World Environment Day : Relevancy, Needs & Deeds
World Environment Day : Relevancy, Needs & Deeds
Debojit Bharali
As
expectedly, there is no change in the celebration of this day 5th
June, the “ World Environment Day ” as designated by the United Nations in view
of the awareness and cooperation of the people on environmental conservation,
environmental pollution, population growth etc. Every year this day comes to us
and leaves again through various thoughts, plans, resolutions and activities
and this tradition will continue today also. But the question is, has nature
really benefited from this special day in terms of environmental conservation?
We are proud to be the cause of the rise of
human civilization and have forgotten that mankind is also a part of nature and
most of us are just so-called nature lovers, leaving the responsibility of
nature conservation in the hands of the government and we seem to be ignoring
the fact that we have an equal responsibility to conserve the environment. Earth
is the only planet in the eternal universe where life is possible where all the
nutrients are stored in optimal quantities to sustain the fauna. It is because
of that we are able to prove ourselves to be the best of creatures today, so
shouldn’t we be grateful to the earth, to those other elements of the earth?
Surely we should realize this with all our hearts.
As every “day” carries significance, this “World
Environment Day” also carries the importance of environmental conservation and
related aspects. Therefore, it would be more reasonable to feel the true
purpose of this special day forever, rather than showing formal loyalty to the
environment on one special day.
Currently, the deforestation, air pollution,
water pollution, noise pollution, smuggling of rare animals, illegal coal
mining etc. in the name of development are all man-made problems which is
deeply damaging the natural environment as well as causes drastic climate
change. And we humans are directly and indirectly responsible for this.
For example, let us discuss the role or
contribution of a rainforest in protecting the environment.
A rainforest is different from other ordinary
forests. Rainforests are distinguished from other forests or forest areas by
their physical structure, extent, biodiversity and vastness of flora.
Rainforests are very diverse in their physical structure and therefore their
ecosystems are amazing. Rainforests play an immense role in maintaining the
balance of nature. It is worth noting that although rainforests cover only 6%
(percent) of the Earth's surface geographically, their small extent is
sufficient to provide the Earth with the nutrients it needs.
There is a constant humid atmosphere inside
the rainforest, wet all year round and therefore have a high diversity of
plants, trees, grasses and fauna. Its environment is extremely lively. On its
structural conformation, rainforests are composed of stratified structures.
This means that the different sizes of the different plants form a layer and this
makes the biological process of the forest more refreshing. Rainforests are
usually composed of four layers of vegetation, the top layer or emergent layer,
the middle layer or canopy layer, the lower middle layer or understory
layer and the ground layer or herb layer. The top layer or emergent layer
is formed by various tall plants or trees that are exposed to sunlight. The
trees of this layer reach a height of 115--200 feet, these evergreen,
broad-leaved trees cover an area of about 16 feet each. This means that this layer
acts like a huge umbrella. The layer below this layer is the middle layer or canopy layer. Canopy means
shade or skin. The trunk of this layer of plants is smooth and flat and reaches
a height of 65--100 feet This layer is also touched by the sun's rays.
Therefore, these two layers of plants provide shade to the entire forest and
maintain the moisture of the forest. The layer below the middle layer is the lower
middle layer or understory layer, the
level at which some immature and shrubby trees grow. These plants reach a
height of about 20 feet. This layer is not touched by sunlight, this is because
the top and middle plants prevent sunlight from penetrating. The last layer of
the rainforest is the adjacent layer or herb layer. This layer is dark and is
the main driving force of the entire rainforest ecosystem. It is because
biological processes at each of these levels occur at this level. This means
that the life process of plants and animals begins at this stage.
Where there is such a diverse composition of
plants, there is certainly a diversity of fauna. Various insects, butterflies,
reptiles, frogs, snakes, beetles etc. live in the ground level. Rainforests
also play an important role in climate treatment due to their vegetation density
and structured diversity. Rainfall is due to the lack of sunlight reaching the
lower middle and ground levels, rainforests are in moist and dry conditions and
the water stored in the plants due to rainfall cannot be converted into water
vapour (due to lack of solar heat) and the water from the leaves of the entire
plant falls continuously (throughout the year). Therefore, these forests are
called “rainforests”. It maintains the amount of water itself through rainfall.
It helps to balance the amount of water in the forest ecosystem by controlling
rainfall through biological processes. Such layered chains of plants provide
the most favourable environment for the formation of all the necessary elements
of life and therefore rainforests are always nourished for the great processes
of life. This brief description will give at least a little insight into the
needs of rainforests.
Therefore, it is unacceptable to ignore the
diverse characteristics of such a rainforest and push it to the brink of
destruction. It is condemnable that humans are destroying such vital parts of
the ecosystem for their own petty interests. The great purpose of a special day
like “World Environment Day” can only be truly appreciated if everyone stands
together to prevent the uncertainty that has come down on the forest like
Dihing Patkai. The problem of the Dihing Patkai rainforest is just one example.
There are many examples of extreme anarchy in the environment.
People have been destroying forests for their
own selfish purposes for centuries Smuggling-- whether of rare animals, birds,
reptiles or plants (timber smuggling), urbanization, population migration,
extraction of minerals (oil, coal, etc.) as well as illegal looting,
industrialization, agricultural expansion etc forest destruction is being
carried out without restraint population and mechanical lifestyle are
increasing pollution levels and polluting the climate. The air is poisonous for
breathing. In addition, abnormally increased sunshine, abnormal rainfall,
frequent climate change, floods, storms, various cyclones are putting entire
ecosystem in threat. Many creatures, species have disappeared forever. In
short, this man-made situation has not only destabilized the ecosystem, but
also brought extreme uncertainty to mankind. So it would be kind of nonsense to
expect to get another chance without tying your waistband right now.
However, it would be a mistake to say that no
one cares about nature conservation. Many nature loving NGOs,
environmentalists, voluntary organizations etc. have been speaking out at
various levels in the field of environmental protection, many have been
successful. Many environmental organizations in Assam like Natures Backon,
Aranyak etc. which are taking the lead in environmental conservation day and
night. However, still we are lacking behind the scene. Increasing level of
illegal destruction of forests, illegal coal mining, rhino killing etc. have
not been solved yet completely. Therefore, in my point of view the relevance of
an event like “World Environment Day” will remain useless until such problems
are solved no matter how many awareness programs we undertake, no matter how
many seminars we hold, this gap will continue to widen until the people realize
the actual importance of environmental conservation
There is a need for a movement to protect
nature. The time has come for everyone
to get directly or indirectly involved in environmental protection without
waiting for the government’s handholding. It is also important to contribute to
the protection of the natural environment by planting trees, forestations, cleaning
one’s surroundings, environment friendly practices, using nature friendly
materials, avoiding polythene etc. There is also a need to educate the new
generation in an environmentally conscious manner to relate themselves with the
raw virtues of nature and its necessity. Above all, the significance of “ World
Environment Day” can only be truly appreciated if the thrill of love for nature
is reflected in the minds of the people and their response to it.
M: 9854539061
E-mail : dbharali83@gmail.com
(Tour consultant by profession,
Freelance writer on tourism, IT, various social aspects. Add:- Kahilipara, Guwahati)
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