Writers submitted a nine-point memorandum to the government.
The Himalayan Literature, Culture, and Environment Forum organized a poetry symposium and dialogue on environmental concerns at the historic Gaiety Theatre in Shimla today. It was decided to submit a nine-point memorandum to the state government, the Governor, and the Himachal High Court under the slogan “Green Himachal, Healthy Himachal” to protect Himachal Pradesh from natural disasters. This nine-point memorandum recommended a complete ban on plastic materials, deforestation, construction of multi-story buildings, four-lane roads, mining, dumping of garbage on the mountains, and explosives and noise-canceling materials. The proposal also called for the mandatory implementation of the “Sea-Friendly Planting” scheme from the Panchayat level to cities, and in schools, colleges, and every family. The program’s presidium included Dr. Mastram Sharma, Dr. Vijay Laxmi Nahi, Om Prakash Sharma, Dr. Satyanarayan Snehi, and Jagdish Bali. This information was shared with the media today by S.R. Harnot, President of the Himalayan Literature, Culture, and Environment Forum.
He stated that the natural disasters and fury Himachal has been facing over the past three years are rooted in indiscriminate deforestation, land mining, unscientific four-lane road and building construction, along with the construction of countless power projects. Development is turning into destruction. Government and private construction along the banks of all major and minor rivers and streams has blocked the flow of water, resulting in significant loss of life, property, animals, and land. S.R. Harnot stated that human selfishness is overwhelming nature, leading to its fury. The government must implement these restrictions with commitment to protect what remains of us, otherwise Himachal will be devastated. Instead of power projects, Himachal should focus on “solar energy” and declare it a solar energy state, removing government offices, private buildings, and commercial centers from the banks of rivers and streams.
Deepti Saraswat conducted the programme with beautiful comments and recitation of her poems.
Harnot said that the biggest concern today should be the environment and the tourism industry should be declared completely environment friendly and provisions should be made for strict punishment for those causing pollution because Himachal Pradesh receives more than two crore tourists every year, more than the population, who bring with them huge amounts of plastic waste and throw it at tourist places.
In the seminar, more than sixty budding, young and senior writers recited poems on environmental concerns. These include Mastram Sharma, Vijay Lakshmi Negi, Om Prakash Sharma, Satyanarayan Snehi, Jagdish Bali, Kuldeep Garg Tarun, Dinesh Sharma, Salil Shamsheri, Sneh Negi, Pooja Sood Dogar, Ramesh Dadhwal, Devkanya Thakur, Kishan Sriman, Manan, Sitaram Sharma, Kalpana Gangta, Uma Thakur Nadhaik, Ayush, Kamala Bhoyal, Virendra Kumar, Hemlata, Ghanshyam. Many environment lovers including Das Sharma, Gulpal Verma, Naina Deshata, Nisha Chauhan, Yadav Chand, Divya, Pradeep Dharam, Sakshi were also present.
