What is the legacy we are leaving for our children? Should a river be contained within channels? Is it Okay to build big dams? Interfering in natural order of the things in the name of development? Or chasing some mirage of development.
Can't we teach them to co-exist with nature, respect her, know her, feel proud of her, rather than always trying to fight and subjugate her.
Contrast these two documentaries. One where nature is celebrated with a view and a promise to keep it as it is for generations, versus India where there is always a race to mummify nature, milk natural resources to the hilt and complain how unfair the world is to us. It's not the world, it's our own thought process where a certain form of Selfie mentality has taken center stage with vested interests always trying to take advantage.
India's richness and diversity
India, a country whose rich history and heritage is world known and is often claimed to be the most culturally rooted country in the world. Country rich in diverse Flora and fauna , diverse in vegetation and agriculture, diverse in geographic landscapes and many more; is often taken for granted. We are so engrossed in looking ahead; constantly beautifying our surroundings that we neglect what gift is given to us. Land of Himalayas , holy river Ganga, base ground to several religions and cultures tied together, several languages spoken and understood; land of India has manifolds from Jammu and Kashmir to Kanyakumaari and from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat.
How have we ignored our country's natural assets?
Sometimes above mentioned claims appear bogus as the keepers of this country often mistreat and devalue our natural treasures. But we don't realize what we have unless it is gone. India, which is a developing country, is under a transitional shift and is experiencing an all-round change. With new cities building up, new roads and other facilities coming, we have made way for them through our environment. We have cut umpteen vegetation, have destroyed natural resources, filled natural ponds, polluted the fresh air, have destroyed and suffocated the rivers, encroached flood plains are few among many others.
We never gave enough respect and understanding to our natural resources and surroundings.
How have other countries valued their natural assets?
Countries in west like America or countries in Europe have succeeded by leaps and bounds but not on the cost of their environment. We often criticize their ethics as we pretend chauvinist but the truth is that they have valued their natural assets more than we did. They have always conserved and protected what was given them naturally. They teach their younger generation to go near the mother nature. They know that these resources belong to all. This treasure is to be shared with all. This is not in the hands of few.
How much do we value the importance of environment in contrast to developed countries?
Whereas In India we don't inculcate such culture. We don't teach its importance in our lives as we ourselves don't care. We teach encroachment over ponds, artificial make up of rivers, cut trees to build structures without considering its harmful consequences that our upcoming generations may face in years to come. Our ancestors were not fools. They could foresee what may come in times of adversity. That is the reason why they emphasized on their conservation and built ponds near temples, and in the village . They were their methods of rain water harvesting .They associated conservatory methods with religious activities because they knew people would fear God and without understanding the reason would perform rituals to conserve nature.
It is time to comprehend than it gets too late
It is time that we learn the basics of growth and development from developed countries. It is time that we realize the importance and treasure what is a natural asset to our community and understand their value in our lives. Doing the development like
Gomti River front Project, which shines from outside but has several hidden and less known facades. Once this asset in gone, it cannot be traded with anything in the world. And it is equally important to inculcate these values in our newer generation and learn from countries which may can be ahead of us but have less than we possess.
What are we looking for?
Based on empirical evidences and experiences in recent past we are looking at a water catastrophe in India. The country faces drought or deluge, millions moving out of agriculture and then into urban systems without any transition or training. This will not only give to loss of life and land but can be a reason of major unrest in India.
At this point of time we are aiming to build a strong representation to protect water and natural systems at the local level. We want policy interventions and strong implementation at states level to keep natural resources untouched and free to take their own form for generations to come.
If you are someone who knows about local water systems in your community and want to actually work on making them better, send the details on coordinators@ballotboxindia.com
If you know someone who can make a difference, make an introduction with this effort, you can also write to coordinators@ballotboxindia.com, or fill "Contact a coordinator" form by clicking the buttons on this page.
If you have a few hours to work in your community for common good, let us know and join as a coordinator.
Would my efforts be funded? Yes if you have some time, skill and aptitude to make a difference
ballotboxindia.com is the right platform. Get in touch with coordinators@ballotboxindia.com with your details.
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By
Rakesh Prasad 152
While the world celebrates nature, what is India doing? Encroaching over rivers, ponds, watershed, forest lands...
"I believe in God and I see it in the form of nature": Frank Wright Loyd
What is the legacy we are leaving for our children? Should a river be contained within channels? Is it Okay to build big dams? Interfering in natural order of the things in the name of development? Or chasing some mirage of development.
Can't we teach them to co-exist with nature, respect her, know her, feel proud of her, rather than always trying to fight and subjugate her.
Contrast these two documentaries. One where nature is celebrated with a view and a promise to keep it as it is for generations, versus India where there is always a race to mummify nature, milk natural resources to the hilt and complain how unfair the world is to us. It's not the world, it's our own thought process where a certain form of Selfie mentality has taken center stage with vested interests always trying to take advantage.
National Parks Adventure promoted in USA.