He was speaking at a function organised at the newly built complex of Himachal unit of G B Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development Research Institute at Mohal, near Kullu, on Monday. The functioning was attended by the environmentalists and local residents.

In a particular reference to the Kullu district, he said the debris left due to the construction activities undertaken on the river banks have adversely hampered the natural course of river Beas. Khwaja urged the district administration to keep a strict vigil on the unauthorised and unscientific construction activities.

Emeritus scientist, Prof V K Gaur, Indian Institute of Astrophysics, Bangalore, said that four major earthquakes that occured after 1897, affected the original shape and composition of the Himalayas. With the help of strides, he apprised the gathering of various changes which have been taking place on the earth, especially the erosion and degradation of the Himalayas.

Gaur pointed out that the unscientific construction of over 50 per cent roads was the main cause for the natural calamities that occur in the Himalayan region.

Speaking on the occasion Vice-Chancellor P K Khosla, Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University, Palampur, who was the guest of honour, maintained that with the opening of G B Pant Institute would help the local population get acquainted not only to the various activities undertaken to protect the environment and ecology of the region but the research (done in the institute) would also help the environmentalists in India and abroad.

The Vice-Chancellor suggested that the states situated in the plains should also contribute in saving the Himalyan environment by allocating funds in lieu of the natural resources they are utilising from the himalayas.

Expressing concern over the tree cover (only 22 per cent) in Himachal Pradesh, he said that state should have atleast 67 per cent of tree cover.

Khosla regretted that most of the meadows and wild herbs are on the verge of extinction and the pharmaceutical factories (invariably located outside the state) did not understand the need to utilise the herbs in a judicious manner.

Deputy Commissioner R D Dhiman assured that the district administration would leave no stone unturned to take remedial steps, as suggested by the the research institute for ecological balance and conservation. He said that incidents of cloud-bursts and floods caused by mild rains have increased in the recent past.