How Sapient are we, the Homo sapiens ???

Current Happenings:

• Bleeding Chambal dry (http://www.conservationindia.org/articles/bleeding-the-chambal-dry?fb_comment_id=fbc_567606539926017_6398918_567783553241649#f242ea48c907fd6)

•   Amur Falcon massacre (http://www.conservationindia.org/campaigns/amur-massacre )

• Construction of Hydro-power Dam set to erase Siamese Crocodile population out in Cambodia (http://www.fauna-flora.org/appeals/emergency-cambodian-crocodile-appeal/?fb_action_ids=10151235100146653&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=288381481237582 )

•  Ecuador’s southern rainforest to be mined for precious metals (http://www.salon.com/2013/02/10/to_get_the_gold_they_will_have_to_kill_every_one_of_us/ )

•  11 Gharials found dead in Chambal river (http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/kanpur/11-gharials-found-dead-in-Chambal-        river/articleshow/18509102.cms?intenttarget=no#.UR9pMecMsXE.facebook) 
• ...

This is just a tiny tip of the iceberg. The iceberg that is all set to destroy everything that is- Earth.  The damage is not just uni-directional rather it’s like a strategically planned out multi-dimensional attack. Attack on the only planet we have! We are so passionate in destroying our only home! And I had heard somewhere that Man was an intelligent being. Duh!

Well, this destruction has been justified by giving it a very fancy name (antonym!) “Development” and started calling most of us “civilized”.  Standing at this junction, I feel very confused when it comes to the very meaning of these two words. If this is being civilized, then please do excuse me for I do not wish to be one!

Let me take an example: Let’s say there is a rainforest filled with many species of flora and fauna. Needless to say the water and air is very pure over there (with all basic assumptions intact. Everything is so sustainable including the indigenous tribal. Pristine environment. Now here comes the “civilized” man. He destroys the entire forest and creates a mess! The entire area is full of filth and in that filth he makes himself a home. Keeps it clean and brags about hygiene. Is it only me or does everyone see the hypocrisy. Well in small or large measure we all are part of this hypocrisy.

There are so much of media coverage and awareness campaigns that are happening these days!  However the number of individuals actually involved in conservation is just marginal. It’s not a total loose-loose condition but what I am trying to say is that the picture is very grim. What is scary is that the decision, policy makers are those who claim the “Climate Change” a hoax (and that should tell you everything about them!).

Now a very interesting question arises: “What do we do?” or simply “What can we do about it?”

There is no direct formula for conservation, I wish there was! However one thing is for sure that if we do not stand up now and take a “united stand” then we stand at the edge of losing it all.  We all can play a very active role in conservation and that is by simply being responsible consumers. Before buying anything let us analyze in detail, as to how much necessary is it and for how long a period of time are we going to use it. Rather than money being the deciding factor while purchasing let necessity be the deciding factor. Rather than going for “new products” (just because we can), let us go ahead and try out still usable second hand product.

It’s not that as some would say “should we stop living or having fun?” instead just ask yourself if shopping is living.

But just to clarify... it’s not a matter of just choice as you alone do not inhabit this planet. There are millions of other living beings too and have an equal right to not just survive but to the pristine natural environment to which they did not do any harm. Many of them were here long before mankind came into being... Ethically they have more right on the planet then we humans do.

As Charles Darwin says in PBS Evolution series:

Like Sun does not revolve around Earth similarly Nature does not revolve around man.

It is the simplest of things that bring the greatest of joy and relief to us like a nice relaxing shower (Water!), warmth of the winter sun, thirst quenching rain drops.