On a serene evening, at one of the beautiful beaches of Goa having a brisk walk I could spot a lady (foreign national) at a distance picking up an empty water bottle lying on the shore and dumping it in the bin a few meters ahead. I could not resist myself, but to reach to her and thank her for her act. And her reply to my words was, it’s our duty to protect our Mother Earth and we should not be thanked but to make it as a part of our routine life just like brushing or taking bath.
It’s not that we Indians don’t care for nature, but we need to understand the same as a part of our basic duty to perform and imbibe the habit of it. Because this small act of sharing the concern for our ONLY planet goes a long way in making it liveable for all of us.
We all agree, that we have offered the best gift to our lady earth today (22 April 2020) by being indoors for almost a month (though it may be forceful) allowing the nature to heal itself, making the other species (on land, air, and water) to get their good old environment back eventually leading to clean water, clean air and much cleaner space for the entire human race. We are sure, that this is time-bound and once the lockdown is lifted, nature will take a hit again with our disastrous invasion.
But there is something which we can do to help our earth take a much lesser pain. And we need not have to be Superman or Wonder-women for this, but our simple acts can make a lot of difference if followed religiously on a day-to-day basis. Some of these would be;
a. Treating open roads or water bodies as dustbins and discarding things
b. Dumping of left-over things in open (especially when we go for a picnic in forest areas, mountains or on sea)
c. Switching off the mechanical or electrical products wherever possible
Though we have been regulated by the law of the land to stop using plastics (of a particular quality) and encourage usage of cloth-based bags, which is much possible for all of us. There have been guidelines also issued regularly by the government on optimum use of water and paper and all those things which will heavily impact the nature in one or the other formats.
Of course, the government has to come heavily on industries (dumping hazardous waste), wildlife poachers and all on all those entities/groups/individuals whose acts have a dreadful impact on nature. And the same needs to be done on priority after having studies showing Pangolins across India being killed and funneled through the North East, ultimately landing into China (Yunnan Province) which is a possible epicenter of this pandemic today.
It’s definitely our RIGHT to question or propose the government to amend laws to protect the environment, but in the process, we should not forget our DUTY towards our mother nature. We are damn sure; our Mother Earth is having a gala time today and it is our primary effort to give her the same in every possible way in the days to come. So, let’s pledge to do our part in not harming nature and also educate the others (by talks or acts) the need for the same.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY MOTHER EARTH, and thanks for giving us this life.
About the author: Suhas Rajput
Director, Proficient Minds, School for Employability Skills & Recruitment Services
