Annually, we celebrate World Nature Conservation Day on July 28. World Nature Conservation Day has an important significance in today's era of globalization and modernization. This day plays a vital role in creating awareness and take a moment to think about our nature to preserve and conserve. It is very important to safeguard the current and upcoming generations.
The balance in the natural beauty of the Earth can be established by conserving and preserving various components of nature. Famous conservationist Gifford Pincho said: “Conservation means the wise use of the Earth and its resources and for the lasting good of men.” In addition, World Nature Conservation Day underlines the need for preserving the environment for future generations.
We therefore need to leave a healthy planet for those coming after us to enjoy. The day acknowledges the fact that to live a stable and a healthy life, our nature has to be preserved. The main motive behind celebrating this day is to make people aware of their duties towards nature around them to conserve. It aims to conserve the environmental elements like animals and plants which are on the threat of extinction if not paid attention to.
The day is celebrated to teach and educate people about the best steps that we can take to protect the natural resources that human existence mostly is dependent on like water, plants, minerals, soil, etc. Due to overpopulation and human negligence, we started to over-exploit our resources.
The W W F’s Living Planet Report 2020 states that there has been an average of 68% drop down in the global wildlife population sizes of birds, amphibians, fish, mammals, and reptiles between 1970 and 2016. If this continues, there will be no resources left for our future generations. The resources are needed to conserve to support life by supporting ecological balance. We need to ensure that the future generations will be able to access the resources. The biodiversity preservation is also essential to ensure human race survival.
Human activities during the last century have had a devastating impact on natural vegetation and other resources. The pursuit for rapid industrialization and cutting down of forest cover to make space for the ever-growing population has caused climate change and other environmental issues.
As developed countries are producing tons of greenhouse gases, it is damaging nature very fast. But the developing or underdeveloped countries have to face the result of climate change first. It is an issue that isn’t targeted to any specific group of people; rather it will affect the whole of mankind.
As Bangladesh is surrounded by the Bay of Bengal in the southern part of the country, Bangladesh is at risk of being severely affected by the climate crisis. Research says that if the average temperature rises by 2 degrees Celsius, sea level will rise by a metre. It will forcecountless people living in coastal areas to leave their accommodation.
With the industrial revolution, millions of factories are set up and they are emitting chemicals that are very harmful to nature. Though the world leaders are discussing ways to reduce carbon emission, we should be aware of the upcoming danger. If we don’t take proper steps to prevent this, the world won’t be a place of living things anymore.
Relentless human overexploitation of resources has led to unusual weather patterns. Bangladesh is hardly recognizing its six seasons anymore. Extinction of species is happening on a massive scale worldwide. We should stop this before it’s too late.
Conservation means living in harmony, not stopping all the development. We need to understand that nature conservation and preservation can be possible along with developmental work. All we need to do is be responsible and do our duties to our nature and environment.
Only 12.5% of the landmass on Earth is dedicated to natural reserves. The natural world has suffered so much damage at the hands of human beings. Most of the resources are limited so we need to be very responsible and careful in terms of consuming.
As humans, we should take every major step to protect nature. Renewable resources are also known as flow resources -- those natural resources that do not run out because they get replaced naturally. These will help us to reduce pollution and will decrease the use of non-renewable natural resources. Abiotic natural resources use can be another way to conserve our nature. Some examples of abiotic resources are soil, water, minerals, sunlight, etc.
We have the Environmental Conservation Act (1995) and the Environmental Conservation Rules (1997) by providing for the establishment of environmental courts for the trial of offenses relating to environmental pollution. These acts and rules are not well practiced in our country. The conservation act ensures that we need to conserve and preserve our nature.
Natural Conservation Day is to emphasize the need for preserving nature. Leo Tolstoy said: “One of the first conditions of happiness is that the link between man and nature shall not be broken.” It's high time we take care of our home, our mother nature.
Professor Dr Ahmad Kamruzzaman Majumder is Dean, Faculty of Science and Chairman, Department of Environmental Science, Stamford University Bangladesh. He is Joint Secretary, Bangladesh Poribesh Andolon (BAPA) and Founder and Chairman, Center for Atmospheric Pollution Studies (CAPS). E-mail: [email protected]).
