The Coronavirus pandemic has created widespread death and hardship all over the world. . Due to the universal lockdown as a measure to control the spread of COVID-19, the world has come to a standstill, impacting economies and creating panic. With such a grim picture, some others, however, choose to view it as a silver lining beyond the morbidity. COVID-19 has also brought some lessons and hopes for mankind.
COVID-19 and Nature
Human beings are currently face-to-face with one of the most deadly virus that is fast spreading and is taking life every minute. The novel coronavirus that causes the disease COVID-19 What was once thought to be a mere virus, which originated from Wuhan province in China has now reached such a soaring height that has called for an instant global emergency. The pandemic has compelled leaders of various countries to take strict and immediate steps to combat the virus from causing any more damage to the country’s economy and its population.
The Prime Minister of India, Narendra Modi took an early step to fight the Coronavirus by issuing the decision of 21 days lockdown right after the Janata curfew. The decision of the lockdown came as a huge breaking news to the people of India, particularly non-governmental employees, the labourers in factories that are to be shut down, street vendors, employees in a restaurant, cab drivers and even. The lock-down led to huge economic loss even as business closes and precautionary measures of social distancing come into place.
But on a brighter note, the reduction of vehicular movements which is a major contributor to air pollution, the shutdown of factories and industries which produces massive waste and pollutes the environment are a welcome step. While there is a huge loss on one side, nature, on the other hand, seems to be benefiting a lot. The present lock-down has become a breather for nature.
One could say that nature is healing or rejuvenating itself from cleaner air, blue skies to even animals having a sense of freedom with no limit in the boundary that it can move.
In India, the data from the central pollution control board showed a 71% decrease in nitrogen dioxide levels in big cities including Mumbai, Chennai, Kolkata and Bengaluru. It is not only India that is seeing positive changes taking place but all the other countries too as according to an analysis carried out for the climate website carbon brief, China where the COVID-19 pandemic originated, the carbon emissions fell by around 25% within four week at the beginning of this year as authorities imposed lock down. A study carried out by the Columbia University has shown that both carbon monoxide and carbon dioxide emissions have fallen by 50% and 10% respectively in the city of New York, which happens to be the epicenter of the pandemic in the United States. Nature seemed to have found a space of its own proving that nature can revive itself without human activities. The challenge is for human beings to learn that after the lock down to pursue a path of sustainability in their use of natural resources. Conservation should be our priority and ultimate goal, if we want to maintain the positive change to be taking place as of the present moment.
From clearer water in Venice, blue skies in Beijing to the people in the northern Indian state of Punjab reacting with awe at the sight of the Himalayan mountain range, which is now visible from more than 100 miles away due to the reduction in air pollution. The decrease in pollution was a result of the worldwide lock down. For the first time in thirty years Ganga in India, reported to be one of the most polluted rivers in the world, is rapidly cleansing itself. The earth is greatly benefited by the present lock-down.
Our solution for improving the earth’s condition before the lockdown and the virus usually involved planting of trees, recycling of waste, sustainability in the usage of every resource whether it be the forest, food, minerals or others at the midst of the fast modernization that took place. The present lock-down has shown that nature has its own way of reviving itself but for the destructive human activities.
We are potentially looking towards not only winning the fight against the coronavirus with the world working hand-in-hand in support of each other but also double victory awaits as our mother earth is coming back to its shape. The only barrier for us would be if we are not responsible enough to follow that which is being directed in order to prevent what is yet to come.
A message seems to be carried out that protection of natural resources is 100% necessary given the fact that the cure of every disease is found within nature. Though we might win the battle against the present coronavirus, if our earth is being depleted, there is a certainty that in the future if such a virus ever happens to break out, the world would lose a source to find the cure and fight it.
Degree of Thought is a weekly community column initiated by Tetso College in partnership with The Morung Express. Degree of Thought will delve into the social, cultural, political and educational issues around us. The views expressed here do not reflect the opinion of the institution. Tetso College is a NAAC Accredited UGC recognised Commerce and Arts College. The editors are Dr Hewasa Lorin, Dr. Aniruddha Babar, Dr. Pfokrelo Kapesa, Rinsit B Sareo, Meren Lemtur and Kvulo Lorin.
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