) wherein Bahuguna called for more participation from the local NGOs in giving momentum towards tree farming, which he added was the only way to save the Mother Nature.
A delegation of eminent citizens led by renowned environmentalist Sunderlal Bhauguna who have undertaken the Save Himalaya campaign on September 30 to sensitize people on the fragile ecology of Hiamlayan States of India stressed on the point that the framing and the regulation of proper environmental policy is the need of the hour to tackle the issues related with the Himalayas.
Kishore Upadhaya, the convenor of the mission said, the campaign will now head towards north east holding interactive meetings with maximum involvement of the youth.
'Dr Doma Bhutia, the legal consultant of Human Rights Law Network, Sikkim Chapter earlier placed a brief introduction of Mr. Bhaugana and his success story on the successful campaign of the world famous ' Chipko' Movement.

Environmentalist Bahugana calls for sustainable policy for Himalayas

GANGTOK, November 13: Noted environment activist and leader of the historic ‘Chipko’ movement of Uttarkhand, Sunderlal Bahugana has called for a sustainable policy for environment friendly development of the entire Himalayas.
Bahugana, who is an Padma Bibhushan awardee, said to media here at Press Club of Sikkim today that since the Himalayas are the only source of water for a large part of the country, their conservation is essential not for the hills only but also for the whole of the country. There should be a policy framework to sustain the Himalayas in the most natural way possible to ensure constant supply of oxygen and water for the very survival of the people inhabiting around the world’s highest mountain range spread over several thousand kms, he said.
Stressing on prioritizing solar, wind and bio-energy over mega hydel power projects for catering to the energy needs, Bahugana urged the journalists to create public opinion in favour of conservation of water sources in the hills and also for evolving such a development policy which ensures effective conservation of natural resources and scenic beauty of the hills while bringing prosperity to the people of the mountainous regions.
Uttarkhand legislature Kishore Upadhayay who is also the convernor of the movement led by Bahugana said that the team is on a mission to bring the MPs, MLAs and governments of all Himalayan States on a single platform to raise their voices. He said that a national level convention in this regard will soon be organized to highlight the issues.
The team called on Governor BP Singh today morning.