If all the Biodiversity on this planet was to be wiped out, Human life would last for just three minutes! A powerful statement, but did a shred of doubt cross your mind? Do you feel this statement is over-rated? Think again.
When the esteemed Mr. Ashish Kothari from Kalpavriksh, Pune came to give us a discourse on Biodiversity, it certainly proved an eye-opener for all of us. The basics, interesting facts, stories of hope and stories of despair were all rolled into one into those tow hours. The fundamental question of what Bio-diversity is was taught to us. The simple classification of:
Species
Ecosystems and,
Genetic Diversity
- Would make everything from the air we breathe to marine algae (which is incidentally the atmosphere’s key source of Oxygen) to the Tiger –all a part of bio-diversity. We learnt of how diverse and rich our own country was – with 10 biogeographic zones to over a 1000 species of Mango!
Reasons to protect the Earth’s biodiversity was then enumerated on various grounds- ethical, economic and aesthetic. Why does the loss of biodiversity continue to elude us was next explained which was followed by the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
After having realised that we all came from different backgrounds, he connected the topic to each of the various disciplines we follow e.g. The Convention on Bio-diversity for me or the Eco – budgeting for all our Third year Economic Major students. This definitely ignited our interests every time one of us felt our thoughts drift!
All of us unanimously agreed that the most interesting aspect to Mr. Kothari’s lecture was the fact that his hard-hitting facts were coupled by very interesting and encouraging stories of how communities have taken upon themselves to protect their environment. This made each of us think positive but more importantly, set us thinking and realizing that a simple change in strategy, a good plan and a strong will could work wonders for our planet’s health.
We understood that Man was part of this huge cycle of life that surrounds us, we alone are responsible for Nature’s fury and that as the youth and future, it is our survival at stake if man’s unsustainable actions continue.
By – Chiteisri Devi
When the esteemed Mr. Ashish Kothari from Kalpavriksh, Pune came to give us a discourse on Biodiversity, it certainly proved an eye-opener for all of us. The basics, interesting facts, stories of hope and stories of despair were all rolled into one into those tow hours. The fundamental question of what Bio-diversity is was taught to us. The simple classification of:
Species
Ecosystems and,
Genetic Diversity
- Would make everything from the air we breathe to marine algae (which is incidentally the atmosphere’s key source of Oxygen) to the Tiger –all a part of bio-diversity. We learnt of how diverse and rich our own country was – with 10 biogeographic zones to over a 1000 species of Mango!
Reasons to protect the Earth’s biodiversity was then enumerated on various grounds- ethical, economic and aesthetic. Why does the loss of biodiversity continue to elude us was next explained which was followed by the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan.
After having realised that we all came from different backgrounds, he connected the topic to each of the various disciplines we follow e.g. The Convention on Bio-diversity for me or the Eco – budgeting for all our Third year Economic Major students. This definitely ignited our interests every time one of us felt our thoughts drift!
All of us unanimously agreed that the most interesting aspect to Mr. Kothari’s lecture was the fact that his hard-hitting facts were coupled by very interesting and encouraging stories of how communities have taken upon themselves to protect their environment. This made each of us think positive but more importantly, set us thinking and realizing that a simple change in strategy, a good plan and a strong will could work wonders for our planet’s health.
We understood that Man was part of this huge cycle of life that surrounds us, we alone are responsible for Nature’s fury and that as the youth and future, it is our survival at stake if man’s unsustainable actions continue.
By – Chiteisri Devi
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