We have caused considerable damage to all our terrestrial as well as all aquatic ecosystems but some initiatives have shown promising results
Humans think about our planet only on two occasions: during celebrations of select days or when catastrophes happen. When everything is normal, we take our planet for granted. We exploit it to the core, and we forget that the resources on this planet are not only for us but for generations to come. At every stage in the history of Homo sapiens, we have caused considerable harm to the environment. But the quantum of destruction humans caused during the last two centuries has caused irreparable loss to the planet. This is mainly due to the advances in modern science and technology. We forgot the value of the Indian philosophy of living sustainably with nature, propagated by our forefathers for our greed. Today, we have fallen to the level that we don't even care about the future of our own children. We amass wealth and physical resources for our children, but what is the use if they don't have a clean and safe area to live? Can we restore the vigour of our planet?
Restoring the lost vigour of our planet is essential for ensuring our environment's long-term health and sustainability. While the challenges are substantial, numerous examples and strategies demonstrate that significant progress can be made with concerted effort, innovative solutions, and global cooperation. We have caused considerable damage to all our terrestrial as well as all aquatic ecosystems. To bring it back to normal is a challenging task. Initiatives such as reforestation, wetland restoration, and coral reef rehabilitation have shown promising results. For instance, reforestation projects in regions like the Amazon, Africa, and Southeast Asia are helping to restore vital forest ecosystems, sequester carbon, and provide habitats for diverse species. Wetland restoration efforts in places like the Mississippi River Delta and the Danube Delta are improving water quality, reducing flood risks, and supporting rich biodiversity. One successful example of land restoration is the Loess Plateau in China. Over several decades, intensive soil erosion had turned this once-fertile region into a barren landscape. The Loess Plateau has been transformed through large-scale interventions, including terracing, reforestation, and sustainable agricultural practices, resulting in increased agricultural productivity, reduced erosion, and improved local livelihoods. After nearly four decades of pollution and neglect, the Khushal Sar Lake in Srinagar has been restored to its former glory, providing a habitat for thousands of migratory birds. Thanks to a community effort supported by the local administration, the lake has been brought back to life. These examples showcase the potential of comprehensive land restoration strategies in reversing degradation and fostering sustainable development.
Every year on June 5th, we Celebrate Environmental Day. This year's World Environment Day campaign focuses on land restoration, desertification and drought resilience.
This year, we have realised the impact of climate change in India through scorching heat wave conditions and unprecedented rains and snowfalls. But when we feel the situation has become normal, we forget our environmental concerns and start harming it. The government must take stringent measures to safeguard the remaining tracts of agricultural lands, wetlands, forests, grasslands, coral reefs etc. No developmental activities should be allowed in these areas. We should carry out tourism-related activities within the region's carrying capacity. The government of Tamil Nadu's recent e-pass system to control tourist influx to Nilgiris is a commendable policy decision. We should implement a similar system in other ecologically sensitive regions of the country, especially those surrounding the Himalayas.
(The is an adjunct faculty at the National Institute of Advanced Studies, Bengaluru; views are personal)
