Category: vegetation

Conserve your ecosystems to delay species extinction
Our ecosystems and its sustainability are intricately linked to numerous factors ranging from human activities to climate change which operate conjointly. The conservation of ecosystem is crucial for the existence of mankind and biodiversity in the coming decades as degradation or decline of ecosystem is associated with natural catastrophes which can wipe out numerous species from this earth forever.
To conserve the integrity of our ecosystem fundamentally an understanding about the structure and function of ecosystems is crucial.
What constitutes an ecosystem?
An ecosystem is a community of living organisms including plants, animals, microbes which interact with each other and the non-living environment (water, soil, air, sunlight) as a functional unit. An ecosystem is characterized by nutrient cycles and energy flows, and can range in size from a puddle to a forest or ocean. The term “ ecosystem “ was first introduced by British biologist Sir Arthur Tansley in 1935.
Ecosystem is regarded as the functional unit of ecology which is the study of our environment and its organisms. Ecosystems denote the interactions between living organisms and their environment.
Ecosystems can be classified in different ways. It can be natural, such as forests, oceans, and grasslands, or human-made, such as agricultural systems and urban areas..
Over a few decades the idea of ” conservation of ecosystems” is fostered all over the globe due to the increased awareness about its role in disaster risk reduction which is simply denoted as Eco-DRR. Natural disasters of high magnitude as well as man-made catastrophes are potent enough to erase many species including mankind or a part of ecosystem altogether.
Moreover, human survival is dependent solely on the ecosystem that provide food, water, and other essential resources.
However, it is a fierce fact that human activities pose great threat to our ecosystem in the form of deforestation, pollution, and overexploitation of natural resources. The long-term sustainability and the preservation of this planet earth for future generations is a task that requires tireless efforts for conservation of ecosystem.
Geohazards such as earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, landslides, and tsunamis could be the consequences of ecosystem degradation and vice versa can happen causing extinction of the ecosystems.
Ecosystem conservation refers to the protection, management, and restoration of ecosystems, and it focuses on maintaining their structure, function, and the biodiversity they support. This strategic movement is implemented giving emphasis to the interdependence of species and their habitats.
Ecosystem conservation strategies underscore the establishment of protected areas, habitat restoration, and the integration of biodiversity conservation.
Types of Ecosystems
1.Terrestrial Ecosystems:
Terrestrial ecosystems are those that are found on land, such as forests, grasslands, and deserts.
Grassland ecosystem is dominated by grasses and herbs.
Forests include the plants, trees, animals &microorganism. Forests act as a major carbon sink and regulate temperature and climate.
Aquatic Ecosystems: Aquatic ecosystems include sources of water, such as oceans, rivers, and lakes.
Tundra ecosystem is the arctic and Antarctic terrains covered with snow.
2.Urban Ecosystems:
Urban ecosystems are those man-made urban areas, such as parks, gardens, and green roofs.
Examples for ecosystems
- The Amazon rainforest is a natural complex ecosystem that contains a diverse range of plant and animal species. The Aazon rainforest ecosystem is under threat of extinction from deforestation and climate change.
- The Great Barrier Reef: The Great Barrier Reef is a complex marine ecosystem that includes a diverse range of marine species. The reef is under threat of extinction or degradation from pollution and climate change.
Agricultural Systems: Agricultural systems are human-made ecosystems that are used to produce food and other resources. These systems can be managed to promote sustainability and conservation.
Major issues demanding Ecosystem Management and Conservation
Habitat Loss:
Habitat loss caused by human activities such as deforestation and urbanization can endanger the biodiversity of ecosystems in various ways. Deforestation causes massive biodiversity loss through habitat destruction and species extinction.
Furthermore, it can accelerate climate change releasing stored carbon, reducing CO2 absorption. Deforestation also disrupts water cycles altering rainfall, increasing floods or droughts. It causes severe soil erosion reducing fertility and eventual desertification.
Pollution:
Environmental pollution degrades the health of ecosystems. Air pollution, water pollution, and soil contamination erode the structure of ecosystems. Toxins build up in organisms and become more concentrated up the food chain. This is called bioaccumulation. Heavy metals, pesticides, plastics, and air contaminants (NO3, SO2) bioaccumulate and eventually lead to genetic damage, reproductive failure, and alter the ecosystem resilience.
Pollutants annihilate organisms either directly or by destroying habitats, cause species extinction.
