Theme Report for July 2022- Nature and Iby Aaditya Singh | 17-07-2022 21:23 |
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'Nature and I'-
Don't we depend on nature, like babies in mother's womb? Akin to umbilical cord, nature nourishes and sustains us with the bounty of mother Earth. Our survival and livelihoods are endowments of nature. And in death, whether cremated or buried we become one with nature, returning what we take from her.
Fresh air, water, sunlight, food... are lifelines provided by nature. Furthermore, we never tire reveling in the splendor of nature. In our daily lives however, we take these boons for granted, over-exploiting the biodiversity bestowed upon us as a gift. I too was sometimes guilty of such negligence, till a visit to my native village proved to be an eye-opener.
Some years ago, I visited my grandfather in a remote Indian village in the Himalayan foothills. The discomfort of a long bumpy drive, huddled with our suitcases in the car, because an eco-friendly CNG cylinder occupied the boot was defrayed by the vistas playing like movies along winding roads. Clouds cascading down lofty ranges, deep valleys shimmering with slithering rivers, swaying waterfalls and lush greenery, nested in nature's lap - A visual delight, a spiritual experience, Landscapes waiting to be painted!
Our ancestral home built with indigenous Cedar wood and locally quarried stone, had natural ventilation through high dormer windows- the most effective air conditioning, I'd ever known. Not once did I require medication for allergic asthma that plagues me in cities.
Leisurely treks on forest trails under tree canopies 'Hide and Seek' in sprawling mustard fields, dotted with tiny yellow flowers are memories closest to my heart. Picking fresh vegetables in stepped farms or climbing trees to eat ripe mangoes, were novel experiences for me.
Most villagers owned small family farms providing for them. Surplus was bartered or sold. They harvested rainwater, composted organic waste and practiced rotation farming to replenish the soil.
At a community gathering I was served food on traditional plates made from Sal tree leaves and twigs. After use, these 'Green Disposables' were buried to decompose naturally.
People in my 'underdeveloped' village lived in harmony with their environment. Caring for nature required no effort. In contrast, 'developed' urban lifestyles have lost their connection with nature.
My village still rules my dreams and beckons me back!
Nature is often associated with environment and ecosystems carbon footprints and greenhouse gases. However, besides eco-conservation, connection with nature must include socio-economic factors too. Connecting people to nature entails a balancing act between 3 P's- People, Planet and Profit. Ongoing urbanization and global warming demand rediscovering the value of nature and reviving our association with it, to combat climate change, and contribute to a sustainable future.
To quote Paul Claudel, "It is not my thorns that protect me, says the rose. It is my fragrance." More than predictions of doom, through my report, I have highlighted the beauty and value of nature, to make everyone feel it and be touched by it, and to make all believe, "Nature and I are one and the same!"
If Nature gets hurt, so do I get hurt and if nature thrives, so do I!
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