SHIMLA: As many as 22 NGOs mainly from Himalayan region have joined hands in slamming Dr. Laxmidhar Behera’s, the Director of IIT Mandi controversial statements linking meat consumption to natural disasters in Himachal Pradesh.
As IIT Mandi has yet to clear the air over the row, Dr Behera's remarks have sparked outrage from various social and environmental organizations, as well as concerned citizens nationwide.
Not only this, all is not well at IIT Mandi. Also, it was for the first time that IIT Mandi witnessed a ragging incident recently in which 72 BTech students were expelled and their future hangs in balance.
The current controversy surrounding his statements continues to intensify as the public awaits IIT Mandi's response to the ongoing outrage over his remarks either to explain the logic and scientific evidence over what he said and instructed to the BTech students or he should retract those remarks as IITs are prestigious institutions upholding integrity and rationality of scientific evidence.
Dr. Behera's comments, made during a discussion with students, erroneously attributed the causes of landslides and cloudbursts in Himachal Pradesh to meat consumption.
His assertions have been widely criticized as “unscientific and irresponsible”, they stated here today.
They are seen as an attempt to divert attention away from the actual root causes of such disasters, primarily rapid changes in land use due to large-scale projects and unchecked construction and heavy rains”.
A joint statement issued by 22 diverse social and environmental organizations here today, including Youth for Himalaya, has expressed solidarity with the people affected by recent disasters in Himachal Pradesh.
The statement strongly condemns Dr. Behera's comments as insensitive and deplorable, especially at a time when the region is grappling with the aftermath of these calamities.
IIT Mandi holds a pivotal role in conducting scientific and technical analyses of the underlying causes of the ongoing disasters and providing mitigation solutions.
An allocation of Rs 3.5 crore has been made to the institute for ongoing research on disaster management.
The organizations behind the joint statement firmly attribute the Himalayan disasters to rapid land use changes driven by mega projects and rampant construction, compounded by the effects of the climate crisis.
They argue that addressing such crises requires policy adjustments and governance measures, rather than focusing on dietary choices.
The statement underscores the importance of combining scientific rigor with local community knowledge, especially concerning the unique characteristics of each watershed, to establish a robust disaster management system for the future.
Additionally, the joint statement highlights the significance of nomadic animal husbandry in Himachal Pradesh's rural economy and emphasizes the need for diverse approaches that contribute to both conservation and livelihoods in the Himalayan region.
The organizations call for an immediate and unconditional apology from Dr. Behera for his insensitive remarks and demand his removal from his position.
Organizations supporting the joint statement are Climate Front India, Climate Front Hyderabad, Climate Front Jammu, Climate Front Kashmir, Himalaya Niti Abhiyan, Himachal Pradesh,Himdhara Collective, Himachal Pradesh, Himlok Jagrati Manch, Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh), Himachal Pradesh Ghumantu Pashupalk Mahasabha, Himachal Pradesh, Hiyund Patrika, Himachal Pradesh, National Alliance of People's Movements (NAPM), Parvatiy Mahila Adhikar Manch, Himachal Pradesh, Paschim Banga Khet Majoor Samity, West Bengal, People for Himalayan Development, Kullu (Himachal Pradesh), Right to Food Campaign, New Delhi, RTE Forum, Himachal Pradesh, Sambhaavnaa Institute, Himachal Pradesh, Save Kumaon and Sattal Conservation Club, Uttarakhand, Scientists for People, Hyderabad, Spiti Civil Society, Kaza (Himachal Pradesh),There Is No Earth B, Haryana, Zila Van Adhikar Samiti, Kinnaur (Himachal Pradesh), Youth For Himalaya.
