PERSONAL ATTENTION
JUNE 6TH – World environment day
Navi Mumbai
TNCA PANEL RETD. CRICKET UMPIRE
Navi Mumbai
Our planet earth is a unique planet. Its uniqueness lies in the fact that it is the only planet to support life. A balanced environment on earth is what makes the survival of species possible. Modern man has made great developments in the fields of science and technology. Today, he is all ready to settle a living community on Mars. So when even the planets of our solar system have not been able to escape the grasp of man’s advancing technology, can the environment on our own planet remain untouched? No. All the scientific advancement made by man has come at the cost of the degradation of our environment. The main cause for degradation of the environment is pollution. Today, industries are part of a country’s economy. As a result factories have been set up everywhere around the globe. The toxic substances released by these factories pollute the air and contaminate the water. The polluted air is responsible for a number of hazardous diseases in humans and animals. Running of transport vehicles raises dust and causes noise as well. Chemical factories release harmful gas particles and fatal lead components, in small amounts.
Let us follow the following Acts to keep our environment in the best way possible
A. The Wild life (protection) Act 1972
B. The Forest (Conservation) Act 1980
C.The Water (prevention and control of pollution) Act 1974
D.The Water (prevention and control of Pollution ) cess Act 1977
IT IS SAID THAT TREES ARE THE PILLARS OF LIFE ON EARTH. TO PURIFY AIR AND HELP TO MAINTAIN THE ECOLOGICAL BALANCE ON EARTH.
Forests are our wealth and means to our progress and prosperity. Man has been mercilessly for wood, fodder and other domestic or industrial purposes. Deforestation also leads to pollution. Our growing population caused trees to be cut down to make space for cultivation and for constructing houses or for establishing industries for finding job opportunities.
As a result our forests disappeared and the atmosphere which was quite clean and clear has now become land for agriculture, river valley projects, roadways, railways and other Industries. Cutting of trees leads to soil erosion which results in the formation of infertile wastelands on earth. Not only deforestation, a number of other illegal deeds of human beings have disturbed the ecological balance of our environment, including poaching. Illegal poaching of animals, despite being banned by the Government, is still being practised on a large scale.
Animals such as Tigers, deer, elephants, stags etc. are hunted and made to die cruelly to fulfil the whims and fancy of the rich. Cosmetics, leather bags, shoes, purses, soaps, detergents, perfumes all made of animal products. Even the wild life conservation Acts did not bother the bureaucrats. While the Government is playing its role, people will share an equal responsibility in protecting our environment. Unless we learn to regulate ourselves, we should soon be living in deserts with no plants, no animals, no rain and ultimately, there will be no life on earth.
Man is God’s most beautiful creation but now he is acting ugly by cutting down the friends of our environment trees. These trees maintain a balance in the ecosystem. Without trees, there would be no control over soil erosion, floods, droughts, pollution etc. The trees also maintain a balance between oxygen and carbon dioxide gases in the air. Besides these productive functions, trees have innumerable productive functions.
They provide man with timber, fuel, pulp, gum, resin, rubber, fruits, nuts etc. So, the trees are really very-very important. In a tropical country like India 1/3rd of the land is under forest. However, the satellite reports show that out of the given per cent-age only 20% is forests. The forests have been destroyed and forest land has been used for cultivation and constructions of buildings. As the future inhabitants of this earth, it is only our children who are going to suffer and it is only we who can make the earth a better living place for tomorrow. All we as children can do is to maintain the growth of trees and report the damages caused to the trees.
To fulfil greed and selfish desire, we have disturbed the ecological balance. Our body is made up of five elements: fire, water, earth, air and ether. These very elements constitute the universe. Unless we take due care and protect the environment, we will be threatening our own health. The process of cleanliness begins from within. The purity of the soul is reflected in the face, and purity of thought should be translated to purity of action.
Ask what you can do before telling others what to do. The environment around one self should be kept clean, starting from one’s own person. Do not abuse the environment around you. It should be protected with great determination and perseverance. This responsibility rests with each and every one of us. When you litter your surroundings, the wind will blow the same back to you. Stagnant water is the breeding ground for mosquitoes to keep your surroundings dry. If we are conscientious enough, the task of keeping the environment clean can be accomplished.
Each one of us should plant at least one tree, considering it to be our duty. We can expect perfection from nature only if we protect it in turn. We should change our preferences from chemical products in favour of natural products. This would be the simplest way to make a beginning. If we protect trees, nature will do the rest. If we have a pollution free environment, we will lead lives of peace and happiness. Where there is a will, physical constraints are of no consequence. God’s precious gift of nature is being destroyed by the complacency of our race.
