March 23 is observed as the “World Climate Day”, which means the entire world is very much conscious about the ongoing changes of climate.
March is a very important month, when the winter completes its term and the summer starts its course. There is a rise in temperature due to the scorching sun and the whole atmosphere, especially in tropics and sub-tropics, goes unbearable.
The rising atmospheric temperature during summer within the landmass and creation of vacuum in wider form invites the over saturated wind to shower over the land surface. It is a continuous process of the nature. The major seasons like summer, rainy and winter are the gift of the solar system and the direct solar actions in equatorial position supports lives on the earth. The intensity of rainy season and winter season entirely depends on the intensity of summer.
Climate means regular weather conditions of an area. At present, the irregularities of weather conditions throughout the globe are noticed and weather engineering has directly influenced the ecological process of the nature. The ecological processes support the lives in the universe. Different ecological systems are built through the engineering of weather which is known as evolutionary engineering. At present, the weather engineering is not supporting the ecological processes of nature, which brings all types of ecological disasters in the universe.
The observation of the World Climate Day is to follow certain conservation strategies for the ecological systems and ecological engineering. Ecological balance of nature can only be maintained if perfect conservation strategies are followed. The conservation strategies define the management of human use of organisms or ecosystems to ensure such use is sustainable. Besides sustainable uses, the conservation process includes protection, maintenance, rehabilitation, restoration and enhancement of the ecosystems. The sustainable uses of ecosystems are the principal ethics of forest management.
The forest cover in Odisha comes to 58,137 sqkm, which is claimed to be 37.34 per cent of total land areas. 538 sqkm is very dense forests, while 27,656 sq km is moderately dense and 20,180 sqkm comes under open forests. The ecosystem means a system of plants, components and of their environment. The dense forest cover protects the evaporation of moisture from the earth surface and preserves the moisture in the earth as well as in the atmosphere.
In Odisha, all the plain forests have been finished due to rapid urbanisation and industrialisation and only the hill forests are left in some cases, although it is not in full form. The Eastern Ghat range of Odisha covers major Forest Divisions of the State. The tribal districts like Mayurbhanj, Keonjhar, Sundargarh, Balangir, Kalahandi, Koraput, Nabarangpur, Nuapada, Kandhamal, Gajapati, Malkangiri and Rayagada are not only rich in tribal population but also in forest eco-systems and minerals. Similarly, these districts are in Eastern Ghat range, which govern the general climate not only of the State, but also of adjoining States. Now, the industrialists are interested to establish industries in these districts, because of availability of raw materials, labour and land. The number of small and mega industries is also rising fast in these tracts. Besides, unethical exploitation of minerals is rampant.
The hilly Forest Divisions have luxuriant eco-systems which always guide the general climate of the State. The whole Eastern Ghat range of India covers several States like Odisha, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu. The luxuriance of Sal- bamboo ecosystems within the whole range of hills also form the tiger hub of the region. Previously, these areas used to be commercially untapped eco-systems and protect the regional climate but the situation has changed over the years due to commercialization of hill ranges for industries. Consequently, before long, positive actions need to be taken like rigid protection and maintenance of existing ecosystems. The climatic temperature of the region is rising very fast even in the early summer, which invites the death of various micro-organisms and organisms, besides the drying of water sources. We should remember that the hills are the mothers of all water sources. All the water courses of the universe arise from the hill ranges. So, the corporate houses should refrain from the massive plunder of the ecological resources.
Further the Bay of Bengal, which runs parallel to the Eastern Ghat region has also a big impact on the ecological climate of the State. The estuarine ecological systems of Odisha and other States of Eastern Zone are also grabbed due to rapid industrialization of sea coasts. The mangrove forests of sea coast, which are always present as great composite wall to oceanic disasters, are mindlessly destroyed due to industrial activities. The 500 km long sea-coast of Odisha right from south to east and north are prone to oceanic disasters. It is well known to the people of the State and to the Government. But in the name of people’s welfare, the forests, which act as barriers against natural disasters like cyclone and tsunami, are cleaned.
(The writer is a former senior Forest officer and an environmentalist. nadiya.kanungo@gmail.com, Mob: 9937460649)