Overexploitation of Natural Resources:
Overexploitation of natural resources cause habitat loss, biodiversity decline, soil erosion, water scarcity and disrupting food webs. For instance, overfishing and mining, undermine the sustainability of ecosystems.
Invasive Species:
An invasive species is a non-native organism (plant, animal, microbe) that spreads aggressively in a new environment, causing harm in multiple ways. They outcompeting with native species disrupt the ecological balance. It is a mammoth threat to biodiversity and ecosystem as they can cause extinctions as well as threaten endangered species. To be termed as invasive, they must adapt quickly, reproduce rapidly, and cause significant damage. Eg: kudzu vine, zebra mussels, and lionfish.
Ecosystem Management and Conservation
Ecosystem management and conservation involve the following:
- Understanding Ecosystems:
Understanding the structure and function of ecosystem involves understanding the interactions between living organisms and their physical and chemical environment.
- Monitoring Ecosystems:
Monitoring ecosystems means collecting data on ecosystem structure and function. This data is used to inform management decisions and track changes in ecosystem health.
- Ecosystem Restoration:
Ecosystem restoration is the process of restoring degraded ecosystems to their natural state. This process includes reforestation, habitat restoration, and water quality improvement.
- Sustainable Use:
Sustainable use of ecosystems involves using natural resources in a way that ensures their long-term sustainability. This can involve activities such as sustainable forestry, fisheries management, and agricultural practices.
- Policy and Regulation:
This involves establishing laws and regulations that promote sustainable use and conservation of ecosystems.
Conclusion
To sustain on this planet for the generations in the decades and centuries yet to come, we need to conserve our ecosystems from today. Moreover, there is a dire need to mitigate the impact of bioaccumulated toxins in the food chain to survive on this planet at least for the average life span, keeping the quality of life in good state, free from morbidities. To achieve this daunting task a strategic management plan has to be implemented by authorities with participation of common people to preserve the resources and biodiversity with its ecosystem for the posterity.
January 1, 2026
Sacred trees of India
Indian subcontinent has several renowned trees for worshipping which are considered sacred. The list of sacred trees of India chiefly includes Banyan tree and Peepal.
Trees are symbolically connected with tradition and culture in various geographical regions of the world since time immemorial. The concept of linking trees with holiness or divinity and categorizing them as sacred trees is intricately connected to Indian as well as South East Asian cultures.
Indian subcontinent and countries like Japan, Korea also have this deep-rooted linkage with trees. The trees have merged intimately with myths and legends of the region and rituals are performed to worship trees in some of these hamlets for many centuries.
The tradition & practice of worshipping trees connecting with the religious landscape has been noted since ancient times. Hinduism, Jainism and Buddhism has religious linkage with trees.
Indian subcontinent has several renowned trees for worshipping which are considered sacred. The list of trees chiefly includes Banyan tree and Peepal. Other sacred trees include Neem, Ashoka,Kadamba, Parijata,Sandal wood , fig tree etc.
Trees are symbolic representation of knowledge according to various cultures of India. Banyan tree is connected with permanent wisdom of hermit life and enlightenment.
Various religious texts and scriptures of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism has mentions about sacred trees and environment. The Hindu text Matsyapurana has Sanskrit hymns which illustrates the reverence paid to ecology in the ancient era.The excerpt from Matsyapurana goes like this:
“A pond equals ten wells, a reservoir equals ten ponds, while a son equals ten reservoirs and a tree equals ten sons”.
According to Vedic literature many trees including Banyan tree, figs, khejri, teak,silk cotton were integral part various vedic rituals.
In Sikhism Jujube tree is considered as a sacred tree capable of removing all woes and sufferings, particularly the jujube tree situated near Harmandir sahib complex, Amritsar.
Banyan tree [Ficus benghalensis]
Banyan tree is worshipped as a symbol of longevity, connectedness, life’s stability and strength. This tree is a connecting link between generations due to its long years of survival or lifespan. The tree has witnessed many centuries, attaining giant aerial roots over the years and remains symbolic of growth, connectedness, stability and longevity.
Banyan tree is regarded as the symbol of Trimurti- Lord Brahma, Vishnu and Shiva according to Hinduism and it is worshipped very fervently in the subcontinent. The tree is considered as immortal as per the vedic traditions.
Banyan tree has gained significance beyond the spiritual realm and it is often regarded as a symbol of fertility, longevity and stability gathering the sobriquet tree of life. It is the national tree of India.
