Policy Response for the Ecosystem Restoration for Saving Planet Earth

By Afroz Ahmad* Formerly Advisor to the Government of Maharashtra & Formerly Member (Environment and Rehabilitation), Narmada Control Authority , Government of India

Dr. Afroz Ahmad is Environmental Scientist, Academician, Development Administrator and a Civil Servant. He possess United Nations expertise in Environmental Protection, Management and Leadership. He served as Advisor to the Government of Maharashtra on Environment & Forest Affairs and Member (Environment & Rehabilitation) of the Narmada Control Authority, Governmentof India.

He is pioneer in application of Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) and implementing Sustainable Development in the Himalayas, Indo-Gangetic plain and Peninsular Regions of India. He is credited in Integrating Environment with Development and ensuring Human Rights and Rehabilitation to about one million people mostly tribals displaced due to major dams costing about Rs.80,000 crores (Rs.800 billion) in the Narmada Basin.

*Chief Advisor, India Water Foundation

ABSTRACT

The State of World’s Environment is unsustainable socially, economically, culturally, politically and environmentally. The Earth has witnessed rapid environmental changes in the past half-century more than any other point in the human history. This has led to more than 40 per cent of all internal conflicts on the Natural Resources over the last 80 years . The loss of Biodiversity and Climate changes affecting melting of permafrost have resulted various Zoonotic diseases including present Corona Pandemic . The Policy Response based on Ecosystem approach for the Rehabilitation/Restoration of land/soil , mountain, water (ocean, river, lakes/wetlands), forest, biodiversity have been presented which will go long way in ensuring sustainable natural resources management and saving planet earth. The investment on Nature is urgently required by the Governments, Private Sectors and all Stake holders from Panchayat to National , Regional and Global levels for saving the Planet Earth. The initiation of Indian Environment Service (IES), top priority to environment in development process (ecologinomics) and creation of a Sustainable Society is urgently needed for the protection and management of environment in the Country.

BACKGROUND

The Almighty, who is creator, the Ruler and the Lord of the Universe has created World in six periods and thereafter created man and provided him with a temporary home in that part of his kingdom which is the Earth. Almighty has endowed man with the faculties of thinking and understanding. Man has also been invested with free will and the power to distinguish right and wrong. Man is Almighty’s representative on Earth . Man has also been invested with free will and the power to use resources of the World however, he likes.

Man has been created to live on this planet only for a probationary periods and in due course, he will return to his Lord to be judged accordingly to the way he has spent that period (Afroz , 2020).

The anthropogenic activities is an important factor for creating environmental changes in most of the world’s eco-systems. For centuries man has lived in partnership and equilibrium with nature, creating some of the planet’s most harmonious landscapes. Today, the pressure of population growth and movement, coupled with irrational use of natural resources both in urban and rural areas are placing this equilibrium in jeopardy.

The burgeoning human numbers are making increasing demands on the biosphere for all the products which it provides. Worldwide, the natural ecological communities are being utilized, modified and replaced so as to feed men’s voracious consumptive needs. In view of this, the management of the natural resources globally and nationally is urgently required to check further degradation and to meet the growing demand of the population inhabiting the region (Afroz,1998).

THE STATE OF THE ENVIRONMENT

Afroz (1998 & 2020) presented a clear picture of the state of the world’s environment with special reference to population and poverty; ozone depletion and climate changes; marine and coastal environment; Land/Soil, mountain , Water Environment; Forest and bio-diversity.

Population and Poverty

The impact of population growth, development activities, irrational use of natural resources and consumption pattern have affected every country both developing and developed and neighbouring area of our lives, politics, economics, trade, migration, resources and the environment. The world’s 3.2 billion populatation in 1963 has grown to 7.9 billion in 2021 and is expected to reach about 10 billion by 2025. In India, the population has also grown from 0.36 billion in 1951 to 1.64 billion in 2021 with 35 percent population residing in Urban areas. In fact mortality is one of the tragic indicator of

poverty and there are more than 34 developing countries in which 1 in 17 children dies before he or she reaches the age of five. There are more than 3 billion people in 107 developing countries live in absolute poverty, 2.2 billion people lack access to safe drinking water , 3 billion people lack basic hand washing facilities, 4.2 billion to sanitation and about 4 billion to health services. Refugees driven by war, drought, famine and land degradation in the arid and semi arid areas of the poorest countries of the world are of serious concern. Presently, there were 80 million refugees in developing countries.

