In a significant address in Mysuru, a retired senior official from the forest department drew a direct connection between the escalating ecological crisis and the tragic rise in farmer suicides across India. AC Lakshman, a former secretary, emphasized that safeguarding forests is not just an environmental imperative but a critical step in addressing agrarian distress.
The Core Argument: Environment and Farmer Distress
Speaking at an event on Wednesday, Lakshman presented a compelling case. He argued that the rampant destruction of forests and the wider environment is a primary driver pushing farmers to take extreme steps. The degradation of natural ecosystems, he explained, disrupts local climates, water cycles, and soil health, directly undermining agricultural productivity and farmer livelihoods. This environmental stress, compounded by other socio-economic factors, creates an untenable situation for those dependent on the land.
Honouring Conservation Champions
The occasion also served to recognize the exemplary work of two women Indian Forest Service (IFS) officers. PA Seema, the director of Nagarahole Tiger Reserve, and Sarina Sikkaligara, the Deputy Conservator of Forests (DCF) for Kolar, were felicitated for their dedicated services. Their commendable efforts in preventing forest land encroachment and actively working towards the conservation of forests and the environment were highlighted as models of proactive governance.
Rising Human-Animal Conflict: A Symptom of a Larger Problem
Lakshman, himself a former IFS officer, further elaborated on another critical consequence of environmental neglect: the sharp increase in human-animal conflicts. He pinpointed several interconnected causes for this dangerous trend:
- Growing human intrusion and disturbance in wildlife habitats.
- The steady shrinkage of forest cover due to development and encroachment.
- A lack of improvement in the quality and density of vegetation within existing forests.
He issued an urgent call to action, urging scientists, experts, and policymakers to collaborate and find sustainable solutions to end this conflict. Initiating stronger measures for the conservation of both the environment and forests is no longer optional, he stressed, but an immediate necessity.
A Legacy of Forest Protection in Karnataka
Lakshman also took a moment to remember and applaud the contributions of countless forest department officers and staff in Karnataka. He noted that the state's forest department has earned a well-deserved reputation across the country for its role in safeguarding and managing forest cover. The event was attended by several other retired forest officers, including MK Appaiah, T Balachandra, HC Kantharaju, and Ramalingegowda, underscoring the collective experience and concern within the forestry community.
The gathering in Mysuru served as a stark reminder that the crises of farmer suicides and human-animal conflict are deeply intertwined with the health of India's natural landscapes. Lakshman's insights reinforce the argument that true national development must be rooted in ecological preservation.
