Urgent Need For Environmental Preservation

Urgent need for environmental Preservationtc "Urgent need for environmental Preservation"

‘Samudravasane Devi
Parvatha Sthana mandale
Vishnupatny Namasthubhyam
Padasparsam Kshamswame!

This is a prayer devoted to mother earth, seeking her pardon for committing the sin of treading upon her.  In our culture, we consider nature as mother of all living beings.  Right from the ancient times, our Rishis probed into Nature’s secrets and used them for the existence of man.  Many a poet made beautiful description about the bounties and splendours of Nature.

We should remember Mahakavi Devulapalli Krishna Sastry’s poem every moment “Shall I hide myself in this wood by becoming one with the leaf and the flower”.  Man is no better than a stone if he cannot love Nature.  It seems a certain scientist considered nature to be his mother. Another scientist thought Nature to be his wife and remained a bachelor through out his life.  

The universe is like a veritable garden school.  The creepers, plants and everything in it teach us great lessons in life.  Mountains are a haven of serenity.  Oceans depict depth of dignity.  The animals, flora and fauna, the breeze and the stars, imprint an indelible impression on our hearts.  The bee teaches us the value of thrift and the ant tells us the importance of industry. There is a saying “Go to the ant thou sluggard”.  Yogi Vemana said, “There is no great teacher like the ant in creation”.  Kurunji plant that dwells in Western Ghats blossoms once in twelve years and it stands as a symbol of discipline attracting the attention of everyone.

The planet earth looks like a small dust particle in this great universe.  It is very difficult for the 600 crore population to live on this small dust particle unless we compulsorily utilise the natural resources.  Oxygen is the most important of all the other gases and this point can hardly be exaggerated.  It is estimated that nearly, 1,50,000 people are dying every year owing to air pollution.  After all man claims only a tiny share of it when compared to the numerous other living beings on this earth.  However, man, in the name of progress, is destroying Nature for his own greed and selfish motives.  Scientists estimate that nearly 125 acres of thick woods are being destroyed in a minute and even water resources are also getting depleted rapidly.  Holy and life-giving rivers and lakes are in the grip of pollution.

Our culture gives a message saying that we should lead a happy and peaceful life without causing imbalance to Nature.  That is why we worship the trees and even the mole hills.  Maharshi’s proclaimed that it is a divine quality to protect the living beings.

Co-existence with nature lends beauty to human existence. If man works in harmony with Nature, the balance will be resorted.  Therefore, everyone should contribute his mite to protect the Mother earth.

Life is the most precious thing for human beings. Health is the most important thing. Health care can be obtained only if the surroundings are beautiful and clean. It is a festive occasion for us when we are able to exercise the ghost of pollution.  Everyone should take a vow that he would preserve environment and do nothing to harm the ecology in Nature.  Then only a happy life would be possible.

Shanti Mantra, as everyone knows, is one of the important vedic mantras.  The gist of this mantra is to promise peace to the ‘Pancha Bhutas’ (air, water, fire, earth and sky).  Reciting the Shanti Mantra to the five elements in Nature propagates environmental preservation.  The same kind of comforts desired by the humans are also desired by all other living beings.  Therefore, let us follow the Buddha’s precept, “Don’t attempt to kill even an ant”. Nature’s preservation leads to happiness and its destruction leads to calamity.  It will be suicidal.  Environmental conservation is most important.  We shall respect Mother Nature.  Let us work for preservation of environment for the welfare of posterity. Already a lot of damage is done. Let us wake up and act intelligently.

(Translated from Telugu by I. Satyasree)