People involved / interested in environment protection / conservation are often asked questions, such as: “What difference does it make if the mangroves are sacrificed for high-rise buildings; why should we protect the forest when our own survival is at stake; how can saving the tiger better our lives”.
These are very difficult questions to answer. The easiest answer would be that humans are not gods and hence do not have a right to take something away from other species.
True reasons for conservation are difficult to explain and to convince people is a monumental task. All of us have to first be convinced that we do not have a right to all the biosphere’s resources and certainly have no right to use them indiscriminately. A sustainable biosphere depends on the continued existence of all species, in their specific niches and their interdependence on each other. All of the species perform their tasks which contribute in the satisfactory functioning of the ecosystem. Humans are part of the ecosystem and our survival is dependent on the overall satisfactory functioning of the system. We are also the only species who can modify our environment to suit our short term needs, without thinking of the long term consequences of actions. Continued modifications of the environment can lead to ecological disasters with the possibility of wiping out large numbers of the population.
An example of the dependence of humans on nature is the Indian monsoon. For all the progress that we have made, we are still at the complete mercy of nature for our supply of fresh water through rains. We have no means of creating artificial rains; no ways of influencing the distribution pattern of rainfall over the country and definitely no expertise to prevent destruction brought about by floods.
Rainfall is necessary for our very survival, for growing of crops and other plant materials, which form the basis of human survival. It is in our own interests that we take small steps to conserve and protect the environment and ensure our continued existence on Planet Earth.
As a beginning, let us make a start by cutting down the use of plastics bags. SAY NO TO PLASTIC.
As we enjoy the monsoons, so too do the birds. After heavy spells of rains (in the past few weeks), birds and other creatures always use the opportunity of a dry spell to warm themselves in the mild sunshine.
Photographed below: Small Green Bee-eater, Magpie-robin, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Drongo, Grey Squirrel.
These are very difficult questions to answer. The easiest answer would be that humans are not gods and hence do not have a right to take something away from other species.
True reasons for conservation are difficult to explain and to convince people is a monumental task. All of us have to first be convinced that we do not have a right to all the biosphere’s resources and certainly have no right to use them indiscriminately. A sustainable biosphere depends on the continued existence of all species, in their specific niches and their interdependence on each other. All of the species perform their tasks which contribute in the satisfactory functioning of the ecosystem. Humans are part of the ecosystem and our survival is dependent on the overall satisfactory functioning of the system. We are also the only species who can modify our environment to suit our short term needs, without thinking of the long term consequences of actions. Continued modifications of the environment can lead to ecological disasters with the possibility of wiping out large numbers of the population.
An example of the dependence of humans on nature is the Indian monsoon. For all the progress that we have made, we are still at the complete mercy of nature for our supply of fresh water through rains. We have no means of creating artificial rains; no ways of influencing the distribution pattern of rainfall over the country and definitely no expertise to prevent destruction brought about by floods.
Rainfall is necessary for our very survival, for growing of crops and other plant materials, which form the basis of human survival. It is in our own interests that we take small steps to conserve and protect the environment and ensure our continued existence on Planet Earth.
As a beginning, let us make a start by cutting down the use of plastics bags. SAY NO TO PLASTIC.
As we enjoy the monsoons, so too do the birds. After heavy spells of rains (in the past few weeks), birds and other creatures always use the opportunity of a dry spell to warm themselves in the mild sunshine.
Photographed below: Small Green Bee-eater, Magpie-robin, Red-whiskered Bulbul, Drongo, Grey Squirrel.
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