Date:26/04/2007 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2007/04/26/stories/2007042619120500.htm

Kerala - Thiruvananthapuram

Call for sustainable development strategy

Special Correspondent

`Rapid industrialisation not an indicator of development'

THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: The Earth Day 2007 celebrations organised by the World Wide Fund for Nature India in association with the Thenmala Ecotourism Society concluded here on Wednesday with a call for a sustainable development strategy. The valedictory function was inaugurated by Forest Minister Benoy Viswom.

An Open Forum conducted as part of the three-day programme called on politicians, environmentalists and the general public to come together on a common platform for the evolution of a sustainable development strategy. Speakers at the open forum observed that environmental concerns were often overshadowed by development needs focussing on lifestyle changes.

V.S.Vijayan, Chairman, Kerala State Biodiversity Board, said rapid industrialisation was not an indicator of development. "The industrial revolution has ravaged natural resources, especially the ones that provided the basic needs of food and water for mankind", he said.

V.Sasikumar, scientist, Centre for Earth Science Studies, said that in the pursuit of development, Indians were blindly imitating what other countries had done. This, he said, had burdened the country with environmental problems.

The Forest Minister distributed prizes to the winners of the second All Kerala Nature Photographic competition and exhibition. Sali Thankappan, Wayanad bagged the first prize while Shibu Bhaskar of Coconut Lagoon, Kumarakom and Sali Palode won the second and third prizes respectively.

Merit certificates were presented to Shoukath Master Areacode, Gopan Thaliyal, G. Naga Srinivasu, Zachariah Ponkunnam and G. Balagopal.