All of us desire to live in a conducive environment. “Cleanliness brings happiness” says a proverb. If we keep our minds happy, our thoughts will be pure. Purity of thoughts will result in purity of speech. This in turn will result in the formation of clean habits. Clean habits will further good conduct. Good conduct is what ultimately matters. Just as nature adapts itself according to the varying seasons, man must also learn to live in unison with nature.
God had blessed us with benevolent Mother Nature: magnificent mountain peaks peeping out from behind the clouds, adorned by rivulets, waterfalls and evergreen forests, the scent of the gentle breeze and soothing climate. Everyone around the world has been uniformly blessed by God when it comes to the partake of such wonders. Let every family pledge to plant at least one tree thereby strengthening the foundation of our motherland.
Healthy environment is the most essential prerequisite of human life. But today, man is an enemy of his environment and is quite close to suffocating himself. If detrimental to the existence of living species. All the components of the environment (viz) air, water, soil etc., are sadly affected by the pollutants. This has caused pollution of the whole environment.
Pollution occurs when environmental changes create health hazards, safety of welfare or when they are harmful to domestic, industrial, agricultural, recreational or other legitimate uses of environmental components of livestock, wildlife, fish, aquatic life and other biological species. Pollution or the environment is directly or indirectly affecting adversely human wealth and well being. Pollution thus impairs living organisms and in case appropriate steps are not taken to control environmental degradation, life will become miserable.
In fact, pollution has become a great menace of life. All the countries, whether developing or developed, suffer from environmental crises. The environment today is under severe threat from the pressure generated by the growth of human and animal population poverty and the misuse/unplanned use of natural resources.
During the last century, this problem has become so acute that people belonging to all walks of life (ie) scientists, academics, poets, lovers of wild life etc., have been called to discuss man’s responsibility in this connection. No doubt, some fragmentary legislative and administrative steps have been taken to meet this challenge but the size and seriousness of the problem have been increasing day by day at a higher pace.
This problem is so acute that the hope of humanity will be able to meet this challenge, seems to recede. In fact, the impact of pollution is so alarming that according to World Health Organisation’s estimates, as much as 90% of the world’s diseases are traceable to water pollution. Jaundice, typhoid, cholera and other gastroenteritis diseases are attributed to water pollution.
Added to it, air pollution causes innumerable health hazards. Several studies have documented the relationship between contaminated air and health problems. Sudden respiratory distress, difficulty in breathing, respiratory cancer, lung cancer, asthma, increased bronchitis, coughs, eye irritations and general malaise have all been found to be associated with polluted air. Apart from the health costs, air pollution corrodes buildings and industrial materials. Combined with the moisture, a number of components of pollution from various kinds of acids that attach building materials. Steel deteriorates two or four times faster in polluted environments, as well as silver, leather and paper. Shrubs, trees, grass, vegetables, parks and fruit trees are also harmed.
Of late the Plastic menace had taken the country by storm. So Plastic free zones were created. But the response was not so encouraging and the public turned to plastic bags despite caution from the state and Central Governments. The Bird flu attacked in and around West Bengal. Despite taking all the precautions, the bird flu spread through the polluted air. People die of Bird Flu and the affected State Government has no choice but to cull the birds and destroy the eggs laid by the birds. Oil leak in the sea causes the death of fishes in the sea. It is a source of pollution for people travelling by ship in this environment.
Save the environment are buzz words. People have started realizing the beauty of mother nature and the importance of preserving her in her original form for future generations and humans. Nature is our oldest companion and man has always depended heavily on her for all his needs. Today, despite all the technical aspects man is becoming more and more dependent on nature. People look for food, clothing and shelter and for getting the basic requirements, they are ready to do anything. In return nature did not ask anything from man but it probably did not expect to see man fill the skies with smoke, the earth with rubbish and the water with pollutants.
While pollution cannot be curbed completely, the levels of pollution can be minimised by following methods that are simple, cost effective and user friendly. The simple underlying principle should be to live and let others live also with an aim for cleanliness. After all, cleanliness is next to Godliness. Prevention is better than cure applies to pollution as well. We should have clear thinking.
1. Deforestation must be followed by afforestation.
2. Air pollution can be combated by careful planning and location of industries, better designing of plant equipment, machinery and proper operation.
3. Control of automobile emissions to be developed.
4. To limit Global warming to the minimum extent, new methods of harnessing renewable energy resources such as wind, solar and ocean currents have to be adopted.
5. A crusade to protect the ozone layer from further depletion to be launched.
6. We have to develop biodegradable pesticides, educate farmers to use selective and relatively safe chemicals.
7. To fight water pollution, effluent treatment systems to be incorporated as an integral part of the Industry.
8. Bio gas production to be encouraged. Emphasis to be given to methods of turning wastes to wealth.
9. Treatment of sewage checking pollution should be done periodically.
10. Alternate energy sources to be made use of. Solar energy and windmills can be used to produce electricity.
For rural surroundings, large plants for production of Biogas is to be installed to ensure continuous supply of cooking gas. Above all, human attitudes towards environmental conservation have to be emphasised and implemented. It is time we allot some time to take stock of the situation and plan for the betterment of the society. For that we should get an Eco-attitude: One must understand that cleaning the environment is not a status symbol. Paper is a very important gift of nature to man and hence don’t waste it. Use both sides of the paper and try to recycle the old paper.
