World Environment Day: Relevance, Needs & Deeds

Debojit Bharali

(dbharali83@gmail.com)

As expected, there is no change in the celebration of this day of June 5, the 'World Environment Day' as designated by the United Nations in view of the awareness and cooperation of the people on environmental conservation, environmental pollution, population growth etc. Every year this day comes to us and leaves again through various thoughts, plans, resolutions and activities and this tradition will continue today also. But the question is, has nature really benefited from this special day in terms of environmental conservation?

We are proud to be the cause of the rise of human civilization and have forgotten that mankind is also a part of nature and most of us are just so-called nature lovers, leaving the responsibility of nature conservation in the hands of the government and we seem to be ignoring the fact that we have an equal responsibility to conserve the environment. Earth is the only planet in the eternal universe where life is possible where all the nutrients are stored in optimal quantities to sustain the fauna. It is because of that we are able to prove ourselves to be the best of creatures today, so shouldn't we be grateful to the earth, to those other elements of the earth? Surely we should realize this with all our hearts.

As every 'day' carries some significance, the 'World Environment Day' also carries the importance of environmental conservation and related aspects. Therefore, it would be more reasonable to feel the true purpose of this special day forever, rather than showing formal loyalty to the environment on one special day.

Currently, deforestation, air pollution, water pollution, noise pollution, smuggling of rare animals, illegal coal mining etc., in the name of development are all man-made problems which are deeply damaging the natural environment as well as causes drastic climate change. And we humans are directly and indirectly responsible for this.

For example, let us discuss the role or contribution of a rainforest in protecting the environment.

A rainforest is different from other ordinary forests. Rainforests are distinguished from other forests or forest areas by their physical structure, extent, biodiversity and vastness of flora. Rainforests are very diverse in their physical structure and therefore their ecosystems are amazing. Rainforests play an immense role in maintaining the balance of nature. It is worth noting that although rainforests cover only 6% of the Earth's surface geographically, their small extent is sufficient to provide the Earth with the nutrients it needs.

There is a constant humid atmosphere inside the rainforest, wet all year round and therefore have a high diversity of plants, trees, grasses and fauna. Its environment is extremely lively. On its structural conformation, rainforests are composed of stratified structures. This means that the different sizes of the different plants form a layer and this makes the biological process of the forest more refreshing. Rainforests are usually composed of four layers of vegetation, the top layer or emergent layer, the middle layer or canopy layer, the lower middle layer or understory layer and the ground/adjacent layer or herb layer. The top layer or emergent layer is formed by various tall plants or trees that are exposed to sunlight. The trees of this layer reach a height of 115—200 feet, these evergreen, broad-leaved trees cover an area of ??about 16 feet each. This means that this layer acts like a huge umbrella. The layer below this layer is the middle layer or canopy layer. Canopy means shade or skin. The trunk of this layer of plants is smooth and flat and reaches a height of 65—100 feet. This layer is also touched by the sun's rays. Therefore, these two layers of plants provide shade to the entire forest and maintain the moisture of the forest. The layer below the middle layer is the lower middle layer or understory layer, the level at which some immature and shrubby trees grow. These plants reach a height of about 20 feet. This layer is not touched by sunlight, this is because the top and middle plants prevent sunlight from penetrating. The last layer of the rainforest is the adjacent layer or herb layer. This layer is dark and is the main driving force of the entire rainforest ecosystem. It is because biological processes at each of these levels occur at this level. This means that the life process of plants and animals begins at this stage.

Where there is such a diverse composition of plants, there is certainly a diversity of fauna. Various insects, butterflies, reptiles, frogs, snakes, beetles etc. live in the ground level. Rainforests also play an important role in climate treatment due to their vegetation density and structured diversity. Rainfall is due to the lack of sunlight reaching the lower middle and ground levels, rainforests are in moist and dry conditions and the water stored in the plants due to rainfall cannot be converted into water vapour (due to lack of solar heat) and the water from the leaves of the entire plant falls continuously (throughout the year). Therefore, these forests are called "rainforests". It maintains the amount of water itself through rainfall. It helps to balance the amount of water in the forest ecosystem by controlling rainfall through biological processes. Such layered chains of plants provide the most favourable environment for the formation of all the necessary elements of life and therefore rainforests are always nourished for the great processes of life. This brief description will give at least a little insight into the needs of rainforests.

Therefore, it is unacceptable to ignore the diverse characteristics of such a rainforest and push it to the brink of destruction. It is condemnable that humans are destroying such vital parts of the ecosystem for their own petty interests. The great purpose of a special day like 'World Environment Day' can only be truly appreciated if everyone stands together to prevent the uncertainty that has come down on the forest like Dehing Patkai. The problem of the Dehing Patkai rainforest is just one example. There are many examples of extreme anarchy in the environment.

People have been destroying forests for their own selfish purposes for centuries. Smuggling - whether of rare animals, birds, reptiles or plants (timber smuggling), urbanization, population migration, extraction of minerals (oil, coal, etc.,) as well as illegal looting, industrialization, agricultural expansion etc., are being carried out without restraint and causing destruction of forests. Population and mechanical lifestyles are increasing pollution levels and polluting the climate. The air is poisonous for breathing. In addition, abnormally increased sunshine, abnormal rainfall, frequent climate change, floods, storms, various cyclones etc., are putting the entire ecosystem under threat. Many species have disappeared forever. In short, this man-made situation has not only destabilized the ecosystem, but also brought extreme uncertainty to mankind. So it would be nonsensical to expect to get another chance without girding our loins right now.

However, it would be a mistake to say that no one cares about nature conservation. Many nature-loving NGOs, environmentalists, voluntary organizations etc., have been speaking out at various levels in the field of environmental protection, and many have been successful. Many environmental organizations in Assam like Natures Beckon, Aranyak etc., are taking the lead in environmental conservation day and night. However, we are still lagging behind the scene. Increasing level of illegal destruction of forests, illegal coal mining, rhino killing etc., have not been resolved completely yet. Therefore, in my view, an event like 'World Environment Day' will remain useless until such problems are solved. No matter how many awareness programmes we undertake, no matter how many seminars we hold, this gap will continue to widen until the people realize the actual importance of environmental conservation

There is a need for a movement to protect nature. The time has come for everyone to get directly or indirectly involved in environmental protection without waiting for the government's handholding. It is also important to contribute to the protection of the natural environment by planting trees, afforestation, cleaning one's surroundings, environment friendly practices, using nature friendly materials, avoiding polythene etc. There is also a need to educate the new generation in an environmentally conscious manner to relate themselves with the raw virtues of nature and its necessity. Above all, the significance of 'World Environment Day' can be truly appreciated only if the thrill of love for nature is reflected in the minds of the people and their response to it.