Rakesh Jalali
Ecological Balance is a very comprehensive subject that comprises of only two words…,”Ecological and Balance”, but conveys a broad spectrum of meaning.
Ecological balance is a very wide and important subject to put forth control on ecological imbalance ..is a crucial task , but not an impossible task to reach to its logical end under the able leadership of our prime minister Narendra Damodar Dass Modi. A very popular slogan had been echoing in atmosphere during the campaign of Lok sabha elections, “Modi hai toh mumkin hai”….very true indeed..!!!
To maintain an ecological balance, there are various ways and means to bring this disastrous menace under control.
There are various ways and means, natural and self created, which can curb this problem.
We do have nature’s check and balance system, as predators prevent species from over populating. Unfortunately, humans don’t have any natural predators to control the population. It is imp that necessary action be taken at the individual level , through civil society and of course by the Governments at centre and states. This problem has to be addressed in light and spirit, despite emotional, cultural or religious sensitivity to the issue. For example, fish in your aquarium fouls the water, likewise too many humans on the planet can upset the ecological balance.
Be it known to the readers that between 1927 and 1987, the population in this universe increased to 5 billion. By the year 1999 total population reached 6 billion and it is further assessed that more than 9 billion people will be living on the Earth by the year 2050, according to the University of Michigan webpage. Controlling the birth rate through contraception and family planning will reduce the strain on the ecosystem by reducing the rate at which people consume natural resources.
The Government of India has been a keen observer of the effects on the environment and has been in the forefront to help protect it. The Ministry of Environment and Forests – External website that opens in a new window has been actively involved in monitoring and formulating ways to preserve India’s natural beauty and maintain a healthy ecological balance.
Some significant measures in this direction such as combating Climate Change, some Alternative Sources of Energy and Saving Our Forests and Wildlife.
Combating climate change
Combating Climate Change is one of the imp reasons behind the adverse impacts on our water resources, health, agriculture and food production. This emanates from the accumulated Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions generated by the increase in industrial expansion and growth.
The Central Pollution Control Board – External website that opens in a new window (CPCB) has taken several positive steps to minimise pollution of the environment. Here, the CPCB invites all citizens of India to take a pledge (1.04 MB) – PDF file that opens in a new window to help save the environment.
Alternative sources of energy
The implication on the environment, spiraling cost of fuel and dwindling reserves has drawn global attention towards finding alternative sources of energy.
Solar Energy or the energy from the sun has limitless potential. It has the advantage of being economical and easily accessible besides being environmentally friendly as it is.
Since last two decades or more, the Ministry of Forest and Environment in India couldn’t be seen well in devising out a way in restructuring and augmentation of Social Forestry Department’s programs in terms of its proper implementation on planting saplings in order to give life to the “Green india” concept, which seems to have died down….just by standing on its last leg….
We are still alive today on the hopes of tomorrow.
Today we have a great hope with a very strong and decisive Govt at centre, which determines its objective and works in a most scientific manner to attain it
If a nationwide drive is initiated, with a pledge through individuals, group of people, social workers, volunteers, NGO’s and civil societies for planting a sapling today,…..a green future shall be the destiny of our country.
Thanks Sikh community wherein, a major initiative was recently taken by the community people, while distributing the “Boota Parshad” at a Gurdwara in Moga, Punjab. Some hundreds of saplings were distributed to all the devotees as a parshad, showing concern for the cause of afforestation,…a great contribution towards the society,…a big salute to the Sikh community for an excellent idea. Likewise, this kind of idea can be brought into practice by many individuals, group of people, volunteers, social groups and civil societies to reduce the burden of government expenses. Most interestingly, the Govt shall have to take a big initiative by devising out a strategy to engage more and more people as aforementioned to give it a practical shape.
Contrary to it, J&K state is a live example of deforestation as entire area through its length and breadth on plains as well as mountainous terrains had been experiencing a strange trend of massive felling of trees in past, till late 90’s.
There was a very unique and common trend in this strange state, where people allegedly would misuse the forest wood for their personal domestic use thus causing ecological imbalance, where a colossal volume of Deodhar trees, pine trees and other precious trees were in brazen violation stolen from forests by the forest mafias to make their hay day, thus by eating away the vitals of large economy and giving threat to the natural environment, too. Atmospheric warming with unstable climate is such an example, which a man is witnessing these days everywhere, especially in J&K, which was once upon a time considered to be the valuable treasure of gusty trees and dense forest…called heaven on earth!!
Social forestry department in its endeavour to achieve the desirable goals must devise out a strategy to go for the massive plantation drive in entire in J&K state through its length and breadth in a phased manner to avoid the sudden financial burden on the state/centre exchequer, if funds are constraints.
There is a rare and live example of Chandigarh, a city with beautiful town planning and the unique architectural plan, a city with perfect market system…neat and clean and well maintained roads and orderly parking system, a garbage processing plant at Dadu Majra, which at present processes 75 percent of garbage and the municipal authorities have further planned to opt for Copenhagen model (Denmark) of solid waste management system. But, if you go a long way back to late eighties, the city wore a deserted look with no trace of any green patch or trees in entire city.
Ever since, the city has become partly a green land area with thick and gusty trees all along the roadsides with lush green surroundings in and around the entire city. It can only be possible with determination and consistent efforts of the lawmakers.
Likewise, the concept of afforestation can be brought in to practice, only with will, determination and consistent efforts of lawmakers to further improve the environment by giving a strength to some extent by the idea of strong ecological balance & also a timely drive is required to be given to streamline the solid waste management system and biodegradable management technology, power energy to be produced by putting much focus on solar light/power techniques, introducing degradable cycle system by keeping rivers, brooks , canals and small tributaries clean , And also by burning the daily domestic waste from homes, hotels and restaurants by the municipality waste management system.
Ministry of Environment and Forests has framed the Bio Medical Waste (Management and Handling) rules promulgated under the Environment Protection Act of 1986. The Rules now called the Bio Medical Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules 2011 wherein, it is made mandatory for all the Govt as well as private hospitals, including veterinary hospitals to have incineration, autoclaving, microwaving and shredding mechanism to treat the Bio-medical waste.
Ecological balance is a very wide subject and may perhaps fill all the pages of news paper for me to explain as to how bring it under control. However, few aforementioned measures suggested are key points to control it.
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