Plastic bags play a negative role in choking the drainage system. Reuse old polythene bags. Make sure you do not burn polythene bags as they cause a lot of pollution.
Wastes-Do not throw poisonous wastes into dustbins especially used batteries as these wind up causing damage to the ecosystem, instead try to dispose off the waste properly.
Electricity – avoid running generator sets unnecessarily. Switch off lights and fans when not in use.
Water: Have leaking taps fixed immediately. Close taps tightly and do not let water run uselessly. People often leave their taps open while brushing shaving and such a practice can cause loss of thousand litres of water a month.
General things: Do not use perfumes, body sprays etc., that come in cans that use aerosols to be sprayed. Also walk or cycle to nearby destinations instead of using a car. Remember, the power to save ourselves is in our hands. Let us use this opportunity and ensure that man and nature live in perfect harmony from now-onwards.
Our environment consisting of atmosphere, hydrosphere and lithosphere constitutes a biosphere. Whenever a change, physical or chemical occurs in the biosphere, living beings including micro organisms get affected. This change is termed as pollution and its agents pollutants. Earlier man was in perfect wavelength with the environment. With advancement of technology, this setup has been affected and led to gross depletion of non renewable resources endangering man, Tom, Dick and Harry as well as future mankind.
Development is vital for growth and improvement in the standard of living. It is necessary to make the deserts green and mountains habitable. What is sad is that in the name of development and progress. We are shamelessly plundering our forests and precious natural resources and thus disturbing our ecological balance. In the name of urbanisation, we are destroying large scale wildlife habitats and depleting every available resource at a fast rate, analysing and slowly converting them into waste bins.
Physical planning also plays a pivotal role in bringing out the best in the land and saving the earth. Places like Chandigarh are designed in sectors for convenience sake. Despite having too many flats, there is enough water provided for the well being of the people. Roads are widely made to avoid unwanted pollution entering the houses. A clean and green atmosphere is created to make the city disease free. The state Government is also very selective in releasing licenses for housing complexes. Thus there is proper checking at all the levels and that provides base for a better living. Simple living and high thinking leads to providing better amenities.
Unless the mind is cleared of all pollution and defilement and is brought a state of Perfect peace and moderation, it can never reflect the inner voice, which is what guides man towards progress. We have succeeded in not only cluttering our mind with pollution but also our surroundings. The human mind can be clear only when the environment is clear. Who are these people who inhabit the earth and turn a deaf ear to her cries of agony? Overpopulated, with the balance of nature grossly lopsided, bursting at the seams with effluent and garbage, our planet does not need outside forces to destroy it. The earthlings will do it quite adequately. Solutions have to be found to counter the precarious balance of nature aggravated by the proliferation of pollution.
It is now pay up time folks. We have to return all that we took from Mother Nature and clean up the dirt that we swept under the carpet. The solutions have been provided by nature and stare us in the face.Give back what you look from her. We partook in the river water. We now need to clean them up. We denuded the mountains; therefore, we need to replant trees. We shot holes in the ozone layer; we now need to use discretion in our use of chemicals. We put wildlife on our walls and dining tables, we now have to cherish and protect the endangered species. Is it going to be easy? No. The solutions are known by all and fill up files as action plans. But that is all they remain. Just plans. And public indifference has spelt disaster.
Policing, nabbing offenders, and wielding a stick of discipline will not bring forth results. Each one of us will have to become Erin Brokowich. Because deep down, we all care. Let sense prevail. If we rise in unison and work consciously towards a cleaner environment, a miracle may still occur. The clean and caring habit has to be inculcated at the grass root level. Today’s child, the inheritor of tomorrow’s world, is going to lead the way.
The pollution levels in Delhi came down last year as the people there celebrated a cracker-less Diwali. Many children planted saplings around their homes. Ice cream wrappers will find their way into bins and gums will be put in wrappers before it is thrown away. Leaves and flowers will not be plucked mindlessly. With the increase in small cars the pollution level may go up drastically. Tomorrow belongs to the young children. Keep up the tempo.
Noise pollution or unwanted sound is yet another form of environmental disturbance. Noise pollution is dangerous for human life. It affects the brain and prolonged exposure to noise may cause blood vessels to contract, sometimes resulting in hypertension. Thus it can be said that pollution of any kind causes serious damage to man, animals, birds, aquatic life, crops and vegetation. Let us save earth from dying.
C.K. Subramaniam
Navi Mumbai SANPADA
