Nature is neither a servant nor a master, but a necessary partner.

Nature is neither a servant nor a master, but a necessary partner:

Home Sapiens emerged in Savahnnas of Africa 3 lakh years ago. This time is just a small moment in the history of planet earth which is 400 crore years old. Within this short span, humans have made permanent changes through their activities.

Specially since industrial Revolution, humans have emitted lakhs of tonnes of Green house gases, cleared large tracts

of forest areas and polluted water, soil, and even outerspace with their activities. These changes has led to climate change on planet Earth.

UNEP studies shows that global temperature have arisen by 1.3°C since 1800s. This is leading to melting of glaciers. By 2030, many small island states like Maldives and coastal cities like Mumbai will be completely submerged in water!

Climate change is also visible in forms of extreme weather events. In May 2023, heatwaves were witnessed across North America and Europe leading to death of 10,000 peoples. Similarly, floods were seen Pakistan

displacing more than 5 crore people. In India, floods in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Delhi led to displacement of thousands of people.

Many species have also gone extinct due to shrinking habitats like asiatic Cheetah. Warming oceans are leading to bleaching of coral reefs. We may lose these ecosystems entirely by 2050!

All these events are an outcome of treating nature as servant. Using nature as a mean for our prosperity has led to arrival of Anthropocene age. If this attitude toward nature is not corrected, the future will be bleak.

We may end up destroying the only habitable planet in our solar system. The tipping point is reaching fast. Melting glaciers will unleash thousands of dormant viruses and bacterias leading to future pandemics.

Thus nature is not a servant. At the same time it is not a master. It does not dictate terms to its organisms. All organisms pursue their own self interest. Nature does not punishes a lion for eating a deer.

It also gives enough scope for course correction when we err. For example, when we started phasing out chlorofluro Carbons, ozone hole started filling up. Similarly, tiger

numbers in India went up when we protected its habitat through conservation efforts.

Nature is not a master also because it makes mistakes. Mutations in cells can threaten entire species and life forms. This was evident in COVID-19 when virus was contantly mutating affecting not just humans but animals like tiger also.

Nature is not governed by a centralised entity. It is a self-sufficient entity with different parts working in sync. For example, plants release oxygen which is inhaled by animals releasing Carbon Dioxide in turn. Thus, different species are interdependent on each other for survival.

Nature is a necessary partner. Necessary for not just human survival but for maximising our happiness. In hot summer, it is trees shades that provide us relief. Sweetness of fruits and smell of roses satiate our senses.

Other than physical wants, nature also satisfy our spiritual desires. When one gazes at stars at night, one realises his/her insignificance in larger scheme of things. This brings humbleness and stops us from running behind material success.

It is no surprise that all enlightened men go to himalayas/forests for tapasya (meditation). Closeness

to nature brings us close to our soul. Indian religions have therefore given the status of god to natural phenomenon - Indra, Vayu, Agni and Surya.

The best reflection of 'nature as partner' is reflected in tribal way of life. Bhil tribe in Madhya Pradesh see forests as goddess incarnate (Mata-Van). They use only that much resources necessary for their survival. Nature too reciprocates in form of clean air, pure water and abundant rain!

However, as seen earlier, humans are moving away from treating 'nature as partner'. To conserve our ecosystems, this principles has to be imbibed at all levels.

Individuals have to change their consumption patterns. Small steps like switching off fans when not in use, using public transport, carrying cloth bag while shopping can go a long way in saving nature.

Not just preventing damage, they should actively engage in conservation through reforestation and holding government to account. Women in Chipko movement and youths in save Aarey protests show how individual efforts can make difference.

Similarly, businesses should look at natural resources not as exploitative tool but as extinguishable products. They should incorporate Environment,

Social and Governance (ESG) norms in their business practices. For example, Reliance has promised to go green in its functioning by 2030.

National governments need to realise that future economic growth depend on sustainable development. Natural hazards are also the biggest security threat as more people have been killed by air pollution in India than by wars!

Indian states through Panchamrit is pursuing green development with focus on net zero emissions by 2030, increasing share of renewables to 50% by 2030, increasing carbon sink by conserving forests etc. These efforts are already showing positive results.

India has achieved 40% renewable energy target 8 years before target year. Forest cover has gone up from 21% to 24% in last 20 years. Through international initiatives like: Solar Alliance, Disaster Relient Infrastructure Coalition etc India is providing leadership to all countries.

Nature is an integrated whole. It does not respect international borders. If Amazon forests are cut in Brazil than impact will be felt by a poor farmer in Punjab in form of droughts! Thus collective effort by all countries is required moving beyond North-South, Rich-Poor divide.

Thus sustainability is the key

for progress and prosperity. Mahatma Gandhi rightly held that :-

• 'There is enough for everyone's need but not for anyone's greed'.