OKM suggests 14 steps to combat global warming

Bhubaneswar, May 11 (UNI) The Orissa Krushak Mahasangha (OKM), an organisation working for farmers and the protection of the environment, has suggested to implement 14 measures to combat global warming and increase agricultural production.

In a letter to Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh recently, OKM president Bibhudhendra Das said according to experts, the foodgrain production would go down by 50 per cent if the temperature went up to 50 degrees Celsius.

Mr Das feared that drought and famine-like situation would arise and around 40 crore of the country's population would be impoverished due to global warming.

Mr Das urged the Prime Minister to protect forests and ban the use of wooden materials in construction of buildings.

''The violators of the rules should be fined heavily and severe punishment should be meted out and their power supply should be disconnected. Besides, forest officials found involved in smuggling of wood should be given compulsory retirment,'' he suggested.

He also opined that private agencies should be roped in for massive tree plantation and permission for commercial tree cutting should be abolished.

The OKM president also suggested the Prime Minister to ban the export of iron ore, bauxite and chromite to save the forests and steps should be taken up for the production of bio-diesel.

The other suggestions included the formation of Environment Protection Council in all states with the Governor as the Chairman, inclusion of plantation as a compulsory subject in school curriculum and a scheme to award those who gave information about poachers.

The former MLA suggested to prepare a master plan for setting up of mini-hydro and wind energy production plants, set up special environment court at the district level and special green bench in all High Courts to combat the global warming.

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