Whether it is free or at our own cost we seldom fail to disprove any opportunity or invitation to travel. To explore new places and conquer unknown destinations is coded in our very own DNA. Some travel to photograph memories , some set out to adventure ; some head out to relive history whereas some just go out with their families and friends to spend some quality time. In the era of commercialization , tourism has seen itself evolve and shape into an prosperous industry. An industry whose positive contribution to the economy is augmenting annually. Tourist spots are spawning like mushrooms in every corner of the country. Be it historical places or hill stations or any other natural hotspot , Nature has been exploited as a booming market. Obviously it is benefiting our economical growth , but it is the duty of both government and individuals to ensure that that growth does not come at cost of environmental pollution. But do we regard this duty as "duty"?
Area of concern : Rahul is a cute little boy who has come with his parents at a beach to enjoy the evening. Rahul finds an ice-creamwala (a person who sells ice-cream) and instantly demands for one. His loving parents buys him one dutifully. When Rahul is done with it , he asks his parent where to keep the empty container. "Just throw it anywhere, darling". Rahul drops it over the sand and runs towards his parents. Hundreds of other Rahul watches this Rahul and does the same. May be one Sita recalls her school teacher's gospel of use of dustbin and she takes the little pain of scouting a nearby dustbin with her big inquisitive eyes amongst the carnival and thus avoids littering.
A group of college buddies plan or rather decide impromptu to feast in some exotic location. A remote waterfall trickling down to a hilly river is the destination. They are bewitched by the ambience , and so much so drunk in the exuberance of things that their ethical and aesthetics-thought-process has been clogged completely. They dump their non-biodegradable leftovers from their sumptuous luncheon in the natural water. No patrolling police , no overseeing security ; hence no one to bother about. Who would take the pain of disposing off the whole waste in any garbage bin or proper disposal site? Or rather are there proper disposal sites at exotic tourist spots?
Solution : The solution is simple and straightforward. Moreover any good books on civics and environment will enlighten that. But the most difficult part being implementation requires acute analysis with systematic implementation of policies and compulsory regular monitoring , of course keeping the cancer of corruption and prevalent laziness in attitude behind.
The foremost prerequisite is the change in mindset which can only be attained by responsible self-education. We all know that environmental education has been a mandatory inclusion in our school academics but it is highly doubtful the level of infiltration of the "value" into the general mind-system of public is substantially below recognition. So people need to educate themselves. We need to understand that environment is our parent home. Just as we maintain our own houses and mansions, we need to take care of our environment. The recent policies like "Swach Bharat" are praiseworthy initiatives but the seed of its fruitful-ness lies in our own hands. But sadly some of us , or rather most of us, are yet to plant them. If every house starts cleaning their surrounding or prevent littering in a single day , wonders will happen in no time. The policies are like the base , the soil. It is our duty to plant these lectures into action and water them with regular maintenance.
The next perspective , perhaps the most complex, that demands higher degree of introspection is the mechanism of education. Advertisement in all possible sectors do sound handy. But is the penetration happening till the grassroots?The government must ensure that they conduct some mobile educational tours with live demonstrations across rural areas , "Swach Bharat" captions and slogans must be highlighted in tourist spots, penalty systems should be strictly implemented in case of violations.
Another sustainable solution that has shown light is eco-tourism. This brings a great concept that takes care of contamination of environment and also caters to employment opportunities to locals. Government should promote and implement this on a large scale.
Environment is our own and only place of shelter in this beautiful earth. But we fail to realize this bigger picture or rather ignore this so blatantly. Yes if you read in school that "do not litter in public places" , do not. Also encourage your elders not to. If u see anybody in trains throwing plastics and stuff through the window , stop them. If u see anybody spitting in public or streets , kindly tell them not to or better showcase them to nearby police. Take the little pain of finding the "use me" bins. These little efforts in unison has the power of revolution, a silent democratic change. You may think What hellos crime will I be committing if I threw the tiny plastic covering of a toffee just anywhere. Yes you may not realize the impact. Actually this degradation of environment is like slow poison. But a time will certainly come when the adverse damage will be beyond recovery. Its better now than never!
Area of concern : Rahul is a cute little boy who has come with his parents at a beach to enjoy the evening. Rahul finds an ice-creamwala (a person who sells ice-cream) and instantly demands for one. His loving parents buys him one dutifully. When Rahul is done with it , he asks his parent where to keep the empty container. "Just throw it anywhere, darling". Rahul drops it over the sand and runs towards his parents. Hundreds of other Rahul watches this Rahul and does the same. May be one Sita recalls her school teacher's gospel of use of dustbin and she takes the little pain of scouting a nearby dustbin with her big inquisitive eyes amongst the carnival and thus avoids littering.
A group of college buddies plan or rather decide impromptu to feast in some exotic location. A remote waterfall trickling down to a hilly river is the destination. They are bewitched by the ambience , and so much so drunk in the exuberance of things that their ethical and aesthetics-thought-process has been clogged completely. They dump their non-biodegradable leftovers from their sumptuous luncheon in the natural water. No patrolling police , no overseeing security ; hence no one to bother about. Who would take the pain of disposing off the whole waste in any garbage bin or proper disposal site? Or rather are there proper disposal sites at exotic tourist spots?
Solution : The solution is simple and straightforward. Moreover any good books on civics and environment will enlighten that. But the most difficult part being implementation requires acute analysis with systematic implementation of policies and compulsory regular monitoring , of course keeping the cancer of corruption and prevalent laziness in attitude behind.
The foremost prerequisite is the change in mindset which can only be attained by responsible self-education. We all know that environmental education has been a mandatory inclusion in our school academics but it is highly doubtful the level of infiltration of the "value" into the general mind-system of public is substantially below recognition. So people need to educate themselves. We need to understand that environment is our parent home. Just as we maintain our own houses and mansions, we need to take care of our environment. The recent policies like "Swach Bharat" are praiseworthy initiatives but the seed of its fruitful-ness lies in our own hands. But sadly some of us , or rather most of us, are yet to plant them. If every house starts cleaning their surrounding or prevent littering in a single day , wonders will happen in no time. The policies are like the base , the soil. It is our duty to plant these lectures into action and water them with regular maintenance.
The next perspective , perhaps the most complex, that demands higher degree of introspection is the mechanism of education. Advertisement in all possible sectors do sound handy. But is the penetration happening till the grassroots?The government must ensure that they conduct some mobile educational tours with live demonstrations across rural areas , "Swach Bharat" captions and slogans must be highlighted in tourist spots, penalty systems should be strictly implemented in case of violations.
Another sustainable solution that has shown light is eco-tourism. This brings a great concept that takes care of contamination of environment and also caters to employment opportunities to locals. Government should promote and implement this on a large scale.
Environment is our own and only place of shelter in this beautiful earth. But we fail to realize this bigger picture or rather ignore this so blatantly. Yes if you read in school that "do not litter in public places" , do not. Also encourage your elders not to. If u see anybody in trains throwing plastics and stuff through the window , stop them. If u see anybody spitting in public or streets , kindly tell them not to or better showcase them to nearby police. Take the little pain of finding the "use me" bins. These little efforts in unison has the power of revolution, a silent democratic change. You may think What hellos crime will I be committing if I threw the tiny plastic covering of a toffee just anywhere. Yes you may not realize the impact. Actually this degradation of environment is like slow poison. But a time will certainly come when the adverse damage will be beyond recovery. Its better now than never!
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