Urgent need for environmental
Preservation
Dr. R. Seshadri Naidu
‘Samudravasane
Devi
Parvatha
Sthana mandale
Vishnupatny
Namasthubhyam
Padasparsam
Kshamswame!
This is a
prayer devoted to mother earth, seeking her pardon for committing the sin of
treading upon her. In our culture, we
consider nature as mother of all living beings. Right from the ancient times, our Rishis probed into Nature’s
secrets and used them for the existence of man. Many a poet made beautiful description about the bounties and
splendours of Nature.
We should
remember Mahakavi Devulapalli Krishna Sastry’s poem every moment “Shall I hide
myself in this wood by becoming one with the leaf and the flower”. Man is no better than a stone if he cannot
love Nature. It seems a certain
scientist considered nature to be his mother.
Another scientist thought Nature to be his wife and remained a bachelor
through out his life.
The universe
is like a veritable garden school. The
creepers, plants and everything in it teach us great lessons in life. Mountains are a haven of serenity. Oceans depict depth of dignity. The animals, flora and fauna, the breeze and
the stars, imprint an indelible impression on our hearts. The bee teaches us the value of thrift and
the ant tells us the importance of industry.
There is a saying “Go to the ant thou sluggard”. Yogi Vemana said, “There is no great teacher
like the ant in creation”. Kurunji
plant that dwells in Western Ghats blossoms once in twelve years and it stands
as a symbol of discipline attracting the attention of everyone.
The planet
earth looks like a small dust particle in this great universe. It is very difficult for the 600 crore
population to live on this small dust particle unless we compulsorily utilise
the natural resources. Oxygen is the
most important of all the other gases and this point can hardly be
exaggerated. It is estimated that
nearly, 1,50,000 people are dying every year owing to air pollution. After all man claims only a tiny share of it
when compared to the numerous other living beings on this earth. However, man, in the name of progress, is
destroying Nature for his own greed and selfish motives. Scientists estimate that nearly 125 acres of
thick woods are being destroyed in a minute and even water resources are also
getting depleted rapidly. Holy and
life-giving rivers and lakes are in the grip of pollution.
Our culture
gives a message saying that we should lead a happy and peaceful life without
causing imbalance to Nature. That is
why we worship the trees and even the mole hills. Maharshi’s proclaimed that it is a divine quality to protect the
living beings.
Co-existence
with nature lends beauty to human existence.
If man works in harmony with Nature, the balance will be resorted. Therefore, everyone should contribute his
mite to protect the Mother earth.
Life is the
most precious thing for human beings.
Health is the most important thing. Health care can be obtained only if
the surroundings are beautiful and clean.
It is a festive occasion for us when we are able to exercise the ghost
of pollution. Everyone should take a
vow that he would preserve environment and do nothing to harm the ecology in
Nature. Then only a happy life would be
possible.
Shanti Mantra,
as everyone knows, is one of the important vedic mantras. The gist of this mantra is to promise peace
to the ‘Pancha Bhutas’ (air, water, fire, earth and sky). Reciting the Shanti Mantra to the five
elements in Nature propagates environmental preservation. The same kind of comforts desired by the
humans are also desired by all other living beings. Therefore, let us follow the Buddha’s precept, “Don’t attempt to
kill even an ant”. Nature’s preservation leads to happiness and its destruction
leads to calamity. It will be
suicidal. Environmental conservation is
most important. We shall respect Mother
Nature. Let us work for preservation of
environment for the welfare of posterity.
Already a lot of damage is done.
Let us wake up and act intelligently.
(Translated from Telugu by I.
Satyasree)