Himachal Niti Abhiyan, an organization highlighting environment protection and demanding separate policy for Hill states, has urged Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha Speaker, HP CM and the Leader of Opposition and all MLAs to hold fruitful discussion on recent natural disasters in the state, during the current session of HP Vidhan Sabha.
In a letter to Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kudeep Singh Pathania and copies sent to all leaders and MLAs, President of the organization Kulbhushan Upmanyu and its convener Guman Singh have urged,” The focus of the discussion should be based on critical issues to develop long term resilience of the state to prepare it for the future strategy.”
The organization said, “ In the wake of huge losses of human life and property , the growing impact of climate be emphasized and studied , the current model of development be discussed thoroughly to find out if unscientific and unplanned development are also to be blamed keeping in view the state’s carrying capacity and ecological sensitivity? “
It has also demanded environmental audits of cement industries, mining operations and hydropower projects as these can also compound the disasters.
The issue of construction of four lanes and National Highways should also be broached thoroughly and HP Vidhan Sabha should consider constituting a special committee to hill cutting and excavation practices being adopted by the National Highway Authority in building roads.
The Abhiyan also stressed that issues like relief and rehabilitation of flood affected people and disaster preparedness etc should also be deliberated in the Vidhan Sabha.
