Agrim Gupta
Deforestation, which means cutting down lots of trees in forests, has big effects on the environment. It’s not just about losing different kinds of plants and animals. Deforestation also causes soil to wash away, makes floods more likely, and messes up the balance of gases in the air, which can change the climate worldwide.
Considering increase in average temperatures that has dominated the headline, this is too regulated by the trees itself. This is done by a biological process called transpiration. Transpiration is a process in which trees and vegetation absorb water through their roots and cool surroundings by releasing water vapour into the air through their leaves. Trees and vegetation also provide cooling through evaporation of rainfall collecting on leaves and soil. Also they absorb carbon dioxide which helps in reducing green house effect. By entrapping carbon dioxide and using it for respiration, trees help to reduce green house effect hence help in regulating the temperature.
Not only deforestation, we are well familiar with other environmental problems as well like polluted water, soil and air. Here a question do arises in my mind: Considering that our culture and our traditions revolve around nature, where we worship them all, then why do we encounter such problems. It seems that we messed with nature once we did it with our culture and traditions.There can be many possible reasons for this contamination but we’ll limit our discussion upto colonial realm only.
The origin of European colonialism and coloniality have been traced to what has been referred to as the ‘Age of Discovery/Exploration’ in the 15th century. When Christopher Columbus set out in 1492 to discover the new world his voyage marked the beginning of European colonisation and heralded a new chapter in european history.
Out of the many things that were changed by the colonisers, one was education system. The aim for doing so was to produce indigenous English men.
Not only in India, but also in Latin America, the native culture was heavily dependent upon nature. They believed that man was part of nature, but when colonisers colonised them, the thinking was changed. They no longer believed that man was part of nature. Nature was reduced to a commodity, the knowledge of which was necessary not to live with or in it, but for utilisation of natural resource. Richard Drayton, in Nature’s Government, argued that the commodification was the driving force behind imperialism and colonialism. Raymond Murphy was also one such who talked about the control and utilisation of nature as a resource.
All this perhaps explains why the colonised territory was primarily viewed as a resource for exploitation with its inhabitants being treated as subhuman, dark, ideal worshipping soul, heathen irritant, who obstructed the coloniser’s use of nature. This change in relation with nature, resulted in it’s exploitation.
With the above knowledge as background, it now feels pretty obvious why cutting down the trees and using the land without considering how it would affect the environment or the people who lived there was the way for them to make money fast.
This exploitation left a lasting impact on forest ecosystems. Colonizers would clear vast areas of land for agriculture, logging, or building settlements, often without replanting trees or taking steps to protect the environment. This led to widespread deforestation, loss of biodiversity, and damage to ecosystems.
In many cases, indigenous communities who had lived in harmony with the land for generations were displaced or marginalised by colonial policies that prioritised profit over sustainability. These communities often had their traditional land rights disregarded, leading to loss of cultural heritage and a breakdown of their relationship with the environment.
Even after colonial rule ended, the effects lingered. Many countries still struggle with deforestation and environmental degradation caused by the legacy of colonial exploitation. Addressing these historical injustices is crucial for developing sustainable conservation strategies that respect the rights of indigenous peoples and ensure the protection of forest ecosystems for future generations.
But there are challenges. People often cut down trees to make money, which makes it hard to convince them to stop. So, it’s not just about science; it’s about getting everyone to care about nature and work together to protect it. We need to spread awareness and get communities involved in taking care of the environment.
Examining specific regions, such as the Pir Panjal range in Jammu and Kashmir, highlights the intricate interplay between economic interests and ecological preservation.
Understanding this history helps us see that environmental problems are tied to bigger issues. So, to really save our forests, we need fair solutions that would fix past wrongs and involve everyone. That way, we can make sure there are forests for the next generations.
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