India is also facing serious problem of migration from rural to urban areas in both mountainous and non – mountainous areas viz. U.P., Bihar, Odisha, Chattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Himachal, Jharkhand etc. States the factors responsible are demographic and social (increasing number of youths, poor employment, poor infrastructure, civic amenities especially health and education, poor social security etc.); economic ( poverty, unemployment , low wages, poor living standard etc.); political ( conflict, naxalism/terrorism, violence, poor governance, political upheaval etc); and ecological (land degradation, desertification, water scarcity, drought, floods etc.).

Ozone depletion and climate changes

The urban air pollution has been exacerbated by four developments activities namely; urbanization / growing cities, increasing vehicular traffic congestion, rapid economic development, and higher level of energy consumption. The air pollution being important contributor to the global burden of disease causing to pre mature death of about 6-7 million people, severity of epidemics and large economic losses. The changes in atmospheric compositions is also affecting negatively , the success of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) set by the United Nations(UNs).

The ozone layer, the fragile shield of gas which protects the earth from the harmful rays of the sun, is being damaged by chemicals released on the earth. This causes serious risks for humanity. The depletion of ozone layer has now attracted attention of all class of people globally. It is predicted that if, chloro-fluro-carbons (CFC) continued to be emitted as freely as they were in 1980, the ozone layer could be reduced by about 3 percent during next 70 years.

The earth’s temperature balance is maintained by a subtle interplay of forces. Without them, the earth could be 33 degree Celsius cooler than it is today. Radiation from the sun passes through the atmosphere, warms the earth and is reflected back into space. Naturally occurring, `green house gasses’ in the atmosphere trap some of this radiation, keeping the planet warm enough for life to flourish.

The Green House Gases (GHGs) like carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide (NOx), etc. produced by human activities viz: burning of fossil fuels and deforestation have resulted serious threat to the global climate. The NOx is increasing 0.3 percent per annum. The carbon dioxide concentration which was 280 ppm in 1750 is now 418 ppm in 2021 and are rising about 0.25 percent per annum . The generation of methane is 60 percent from human activities and 40 percent from natural sources . The methane level reached 260 percent higher of pre-industrial level. There is apprehension that the earth would heat up by 0.3 degree centigrade each decade. Over the next century this would mean the warming of between 2 degree centigrade and 5 degree centigrade, the best estimate being about 3 degree centigrade – a change unprecedented in the past 10000 years.

The change in climatic conditions like shifting in temperature and rainfall could move climatic zones several hundred kilometers, towards the poles, seriously disrupting the eco-system, agriculture and food production. The drought and desertification in Darfur region of Western Sudan led the conflict between Arab nomads and African farmers resulted 2 lakh death since 2003 and forced 2 million people to flee from their homes. An exacerbated El Nino phenomenon (weather anomaly) increasing the incidence of severe droughts and major impact on Agriculture, water resources, fisheries, forests/biodiversity , new pest/pathogens, loss of life, property and infrastructure. The melting of Permafrost which is sink of 14 percent carbon dioxide and store house of various submicroscopic infectious agent may result in release of potential green house gases and viruses leading to climate changes and epidemics in the World. The sea level has risen to 20-23 cm. since 1880. There is likelihood that the change in climatic conditions will accelerate sea level rise upto 65 cm. over the next century, retreating glaciers modify ocean circulation and change in marine eco-systems with considerably socio-economic consequences.

