Essays

Our Earth is a unique planet in the Universe. It is the only known planet to have lire on it. The mother earth provides us with water, air and land. In other words, it provides the essential spheres of life, that is, hydro-sphere, lithosphere and atmosphere. The narrow zone where the three spheres coincide is the only life sustaining part of the earth and the known Universe. This is called the 'BIOSPHERE'. The hydrosphere, lithosphere, atmosphere and the biosphere together form the surroundings of everything and is known as the ENVIRONMENT, The Earth and its environment give way to life in a variety of forms-from the microscopic and simple bacteria to blue whale and complex human beings.  Particular organism is suited to a particular place and the environment, where it can flourish, breed and survive. This place is called its HABITAT or MICRO-HABITAT.

The earth has a delicate ecosystem. Its environment is made up of both the non-living and living. The non-living or physical components are the land, air, water, sun etc., and the living components are the flora, fauna and microorganisms. Life depends on the non-living part of the earth- There is a sensitive balance between both the living and non-living and plants and animals. This balance depends on an inter-Linked cycle of various activities. Thus, disturbing anyone disturbs the other three also. Pollution of physical components of nature wit) destroy life, and destruction of wild life will ultimately destroy the man.

With an ever-increasing level of consumption, the man is exploiting the natural resources beyond proportions and causing irreversible environmental degradation and Contamination. Mahatma Gandhi had hit (he bull's eye when he said: — "The Mother earth has enough for everyone's need, but not for everyone's greed."

Men's greed, short sigh redness has led to indiscriminate industrialization, deforestation, over- automation, and artificial ways of living. These have polluted and severely damaged the environment. To regain the balance of the earth's ecosystem, it is necessary to reorient the prevalent ways of living, industry and transport. The development has to be, environment friendly and sustainable. This is not just the best way, it is the only way; a "no choice" situation. The fight against pollution cannot be left at the level of the government. It would be impossible to fight against pollution unless it becomes a mass movement and is considered as an individual responsibility. This could be possible through a multi-pronged strategy of prevention and cure.