Growth should not be at the cost of environment: Jairam Ramesh

CHENNAI: While India venerates and respects its biodiversity on one hand, the other hand it treats it with neglect and disdain by destroying it, said former environment minister Jairam Ramesh. Speaking at the silver jubilee celebrations of the CP Ramasami Aiyar Foundation, he said there was an urgent need to set the paradox right and conserve the biodiversity of the country.

“Environment education will play a crucial role in the coming days and teachers should be an active part of it, encouraging children to conserve nature,” he said.“There certainly needs to be development but never at the cost of our environment. If we do not protect our ecosystem, our entire existence will be at risk,” he said.

The foundation gave the ‘Green Teacher’ award to G Prabhakar of Keshav Memorial Boys High School, Hyderabad, for encouraging students of the school to take up civic issue around their house, immediate neighbourhood and brainstorm for solutions. The ‘Green School’ award was given to NSN Matriculation Higher Secondary School in Chitlapakkam as the school was known for striving to become a zero-waste campus and has compost pits set up in the premises. The students are encouraged to plant trees, save water and promote rainwater harvesting.

Ministry of environment secretary Ashok Lavasa, said that keeping the environment clean should not viewed as a challenge. “There needs to be a balance in achieving growth and protecting nature,” he said.

There is a significant need to start environmental education at school level, said Dr M S Swaminathan. ‘We need to catch them young teach them about sustainable development,” he said.