Our Earth is the most beautiful of all the plants. You may ask how I can say that without living in another planet. To me the mere fact that Earth can nurture and nourish life in different forms, makes it unique and beautiful.
Earth is a gift to us from the universe. It is called the blue planet because it is covered two-third in water. Isn’t it exceptional that different species live quite harmoniously on Earth. We get everything from our beloved Earth, air to breathe, food to eat and more. But what are we giving back to our Earth? Garbage, deforestation, and destruction of many types.
Earth, calm and serene, becomes violent when we humans cross the threshold of damaging it. It revolts, gives us back the destruction many folds higher than we cause. We humans never really learn completely from our mistakes, but nevertheless we try to make amends.
Deforestation has been a reason of concern on Earth since centuries. Deforestation is necessary for human development, the human population is increasing on Earth, hence the need for more space to accommodate.
Deforestation adds to at least 10% of global warming. There is reduction in Oxygen in the atmosphere and increase in Carbon Dioxide. This leads to climate change, which we have been experiencing. There is less rain and the summer is unbearable.
To fight deforestation, ‘Vanamahotsav’ is celebrated every year in the month of July in India. The history of this celebration dates back to the year 1947, a botanist named M. S. Randhawa organised an event to plant trees from July 20 to July 27. The aim of this event was to create awareness of the negative impact of deforestation in the country. And then in the year 1950, this movement was made a national activity by Kanaiyaka Maneklal Munshi. Later he named this event as ‘Van Mahotsav’ and celebrated it in the first week of July.
Schools and colleges have taken into celebrating this week by creating awareness among children and teaching them the joy of planting and growing a tree. Many drives are carried out across India to mark this special event. India has targeted at creating additional 2.5 to 3 billion carbon sequestration by 2030.
We, should pledge to care for our ‘Earth’ our ‘Mother’.