Indian subcontinent has numerous centuries old Banyan trees and Sagar in Madhya Pradesh has a Banyan tree which is believed to be 5000years old.
Ficus benghalensis or Banyan tree is an evergreen tree with wide spreading crown of green foliage and grows to a height of 20-30 meters. It is an epiphyte growing on the stem or branch of another tree and as it grows over the years numerous aerial roots are generated and these root hanging down to the earth touching the soil. Eventually these roots thicken and imparts strength and stability.
Peepal tree [ Ficus religiosa]
Peepal is known as Bodhi tree because it is under a Peepal tree The great Buddha achieved enlightenment. The tree has religious significance not only in Buddhism but also in Hinduism and Jainism. The sacred fig is the tree of meditation and has given utmost significance in Indian state Odisha, Bihar and Haryana as the state tree.
Ficus religiosa is a seasonal deciduous semi evergreen tree growing into the height of above 30m and trunk diameter up to 3 meters. Ficus is native to India and its neighboring countries like Nepal , Bhutan and Bangladesh etc. It grows in a wide variety of soils having good drainage for water. Ficus grows well in temperature range0-35 degree Celsius. It gross well in a wide variety of climates including tropical rain forest climate and tropical monsoon climate.
The stories Sacred trees of India are innumerable and are infused intricately with the religion, tradition and culture of this land and it imparts fervent hues to the cultural heritage as well as lives of people of the subcontinent since antiquity.
written by dr Sanjana p
Image courtesy:https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/exotic-tree-with-roots-ground-middle-beautiful-forest_9283112.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=8&uuid=e256ad2a-0da1-4265-9936-bd12aef12e13&query=+ficus++trees+with+aerial+roots
September 26, 2025
The cultural & ecological significance of Khejri tree
Khejri tree is one of the most beloved trees of Indian subcontinent, with its distinctive leaves and small yellow flowers and the tree grows in arid, dry climate with tolerance to adverse weather.
Prosopis cineraria is the scientific name of this special tree which is intricately linked to the culture and traditions of Indian subcontinent since ancient times. Prosopis belongs to the pea family, Fabaceae.
Prosopis cineraria is the state tree of Rajasthan where it is known as khejri. This tree is known by various names in different parts of the country. In Western Uttar Pradesh it is known as chhonkara and inTelangana it is known as jammi. It is well-known in Madhya Pradesh& Maharashtra as Shami. Gujrati people of India knows the tree as khijro.
Its adaptability to arid & dry climatic conditions has imparted it ecological significance as the preserver of soil and biodiversity sustainability.
Khejri -the star of deserts all over the globe
Prosopis cineraria [khejri tree] is native to arid portions of Western Asia and the Indian Subcontinent. It is cultivated in Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iran, India, Oman, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and Yemen. It is the national tree of the United Arab Emirates.
The story of human sacrifice for khejri tree & the chipco movement
In 1730 AD, the village of Khejarli near Jodhpur in Rajasthan witnessed a scene of violent & vehement environmental confrontation. Maharaja Abhai Singh of Marwar had ordered to cut khejri trees of the region to build a new palace there. A family resided in that region including Amrita Devi and her three young daughters gave their lives in an attempt to protect some khejri trees. This incident led to widespread protest and resentment and later turned into a massive movement in which 363 people were killed in the attempt to save the trees. In hindsight, this tragic incident compels us to have a look at the cultural significance of the tree in the history of Indian landscapes & vegetations. Khejri was part of their ethnic culture and lives rather than the environmental significance the tree connotes currently.
Later in the 1970s, the memory of this sacrifice led to the start of the Chipko movement in India which raise voice against cutting trees indiscriminately.
Kejri – A sacred linking with the myth
The Indian epic Mahabharata narrates the story of the Pandavas spent their thirteenth year of exile in disguise in the kingdom of Virata. Before entering the kingdom of Virata, they hung their celestial weapons on the khejri [Shami]tree for safekeeping for a year. When they returned after a year, they found their weapons safe in the branches of the Shami tree. It is narrated in the epic that before taking their weapons from the Shami tree, the Pandavas worshipped the tree and thanked it for keeping their weapons safe. It is curious to know that in Indian subcontinent every landscape and vegetation has a sacred linking with divinity as well as myths. Khejri is one of the such instances of trees being part of the culture and traditions of a spiritually inclined ancient society.
