Today, environmental conservation is a global issue with rapid depletion of the biodiversity and ecosystem. This has been ranked as top risks impacting the planet, according to the World Economic Forum. The current state of environmental predicament is mainly due to the deforestation, exploitation of natural resources and multiple other factors that were prioritised for economic growth. It is imperative that every individual takes the responsibility to contribute towards sustainable development which can mitigate threats and control the accelerating climate change. Some of the key drivers of this change are protection, management, preservation and restoration of natural environments.
World Earth Day: Saving Earth Today
The environment is the foundation of ensuring sustainable human development - resulting in the development of basic human rights such as health, food, water, and sanitation. To maintain this, Governments must plan for economic and social progress considering environmental protection as a priority factor in the decision-making process. Ecological conservation focuses on responsible use and management of the natural world and its resources such as water, soil and wildlife.
Even today efforts are being made by Governments, Corporate Trusts and Communities to tackle the ecological crisis, which assures further degradation of the natural resources. An example of impactful intervention is that of Srinivasan Services Trust (SST), the social arm of TVS Motor Company. The Trust actively works with individuals in rural areas of India to implement measures focusing on conserving the environment, such as:
Afforestation:
Afforestation can repair the adverse impacts of deforestation. SST has been instrumental in creating a greener environment through plantation activities that has benefitted many individuals across villages in Tamil Nadu. With SST’s guidance, a farmer from Tiruvannamalai was able to transform four acres of uncultivated land with 1,000 teak saplings, each growing up to 10 to 15 feet tall. Further, two lakh seedlings were planted in the farm land and 1,400 farmers were benefitted. This created a green cover for over 1,400 acres in Javadhu village.
Another example is that of Navathirupathi, a region that faces humid and dry temperatures, hindering cultivation for farmers thus affecting their livelihood. In 2020, SST with the support from the local Panchayat, MGNREGA workers, SST’s Self-Help Groups (SHG) and farmer members were able to plant around 5,332 saplings (coconut, neem, lemon, sapota, mango, guava, etc.) in 68 different villages to promote environmental prosperity. Similarly, in Alwarthirunagari Village of Thoothukudi district, community development activities were promoted in 352 villages. This included planting of 2,250 saplings (pungan, neem, peepal and badam) in 61 villages. Over 5.95 lakh trees were planted in 5,800 hectares. This initiative also helped educate Panchayat administration on protection and care of the saplings.
Effective Waste Management:
Solid and liquid waste management can be a difficult challenge in the journey of conservation. For example, stagnant sewage water can result in the spread of viral infections and equally make the environment unhealthy. SST’s aim is to ensure effective disposal of both solid and liquid waste to make villages clean and hygienic. Notably in the Nilgiri district with the support of United Nilgiris Conservation Society and United Nilgiris Tea Estate, the Trust was able to help create waste disposal systems and soak pits to avoid water stagnation. They also designed common drainage channels, provided knowledge on using kitchen and other waste to effectively grow vegetables and placed dust bins on streets to dump solid wastes.
Water Conservation:
Adding to its focus on sustenance of the environment, SST has contributed in desilting of tanks working closely with Government authorities in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra. A total of 325 tanks, including minor irrigation tanks and lakes in Tamil Nadu and Maharashtra have been desilted, which has resulted in additional water storage capacity of 49.99 Mcft. They also de-clogged all the supply channels for the free flow of water in various towns and villages of the state, which helped farmers to improve the fertility of the soil. The initiative brought about significant improvement in the ground water level. As a result, the land will no longer remain dry. In the region, dried-up grass pastures have turned green, making grazing of cattle possible and reducing the quantity of fodder that would have been required to feed the cattle.
Beyond Governments and Corporates, action for the environment must be a global effort. It is only with strategic collaboration that we can create new opportunities for change. The responsible use of natural resources along with the protection of our biodiversity and water ecosystems will help slow the deterioration of the environment. Countries must align themselves with the UN's global goal of environmental action and adopt critical measures to achieve a world that is more respectful of the environment by 2030.
About Author:
Mr. Swaran Singh, IAS (R), is the Chairman of the Srinivasan Services Trust (SST).