“Earth provides enough to satisfy every man’s needs, but not every man’s greed.” – Mahatma Gandhi
The major goal of each year's World Nature Conservation Day on July 28 is to promote
awareness about the necessity of conserving natural resources and to help people realize the
value of ‘conservation of nature’.
This day recognizes that a healthy environment is the bedrock of a stable and prosperous society.
World Nature Conservation Day also assures the safety of current and future generations thereby
urging people to conserve and safeguard our Earth's natural resources, which are rapidly
diminishing due to over-exploitation and even misuse, as well as reminding us to live
sustainably.
Each and every one of us comes into contact with nature from the moment we are born. Our
planet Earth has only a limited amount of resources left and hence the conservation of these
resources is critical to the preservation of our Earth's natural environment. The preservation of
different components of nature - water, air, soil, energy, flora, minerals, fauna, and so on – can
help to restore the earth's natural beauty.
Nature’s conservation is essential, and experts have warned us about its upcoming catastrophic
extinction. Natural resources bind us all together and the natural world is under threat from
unsustainable activities, and our task is to figure out how to protect and conserve nature to
achieve sustainable development.
What are some of the sustainable practices that we can adopt to conserve nature?
Conservation entails making good use of the earth's resources. It all begins at home.
The first and most important measure would be water conservation. Avoiding wastage of water,
avoid tossing trash into our rivers, setting up wastewater treatment systems, practicing rainwater
harvesting, circulating used water for gardening, etc., are some of the basic steps that we can
adopt to ensure adopting sustainable practices.
Deforestation has several consequences on natural ecosystems and poses major challenges to the
planet's resilience. Say NO to cutting down of trees and make people aware of the dangerous
results of deforestation. Attempting to reforest the region that has been deforested and
encouraging planting of trees to prevent soil erosion and to enhance greenery can make a
substantial improvement to our nature’s well being.
A competent waste management system that adheres to the motto of Reduce, Reuse, Recover
and Recycle does far more than we might think, in terms of environmental conservation. It aids
in avoiding trash from ending up in landfills and waterways. Furthermore using organic compost,
utilizing reusable and biodegradable items can help us to conserve nature. We must RECYCLE
whenever and wherever we can.
Sustainable commuting is yet another step that we can adopt that will benefit our environment.
Walking and cycling are both good for our health and the environment. Carpooling to your
workplace also reduces pollutants and is also less expensive.
Energy and money can be saved by reducing electricity consumption. Very simple habits like
turning off electrical equipment when they are not in use or when we leave the room, using of
solar powered appliances can help to achieve our goal of nature conservation.
Saving trees involves reducing the amount of paper consumed. In today’s digital era, the
gadgets we use to assist us in taking notes, eliminating the need for print-outs. With the new
normal, many of us have realized that more resources can always be saved.
By limiting the usage of plastics, particularly single-use plastics, that end up in our oceans and
other water-bodies which harm marine life, we can save our fellow species. There are numerous
ways by which we can shift to a plastic free lifestyle, which include using of scrap paper
envelopes or cloth bags instead of plastic envelopes. According to one research, the use of
single-use plastic has increased during the coronavirus epidemic. Face masks and latex gloves
wash up on beaches daily. Takeaway food containers and online delivery packaging are piling up
in unprecedented numbers in landfills across the world. We are responsible for our own actions.
Another pressing priority is to reduce noise pollution and utilize practices that are beneficial to
the environment, such as organic manure and reduced usage of canned foods. Encourage the
development of climate-friendly technology. People should be made aware of the need of
conserving nature, the environment, and energy.
A healthy environment is a foundation upon which a stable and productive society is built.
Sustainable practices safeguard the well-being of present and future generations. As responsible
citizens, we must all practice sustainable living and make subtle changes in our everyday lives,
to avoid further depletion of our natural resources. The main objective is to live and promote
conscious, mindful living. We can all play a role in building a sustainable future.
Let us rally together and make an effort to contribute to the conservation of nature. It will benefit
not only our generation but also our future generations. After all, as Dalai Lama stated,
Conservation is more than just a moral issue; it is a matter of survival.