Khejri tree -Botanical description
The tree is found in extremely arid conditions, with rainfall as low as 15 cm (5.9 in) annually. Prosopis cineraria is a small tree, ranging in height from 3–5 m (9.8–16.4 ft). The leaves are bipinnate, with seven to fourteen leaflets on each of one to three pinnae. Branches are thorned along the internodes. Flowers are small and creamy-yellow and followed by seeds in pods.
The plant has tolerance for highly alkaline and saline environments and thrive in these localities also.
Kejri tree- A cultural link with Dussehra
The tree is revered by Hindu community in Inda and it is intricately connected with Dusshera festival. On the tenth day of the Dasara Festival the tree has some special significance.
In the Deccan region of India, as part of the tenth-day ritual of Dussehra, the marathas used to shoot arrows onto the crown of the khejri tree and gather the falling leaves into their turbans.
Mysore Dasara &Banni [ kejri] tree
According to historical references, Prosopis cineraria is known as the Banni mara, and holds a special place in the Mysore Dasara, where it’s worshipped on the Vijay-dashami day.
Conservation efforts for the Khejri Tree focus on promoting sustainable land management practices, afforestation initiatives, and the preservation of natural habitats. Protection and restoration of Khejri-dominated ecosystems contribute to the maintenance of biodiversity and sustainable use of this resilient species.
Khejri – Ecological warrior against soil erosion and climate crisis
Currently the entire world is grappled with climate crisis as the aftereffect of global warming. At another end landslides and soil erosion are continuously morphing the landscape of our habitat and ecosystem. In the wake of these grave scenarios, Khejri tree due to its adaptability to adverse weather conditions and survival in arid regions helps to mitigate the impact of climate crisis and soil erosion indirectly. Therefore we can call the plant as an ecological warrior which preserve the ecosystem with its deep roots and leaves.
As the Chipco movement advocates for preservation of trees, let us Embrace the trees , stop cutting and felling them down as long as no direct imminent threat of trees falling and endanger human lives under torrential rain and tempests. The term “Chipko” means “to hug” or “to embrace”. Let us embrace this tree and many others of its kind into human culture as well as lives to preserve our ecosystem and delve into our roots to imbibe the good practices of ancient wisdom.
Written by Dr. Sanjana .P. Souparnika
References for further reading
June 26, 2025
The Great Himalayan National Park
The great Himalayan national park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a biodiversity hotspot is located in Banjar sub-division of Kullu in the state of Himachal Pradesh, India.
This amazing Park in the western part of the Himalayan Mountains is characterized by high alpine peaks, alpine meadows and riverine forests. It is part of the Himalaya biodiversity hotspot and includes twenty-five forest types.
Historical geography of the region
The national park and biodiversity hotspot lies within the ecologically distinct Western Himalayas at the junction between two of the world’s major biogeographic realms, the Palearctic and Indo-malayan Realms. Displaying biotic elements from both these realms.
The evolution of this region is related to tectonic plate movements. Over 100 million years ago, the Indian sub-continent broke off from the large, southern landmass, Gondwanaland and moved north. It eventually slammed into the northern land mass, Laurasia, and formed the gigantic folded mountains of the Himalaya.
Due to this union of Gondwanaland and Asiatic landmasses, exchange of flora and fauna was possible and this ultimately led to the unique biogeographical features in the region.
Biodiversity of the Great Himalayan National Park
The park was established in 1984 and it spreads over an area of 1171 km². It is a habitat to numerous floras and incorporates more than 375 fauna species, including approximately 31 mammals, 181 birds, 3 reptiles, 9 amphibians, 11 annelids, 17 mollusks and 127 insects. It is indeed an ethereal experience to walk amidst the snow cladded muntain valley forests exploring its rich biodiversity.
This ecologically fragile region is protected under the strict guidelines of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. The high elevation ecosystem of the Northwest Himalaya has common plant elements with the adjacent Western and Central Asiatic region.The4,100 m elevation range of the park has a diversity of zones with their representative flora and fauna. The high elevation ecosystem incorporates alpine, glacial, temperate, and subtropical forests.
Most of the Himalayan fauna has been protected under the high priority protection category of Schedule I of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972. The state government of Himachal Pradesh has banned hunting in the state for more than ten years. It is a commendable
The park is home to a wide variety of vegetation ranging from pines ,spruces and the horse chestnuts of the lower valleys, to the alpine herbs and junipers.
