Biodiversity Conservation: A Need of the Hour

Ever if any alien happens to visit us, the most astonishing and bewildering thing would be the extraordinary biodiversity we exhibit here. Not only for them but even for us humans, who claim to be the most intelligent and civilized creation residing on earth, also find it difficult to believe that there are more than 20,000 species of ants and 3,00,000 species of fish alone. This is an outcome of the remarkable biodiversity we possess.

Technically, biodiversity is the occurrence of different types of ecosystems, various species of organisms, and their variants adapted to different climates, environments, and their interaction and processes. However, what does it matter to us if a tree frog is extinct or if there are 15000 species of ants instead of 20,000? How is their existence or non-existence make any difference to our lives? However, abundant diversity is essential not only for the ecosystem but also for the very survival of the human race itself. We must admit and propagate the meager fact that species diversity provides stability to the ecosystem.

The famous rivet popper hypothesis makes it simple to absorb the point. It assumes an airplane as an ecosystem and all the species as its rivets. Now, if every passenger traveling pops a hook and takes it away, equivalent to the extinction of species one by one, it won't affect flight safety. However, the plane will be vulnerable and dangerously fragile as the process continues. This indicates that our co-species' extinction may not pose any threat, but in the long run, it is hazardous.

However, now many of us are ready and willing to support the flora and fauna of the earth for a better tomorrow which certainly needs much effort from our side. Many countries are declaring their national birds and animals, which gives them automatic protection from being hunted or poached. Besides, many other animals are listed by the IUCN (INTERNATIONAL UNION FOR CONSERVATION OF NATURE) as "Vulnerable" and red list to force an immediate law that inhibits anyone from harming them. An increasing number of wildlife sanctuaries and national parks is a sign of hope.

Moreover, on our level, we must respect the idea of sharing our mother earth with all its children, including those innocent animals. Another materialistic reason to save plants which also constitute the biotic factor of the environment, is that they are considered "green gold" They not only maintain the purity of air but are also used in almost every other industry we come across. The medicines we take are an example of their extraction. They are the producers of the food cycle and so a significant source of energy. Moreover, it is only human to protect them for our needs.

We must realize that nature is a legacy passed on from generation to generation, and we cannot snatch it from our progeny, which is our moral right and duty.

By Nirodha