We celebrated yet another environment day on June 5, with lot of fervor and activities. News papers the world over published environment related articles and photographs. Some of the articles were so informative and educative. To put some extra caution, about the coming peril, the alarming global warming, I alerted my friends and relatives about the contents in some of the news papers on this serious issue. That information was really a timely alert and reminder to all. If the present life style continues, no doubt we will be caught up in this peril. Its upsetting news that cars, aircrafts, air conditioners, bulbs etc… And the way of life that causes the global warming. If we go at this rate the level increases and it will definitely be a great threat to the earth's species as well as human. Another report says that "the world has just 10 years to reverse surging greenhouse gas emissions or risk runaway climate change that could make many part of the planet uninhabitable." This is a great warning from the scientist world. They conclude that unless mankind rapidly stabilizes green house gas emissions and start reducing them, it will have little chance of keeping global warming within manageable limits. The result could be a great destruction. The present alarming high rate of oil addiction is a great threat. It is high time that we need to think seriously for a Great New Deal, that we must start the action needed to reduce green house gas emission before we end up in disaster. We have to seriously consider our present way of functioning and to do something solid to curtail the global warming. The special issue brought out many solutions which all of us can follow in a measure. The trees are an integral part of human race. The benefits we receive from a tree are many. It has been estimated that a palm tree is useful to man in more than 250 things. It is also estimated that an ordinary tree inhales approximately 14,000 liters of carbon dioxide, and exhales double the quantity of oxygen for human consumption and survival. Sad to say, these days even the civic authorities are cutting down trees in the name of development. But unfortunately, many do not know the consequences they are causing due to their negligent activities. The massacre of trees means putting an axe to the very existence of human race. No doubt, the continuous felling of trees will cause irreparable damage to the already perishing flora and fauna of our country.
The need of the hour is to carefully plan and felling of trees. The truth is that it is more profitable to leave a tree standing than fell it. A recent study says that there is a direct loss of over Rupees fifty thousand per year for each tree that is cut. It is estimated that one tree yields oxygen worth thirty thousand rupees. If we fell trees at the current alarming rate, soon we need to install oxygen manufacturing units in every corner of the country, especially in the urban area which would cost a very high price that no government can afford. Tree absorb water from the ground, and then through transpiration, transmit this water to air as water vapor. Thus, they help maintain the atmospheric equilibrium. Another rupees ten thousand will be spent per tree on the other miscellaneous functions a tree performs preventing soil erosion, providing shade food, fruit and of course, fuel (provided by the dead branches and manure made of decomposed leaves). In short, the cost of replacing a single felled tree proves very expensive indeed! Just calculate the price of the several thousands of trees all over the world. Even the person who put his axe on its bottom, it gives them shadow till its fall. Another famous Malayalam poet wrote: "The one who pour water with a loving heart to the Banyan plant, wheit grows it gives shadow to everyone who passes by". Let the people who mercilessly cut the tree make note that the great danger they are causing, and let them plant yet another sapling in place. The tree and its existence was part and parcel of human race from the very beginning. Religious texts too support this fact. Trees are so closely connected with human beings. Planting of sapling through school and college level will make a big difference to this great and serious threat of global warming. Let us make awareness programs in primary level to the university level.
Ariel, Secunderabad