“Something given FREE is not valued.”
I think that could be the reason why we do not care that much for the free oxygen that we are getting from Mother Nature every day. Going by this attitude, the day is not far when we have to purchase oxygen cylinders to survive on Earth.
Political awareness regarding environment conservation
Talking about political parties here and especially the ones in power, the issue of environment conservation comes at the bottom of their agenda. Electoral candidates campaign on all types of issues, ranging from corruption and black money to quota system, infrastructure, and basic health amenities. But what they tend to ignore in their election manifestos is the ways to maintain and increase the green cover in their constituency. In the West, there are many companies involved in conserving and preserving grown-up trees but there is no such practice in India.
Human activity has the greatest effect upon the environment. Though India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity regions of the world, it is very common here to find out a heap of garbage on the street corners. And one more thing that is present in abundance here is laws – both ancient and new.
Laws related to environment conservation
Article 48(A) of Part IV of the Indian constitution read: The S
tate shall endeavour to protect and improve the environment and to safeguard the forests and wildlife of the country. Article 51 A(g) imposed additional environmental mandates on the Indian state.
Apart from this constitutional provision, the Indian government had created the Ministry of Environment and Forests in 1985. This ministry is the central administrative organisation in India for regulating and ensuring environmental protection. The National Forest Commission, working under the guidelines of this ministry, also gives fellowships and awards to reward the efforts aimed towards environment conservation.
The Supreme Court of India has been pro-actively engaged in India’s environmental issues. In most countries, it is the executive and the legislative branches of the government that plan, implement and address environmental issues however, the Indian experience is different. The Supreme Court of India has been engaged in interpreting and introducing new changes in the environmental jurisprudence directly. The Court has laid down new principles to protect the environment, re-interpreted environmental laws, created new institutions and structures, and conferred additional powers on the existing ones through a series of directions and judgments.
Role of state governments and state-owned enterprises
Despite an abundance of regulations and regulatory bodies, it is sad to note that these regulations are mostly ignored by state-run enterprises. The state governments of India often regarded environmental laws enacted by the central government as a mere paperwork formality. And the result: Air emissions increased, water pollution worsened, and forest cover decreased.
What is the solution?
Mahatma Gandhi aptly said, “Be the change that you wish to see in the world.”
It’s high time that we should start taking responsibility of our surroundings rather than relying on government agencies. Rather than cribbing a person or a political party or cursing the political scenario, it’s time that we should all come forward and work together for our future generations.
We can all start as a group from our own locality and make earnest attempt to make it clean and green.
It’s time that we should also leave a legacy for our future generations just as we inherited this wealth of nature from our ancestors. It’s time to ponder what I can do for my locality, my nation rather than what can the government do for me.
Remember that “responsibility is not a burden, it’s a blessing” and “responsibility is taken NOT given.”
“ Its Your Life, Its Only ONE Life,
Its TIME to ACT, Its TIME to take ACTION,
Because it is WANTED!!”
May 24, 2014 @ 03:48:27
I wish India had an active green party, like in Germany. But the point it, sustainability is supposed to be inculcated in our culture. But since we are losing that culture quickly, we need external agencies to reinforce green aspects into our life, once again. You have a good blog.
Destination Infinity
May 25, 2014 @ 13:18:09
Thanks for your comments Rajesh. We all need to work together on this aspect otherwise the day is not far when we have to purchase oxygen to breathe…
Jul 28, 2014 @ 11:44:49
Rupesh I will agree of what you said.
Jun 03, 2015 @ 17:10:11
Wonderful post .Had every tree in a street, every rivulets of a river and every square foot area of soil would have a vote to be casted in elections you should not have pondered and pained to write this article. However these are realities of our political system which also reflects on the quality of people we elect and getting governed . Inspite of these odds lets make our efforts and continue.
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