Environmental degradation
It is a known fact to us that we all depend upon nature for food, clothing, and shelter. But surprisingly, we people are very less conscious and responsible about the protection and preservation of nature. Instead of it, we start deforestation for our benefit and excavate and extract natural wealth regularly to fulfil our desire. Due to the unlimited exploitation of natural wealth by humans, pollution increases rapidly, and changes in climate and the environment occur globally. Similarly, scarcity of water also affects the normal lives of people in many towns and cities. Researchers say that in 2050, about 500 million people around the world will face the problem of finding fresh drinking water.
In a recent study, ‘Drift of Earth’s Pole Confirms Groundwater Depletion as a Significant Contributor to Global Sea Level Rise 1993–2010,’ carried out by Ki-Weon Seo, Taewhoan Jeon, Jae-Seung Kim, Kookhyoun Youm of the Seoul National University, Dongryeol Ryu of the University of Melbourne, Jooyoung Eom of the Kyungpook National University, Jianli Chen of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University, and Clark R. Wilson of the University of Texas, it is clearly mentioned that the excessive extraction of groundwater by humans for drinking, irrigation, and for other activities has shifted the Earth’s axis of rotation.
The study reveals that humans pumped out around 2,150 gigatons of groundwater between 1993 and 2010, during which the earth’s axis drifted at 4.36 cm per year towards the east, and this activity has also become one of the main factors in global sea level rise. No doubt, such works of human beings are really a cause for concern and threaten our mother earth. Therefore, we people should be more conscious and responsible to protect nature, stop the habit of wasting water, and try to save our mother earth through eco-friendly work for a better and more secure future.
Rupak G. Duarah,
Rajahnagar, Guwahati
Troubling potholes
While several road safety measures and awareness campaigns have been carried out from time to time, the so-called smaller things in this respect often tend to be overlooked. Therefore, through your esteemed daily, I would like to draw attention to the tiny potholes in the middle of the roads in the city that cause much inconvenience for a safe ride. Particularly on rainy days, it is quite difficult to catch sight of these overflowing potholes while driving. Even so, it often becomes the reason for colliding with other vehicles coming from the opposite direction, or rather from the backside, while one makes a move to evade the potholes. It has become a serious concern for anyone driving regularly in the city. Therefore, I implore the authorities concerned to pay attention to the matter and take effective measures before it becomes a serious threat to road security.
Neel Kashyap,
Guwahati.
Manipur violence is still going on
It is really painful to know that again, five lives have been lost in Manipur in a fresh flare-up of violence. It’s not known how, despite the large number of paramilitary forces, such violence could erupt. We appeal to the state government to take strong measures to stop further violence. We have lost precious lives in Manipur and made homeless thousands of people. We appeal to all to maintain peace so that there cannot be any more bloodshed.
Subhash Chandra Biswas,
Guwahati.