CAN ENVIRONMENTAL CONSERVATION HELP YOUR NATION PROGRESS?

The question in consideration surely stimulates the reader’s grey cells to think out of the box. Whenever one contemplates about a nation’s progress, he/she attributes it to various factors, viz. education, infrastructure, health facilities etc. But hardly does anyone ever think that caring for your environment can actually go a long way in determining the fate of your country.

With the advent of the industrial revolution, the rate of consumption of natural resources saw a gigantic leap. The nations who had plenty of natural resources combined with requisite technical know-how, redefined the industrial map of the world. In the present day world, these lines become even more meaningful. Take for example the middle-east countries. Our nation is one of those who depend heavily on them to fulfil our oil needs. If people don’t care for the environment and continue wasting petrol and diesel carelessly, then that day is not far away when India will be completely dependent on these nations for its fuel requirements which could even lead to a financial crisis. So, next time you land up in a long traffic jam, please don’t keep your vehicle’s engine on.

A large part of a nation’s budget is spent on satisfying its energy needs. Our country is largely dependent on fossil fuels, which not only affect the environment adversely but also are being depleted rapidly. Reports say that most of these fuels would be over by 2040. Thus there is an urgent need to shift to greener renewable energy sources with a faster pace so as to make India energy efficient.

Apart from these issues, we also need to use our natural resources more wisely and sustainably. Gandhiji too understood the vitality of this and that’s why he said:

“There is enough for everyone’s need but not for everyone’s greed”

As responsible citizens, we need to ensure that we don’t pollute the environment around us by any of our activities. Our country spends so much money to mitigate the after effects of environmental degradation of rivers, air etc. in a span of ten years that the same amount could have helped to eradicate more than half of India’s poverty. But reading and spreading awareness alone does not serve the purpose. Words are and always will be the way to perdition. It does not matter that at what level we are trying to do good for environment. Even small efforts by each and everyone of us can bring a sea of change. Buy eco- friendly and energy efficient products. Try reducing or atleast minimising pollution in water, land and the air around you. If you don’t even care for the environment, atleast care for your nation. Care for the people who inhabit it and the people who will live here in the coming generations. Remember:

“WE HAVE NOT INHERITED THE EARTH FROM OUR FOREFATHERS,

BUT WE HAVE BORROWED IT FROM OUR COMING GENERATIONS”

By Ankit Vikrant