Marine and Coastal Environment

Seventy percent of the earth’s surface is covered by sea. Through their interactions with the atmosphere and lithosphere, the oceans have helped to shape the conditions which make life possible. Of the 75 largest cities in the world, nearly half are in the Asia-Pacific region and more than half of these are on or very near a coast. Presently, 2 billion people are living in coastal area and it is expected to reach 2.4 billion by 2050. Half of World’s oxygen are produced by ocean and also , it serve as a sink of 50 percent of carbon. The marine pollution from land based activities contribute about 80 percent. The fertilizers/pesticides used in agriculture, about 8 million ton/day garbage and plastic wastes end up in sea, Marine pollution from sea-based activities is largely associated with marine transportation and offshore mineral exploration and production. Specialized ecosystems such as mangroves, corals, and sea grasses are also under severe pressure from pollution, (reclamation, dredging, dumping, and other coastal alterations. Marine fisheries in particular have been over exploited in the developed countries of the region and several fish species are now extinct.

Fresh Water Environment

Only a tiny fraction of the water which covers the earth is of use to humanity: 94 percent is salt water, filling the oceans and seas. Of the reminder 99 percent is out of reach – frozen up in ice caps and glaciers, or build deep under- ground.

In the past 40 years, the world’s water use has more than tripled. Water is a looming crisis due to six fold use in 100 years. Many areas of the world like Middle -East, North Africa, Central America, South-East Asian countries and the South-Western United States are witnessing a growing trend towards water scarcity, deteriorating quality, and sectoral conflicts over-water allocation. The Israel’s determination on Golan Height and West bank, conflicts between Ethiopia, Egypt and Sudan on the flow of the Nile, potentially explosive alliance between Syria and Iraq threatening Turkey’s control on Tigris and Euphrates, China’s Yellow River basin, conflict between north and south Thailand, conflict between Punjab and Sindh on Indus River, five Republic of former USSR on Aral Sea etc. are best examples of conflicts on water. In many part of the world, industrial and human wastes, agricultural fertilisers and pesticides, acid rain and seepage from hazardous wastes which accounts to about 400 million tons every year have polluted water supplies and contaminated the soil. Increasing competition between urban and agricultural sectors for water use is good example of growing sectoral conflicts.

India receive 400 million hectares metres water from the rain , of which only 69 million hectares metres could be put to beneficial use. The Himalayas (custodian of glaciers) , Aravali, Satpuda , Vindhyachal, Eastern and Western Ghats mountains and Plateues ( Malwa, Chota Nagpur, Deccan, Kutch , Kathiawar) are major watersheds . In 1951, the per capita water availability was 5177 cubic metre/ capita / annum is expected to reduce to 1314 cubic metre /capita/annum by 2025. Out of 20 major river basins in the country, majority are facing pollution problems and half has experienced/ experiencing disputes in sharing water viz. Mahanadi (Chattisgarh & Odisha) , Mahadayi (Goa, Karnataka & Maharashtra), Vansdhara (Andhra Pradesh & Odisha), Cauvery (Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry), Ravi-Beas ( Punjab, Haryana & Rajasthan), Narmada ( Gujarat, Maharashtra, M.P. & Rajasthan) , Krishna-I (Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh) and Krishna-II ( Karnataka, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana ) .

Wetlands

Wetlands exists in every country and climatic zone from the Polar Region to the Tropics and from High Altitudes to Dry Regions. It serves as kidney, arteries and veins of the landscapes. A World without Wetlands would be a World without water, birds and people. It is unique ecosystem , link to river networks and vital for human survival . The environmental services to the tune of Rupees 15 trillion ( US $ 15 trillion) per annum globally of the Wetlands includes; micro climate regulation, carbon sink, water purification, drinking/irrigation water, recharge of ground water, livelihoods means, fisheries production, flood moderation, erosion control, habitat for native and migratory birds, education, recreation,cultural, historical, anthropological, aesthetic values etc. Globally more than 64 percent Wetlands have been lost during last one hundred years.

India is blessed with both Natural and man-made Wetlands covering about 5 percent of the geo-graphical area of the Country. The Wetlands are now most threatened of all eco-system. They are dying in both mountainous and non-mountainous regions of the Country due to encroachment, obstruction of natural drainage, salinization, flooding, urbanization, pollution, invasive species, eutrophication, etc. About 25 ha. Wetlands are lost in India for every one square kilometer built area viz. Mumbai lost 71 percent, Hyderabad , Bangalore, Ahmedabad 55 percent and Delhi 38 percent Wetlands due to Urbanization. The United Kingdom with 2,48,532 sq. km. geographical area has 71 Wetlands of International importance designated as Ramsar sites , while India with 32,87,263 sq.km. geographical area has only 46 Wetlands of International importance and designated as Ramsar sites.

