Biodiversity is the main condition for the balance of nature to survive. Every living thing on earth, from the smallest insect to the giant elephant, from rare species of trees to unseen creatures living in the depths of the sea-has together made this biosphere complete. Humans are also a part of this biodiversity. But sadly, it is true that humans are causing the most harm to biodiversity in the progress of civilization. Deforestation, filling of rivers and canals, destruction of water bodies, excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, industrial waste, polluted air, of these have put biodiversity under threat. Yet this diversity is the basis of our food security, health, environmental balance, and sustainable development. Therefore, everyone’s awareness of this issue is essential, and without collective efforts, biodiversity cannot be protected.
Bangladesh is a country rich in biodiversity. The mountains, forests, rivers, haors, beels, and seas of this country are all home to unique species of animals and plants. The Sundarbans is the world’s largest mangrove forest, which is not only the habitat of tigers or deer; rather, it protects the entire southwestern region from natural disasters. Again, the dense forests of the Chittagong Hill Tracts are home to numerous rare species of animals. There is a huge treasure trove of marine fish and animals in the depths of the sea. However, this rich treasure trove is on the verge of extinction today. For example, in many places, where once there were a collection of lotuses, lotuses, and young shoots, today there are only polluted water and filled water bodies. Many species of native fish have become extinct. The number of familiar birds of rural courtyards such as doel, shalik, bulbuli, and tuntuni-these are rapidly decreasing. This change is not just the disappearance of one animal, but is disrupting the entire ecosystem.
The existence of every animal and plant in nature is interrelated with each other. If bees do not pollinate, yields decrease, if frogs do not, the number of mosquitoes increases, and if mosquitoes increase, human diseases increase. The absence of one has an adverse effect on the other. And humans are not outside that chain. Therefore, the destruction of biodiversity has a direct impact on human life. The impact of climate change, food shortages, natural disasters-everything is related to biodiversity. This is why the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) have given special importance to biodiversity conservation.
The main reasons for the destruction of biodiversity in Bangladesh include deforestation and encroachment. In the name of development activities, trees are being cut down indiscriminately to build settlements or industrial factories. Hills are being cut down to build settlements or run brick kilns without hesitation. On the one hand, soil erosion is occurring, and on the other hand, animal habitats are being destroyed. Aquatic animals are being destroyed by filling up rivers and canals to establish factories or markets. In rural areas, people are filling up canals and ditches to facilitate land cultivation. However, these water bodies are not only the habitat of fish, but also essential for the life cycle of countless animals including birds, frogs, snails and mussels.
Another major problem is the excessive use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers. Farmers use pesticides to protect crops, but they destroy soil fertility, pollute water and become poisonous to fish, birds and other animals. Most of the native fish that were once easily available in village fields have now become extinct. Underground earthworms and various insects, which played an important role in maintaining the quality of the soil, are also disappearing.
Industrial waste, plastic pollution and urbanization are also serious threats to biodiversity. A huge amount of waste is dumped into rivers every day. Turag, Buriganga, Shitalakshya, Karnaphuli-all rivers are affected by pollution today. These rivers were once a storehouse of fish, but now they are dying. Plastic has accumulated in the water bodies around the city, due to which aquatic animals are dying. Even cows and goats are dying from eating polythene. In this way, pollution is spreading throughout the environment.
People are also paying the price for destroying nature in this way. The impact of climate change is becoming more severe due to the biodiversity crisis. Agricultural production is being affected by sudden heavy storms and rains, untimely floods, and prolonged droughts. As a result, food security is under threat. Again, the loss of biodiversity is also affecting human health. Many new diseases are emerging that did not exist in the past. The coronavirus pandemic has taught a big lesson in this regard; people are facing new viruses because of the destruction of forests and the destruction of wildlife habitats.
Now the question is, what is the solution? First, the implementation of government policies and laws to protect biodiversity must be made stricter. Strict measures must be taken against activities such as encroachment of forest land, cutting down mountains, and filling up rivers. Effective steps are essential to protect protected forests, wildlife sanctuaries, and wetlands. Secondly, environmentally friendly methods must be used in agriculture. The use of organic fertilizers, compost fertilizers, and organic pesticides should be increased. If farmers know about the benefits of alternative methods, they will gradually reduce the use of chemicals.
Third, the local people should be involved in the work of protecting biodiversity. Major changes are not possible with government campaigns or NGO work alone. The rural people, especially those who are directly connected to nature and water bodies, should be made aware. If they get economic benefits from forests or water bodies, they will also be interested in protecting them. For example, if the foresters, fishermen, and woodcutters of the Sundarbans are given alternative livelihood opportunities, they will not create additional pressure on the forests.
Fourth, awareness about biodiversity should be created in the education system. Instill a love for nature in children If not, future generations will come forward to protect nature. Environmental education should be included with more importance in schools, colleges and universities. At the same time, the importance of protecting biodiversity should be highlighted in the media and social media.
Finally, a change in our mentality is most important. We often destroy nature in the name of development. But development will be sustainable only when it is environmentally friendly. Planting trees cannot be limited to observing a day, but it must be a regular habit. Filling up water bodies should not be seen as development, but rather as destruction. Every person should try to live an environmentally friendly life from their own position.
Protecting biodiversity is not just an environmentalist task, but a struggle to protect our existence. Because the destruction of nature means the destruction of humans. Therefore, along with the government, civil society, students, journalists, farmers, businessmen, everyone must come forward together. To save the earth, we must save nature, to save nature, we must save biodiversity. We all have the responsibility to build a livable world for the next generation.
Protecting biodiversity is not only an environmental responsibility, but it is an integral condition for our survival. Despite being a part of nature, humans have made nature their enemy for their own interests, which is damaging the natural cycle of life and the environment. The food crisis, new diseases, natural disasters and the horrors of climate change that we are facing today are largely due to the degradation of biodiversity. Therefore, we need to think now – not development by destroying nature, but sustainable development with nature as the main goal.
This requires joint efforts from the government, civil society, media, educational institutions and every conscious person. Environmental awareness must be created among children, agriculture must be conducted in an environmentally friendly way, and strict measures must be taken to protect forests and rivers and canals. At the same time, people must be made to understand that loving nature means loving one’s own life and future.
Protecting biodiversity does not mean just conserving birds, animals or plants; rather, it is a struggle to ensure safe food, clean air, drinking water and a healthy environment for people. So there is no time to waste. If we all come forward today, it will be possible to gift a beautiful, livable and vibrant world to future generations.
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