“Public-private partnership must for social, environmental growth”
| Hindustan Times | June 12, 2004 |
Rajiv K Phull
“Public-private partnership must for social, environmental growth”
DR MADHAV MEHRA, president of UK-based World Environment Foundation (WEF) and World Council for Corporate Governance, is a rare management visionary and futuristic thinker who forecast the emerging chaos and leadership challenges way back in the late eighties. He launched a worldwide movement to bring about quality, environment responsibility and equity in corporate decision-making. He has the unique distinction f bringing convergence of the themes of quality, management and governance. Mehra’s heart still beats for Palampur, as he has strong passion for promoting and projecting its unique environment overseas. He has held four consecutive World Congress on Environment in State-of-the-art S.M. Convention Centre constructed on his ancestral land. After conclusion of the recently held Sixth edition of the World Congress at Palampur, Mehra spoke to RAJIV KPHULL
Excerpts:
“Production and consumption patterns have adversely affected the balance in natural resources and socio-economic development. The main reason for this is strategies were limited to government administered development policy and planning and intergovernmental linkages. It has now been realised that involvement of people is crucial for the success of environmental efforts”
What differences have the four world conferences on environment at Palampur made?
The first two attempts were to create atmosphere and base for projecting Himachal Pradesh, especially Palampur, globally. Though much could not be achieved during that period, the step has been acknowledged world-wide as a step in right direction. This year the government participation was amazed to meet foremost environmentalists of world who can really
help transform state in a big way. To have skills for future, environment must be upgraded with eco-innovations by adopting newer technologies. Youth from the area would be learning new technologies for development coupled with conservation of environment and WEF is ready to act as a linkage between international funding agencies and Himachal government. I assure you that lot of things are bound to happen for development of Palampur town within next one year.
How do you plan to move forward to ensure development of the area vis-a-vis environment conservation?
The issue nowadays is development and conservation. Many international dignitaries could not make it to Palampur for want of easy approach. We must have good infrastructure in form of rail, road or air link. This is one area where the state government has to play a major role
. The Palampur Declaration--2004 suggests that people start conserving natural resources once we start pricing those. That's why the WEE has instituted the Golden Peacock Awards, which is given to corporate having proven record in controlling pollution, minimising waste and putting an emphasis on recycling or in other words total eco-effective management (TEEM). I find that the concerns of customers are very short-term, as most are not bothered about the biodegradable nature of the material they buy or use. The present government in Himachal has taken a commendable step in banning plastics. Pressure groups play an important role in developing partnership in action for sustainability (PIAS), which acts as a bridge between government and NGOs working in different places.
Do you have any specific thrust area?
Firstly, we have to identify loss of biodiversity, and then form a basic concept for funding by catalysing public and private partnership for social,
and environmental change. It has been noticed that production and consumption patterns have adversely affected the balance in natural resources and socio-economic development in the globe, the major reason for which is that strategies were limited to the government administered development policy and planning and inter-government linkages. It has now been realised that involvement of people through public-private partnership is crucial for the success of environmental efforts.
What do you expect from the Himachal government?
The hilly state is witnessing a peculiar situation wherein cities, like Palampur, have progressed but adjoining areas remain neglected or not benefited from development, I have invited Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to London to build up international funding- WEF remains committed for mobilising and providing a linkage for international funding to Himachal, There are certain areas in which state has tremendous scope. The government should act proactively in biotechnology field, ; besides taking steps for setting up of call centers here, as each one of them would provide employment to more than 5,000 people.
“Environment must be upgraded with eco-innovations with help of newer technologies.”
Local entrepreneurs should be encouraged to tap eco-tourism for which international funding is liberally viable- But care must be taken to establish huts in villages having all facilities, as it would incur less expenditure besides no harm to environment. Trekking tours could also be organised to attract domestic and foreign tourists to this part of the country. However, the successive governments over the years have failed to project the administration as business-friendly system for establishment of mini hydropower projects, which could usher in economic growth.
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