By Ameya Bondre
We know about the homeless children in metros and the enormity of child starvation in rural India. We are witnesses to an education system that is still crippled with rote learning and scarred by student suicides, scrapping of board exams notwithstanding. We know what it means to search a job in the aftermath of recession and the recurring epidemic called price rise. We react to "other" sports in India not getting their due so much that their champions have to protest before the authorities for a deserved pay rise, forget the perks. And of course, we care about our internal security system, more so after 26/11...
So when our hands [rather concerns] are full, why should we spend our time and effort in saving the tiger?
Well, the question does imply that we don't need to think about the future of our grand children when we are still going through the pains and pleasures of past and present relationships!
The Tiger sits atop the hierarchy called the "Food Chain" - no animal [I mean in the jungle!], attempts to kill the tiger. If the present tiger count in India from 1411 becomes 0 in the next 5 years or so as estimated by tiger experts, the herbivore population would proliferate and thereby, pose a risk to the green cover of forests. Such a risk means a greater amount of the already raised greenhouse emissions. It would also lead to a serious compromise on resources that trap and preserve water as forests, in case we have forgotten, prevent rapid runoff of water after heavy rains and minimize flooding.
Thus, by saving the tiger, you strongly contribute to protecting every leaf of the forest, saving every drop of water it receives and preventing further warming of the earth.
Unfortunately, this is nothing more than mumbo jumbo for most, if [and thankfully] not for all. The stimulus to blog on this issue now and in future, obviously lies in the commercials on air exhorting people to do so, but I'm more interested to target the forces within each one of us that tell us to chill about this; or say that it's no big deal; "you" won't be affected by it; it's too late to do something about it; or the worst - what can we do about it?
We all have the time, ability and courage to solve today's pressing environmental issues; it's just that a lot of us do not have the inclination to save our planet. As children, we are taught to care for our environment, water and wildlife and, as a matter of fact, at that tender age, we do. That's because, we have, then, the kind of "universal" sensitivity, also for our surroundings just like for many other things. Then, as we grow older, we get more involved in the complex problems of our own work while getting interesting things to know and thrive on. We begin to understand our own dreams and the needs of our near and dear ones. So, where is the scope left for any attention to be given to, say some issue like endangered wildlife?
I believe that the sole reason for chronic neglect of environmental matters - be it at the level of the individual or organizations, is because Man is disconnected with the "Rhythm" of Nature. And yes, this Rhythm goes much beyond the Food Chain. For instance, year by year, summers getting hotter, winters getting colder and monsoons getting erratic are distressing to the Indian farmer, that is to say the least of course, in view of farmer suicides. Add to that; the Government in debt, irrigation not up to the mark leading to dependence on the rain gods and damage which was caused then, by BT cotton. Yes, I may sound as if a critical link to a serious economic issue which took many lives is the environment, but that is precisely what I mean by the disturbance Man causes to the "Rhythm" of Nature and what its consequences could be. An example of a smaller scale herein would be tigers entering streets in urban areas and attacking humans, particularly near depleting green cover of wildlife sanctuaries, as the natural habitat and food source of the animal has been destroyed significantly by human life or business.
The critical questions are - Does the fallout of environmental damage, only lie in the future - are there no effects already caused?; Who dictates the Rhythm of Nature on whom?; Does Man have any degree of control over this Rhythm? Is the attitude of denial or delay, with regard to rapidity and irreversibility of environmental damage and the impending repercussions of the same on human life and economy, sensible in any way?
Mankind has been tested, time and again, by formidable challenges and each time has emerged triumphantly or at least started treading on the path towards success. Take the case of global pandemics - small pox and plague once threatened to wipe out communities. HIV-AIDS, no doubt a serious issue still, has been tackled effectively, so much that a vaccine is no longer a distant dream. Wars and nuclear proliferation notwithstanding, better sense has prevailed at the highest authorities, to avoid another "World War". Yes, there are terrorists and the terrorists that they create, but also an equally rising global effort to upgrade security standards, in at least developed countries. However, both global warming and wildlife conservation cannot even be compared to the above threats firstly, because, these threaten the very existence of human beings and animals in the form of catastrophes coming without a warning. Secondly, the early signs of detection of present or potential damage, even if undeniable, are difficult to measure or predict.
Most importantly, there has been the presence of well defined professionals and sectors - ranging from researchers to health professionals, politicians and diplomats to intelligence agencies. Do such systems exist for addressing environmental concerns? And even if they do, is that the way towards a radical "behavioral change" or "attitudinal shift" on the part of individuals - who are the most important players here? Can an obese patient having diabetes and high blood pressure, be saved from say, an outcome like cardiac arrest, by repeated efforts from all kinds of specialized personnel; if he does not change his own lifestyle - does not resort to physical exercise and healthy food and stay away from addictions and stress?
As cynical as it may sound but, even if leaders of tomorrow championing the cause of environmental concerns are to be created out of today's school kids, by imparting the kind of education that is focused on such concerns; what would these leaders, say after ten years fight for? What would be left to fight for? My point herein is - this issue entails every individual to be a leader. We cannot wait for leaders to be born and solve this problem for us, like we have been bestowed before. And yes, we really do not have a choice here. We HAVE to correct the treatment that we give to the environment - it could be small important things such as not keeping your laptop on standby or recycling your e-waste like a discarded cell phone; or through bigger endeavours such as participating in television campaigns that have proven their mettle by lighting several villages in India with solar power...
