DEVELOPMENT A THREAT TO BIODIVERSITY A THREAT TO DEVELOPMENT
Glitzy shopping arcades, High rise buildings, plush malls, sprawling greenery. All these are the indicators of a developing city. Oops! Wait a minute. Sprawling greenery? Seems the odd one out right.
Well, that’s not the only thing that has disappeared in this age of so called modernization. A large number of species have been wiped out. Yes, our flora and fauna are dwindling.
All things come at a cost, and development is no exception. With the increase in the number of buildings, a large number of trees have had to be cut down. And it just doesn’t stop there no matter what you think.
Fr. Leo, a researcher who has studied Biodiversity in great detail explains to me thus:
“While it may seem a silly and simple thing, that of cutting a tree, the implications are not understood by the people. Its too insignificant to them. But the truth is, when a tree is cut, its not the death of the tree alone, but hundreds of organisms who reside on the trees. The birds, the parasites, the creepers. All these are destroyed as a result of cutting of the tree”
I tried approaching a few of these so-called policy makers and protectors of the environment to question them as to how a balance can be struck. Let alone speak about balance, they weren’t even forthcoming to let me finish my introduction. So yes, this is the sorry fate, wherein some of the officials (or shall I dare say, most) are least bothered about the environment, some others have ideas, but they are restricted in implementing it due to the complicated approval procedures, and yet others have no clue what they are supposed to be doing in their offices other than munching on snacks and food and chit-chatting.
Then again, another thought struck my mind, since we’re all living beings too, we need to think about our development too right? So as Darwin said, the survival of the fittest. Hmmm, why not? And like one of my friends once said: Why do I care if Dicerorhinus sumatrensis lasiotis is now extinct? Not like its gonna come and help me do my project works!
But then, is this what humanity is all about? Is this what we are supposed to be doing? Will there ever be a balance between development and biodiversity?
Well friends, this is a question you need to address yourselves.
Sudy Speaks 