Ground water

The ground water constitute 97 percent of all usable fresh water in the World. The situation of ground water worldwide is grim due to pollution and excessive use/sustraction . The ground water is a reserve created by Almighty. In India, the status of ground water is rich in Ganga, Brahmaputra and Indus Basins and in South and Central India, it is confined in deep acquifer in river basins located in these Regions. The excessive use of pesticides/ insecticides , fertilizers, landfills, industrial wastes etc. have seriously polluted it in the State of Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh. There are 21 States in the Country running out of ground water and falls under dark zone.

Land/Soil Environment

Soil takes thousands, sometimes millions of years to form and a year or two to destroy. The overgrazing, deforestation, expansion of agriculture into marginal land, poor land management and over-exploitation have resulted in degradation of 23 percent of the World’s land. According to the Global Assessment of Human induced Soil Degradation (GLASOD), of the World’s 2 billion hectares of land affected by degradation due to overgrazing, deforestation, agriculture mismanagement, over-exploitation et. Tropical countries are loosing 1 to 2 percent of their GNP per annum through soil erosion. The most affected areas are the dry lands which cover nearly half of the earth in land area. Here the land degradation has resulted in desertification affecting 3 billion people in the World.

India is 7^th. largest Country in the World in Geo-graphical area and 2^nd largest after United States in terms of possession of 160 million ha. agricultural land. The GDP which was 42 percent during 1990 from Agriculture has come down to 6-6.5 percent during 2019-2020. The land degradation area in India is more than 30 percent mainly in the States of Gujarat, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, J&K and Karnataka . The land degradation has resulted in climate change, reduced agricultural production, loss of biodiversity, poverty and hunger etc. The present 292 million tons food production is required to be increased to 355 million tons by 2030 from existing farm land to meet the food security and livelihoods challenges in the Country on one hand and to maintain soil health on the other hand.

In India , the physio-graphic Regions consists of important mountains/hills/plateaus needs special protection and management programmes since they are abode of god, treasure of natural resources, serve as water tower, lifeline of rivers, lakes , springs hot spot of biodiversity etc. and are highly sensitive. The population pressure, unplanned land use practices, unscientific developmental activities, climate change, pollution etc. have caused serious ecological imbalances in the mountains ecosystems leading large scale migration in search of better quality of life and livelihoods viz. Uttarakhand , J&K,, Himachal Pradesh and North –Eastern States.

Forest and Bio-diversity

Trees cover more than 25 percent of the earth’s land surface. A quarter of these forests are boreal (northern and conferous); a fifth are temperate, and more than half are tropical. About 65 percent forest are located in 10 countries like Russia and Brazil. The 3/4 of the planet’s accessible water, 1/3 of Cities water , livelihoods of 1.6 billion people, ecosystems services to the tune of US$ 16.3 trillion/annum and 40 percent global economy are based on forest. The World’s forest stores One trillion ton carbon which is 1.3 times higher than the carbon stored in fossil fuel reserve i.e. 800 gigatonne.

All over the world, forests are being destroyed or degraded as a result of human activities, it is estimated that there are 70 million plant and animal species on earth but only about 1.5 million have ever been described. Deforestation and bio-diversity loss have made about one million species at the risk of extinction which is now a great human concern. The air pollution, soil acidification and diseases have harmed more than one third of Europe’s forests – some 50 million hectares. Similar damage is common in North America and East Asia.. In the tropics, 16.8 million hectares are destroyed every year by agricultural exploitation, ranching, logging and over-exploitation for fuel wood. The fuel wood on which some 2 billion people depend is scarce in most developing countries. The species disappear naturally overtime. Perhaps 99 percent of all those that ever lived are gone but human activity – urbanization, fishing, hunting, pollution, pests and diseases, deforestation, mono-cultural farming are spreading up this process. There is apprehension that one quarter of the earth species may be lost within the next 30 years. The environmental implication of deforestation are serious viz: land degradation, low soil fertility, loss of bio-diversity unfavorable climatic change, increased emission of green house gases, and floods and droughts. The World Conservation Monitoring Centre (WCMS) reports that 6,608 plant species are threatened in Asia, and another 2673 in the Pacific. The tiger is close to extinction in China and South-East Asia and trafficking in other endangered species remains very high. The loss of forest and wildlife are main factor of Zoonotic diseases like Corona pandemic.

