Environmental Biotechnology

Human greed and wish to achieve very high levels of affluence is fast denuding the planet of its resources. Accelerated industrialization and urbanization has worsened the situation all the more. Air, water and soil are key resources linked with sustenance of life and environmental degradation is a real threat with irreversible consequences. Water, the elixir of life has been enormously depleted and acute deterioration in its quality has also been witnessed which has been caused by none other but man himself. Hence, by allowing environmental degradation and refusal to adhere to international norms and ethics we are knowingly squandering the birthright of generations to come. That birthright includes the heritage of natural marvels of our ecosystem with remarkable diversity of plants and animals with all its vibrance and sparkle. The dichotomy of the situation is being engrossed in the pursuit of better productivity and amenities resulting in an alarming level of environmental problems of magnified dimensions. Our Father of Nation, Mahatma Gandhi has rightly said ‘Nature can fulfil man’s need but not his greed’. Therefore, the development parameters have to be tailored in a manner to avoid combating nature and conflict through human interventions. The carrying capacity which implies the ability of environment to supply the inputs for living beings, must be evaluated very precisely as it would be unwise to grow beyond this limit, otherwise man’s own existence may be jeopardized and stage may be reached when there would be no life on this only habitable planet. As such, adopting routes which proceed hand in hand with nature will be positive step in this direction. The United Nations Conference held during June 5-11, 1972 at Stockholm, Sweden, was the first major international event which created global awareness about environment. The historic declaration called the world community to bear a solemn responsibility to protect and improve environment for "present" and "future generation" and gave the concept of "eco-development". To commemorate this great event, every year 5 June is observed as the "World Environment Day". Article 48A and 51A of the Indian Constitution express the responsibility of every citizen of Indian toward maintaining environmental quality. Therefore, it becomes our foremost duty to preserve environment for posterity. Protecting environment and making judicious use of nature’s finite resources without compromising with the ability of our Mother Earth to fulfill the needs of the future generation, are the most pressing demands. Sustainable development is collective  responsibility of all. Man, being an integral part of this cosmos, should awaken noble thoughts and actions that would be life sustaining and unifying.