Humanity is a biological species, living in a biological environment, because like all species, we are exquisitely adapted in everything: from our behavior, to our genetics, to our physiology, to that particular environment in which we live. The earth is our home. Unless we preserve the rest of life, as a sacred duty, we will be endangering ourselves by destroying the home in which we evolved, and on which we completely depend.”
― Edward Osborne Wilson
From air, water, food to the sun that powers us, nature has truly gifted us with ideal conditions that breathe life into our very skin. We couldn’t have possibly imagined a world without these elements. After all, these are the only favorable components of life that we are aware of. Keeping the foundation of the very essence of life in mind, we must turn our heads to protect what guides us, that is to life itself, which is why the theme for this year’s World Environment Day is ‘Celebrate Biodiversity’ while stressing on ‘Time for Nature’ as the slogan.
Every year on the 5th of June, we celebrate this day to encourage worldwide awareness that stirs a call for action to protect what we human beings are a part of. The idea of World Environment Day was first conceived by the UN General Assembly in 1974 with the then theme as ‘Only One Earth’. Since then it has been celebrated every year, shifting from a host of countries. Today, it was meant to be celebrated in Columbia partnered with Germany, however, in lieu of the current pandemic, the event will be held online, gathering many participants from across the globe.
It’s been nearly half a year since the COVID 19 pandemic took center stage, lifting the veil on the many facets of human life that we are dependent on. It’s been clear that while the world is under lockdown, we’re witnessing a severe metamorphosis that is shaping the entire planet. During this time, the earth has witnessed a breath of fresh air, cleaner waters with pockets of wildlife reclaiming many spots throughout the globe. All of these signs are a true testament to the fact that nature strictly needs respite.
For decades, we were under the impression that the natural world is a treasure trove of abundance, and endless repository for our daily needs and a gift that keeps on giving. It’s safe to say that we’ve misjudged our prediction with the way we’ve carried out our activities, bleeding chunks of our planet dry and struggling to sustain itself. We realize now, that the Earth is precious, that every inch of our planet has biodiversity that has a crucial role to play. The interconnections between species itself form a webbed network that governs the balance of ecosystems almost like how the microorganisms, cells, organs and tissues prevalent in our body, ensure that we stay alive. It is only when that epiphany strikes, do we come to love our planet. For the landscapes it weaves, the life it harbors, and the resplendent show it presents, it is a planet that is truly sacred.
It’s simple. In order for us to take care of ourselves, we must take care of nature. It is imperative that we act now, to build a better future for ourselves by preserving a planet that breeds life, that nurtures and nourishes us, and makes us feel at home. For It’s the only one we’ve got.
Let us celebrate this World Environment Day to cherish what we have.
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.
