By: N. Munal Meitei
When we haul conservation and exploit the nature, there will be rains of scarcity. Development in environmental perspectives is the modification of the biosphere and applications to improve the human quality of life. Development is thus only for the human but not for other living beings who have the equal rights with us. Greedy human whose very survival is precarious, always expect every needs to respond sympathetically by the nature. That’s a wrong perception.
Nature conservation means protecting the nature and use of its resources judiciously so that the need of present generation can be satisfied without compromising future generation’s ability to maximize their own needs.Healthy environment is the foundation for a stable and healthy society. Nature comprises of everything that surrounds us. Keeping nature and its resources integral is very important for the continuation of life on earth. It wouldn’t be wise, if we spoil our natural environment and it will put the light off during the days of sustainable living.
Conservation must therefore be accompanied with short and long term economic measures. The vicious circle by which poverty causes ecological degradation which in turn leads to break the nature should not be self-defeating, but for a sustainable development.
The first conditions of happiness is to have a better bond between man and nature. The unsustainable relation to nature led humanity to face an incalculable number of environmental problems. Soil is a crucial life-support system, since the bulk of all food production depends on it.
Our planet Earth is what we all have in common. Forest is the disguise of the mother nature. On Earth there is no heaven, but plenty of such places in the form of natural beauties. From spring’s blooms and fall’s array of colours to winter’s magic and summer’s energy, the nature has all admires and beauties. The major problems in the world today are the results of the differences between how nature works and the way that the people think.
The World Nature Conservation Day is observed on July 28 with this year’s theme, “Cut down on Plastics use.” Plastic used on the largest scale globally has affected in every parts of the nature challenging all living beings and single-use plastics decay in hundreds of years. This day promotes conservation, encourages sustainability and awareness about protecting the nature and natural resources. Saving plants and animals that are threatened with extinction is one of the primary focuses of the day. This day also stresses the need for preserving the environment and natural resources to maintain for a stable and healthy society.
Man comes into contact with nature right from birth. Conservation of resources has an important role in protecting the nature. The balance in the natural beauty of the earth can be established by preserving various components of nature – water, air, soil, energy, vegetation, minerals, flora &fauna etc. But, nature has started giving warning signals as at Marangching in Noney District.
The nature is characterized by the wonderful diversity of living organisms that exist in the unique terrain of mountains, water, plateaus and forests. To ensure the well-being of the present and future, we all must be responsible in protecting and conserving our nature and to educate people about the best practices to safeguard our natural resources as the planet has it limitedly. Such gifts of nature make our earth a place worth living.
Nature conservation is the moral philosophy for protecting species from extinction, restoring habitats, enhancing ecosystem services and protecting biodiversity. Nowadays, officially more than 10% of the world is legally protected in practice. Environmentalists set to protect 30% of land and marine territory by 2030 but as of 2021, 16.64% of land and 7.9% of the oceans were protected.
A report from WWF states that since 1970, the pressure that we exert on the planet has doubled and the resources upon which we depend have declined by 33%. Thus if we continue to consume the natural resources at this trend, then mankind will require two Earths by 2030.
Human beings were sent to live on this earth by utilizing nature’s resources judiciously and our prosperity need not cost the earth. Everyone must promote environment-friendly activities in their daily life to lead for a green lifestyle. Clean air and water are limited resources. The tree canopy and vegetation serve as critical filters for our air. Wetlands that border our rivers, lakes and streams filter pollution before it reaches to human body. The environment is the key to existence of life on the planet and for future generations. A lot of medicines are provided by nature in the form of chemicals from plants and animals, thus conserving the natural habitat enrich and keep our planet alive.
It would be wrong to conclude that conservation only is sufficient response to solve all the environmental issues. Some of the steps for conservation of nature are; reducing dependence on fossil fuels to reduce carbon footprints. We should buy need-based items, be it food or any other things. This will certainly reduce the wastage of our resources. Planting trees and increasing forest cover is the best key for our survival and to conserve the nature including the climate change and global warming. Water will be the bone for a 3rd World War. Thus we should use water, the most precious gift of nature judiciously.
Therefore, with coming of the World Nature Conservation Day, 2022, let’s oath to take at least for some changing steps to conserve the naturein its purest form for the sake of mother Earth and the future generations.
(The writer is a Environmentalist, [email protected])
