Look deep into nature, and then you will understand everything better (Albert Einstein)
It is not an easy task to describe Biodiversity, Biological Diversity provides a guideline for understanding this theory. In simple words we can say biodiversity is life. Oxygen is very important for human beings. Without oxygen human beings cannot survive in the same way the basic elements of everything we eat or grow from the ground in the same way water, wind, clouds, rain, rivers, seas all the forms of the universe reach us after going through a certain process. Biodiversity plays a key role in maintaining this particular process. Rare species of animals and plants, their natural environment and geographical location are under serious threat due to natural and anthropogenic processes. These creatures play an important role in keeping the system of the planet in a certain order and if it is destroyed , the system of the planet will also be severely affected. “Every path of my Kashmir is hospitable even in pathway pieces of stones gave me water” Every year International World Biodiversity Day was celebrated on 22 June 2021 to create an awareness regarding biodiversity matters this year the theme of biodiversity is under the slogan “we’re part of the solution the slogan was chosen to be a continuation of the momentum generated last year under the overarching theme “Our solutions are in nature” The purpose of the celebration is to raise awareness of biodiversity conservation and to emphasize the need for significant steps to achieve this goal. Climate change poses a major challenge to biodiversity as it changes the natural environment so rapidly. Influenced by the fact that many animals and plants are not adapt quickly to new conditions. Allah Almighty has blessed the land of Kashmir with charming soothing and beautiful landscapes, the weather here, the streams, the waterfalls, the mountains, the culture, the hospitality of the place is unparalleled, so the poets, Writers, intellectuals have endowed Kashmir with the titles of Paradise, Allah Almighty created man with consciousness and the distinction between good and evil is inspired in man, although we can say that man should be aware that it’s the individual responsibility of every conscious human being to protect and appreciate the survival of the beautiful worldly scenes that Allah (swt) has blessed him with ,and if any class or individual tries to harm this beauty, it is also our collective and individual responsibility to stop it. The influx of wild animals towards human settlements and then loss of human lives is in fact the result of our own carelessness, if we upset the balance of the environment it’s not surprising that such incidents occur in future too. We have a clear example of the city of world famous Dal Lake, if in the early stages. The cleanliness of Dal Lake had been taken care of that the government would not have /had to spend crores of rupees every year on its survival and that money would have been used for the development of other natural resources of Kashmir.
The same is the case with Wular Lake, Manasbal Lake and many famous lakes. Environmentalists have revealed that 75% of Dal Lake has been destroyed. LAWDA, an organization set up to restore the splendor of Dal and other lakes, has failed at every level and the aquatic life of Dal Lake has been severely affected. My hometown is located on the banks of the river Jhelum. I have heard from my father that until about 40 years ago, the water of the river of Jhelum used for drinking without any filtration, but today we avoid using tap water without a filter. Same we have done with our forest life, wildlife and other natural resources, According to the poet The house caught fire with its own lamp. We have hit the axe on our own feet with our own hand if we still do not take concrete steps every sector of our economy affected including Tourism which plays an important role in the economy of Kashmir A month ago, the Govt has issued a new advisory according to which Chief Secretary directed the Forest Department which is the nodal department for preparation of digital inventory, documentation and development of geo-spatial database on wetlands; to profile various wetlands of Jammu and Kashmir and subsequently recommend their notification under the Environment Protection Act, 1986 and Wetland (Conversation & Management) Rules, 2017. There are a total number of 3754 water bodies in Jammu and Kashmir which are being regulated by different departments and agencies including Forest, Wildlife, Soil & Water Conservation, and local government bodies Directions were issued to bring Wular Lake, Dal Lake, Nigeen, Sanasar, Manasbal lakes and Purmandal under protection and conservation as Protected Wetlands.
It is hoped that the department will now work hard to disprove the centuries-old tradition of new bottles with old wine. It’s time to give back. Nature needs Nurture.
( The author is working as Sr Edp head at DD Target PMT Parraypora Srinagar. Views are his own)
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