Jagmohann Sharma
Coinciding with the international Day for Biodiversity that is celebrated every year on 22nd May, I am enjoying this vividness nowadays to the optimum. Hives of wasps in the bathroom and storage area, four new born abandoned kittens in the backyard with no whereabouts of the mother cat for last six days or so, as well as two to three varieties of sparrows in the nests that we have put at different places around our house. Apart from this two baby snakes have already made a special appearance twice during the past

International Day for Bio-Diversity

fortnight. My mom has strictly instructed everyone in the household not to harm the snakes as they never intend to bite, they do so only in self-defence. Similarly what to say about the numerous colourful sparrows, crows, doves, bulbuls and squirrels, who just appear anytime to quench their thirst or have a pick of grains spread routinely for them courtesy my mom. My younger son Akhil has started following his grandma in these chores; cleaning and filling water bowls and keeping requisite quantity of grains on the pillars of the main gate whereas my elder son Nikhil is wholeheartedly devoted to taking care of plants grown all around the house and on the rooftop as well. Maintenance of both flora and fauna has made the surrounding blissful par excellence.Looking at the birds feeding on the spread provides a soothing feeling and at the same time an example of harmony with nature, which unfortunately has started fading away among humans.So these days I am fully enjoying the divine bliss of bio diversity all around with a feeling as if I have got everything in life. Don’t consider it merely an imaginary feel or myself being an insane giving so much importance to these plants and animals which are not new or extraordinary objects. Believe me finding myself in such an environment makes me feel so lucky to have all these around and I thank the Almighty to have blessed our planet with such natural diversity. I don’t claim to be the only lucky one to have all this around me but cherishing it from the core of the heart gives me a very soothing and a proud feeling. Today is the International Day for Bio-Diversity…, yes the Biological vividness that means the existence of a number of different kinds of animals and plants which together make a good and healthy environment. Mother earth is the home for various species and a place where they can coexist. The term biodiversity is a combination of two words – biological and diversity that means diverse living organisms simultaneously sustain themselves in an ecosystem. The ecosystem encompasses various communities of creatures, including forests, coral reefs, wildlife, microbes, etc. A surprising number of 8.7 million species inhabit the planet earth.The existence of biodiversity is an essential element of the planet earth. Every organism is interdependent and interconnected with one another. Everything on this planet is in an intricate web. But at the same time
it is very unfortunate that majority among us have no realisation that how important this bio- diversity is for human beings as well as sustenance of life on earth.Human’s exploitation of the resources is threatening the ecological balance of biodiversity that ultimately is a grave threat to life on earth.
On this International Day for Bio-Diversity, let us try to ponder upon some facts about the importance of bio diversity on this planet. Long back I read the statement of some nature lover and a conservation researcher explaining the importance of bio diversity. He emphasised that species are to ecosystems what rivets are to an airplanes wings. Losing some might not be a disaster, but each loss adds to the likelihood of a serious emerging problem. Same is the case with our flora and fauna. They are not being properly taken care of and coupled with our apathetic attitude and a greedy outlook, many species of plants, as well as animals are at the verge of extinction.
Whether in a remote village or a sprawling metropolis like Mumbai Delhi or Kolkata or anywhere else in the world, humans depend on the services ecosystems provide, such as fresh water, pollination, soil fertility and stability, as well as food and medicine. Ecosystems weakened by the loss of bio-diversity are less likely to deliver those services, especially given the needs of an ever-growing human population.
If we talk about human health, there is a close link between disease outbreaks and the degradation of nature. According to a research report 70% of emerging viral diseases have spread from animals to humans. As the global wildlife trade continues and development projects expand deeper into tropical forests, humans are increasing their exposure to wild animals and also to the diseases they may carry. For example, the COVID-19 pandemic can likely be attributed to a wild animal and fish market in Wuhan, China.
Biodiversity and climate change are also very closely inter-related.
The destruction of forest ecosystems is responsible for 11% of all global greenhouse gas emissions caused by humans. So conserving forests would stop the release of these gases into the atmosphere. Trees and plants also store carbon in their tissue, making it even more necessary to protect them.
Forests and wetland ecosystems provide crucial buffers to extreme storms and flooding related to climate change. These ecosystems are complex, which means they function best, and are more resilient to the effects of climate change, when all the pieces of the ecosystem are in place – meaning the biodiversity is intact.
Biodiversity also assures ecological stability. Every species has a specific role in an ecosystem. They capture and store energy and also produce and decompose organic matter. The ecosystem supports the services without which humans cannot survive. A diverse ecosystem is more productive and can withstand environmental stress. Diversity and biological balance may influence the functioning and stability of ecological systems. Scientists generally agree that as the number of species in any particular type of ecological system declines, that system can potentially lose its resilience (i.e., its ability to rebound after it has been stressed)
Natural ecosystems provide the foundations for economic growth, human health and prosperity. Our fate as a species is deeply connected to the fate of our natural environment.
As ecosystems are increasingly threatened by human activity, acknowledging the benefits of biodiversity is the first step in ensuring that we look after it
Let’s all pledge today and understand the alarming situation and need of the hour to conserve biodiversity, protect every single unit in flora and fauna, take various counter measures to stop the endangering of species, decrease pollution from vehicles and factories, so that not only animals get fresh air to breathe but also we could decrease global warming which is the major cause of the extinction of the species . We the humans are selfish by nature and we have proved this by our so called development activities that actually are big leaps towards destruction of life on earth. I won’t preach anybody not to be selfish but surely advise not to be an insane fool. It is my humble request…please just realise one thing.. Threat to Bio-Diversity is a threat to life on earth and this life includes we selfish humans also.

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