Parochial use of science causing environmental degradation: Experts

New Delhi, Jan 25 (UNI) Misuse of science for parochial ends has reduced the modern development as subservient to a miniscule section of people marginalising a wide majority besides causing environmental degradation, experts said.

Participating in a function organised here today by the Earth Care Foundation in the memory of social activists, Mahesh and Sarita, eminent journalist V G Vergese said the activists, who had been killed by fuedal elements in Sabdo village of Gaya district in Bihar in 2004, had succeeded in promoting cooperative farming opposing the caste hierarchy and exploitation of the tillers.

''That type commitment is the need of the hour particularly when most of the youth are being allured by careerism and glamour of the day", he added.

Echoing the similar sentiments, prominent environmentalist Dr Dinesh Kumar Mishra said the social consciousness could only change the mindset of using the modern science and technology for economic gains alone.

"This mentality has led to excess intrusion of science and technology in agriculture too, causing imbalance between the crop developmenet and production and social requirements" said Dr Mishra, author of several books on environment.

The distorted application of technology in irrigation sector particularly has necessitated the modern beureacracy to stress on concept of 'sustainability', Dr Mishera added.

On this occasion, a documentary prepared by Syyed Mirza on the contribution of Mahesh and Sarita was screened. And, several social activists including Kiran Shahin, Swita Gokhle, former bureaucrat K B Sexena and additional secretary in Central government B K Sexena and Sarita,' husband Pushpinder and Mahesh' family members were present and expressed their views eulogising the work of the deceased activists.

Mr Praful Kadam from Solpur, Maharashtra was presented an award 'Sarita- Mahesh Samaaj-Rachana puraskar', constituted in memory of the deceased activists by Mr Vergese.

UNI