International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) - Our Solutions are in nature - Ritesh Arya

International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB)

Our Solutions are in nature

Ritesh Arya

Our Solutions are in nature

by Ritesh Arya

Since time immemorial our ancestors and our ancient vedic scriptures have guided us to live in harmony and coexistence with nature. We even called Earth as our mother Earth and all rivers were considered as a living identity and were named as Ganga Ma Yamuna ma etc. Everyone was guided by the principle of coexistence with nature. We could not imagine living with harming the nature and biological diversity and propagated the concept of a vegetarian diet so that the wildlife can be protected. Our hymns were to live in peace with not only nature but also plants and animals and all the water bodies around.

This year International Biological diversity organization has endorsed that concept and has declared this year to be celebrated as finding OUR SOLUTIONS in NATURE. This is a great tribute to the ancient wisdom our ancestors had processed and preached 1000s of years ago. The tradition which we have forgotten over the years. and have been guided by the thoughts and wisdom of the invaders who after ruling our nation for more than 500 years by Mughals and 200 years by the Britishers. Our respect for nature had decreased and we had been polluting our own water land and air forgetting that the soul exists in each and every atom because we had believed in the concept of god which exits everywhere. So in the past, we lived in harmony with nature and were very happy. That was the time when India was also known as the golden sparrow.

The COVID 19 virus has shaken all the artificial barriers created in the world made by man since the start of civilization. The pandemic has shown that on this planet earth we as humans can survive only if we live in harmony and find “OUR solutions in nature” which is the theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity on 22 May 2020

  

There is an urgent need to re-examine our relationship with the natural world. Deforestation, extinction of species, polluting of our water bodies, and air by the emission of GHGs by industries and vehicles, unsustainable habitats all add to face the challenges posed by the actions of climate change. Cities are the worst affected as a changed lifestyle and indifferent attitude towards nature leads to various stresses causing medical alignments. Villages are still safe as they are closer to nature.  

The loss of life of approximately 300000 souls among more than half a million people affected by the coronavirus clearly shows that despite all our technological advancement and building smart 5G ready city like Wuhan we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems prevalent in our villages for our reviving and rejuvenating our health and mental happiness. 

As still today, good water, organic food, herbal medicines simple natural lifestyle respecting the elements of nature are still prevalent in the villages. Though the elements of materialistic gains have started inflicting in the villages, by and large, they are still in tune with nature. On the other hand, city life is more or less opposite and not in harmony with the natural biodiversity of the area. Huge buildings, wastage of water, surplus energy to support the expensive lifestyle to meet the economic greed of the few industrialists have led to large scale transportation of raw materials and finished products which disturbs the life and natural biodiversity balance in the whole globe. Benefiting the few so-called developed nations who very wisely shifted all their polluting industries in the so-called developing world and we started polluting our own natural resources the worst affected being the natural water bodies like rivers lakes or streams or springs.

The theme of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) on 22 May 2020 is "Our solutions are in nature"

This year (IDB) slogan points to  “back to nature”  and emphasize the need to compassionately handle natural resources to meet our needs by systematically and scientifically harnessing them with the idea and hope to work together with solidarity at all levels to build a futuristic life for our next generation in harmony with nature.

With respect to India the various lockdowns and forced inactivity of humans during the pandemic since March 2020 lead to non-interference of man in nature, this had a very positive impact on the biodiversity of the Indian Subcontinent. The pollution levels in the air have decreased tremendously due to the non-movement of vehicles and industry making it possible to clearly see the Himalayan ranges from far of places like Jullandhar, Saharanpur, etc. which was not possible pre-pandemic. Restricted movement of tourists has a great impact on improving the quality of the water in the Holy Ganga river which was considered to be heavily polluted pre-pandemic. Millions of rupees sanctioned on various projects could not clean Ganga. Simple non-interference by man has self helped Ganga to clean itself.  

There is an urgent need to continue this changed impact post lockdown phase by minimizing our interference in nature. All the activities of MC and industries should aim to take steps to stop the pollution from sewerage of Municipal Corporations and waste from the industries which pollute the water bodies.If taken lightly There are chances that the pollution in Ganga again increases and the Himalayan rivers once again become unusable. There have been reports on how wildlife has started fearlessly roaming in herds on the streets. This year the International Biodiversity day should be virtually celebrated by educating the masses and the politicians to work for the conservation and preservation of nature by trying to limit our interference in the name of development.  All projects in the Himalayas which are the brains deciding the climate and the water source in the region affecting the life of over billions of people should, therefore, be very well planed. Need to evaluate the Hydel power projects have played with the natural watercourses in the name of generating power. The tunnels have diverted the water in the river disturbing the natural ecosystems of the rivers. All this leads to unprecedented floods and increases the silt in the water systems. Affecting the life and livelihood of millions which are dependent on it.  

On this IBD lets us pledge to live in harmony with Nature and find local and global solutions to all our problems keeping in mind that Nature is Supreme and has Solutions to solve all our problems.