Does Gujarat care for the environment?

As Environment Day (June 5) dawns, the question that is uppermost in the minds of many, is whether Gujarat actually cares for the environment?


Whilst several tree-planting programmes and other forms of " cosmeticization" will definitely take place, the plain truth negates the best efforts of individuals and groups in protecting the environment.


These include:


* The indiscriminate allotment of prime land (both agricultural and forest) to big business and polluting industries


* Permission to industries in the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)


* Wanton land-fill by the building lobby in several urban areas which cause flooding


* Hazardous and other toxic wastes being spewed in the waters because of the Alang ship breaking yard


* Disregard shown by chemical and pharmaceutical companies which pollute several of our rivers


* The state government promoting industries without environmental clearance and safeguards to the people working in them or to the area around them


* The role of the mining lobby which has no problem in destroying the fragile ecosystems to maximize profits


* The insensitivity to our precious mangroves and the coastline to cater to the whims of the vested interests


* The consumption and wastage patterns of the growing middle-class that seem blissfully unaware of the degradation of the environment


* Books are penned on global-warming, but unless there is vision and a serious political will to address endemic issues, Gujarat will surely have the onus of being the number one state in environmental and ecological degradation!


It is time, that we in Gujarat, wake up!


(Father Cedric Prakash SJ is director of Prashant, the Jesuit Centre for Human Rights, Justice and Peace.)