Today Is The International Day For Biological Diversity
By Dr. Vivek Kumar Srivastava
22 May, 2016
Countercurrents.org
Today is the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB).22 May which was adopted by UN General Assembly in 2000 to make people aware about the importance of biodiversity and how to protect it. Unfortunately no serious efforts have been made by most of the governments to save the rapid loss of the biodiversity.
Take the case of India government efforts appear quite less to highlight the importance of the day. Mainstream media almost completely silent on the issue perhaps political parties and the parties in power think that it has no value catching value as the issue of the biodiversity lacks the political attraction; mainstream media thinks that it will not increase their TRP. Usually no discussions ir articles are allocated any space.
This is sad story because biodiversity loss in the country is quite rapid and serious. India is among the mega diverse countries of the world with three hot spots where several endemic species are found mainly in the Western Ghats but this richness is dwindling.
A case is of sparrow which was once the common visitors in the houses has almost disappeared from the city houses. The reasons are difficult to find out but the cutting of trees, noise and other pollutions and waves of mobile towers which mushroom in several cities may have lead to their sudden disappearance. The house construction is laos to be blamed as there are no natural gardens or pots where their food items could be available. They have lost their nesting places. Global warming may be another factor which has caused devastating impacts in the human lives. Even ten years back the summer temperature found it difficult to touch 48 or more nit now it seems that very soon the high temperature will become a common phenomenon in the Indian plains. Theis has also affected the living pattern of several animals and sparrows are no exception. This needs to be understood that flora and fauna of India is on decline leave alone the vulnerable or critically danger species even the species found in abundance are under threat. Tulsi or Basil (Ocimum of the family Labiatae) was venerated in each house but its presence is almost negligible in the city houses. Even in the country sides it has declined in its presence. There are evidence d researches which show that Tulsi has ant carcinogenic properties. Its constant use save the person from the cancer which is on very fast rise in the country. North Eastern states are becoming its major victim. Big cities in the country also face this lethal problem. Loss of Tulsi is also seen in the decline of the sacred groves which are shelter to several plant and animal species. They were spread from North East to Rajasthan but habits are on change so the protection capacity of the flora and fauna is also affected.
What a common men can do when these threats are now available for the species in abundance; first we need to think how can we live in more natural way. We need to have plants within th e houses. The global warming phenomenon needs to be opposed by the common people but common people remains unaware about the Paris agreement or any other issues. We can at least follow the philosophy of Elinor Ostrom; if we all the people of the world walk a little and do not use the vehicles we can substantially reduce the heat and pollution.
Biodiversity awareness campaigns can be sun in the schools. We need to understand that political parties and mainstream media do not have any interest in the biodiversity related issues, hence now the whole responsibility lies upon the common folk.
Hence common people should peep out from their window . look what best can be done at the ground level. The preservation of biodiversity has become quite important for the survival of the human beings because the positive impacts of the flora and fauna are immense. We shall lose all the medicinal plants if we do not become active. When there is threat to those species which were in abundance as Tulsi, sparrow, there is need to think in a pensive mood as how can this loss be prevented, knowing well that government and other stakeholders have moved towards top the zone where these issues do not serve their interests.
Dr. Vivek Kumar Srivastava, presently Assistant Professor in CSJM University[affiliated college],Vice Chairman CSSP, Consultant CRIEPS, email: [email protected]