Thank you for reading...
We know about the homeless children in metros and the enormity of child starvation in rural India. We are witnesses to an education system that is still crippled with rote learning and scarred by student suicides, scrapping of board exams notwithstanding. We know what it means to search a job in the aftermath of recession and the recurring epidemic called price rise. We react to "other" sports in India not getting their due so much that their champions have to protest before the authorities for a deserved pay rise, forget the perks. And of course, we care about our internal security system, more so after 26/11...
So when our hands [rather concerns] are full, why should we spend our time and effort in saving the tiger?
Well, the question does imply that we don't need to think about the future of our grand children when we are still going through the pains and pleasures of past and present relationships!
The Tiger sits atop the hierarchy called the "Food Chain" - no animal [I mean in the jungle!], attempts to kill the tiger. If the present tiger count in India from 1411 becomes 0 in the next 5 years or so as estimated by tiger experts, the herbivore population would proliferate and thereby, pose a risk to the green cover of forests. Such a risk means a greater amount of the already raised greenhouse emissions. It would also lead to a serious compromise on resources that trap and preserve water as forests, in case we have forgotten, prevent rapid runoff of water after heavy rains and minimize flooding.
Thus, by saving the tiger, you strongly contribute to protecting every leaf of the forest, saving every drop of water it receives and preventing further warming of the earth.
Unfortunately, this is nothing more than mumbo jumbo for most, if [and thankfully] not for all. The stimulus to blog on this issue now and in future, obviously lies in the commercials on air exhorting people to do so, but I'm more interested to target the forces within each one of us that tell us to chill about this; or say that it's no big deal; "you" won't be affected by it; it's too late to do something about it; or the worst - what can we do about it?
We all have the time, ability and courage to solve today's pressing environmental issues; it's just that a lot of us do not have the inclination to save our planet. As children, we are taught to care for our environment, water and wildlife and, as a matter of fact, at that tender age, we do. That's because, we have, then, the kind of "universal" sensitivity, also for our surroundings just like for many other things. Then, as we grow older, we get more involved in the complex problems of our own work while getting interesting things to know and thrive on. We begin to understand our own dreams and the needs of our near and dear ones. So, where is the scope left for any attention to be given to, say some issue like endangered wildlife?
I believe that the sole reason for chronic neglect of environmental matters - be it at the level of the individual or organizations, is because Man is disconnected with the "Rhythm" of Nature. And yes, this Rhythm goes much beyond the Food Chain. For instance, year by year, summers getting hotter, winters getting colder and monsoons getting erratic are distressing to the Indian farmer, that is to say the least of course, in view of farmer suicides. Add to that; the Government in debt, irrigation not up to the mark leading to dependence on the rain gods and damage which was caused then, by BT cotton. Yes, I may sound as if a critical link to a serious economic issue which took many lives is the environment, but that is precisely what I mean by the disturbance Man causes to the "Rhythm" of Nature and what its consequences could be. An example of a smaller scale herein would be tigers entering streets in urban areas and attacking humans, particularly near depleting green cover of wildlife sanctuaries, as the natural habitat and food source of the animal has been destroyed significantly by human life or business.
The critical questions are - Does the fallout of environmental damage, only lie in the future - are there no effects already caused?; Who dictates the Rhythm of Nature on whom?; Does Man have any degree of control over this Rhythm? Is the attitude of denial or delay, with regard to rapidity and irreversibility of environmental damage and the impending repercussions of the same on human life and economy, sensible in any way?
Mankind has been tested, time and again, by formidable challenges and each time has emerged triumphantly or at least started treading on the path towards success. Take the case of global pandemics - small pox and plague once threatened to wipe out communities. HIV-AIDS, no doubt a serious issue still, has been tackled effectively, so much that a vaccine is no longer a distant dream. Wars and nuclear proliferation notwithstanding, better sense has prevailed at the highest authorities, to avoid another "World War". Yes, there are terrorists and the terrorists that they create, but also an equally rising global effort to upgrade security standards, in at least developed countries. However, both global warming and wildlife conservation cannot even be compared to the above threats firstly, because, these threaten the very existence of human beings and animals in the form of catastrophes coming without a warning. Secondly, the early signs of detection of present or potential damage, even if undeniable, are difficult to measure or predict.
Most importantly, there has been the presence of well defined professionals and sectors - ranging from researchers to health professionals, politicians and diplomats to intelligence agencies. Do such systems exist for addressing environmental concerns? And even if they do, is that the way towards a radical "behavioral change" or "attitudinal shift" on the part of individuals - who are the most important players here? Can an obese patient having diabetes and high blood pressure, be saved from say, an outcome like cardiac arrest, by repeated efforts from all kinds of specialized personnel; if he does not change his own lifestyle - does not resort to physical exercise and healthy food and stay away from addictions and stress?
As cynical as it may sound but, even if leaders of tomorrow championing the cause of environmental concerns are to be created out of today's school kids, by imparting the kind of education that is focused on such concerns; what would these leaders, say after ten years fight for? What would be left to fight for? My point herein is - this issue entails every individual to be a leader. We cannot wait for leaders to be born and solve this problem for us, like we have been bestowed before. And yes, we really do not have a choice here. We HAVE to correct the treatment that we give to the environment - it could be small important things such as not keeping your laptop on standby or recycling your e-waste like a discarded cell phone; or through bigger endeavours such as participating in television campaigns that have proven their mettle by lighting several villages in India with solar power...
Thank you for reading...
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