All the living beings have their core values and unique roles in the nature. If we do not take care of them, their rate of extinction will accelerate causing further imbalances in the ecology and environment
Bhubaneswar: Since the Industrial Revolution over 200 years ago, human activities such as industrialisation, deforestation, use of fertilizers in agriculture, use of plastics and polythene, urbanisation, exploding population, booming transport sector and other such things have added to the number of greenhouse gases (carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide and fluorinated gases), thereby polluting the environment.
To support environmental protection, ‘Earth Day’ is observed worldwide April 22 every year. It was first celebrated in 1970 in the United States wherein about 20 million people (including thousands of school, college, and university students) came out on streets to participate in a peaceful protest for environmental law reforms.
The first ‘Earth Day’ had led to the creation of the United States Environmental Protection Agency and the passage of various Acts on clean air, clean water and endangered species. Later, other countries too framed policies for environmental protection for their respective regions. Now, it is coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network and celebrated in more than 190 countries every year.
This year, Earth Day will be celebrating its 49th anniversary. Each year, Earth Day is celebrated with a different theme. While this year’s theme is “Protect Our Species,” it was “End Plastic Pollution” in 2018; “Environmental and Climate Literacy” in 2017; “Trees for the Earth” in 2016; “Water Wonderful World” in 2015; “Clean Earth – Green Earth” in 2014; “Green Cities” in 2013; “The Face of Climate Change” in 2012; “Mobilise the Earth” in 2011; “Clear the Air” in 2010; and “Reduce” in 2009.
On Earth Day in 2016, the landmark Paris Agreement was signed by 174 countries including the USA, China and others. The historic draft climate protection treaty was adopted unanimously by 195 nations present at the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Paris.
Nature has gifted millions of species to our planet. We love them and know very few of them. Many are yet to be identified. But, with the passing of each day, many species are rapidly facing extinction due to our misdemeanours.
Climate change, global warming, industrialisation, urbanisation, increasing population, deforestation, use of fertilizers and pesticides in agriculture and pollution are creating imbalances in the nature. Such imbalances result in reduction of wildlife population. The extinction of dinosaurs is an example. Now, the number of tigers, lions, elephants, zebras, camels, giraffes, reptiles, bees, insects, and birds like peacock, vulture, owl and crow is also dwindling fast.
All the living beings have their core values and unique roles in the nature. If we do not take care of them, their rate of extinction will accelerate causing further imbalances in the ecology and environment.
In India, we have the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, which was passed by our Parliament for protection of plant and animal species. In 2002, the Act was amended and came into force in January 2003. This Act has provisions for stringent punishments and penalty for anti-environmental activities.
We all need to work together for a global movement to ensure the protection of the species that are facing extinction. Such initiative will help in restoring the ecological balance.
We all have to be proactive in protecting our planet. We need not undertake arduous tasks to achieve this. Simple acts by us can go a long way in ensuring a greener planet for future generations.
Suggested measures
∎ Plant more and more trees
∎ Save trees and forests
∎ Avoid chemical fertilisers and pesticides in agriculture
∎ Give water, food to animals/birds in our surroundings
∎ Create awareness for opening animal/bird rehabilitation centres in cities and villages
∎ Spread awareness about Indian Wildlife Protection Act and its implementation
-Himanshu Shekhar Nayak
(The author is a banker and environmentalist)