If we live simply and in harmony with our inner and outer nature, it will create a sustainable world, says Rajyogi Brahmakumar Nikunj
Recent devastating earthquake that shattered the Himalayan country of Nepal has once again brought back the focus on global warming along with a huge concern by environmentalists over glacial melting on polar caps and the Himalayas. The Himalayas as we all know are called the water tower of asia as they contain the largest body of ice outside the polar regions and provide long-term water storage for critical dry season. India, that is fast developing economy in Asian region, has its own environmental problems based on a heavy dependency on fossil fuel for cooking, transportation and electricity. The forests in India have been a habitat not only for flora and fauna but a lifeline for many communities that lived around them.
However, with the onset of industrialisation, climate change and urbanisation, much of such forestlands have been destroyed and neglected. It’s high time that people in power should realise that unless we integrate environment friendly technologies with our developmental efforts, we will be sitting on a time bomb that may explode any time. Modernisation and consumerism in India have caused high levels of automobile and industrial pollution, hence there should be a sincere effort to educate the public about the need to make choices that would reduce pollution and sustain clean environment. Government on their part should execute number of measures, such as, improving transport and travel facilities to reduce the number of private vehicles on road, introducing green fuel and green vehicles that adhere to the latest global environmental norms, making the citizens aware and responsible for a cleaner world to live in, promoting simpler and healthier lifestyle through media and phasing out harmful technologies that are slowly killing our lifelines.
Another key area of concern is to decongest the urban pockets that have become heavily polluted. As the cities are bursting at their seams with overpopulation, vehicular congestion, industrial pollution, housing and harmful technologies, that are like cancerous tumours posing high risk to the entire body of the nation. This would require shifting industrial activity to other areas and developing rural areas to provide enough employment and benefits to reduce migration to the cities. Experience shows that spirituality can play a vital role in environmental sustainability. Ancient scriptures have mentioned that how in olden days all societies in Bharat supported their environment with lifestyles that were based on values like respect for nature, simplicity and harmony.
Hence if we live simply and in harmony with our inner and outer nature it will create a sustainable world. So, instead of flaunting bigger cars and consuming products that harm the environment, we can make choices that promote conservation of energy and a cleaner environment rather than chasing a life that is based on greed, competition and glamour. If it makes sense, then go for it!