‘Uttarakhand tragedy not man-induced’

HYDERABAD: This summer’s Uttarakhand tragedy, in which thousands of people lost their lives, was not induced by human activity and such events are likely to reoccur in the future with a bulk of them within short spells of time, said noted environmentalist R K Pachauri, chairperson of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, which was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 2007.

Citing examples such as declining population of coral reefs across the world and rapidly dwindling population of sparrows and vultures in India as well as that of bats in north eastern parts of the USA are evidence of climatic changes that are being observed world over.

 “I am by no means implying that what happened in Uttarakhand was man-induced but such precipitating events are likely to reoccur in the future with bulk of them happening within short spells of time,” Pachauri said, referring to the Uttarakhand tragedy.

“Climatic change is a subset of a larger problem. The bigger issue really is that the society is having an unsustainable growth. There are moral and ethical concerns of climatic change which cannot be ignored even though certain sections of the society show inertia and resistance and don’t want to accept the situation,” he added.

Addressing an audience of 1,300 students from various countries at the Harvard Model United Nations (HMUN) meet in the city, Pachauri said past generations left the present generation with a gamut of problems to grapple with.

Pachauri said that though the Intergovernmental Panel for Climate Change (IPCC) is currently not under the umbrella of the UN, it might play a more catalytic role in the future to deal with climate change.

“We are at the threshold of major changes in society. Preservation of biodiversity is not a luxury but a necessity. The generation of today must develop sustainable environment while respecting nature and ensuring wellbeing of all,” said Pachauri.

The three-day HMUN conference was flagged off on Thursday and saw 1,300 student delegates from eight countries and 28 cities in India.

This is the second time HMUN is being hosted in Hyderabad since its inaugural session in India in 2011.

Also speaking at the opening ceremony was Binalakshmi Nepram, human rights activists and founder of the Manipur Women Gun Survivors Network.

Nepram spoke about the militarized situation of her home state Manipur, and how she thought knowing about arms while growing up was normal till she went to Delhi for further education.

“While growing up I was told not to ask too many questions or I would be shot dead. But as I speak to the future of tomorrow, I urge you to ask questions and not relent till you get the answers,” she said.

Nepram’s speech evoked a standing ovation from the young audience and there was an especially encouraging round of applause when, while implying her humble background, she said,” You do not need to be a Harvard graduate to make a change!”