“Despite all our technological advances, we are completely dependent on healthy and vibrant ecosystems for our water, food, medicines, clothes, fuel, shelter and energy. Avoiding single use plastic, reducing food waste, reduced use of pesticides and fertilizers, protecting and planting trees etc. are the steps that can protect the biodiversity” – Elzineth Mrema, Acting Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biodiversity.
The 22nd of May every year, since 2001 is celebrated as the International Day for Biological Diversity. The theme of the year “Our solutions are in nature” emphasises the importance of working together at all levels to build a future of life in harmony with nature. 2020 is a year of reflection, opportunity and solutions. All of us have the opportunity to reflect on how we can “Build back better” to increase the resilience of nations and communities as we recover from this pandemic, According to the Convention of Biodiversity Press Release.
Rhino, Springboks, zebra, Elephant and lion [Biodiversity]
Given the current pandemic, the event was commemorated online for the first time ever, calling out for Ecosystem based solutions and mainstreaming biodiversity in economic sectors to address biodiversity loss, climate change and factors such as land degradation that has induced an ongoing damage on the health of our planet.
People participated from the major regions of the world laying emphasis on hope, solidarity and the importance of working together at all levels to build a future of life in coherence with nature
The world as we know is changing, highlighting our dependence on the natural world, more now than ever. We’ve radically transformed into a technological society that deems development as the definitive goal for the future but we’ve misplaced our roots in the process. What is truly fundamental though is that we have always been a part of nature, something we’ve always known deep down. The sooner we bridge our gap with it, the better will our lives flourish. The biodiversity of our planet is currently in a state of free fall, approaching collision but we must act now if we want to safeguard our future and lead a more fulfilling life that is in tune with nature’s principles.
Biodiversity is the bedrock of our own existence, we owe our lives to the years of evolutionary paradigms that have steered the course to our present lives. Without the interconnections playing out between each and every individual that is part of the global ecosystem we call Earth, the many facets of life we see today would be non-existent. With over millions of species across the planet, it is in our best interest to protect the countless ecosystems as it is ‘Life that supports Life’.
In the light of COVID 19, we must understand that the such infections are a result of massive devastation to wildlife habitats that increases our exposure to such pathogens. The only solution forward is to dive in to the root of the problems to so that we equip ourselves with the knowledge contained within nature itself that will teach us how healthy ecosystems function and what we can do lead a life that preserves it and the biodiversity we are ever dependent on.
Born and brought up in New Delhi, it was Sharad’s childhood passion to play cricket for India. While on a holiday in 1990, he saw his first tiger. Little did he know that this one sighting would immerse him into a realm where forests and tigers were all that mattered.
Sharad’s experiences as a wildlife photographer have inspired him to observe the tiger’s behavior for over 30 years and motivated him on his own journey as an entrepreneur. He started Nature Safari India Pvt Ltd, with a focus on “Conservation through Tourism.” to align himself to the mission of saving the regal species and repopulating them in India’s forests. In 2006, he set up one of India’s premier jungle lodges in Kanha National Park.
Sharad believes that there are many lessons to be learned from a tiger that can be applied successfully to leadership—both in business and in life. Here’s a new book by Sharad Vats on management and leadership skills to learn from a Tiger.
