Planned urbanisation in city needed for green cover conservation: Dr Paliwal

 

 

 

“Planned urbanisation is need of the hour for Nagpur to conserve the green cover and maintain its biodiversity,” said Dr Nidhi Paliwal, Environmentalist and Trustee, Bangalore Environment Trust (BET). Dr Nidhi Paliwal has practised dentistry for 15 years and has worked in various hospitals including Manipal. Her knowledge and interest about conservation of nature helped her to associate with Bangalore Environment Trust which was formed way back in 1987 by Prof Satish Dhawan of ISRO and some other enlightened citizens of Bengaluru. Since then, the trust has been working on various environmental issues like lake restoration, urban tree protection, afforestation, pollution prevention, water rights and pollution related livelihood issues. BET has done numerous lake restorations and afforestation work, along with other organisations including Central and State Governments.

 

Dr Nidhi, who is working for conservation of lakes in Bangalore city from last many years said, “Infrastructure development and environment can go hand in hand but it require proper planning and commitment from all stakeholders.” While talking about Nagpur city, Dr Nidhi said, “Nagpur has good infrastructure but there is no Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) for sustainable development at any level. City is developing but losing its green cover too. Once Nagpur was the second greenest city in the country which is now lost due to mindless development.” Emphasising on environment education, the green expert said, “It is the right time to educate our kids about environment. Our education system must have to adopt environment science a serious subject for the betterment of coming generations.” Youth contribution in the field of environment conservation is needed and they must know the future challenges that is going to be raise due to haphazard development activities, said Dr Nidhi. Bothering about the slow implementation process of Amendments of State Tree Act in Maharashtra, Dr Nidhi said, “The assembly has done its part by improvising in the Tree Act. Now, its the Government who has to show swiftness by forming tree authority for better future of environment in the State.” Dr Nidhi also talked about the poor condition of city lakes and rivers and showed concern about the slow lake conservation activity in Nagpur.

 

“The public representatives must utilise their MP and MLA fund for proper conservation activity. In the lake status report that prepared by public representatives should mention the conservation plan and expenses and also share the report with public. It will help to increase public contribution in lake rejuvenation,” said Dr Nidhi. Vidarbha Environmental Action Group (VEAG) to collaborated with Bangalore Environment Trust (BET) to taking up issues of pollution of water bodies in Nagpur. Experts from BET will be interacting with VEAG members and citizens through Webinar. Dr Nidhi Paliwal was in city on Monday for the collaboration with VEAG. Sudhir Paliwal, Convenor, VEAG and Aakash Mishra were also present during the meeting took place on Monday.\