There are three key formulas pronounced to make the planet sustainable. They are (1) essential ecological processes and life support systems must be maintained; (2) genetic diversities must be preserved, and (3) any use of species or ecological systems must be sustainable. Similarly, for a sustainable society, three important factors are (1) quality of human life, (2) conservation of vitality of the earth, (3) conservation of diversities of the earth.
The rampant corruption and dishonesty in India sand as barrier for a sustainable society. Quality of life cannot be uniform for all and economic inequality has to prevail when there is boundless graft and nepotism. Poverty does not respect the laws of the land. So the vitality as well as the diversity of the earth cannot be possible so long as a sound economic policy is not followed and worked out.
The demonetisation of Prime Minister Narendra Modi for economic stability, weeding out black money and removing corruption is a welcome step. But, all the same, it cannot be called as a foolproof step for complete removal of dishonesty in the field of economy and community life of the people. Every citizen of India should respect and care for community life of the country, which can bring improvement in the quality of human beings.
The World Soil Conservation Day is meant for conservation of the mother earth or the mother soil. The mother soil means the soil, which supports the ecology and the eco-systems, where the entire organizations of the universe sustain. If the entire ecological process of nature is removed or damaged how the new soil will be formed and from where human beings will come for formation of fresh mother earthIJ
Man should be careful very careful about the conservation and protection of mother earth. All types of ecological systems and ecological processes should be conserved and protected and also the economic stability must be ensured, which is a part of eco-conservation measure.
Most of the eco-systems either are overexploited or completely damaged due to economic exploitations. Therefore strategies should be built up for sustainable management of all eco-systems for ensuring the recycling of proper soil moisture nutrient ratio of all type of soils.
The International Hill Day also aims for protection and conservation of hill forests and hilly ecological systems for the wellbeing of mankind. All the rivers, streams and sources of water originate from the mountains and hills. The rivers, streams and springs cannot be expected if hills are destroyed. So, the hills and mountains should be properly conserved and ecologically managed as source of water conservation. The ecological process of nature cannot be expected in absence soil moisture which increases the potentiality of the mother soil and for formation of new soil through biological actions.
Most of the hillocks and hills in the Eastern Ghat hill ranges within the political boundaries of Odisha have become bald since long due to overexploitation of forest products and overworking of different mining activities for industrial activities. Over and above, human settlements in the hills create soil erosion and degradation of soil fertility due to various activities, including shifting cultivation. Due to denudation of ecological wealth of the hills and mountain ranges, rainwater goes waste, creating flood. So consultations and consensus building is most important to being general agreement on a course of action for protection and conservation of ecological wealth of the hills, hillocks and forests of the Eastern –Ghat region.
The bald hills and hillocks and also the hill ranges within the State should be brought under soil conservation measures and reforestation of the denuded areas should be vigorously followed. There must be effective national forest policy for protection and conservation of the ecological wealth and biodiversities. It should work as a strong and effective instrument for protection and conservation of all types of eco-systems. The National Forest Policy in India was first introduced in the country in 1952 and then revised in 1988 after a lapse of 37 years. Since then there is no revision of the policy. It shows how sincere we are for conservation and protection of our ecological properties. Needless to say, under the current realities, the forest policy needs an overhaul for effectively managing the forest resources.
Action Planning and implementation of the same for sustainable management of the ecological properties is a vital factor. The ecological management is a State subject, of course within the broad guidelines of the Centre. At present, we are giving more stress on promotion of industries at the cost ecology for which the disastrous situations are invited. So the aim should be to achieve ecological sustainability. In case of Odisha, the ecological sustainability is lost. The ecological sustainability does not imply carrying out mere afforestation. This is misinterpretation of ecological management. The ecological management aims at carrying out reforestation, where the original eco-system is lost. A plantation cannot be told or designated as an ecological system. Ecological system means a system of plants, animals and other organisms together with the non-living components of their environment. Use of renewable resources helps sustainable living and minimises the depletion of non-renewable resources.
(The writer is a former senior forest officer and an environmentalist. Tel no 9937460649)