Need for renewable energy

Amid the coronavirus pandemic, Assam has to face some serious environmental issues, because one wasn't enough for us! We still have to overcome from the Dehing Patkai coal mining issue, while heart wrenching incident of Baghjan oil well fire has occurred. The national media as always has put their fingers on their lips. No prime time debates on Dehing Patkai and Baghjan fire. I would like to ask, where is the so called 'son of soil' now? I could not find any prime time 9 pm debate, questioning the authorities involved, about how such devastating incident could happen in their supervision. This is not unknown to an educated person, how severe impact it could bring upon the ecosystem and the atmosphere while exploitation of crude oil and coal happens. Therefore, conducting one such activity in and around a rainforest or any biodiversity rich area would bring so many repercussions in near future. And it would be unstoppable, like the one we are facing currently in Baghjan, Tinsukia. Have we forgotten about climate changes and global warming that is occurring in recent times? This is high time we sought for alternative energy that would be eco-friendly and could meet the energy demands as well. I would urge the Indian government to encourage renewable energy projects. There are so many alternatives which already exist and have great potential to excel. Many countries have deviated towards renewable energy and have gained tremendous results. Electric cars by Tesla, soybean powered bio-diesel vehicles in US are few examples. India has great potential in renewable energy like solar, wind and biofuels. The issue which I believe, that is pulling us behind is insufficient funds for research on these technologies. India must spend a good percentage of its GDP for research and development. Jethropa oil seeds powered ATF (Aviation Turbine fuel) that has fuelled the Spicejet airline in 2018, solely produced by Indian Institute of Petroleum, Dehradun brings a new hope in India's renewable energy future. One day I believe India would excel in producing green renewable energy for its people so that we do not have to face such heart wrenching situation like Baghjan once again.

Uddipta Kumar Nath,

Lakhimpur.