Preserving Nature vs. Reshaping Nature
PRESERVING NATURE VS. RESHAPING NATURE
Critical analysis of recent floods in Uttarakhand
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“The environmentalist goal of ‘preserving nature’ unavoidably conflicts with the requirements of human life: Man 's basic means of survival is to reshape nature to serve his ends, to take the raw materials of his environment and use them to produce values. This requires "touching" nature, not leaving it untouched”
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Most of the time, we find environmental bodies at a logger head with businesses/government, with both parties accusing each other of being opportunist and unfair. In the absence of any credible source, our opinions are based on media reportage of accusation/counter-acquisition -- the debate between environmentalists and businesses seems to be perpetual.
To discuss the above statement, I have attempted to carefully study the recent debate around Uttarakhand floods and done my own analysis based on the discussion in the classes.
The horrific incident, which unfolded just a few days back, caused massive human tragedy at a staggering scale. As per officials, more than 1,000 lives were lost and other losses estimated to be above 3000 crore. However, as per eye witnesses, over 30000 people including sadhus, villagers and laborers, lost their lives and most of them remain uncounted, as no one claimed for them.
Before coming to any conclusion, I have listed claims by environmentalist calling the incident a ‘man-made disaster’ due to eco-insensitive nature of our politics and also the counter claims by the government/analysts, completely refuting the acquisition by dubbing the incident as the ‘most unprecedented natural calamity’.
Man-made disaster due to eco-insensitive nature of politics: Environmentalists
Environmentalists believe that the indiscriminate development in hill towns and along
Critical analysis of recent floods in Uttarakhand
______________________________________________________________________________
“The environmentalist goal of ‘preserving nature’ unavoidably conflicts with the requirements of human life: Man 's basic means of survival is to reshape nature to serve his ends, to take the raw materials of his environment and use them to produce values. This requires "touching" nature, not leaving it untouched”
______________________________________________________________________________
Most of the time, we find environmental bodies at a logger head with businesses/government, with both parties accusing each other of being opportunist and unfair. In the absence of any credible source, our opinions are based on media reportage of accusation/counter-acquisition -- the debate between environmentalists and businesses seems to be perpetual.
To discuss the above statement, I have attempted to carefully study the recent debate around Uttarakhand floods and done my own analysis based on the discussion in the classes.
The horrific incident, which unfolded just a few days back, caused massive human tragedy at a staggering scale. As per officials, more than 1,000 lives were lost and other losses estimated to be above 3000 crore. However, as per eye witnesses, over 30000 people including sadhus, villagers and laborers, lost their lives and most of them remain uncounted, as no one claimed for them.
Before coming to any conclusion, I have listed claims by environmentalist calling the incident a ‘man-made disaster’ due to eco-insensitive nature of our politics and also the counter claims by the government/analysts, completely refuting the acquisition by dubbing the incident as the ‘most unprecedented natural calamity’.
Man-made disaster due to eco-insensitive nature of politics: Environmentalists
Environmentalists believe that the indiscriminate development in hill towns and along
References: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/uttarakhand-floods-environmentalists-blame-rapid-urbanisation-pilgrim-movement-india-today/1/284843.html http://currentaffairs.gktoday.in/2013/07/man-made-factors-blame-uttarakhand-floods-environmentalists-7351/ http://catalyst.nationalinterest.in/2013/06/30/ndtv-we-the-people-uttarakhand-floods-pavan-srinath/ http://blog.knowyourclimate.org/2013/not-every-disaster-man-made-uttarakhand/ http://www.livemint.com/Opinion/hzKmWekwYOOtYKv8N6dZlN/Dont-blame-nature-for-the-Uttarakhand-flood-disaster.html http://www.un-documents.net/our-common-future.pdf http://blogs.lse.ac.uk/indiaatlse/2012/07/24/indias-environment-balancing-development-and-conservation/