India has about 24.5 percent forest cover with 7125 million tons carbon stock as per the assessment of Forest Survey of India during 2019. The green cover of many Indian States rises but the carbon stock declined due to deforestation of mature tree having rich canopy cover. The land degradation, ecosystem fragmentation, pest, diseases, fires, land use, diversion etc.are important factors of forest loss.

The forest fires is serious menace resulting increase in carbon dioxide level, green house effect, climate change, soil nutrients loss, soil erosion, flooding, landslides, biodiversity loss, proliferation of invasive plants etc. The Australia lost 6.3 million ha. forest in 2019, California lost 0.72 million ha. forest and grassland in 2018 and European Union lost 9068 square km. forest in 2019 from the fires. In India, 36 percent of forest covers are prone to fires. In 2019, more than 30,000 forest fires incidences occurred of which 95 percent were from human activities . The frequency of forest fires are mostly in 20 districts ( 16 districts of north-east and 4 districts of Central India). In 2014, fires burnt 49000 square km. forest in India i.e. equal to Haryana State. In Karnataka, 4800 ha. forest were lost in Bandipur Tiger Reserve during 2018. The Maharashtra has lost 5076 square km. forest in Gadchiroli and Chandrapur districts. The Chattisgarh has lost 6096 square km. forest in Bijapur, Narayanpur, Korya and Sarguja districts .

The degraded state of forest and biodiversity requires integrated management of forest through rehabilitation / restoration / reforestation/ afforestation for saving bleeding planet earth.

Corona Pandemic

The Corona as a pandemic of 21 st Century has resulted an unusual catastrophic impacts on the socio-economic, cultural and political environment in the most of the countries of the World. No other disease on infections has ever caught the grip of the globe in the contemporary time. The devastating pandemic has resulted fear and hysteria in the World since more than two years after Corona touched off the worst pandemic in more than a Century, the Scientists have yet to determine its origin.

The pandemic has pushed about 9 percent population of the World to extreme poverty. About 150 million people in the Asian and African Countries are most affected. As oer World Food Programme (WFP), 296 million people in the 35 Countries are without sufficient food. The people losing livelihoods are about 2 billion and about 1.6 billion children and youths are missing their School class. The global GDP is expected 5.6 percent in 2021. The Corona recovery is requiring trillion of dollars which is money that we are borrowing from our future generations.

The Corona pandemic in my view is Airborne and result of loss of biodiversity (Zoonotic) and melting of permafrost due to alarming Climate changes. The health impact of the pandemic is mostly alarming in the people having weak immunity and suffering from respiratory and heart diseases.

CONCLUSION

The humanity is waging war on nature which is suicidal. The Earth has witnessed rapid environmental changes in the past half-century, more than any other point in the human history. The state of the world’s environment clearly indicate that the bulk of humanity is unsustainable socially, culturally, economically, politically and environmentally. If we humans have to survive as a species on this planet one can no longer sacrifice for our own benefits, other plant and animals species, nor the land, air and water on which all living things depend. An environmental ethics that takes into account all components of the ecosystems, humans and non- humans alike (Eco-centrism), priority to the ecology over economics (Ecologinomics) and the wisdom of living in harmony with nature (Ecosophy) are needed now more than ever, because of the global industrial civilization with its infinitely greater power for environmental destruction.

The natural resources being our common heritage and that we all share responsibility of protecting it for future generation and therefore a breakthrough for actually sustainable natural resources management is required. The integrated management of natural resources involving scientific/technical/engineering measures on one hand and socio-economic/cultural/legal measures on the other hand is need of the hour.

