Krishnan: Hey Ajay, I have been seeing this ‘#DecommissionMullaperiyarDam‘ trending for the last few days on social media. I looked it up today and then only realized it was a controversy around a dam in your native place.
Ajay: Yes, Mullaperiyar dam is the first ever dam in Kerala.
Krishnan: Wow! The oldest is it? So I assume the controversy is also as big as the dam itself.
Ajay: It is indeed. But I believe the real conversation should be about stopping our over reliance on hydel power and hence on dams.
Krishnan: I’m sure you are right. But what’s the alternative?
Ajay: The most obvious answer is of course renewable energy. As the world desperately tries to not miss the last chance to save humankind from going extinct, I think sustainability should be our motto in everything we do. Across the globe, governments and the private sector are seen promoting the transformation from coal and hydel power to renewable energy. I think it’s high time to get rid of the obsession with traditional methods of power generation.
Krishnan: So, how do you suggest that can be done?
Ajay: I’m no expert, but why can’t renewable sources be used to support all our micro, consumer power requirements? Why not tweak institutions like regional electricity boards to accommodate renewables? Some efforts are happening in that direction, but if we really put our hearts and souls into it, I feel, there’s a lot more we can do to hand over the world without more damage to the future generations.