Experts address the urgent need for sustainable development amid rising environmental apathy and urbanisation

NT Correspondent

Bengaluru: Suresh Heblikar, Chairman of EcoWatch and the Centre for Environment & Sustainable Devaelopment, Bengaluru, raised a pertinent question: "We don't need citizens to be metropolitan, why do we need to urbanise India at such a rapid speed?" in a recent discussion at the Bangalore International Center, 'City of Lakes to City of Tankers: Is There a Way Out of Bengaluru’s Water Crisis?'.

Heblikar emphasised the detrimental effects of excessive urbanisation on natural resources like trees and lakes, attributing the resulting environmental degradation to serious issues such as climate change.

Joining the discussion, Vijay Nishant, Urban Conservationist, Animal Activist, and Tree Doctor, along with Raghavendra Pachhapur, Senior Project Lead at ActionAid, highlighted the urgent need for citizen action.

Nishant pointed out the tendency for people to disregard environmental issues until they directly affect them, stressing the importance of proactive measures.

He urged that, “it is never too late to take the first step.” Pachhapur added to this sentiment, expressing concern that the public tends to forget about environmental crises once immediate threats subside.

Despite the challenges, both speakers emphasized that it's not too late to instigate change.

Pachhapur drew attention to the successful revival of Doddakalasandra Lake as a beacon of hope, urging community involvement and advocacy for governmental action.

Heblikar underscored the alarming loss of nearly 5000 acres of lakes in Bengaluru due to urbanisation, emphasising the urgent need for preservation efforts.

The discussion highlighted the critical need for sustainable urban development and collective action to mitigate Bengaluru's water crisis and environmental degradation.

Globalisation = Youth's environmental apathy

Suresh Heblikar observed that in an era of globalisation, there is a concerning rise in the youth's affinity towards luxury, often at the expense of environmental concerns.

He highlighted a worrying trend where the younger generation seems disinterested in preserving natural resources vital for survival.

Additionally, Vijay Nishant shed light on another crucial factor: a significant portion of Bengaluru's population consists of non-permanent residents with a transient mindset, fostering an attitude of indifference encapsulated by the sentiment, "Why should I worry as long as I have what I need?"

Nishant advocated for a shift in this mindset, stressing the imperative for collective responsibility and proactive engagement in environmental conservation efforts.