POLICY RESPONSE

The collective and coordinated actions should be foremost priority from concerned governments, shareholders, agencies, individuals for minimizing emissions of the Green House Gases (GHGs). Global carbon neutrality and World’s blue print for climate action are need of the hour. The carbon tax on business/industries generating excess carbon and incentives to the farmers practicing ecological/Organic/Conservation Agriculture, owners of orchards, plantation on private farmland, private forest ( includes sacred groves) .
The cooperation between all concerned Ministries/Departments should be strengthened for the prevention and reduction of air pollution at the local, national, regional and global levels. The Action Plan for integrated management and control of air pollution should be formulated to address action to minimize all forms of air pollution, effective real time and field monitoring, standard setting, awareness, capacity building and community participation etc. The renewable sources of energy especially Solar and Wind need to be developed at large scale by making it as a mass movements and Community driven project for ensuring jobs opportunity and clean energy resilient future.
The urban development should be undertaken in degraded land focusing its impacts on social and environmental aspects based on the concept of carrying capacity . The size of settlement should be in consonance of the carrying capacity for ensuring better urban ecology and sustainability. The rivulets, wetlands and common property resources (CPRs) should be rehabilitated/restored by the authorities, communities and citizens. The city forestry of indigenous plant species should be made legally mandatory in both government and private colonies/townships.
The civic amenities/infrastructure/facilities in the villages like health, education, library, approach and internal road, children park/play ground, safe and sustainable drinking water supply, sanitation, hygiene, independent toilet, electrification, seed store, grazing ground, cremation/burial ground, conservation and development of common property resources (CPRs), opening of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs), vocational training centre, self help groups,(SHGs), employment generation through green jobs for rural youths etc. should be strengthened/developed to make villages self-sustainable for preventing migration to the cities/towns and ensuring sustainable development of rural India.
The Gross Domestic Product (GDP) from Agriculture needs improvements through strengthening/development of irrigation infrastructure, maximization of production on existing farmland, improved seeds, credit/finance, extension activities, cold storage, ware house, organized retailers, marketing facility, ecological/ Organic/Conservation farming ( maintain/enhance soil health and carbon sequestration), horticulture, agro-forestry, animal husbandry (includes management and development of grazing land, goatery , piggery) , fisheries , poultry etc.
The policy approach in rural area should be oriented to make each house as a production centre to engage rural youths in agriculture and allied activities and at the same time to ensure job/employment opportunities to them. The role of Agriculture Universities/Krishi Vigyan Kendra (Agricuture Science Centre) should be strengthened for creating awareness among villagers for the importance of agriculture in ensuring livelihoods and social security.
Multi-disciplinary Ministry/Department for Mountain/Hills/Plateau management and sustainable development should be established in the concerned States and the Centre.
Multi-disciplinary River Basin Authority by the Central Government for the International and Inter-State Rivers with mandate to resolve the disputes in a fixed time line.
Multi-disciplinary River Basin Authority at the State level for the development and management of intra-State rivers.
The River Basin should be prioritized as (a) directly draining very high and high degraded area (b) freely draining very high and high degraded area and accordingly, the Catchment Area Treatment (CAT) involving engineering, biological/ecological measures should be implemented for the conservation, management and development of riverine ecosystems. The Ministries/Departments of Agriculture, Forest, Rural Development/Panchayat in the State should implement CAT works and the multi-disciplinary River Basin Authority in the Centre and State may coordinate and monitor the rehabilitation/restoration River Ecosystem.
The National Action Plan should be formulated for the protection, rehabilitation and restoration of marine ecosystem including salt marshes, coral reefs, etc. The marine conservation programs should be based on marine biology, oceanography and fisheries sciences.
Action Plan should be formulated for sustainable utilization of ground water and replenishing the acquifer by increasing storage in all the States with priority in the States falling in dark zone.
The institutional arrangements should be made by the both Central and States/UTs Governments for the conservation and management of lakes /wetlands. There should be multi-disciplinary Authority at the Centre for coordination, monitoring, funding and at the State level for implementation as per National Wetlands (conservation & management) Rules, 2017 and Guidelines, 2020. The participation of Universities/ Colleges located in the area of Wetlands/lakes should be made nodal agency as an ad-interim arrangements , till a regular institution is established for the conservation and management of Wetlands/lakes. The district level Committee on Wetlands should take pro-active role in identification of Wetlands in the district, their Brief Documentatation, formulation of Action Plan and ensuring participation of Civil Societies to make it “Community driven” project.
The deforestation should be minimum and priority need to be attached to rehabilitation/ restoration of forest ecosystem since, future with more forest is key to resilience of our planet. Fund for nature conservation should be made available at the district level for allocating the same to the Panchayats .
The rehabilitation (some ecological function) , restoration (most ecological function) , reforestation, afforestation, natural regeneration should be launched as a Mission for the management of forest and conservation of the biodiversity. The conservation of biodiversity both in-situ and ex-situ should be foremost priority.
The Nurseries of indigenous plant species having timber, fodder, medicinal, cultural and aesthetic values should be established in each Panchayat with campaign to create awareness among people to make it community driven programs. The Joint Forest Management Committee (JFMC) should be constituted and all the plantation should be geo- tagged for monitoring their survival. This Mission should be undertaken by Forest, Agriculture, Rural , Panchayat departments with objectives to ensure green jobs and livelihoods to the youths and women.
The community Forest Rights should be ensured to prevent forest fires and better management of forest. The participation of local people and development of information system should be ensured. The monitoring mechanism of forest fires on real-time basis should be established through National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), USA and Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) .
The indigenous people (tribals) representing about 6 percent of the global population are custodian of 75 percent biodiversity and therefore, their indigenous knowledge and technology should be utilized for nature conservation and ecosystems rehabilitation/restoration.
The women being foremost environmental and human rights defenders should be involved right from policy planning , implementation and monitoring of ecosystems rehabilitation/ restoration tasks.
The health infrastructure from Panchayat to National level should be strengthened/developed to make it self sustainable in terms of medicine, oxygen, doctors, para-medical staffs, diagonastic lab etc. The facilities of Mobile Dispensary and Boat Ambulance ( where feasible and area is un- accessible ) equipped with all medical facilities like medicine, doctor, para-medical staffs, communication (mobile/wireless/satellite phone) , x-ray, CT-scan, oxygen,etc. should be extended in the areas having no regular/permanent establishment for the prevention and control of Corona Pandemic and other health problems.
The medical research and development institutions already existing should be strengthened including establishment of new institutions to undertake research on Viruses, other epidemic diseases and development of indigenous vaccines for Corona and other epidemics.
A special Mission should be launched for inculcating scientific temper among the youths to pursue carreer in the field of Science and Technology for quality scientific research and innovation .
The economics have been top priority subject in all development process in all over the World . It is now high time to attach top priority to the Environment and Ecology in all the development policy and programs and therefore, principle of “Ecologinomics” should be followed . The wisdom of living in harmony with nature “Ecosophy” should be practiced . Considering, the management of natural resources, foremost priority, Indian Environment Service (IES) should be started in the country and Officers should be posted in all the districts of the Country, Ministries/Department, Institutions, Commissions, Authorities etc in the Centre and States having concern of Environment and Ecology for ensuring natural resources management and Sustainable Development.
Special programme should be launched to create a Sustainable Society based on the principles of maintenance of peace, overcoming poverty/inequalities, securing fundamental human rights, establishing democracy and conservation and management of environment.
The investment on Nature is need of the hour since, it will support thousands of people with “Green Jobs” on one hand and pay dividend for generations to come by giving nature a helping hand on the other hand.

REFERENCES

Afroz, A. 1998. Environmental Management & Sustainable Development – A Solution to Achieve Sustainable Society. In Social Environment for Sustainable Development (eds. Joshi & Varma) , Rawat, Jaipur & Delhi, pp.143-153. Publication.
Afroz, A. 1998. Islam and Environment. In Muslims in India since Independence- a Regional Perspectives (ed. Qureshi), Institute of Objective Studies, Delhi, pp. 181-194.
Afroz, A. 2020. Environmental protection and Management- Policy Approach. Address in the 25^th. P. N . Panicker National Reading month celebration, Kerala.