On this part of Western Himalayas, forests and alpine meadows can be seen in their pristine forms. The subalpine zone is richest in species, followed by the alpine and upper temperate zones.
The Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area is an epitome for elucidatting the significance of biodiversity conservation.
It is located within the globally significant “Western Himalayan Temperate Forests” eco-region. The National Park Conservation Area is home to 805 vascular plant species, 192 species of lichen, 12 species of liverworts and 25 species of mosses.
Trekking & Tourism prospects in the great Himalayan national park
The park has emerged as a popular trekking and ecotourism destination. The GHNP office at Sai Ropa issues the permits needed for trekking. There are several popular trekking routes in the park, ranging from those that can be done in a day or two, to those that can take up from a week to ten days.
How to reach the Great Himalayan national park?
By air :
Fly to Kullu Manali Airport (Bhuntar) from Delhi, and then traveling by road to the park’s entrance.[ about 60 km from the park].
You need a permit to enter the park, which can be obtained from the park’s head office in Shamshi or zonal offices in Ropa and Shairopa. The park is only accessible by foot, and trekking is the only way to truly explore its wilderness.you can hire a guide.
By train :
Joginder Nagar is the nearest railhead, about 143 km away
By road :
Aut is the major stop on the Kullu-Manali highway, Aut is the gateway to the park and Parvati Valley. From Aut take a taxi or local bus to Banjar.
Written by Dr. sanjana.p. Souparnika
References
- https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/1406/
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Himalayan_National_Park
- https://www.greathimalayannationalpark.org/
- Attribution https://www.freepik.com/search?format=search&last_filter=query&last_value=Himalayan+park&query=Himalayan+park
- https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/hiker-walking-hill-with-rocky-mountain_10292323.htm#fromView=search&page=1&position=17&uuid=0c9d61d9-16c6-4607-acde-38a5525bbf16&query=Himalayan++great+national+park
April 16, 2025
Microbes to detoxify our atmosphere & reduce global warming
Microbes play a vital role in reducing air pollution and global warming. Let us have a glimpse at the role of microbes in carbon sequestration and in climate change.
Microbes are microscopic living things found in water, soil, the air and our bodies. Microbes are also referred to as microorganisms and some of them are disease causing agents while others are helpful to the body as well as the environment. The microbes include bacteria, viruses and fungi and they are part of our life and environment.
It is a well-known fact that human body contains numerous microbes and every microorganism is not harmful to us. For example, human intestine contains probiotic bacteriae and vitamin K synthesizing bacteriae which helps to maintain the gut health. Similarly, our environment also incorporates microbes as a part of our ecosystem and which helps to maintain ecological balance.
Melbourne researchers have discovered that microbes of our environment consume huge amounts of atmospheric carbon monoxide (CO) and helps in detoxification process. CO is a green house gas which leads to global warming phenomenon due to their increased heat trapping potential.
The Monash University-led Study, published in Nature Chemical Biology, shows that at an atomic level how microbes consume carbon monoxide present in the atmosphere. The microbes use a special enzyme, called the CO dehydrogenase in this detoxification process. These microbes consume CO for their own survival, but it helps to clear carbon monoxide, the toxic gas that gets trapped on Earth’s atmosphere.
Microbes reduce air pollution
Carbon monoxide [CO] is an atmospheric trace gas and rarely exceeds 1 ppm except in heavily polluted city airspaces, volcanic exhalations, or industrial flue gases . Volcanic exhalations have significant CO content, submarine hydrothermal vent fluids have about 100 nM CO .
Moderate concentrations of CO are produced by bacterial fermentation or in soil associated with rhizosphere bacteria. CO has high potential as an electron donor, and represents a very favorable energy and carbon source for microbial growth. Some atmospheric microbes utilize atmospheric carbon monoxide as a part of their survival process, but this detoxification process by the microbes has positive impact on our ecosystem as it reduces air pollution, which kills many millions of people each year.
Microbes impact global warming
According to NASA, Global warming is the long-term heating of Earth’s surface observed since the pre-industrial period (between 1850 and 1900) due to human activities , primarily fossil fuel burning, which increases heat-trapping greenhouse gas levels in Earth’s atmosphere. Since the pre-industrial period, human activities are estimated to have increased Earth’s global average temperature by about 1 degree Celsius (1.8 degrees Fahrenheit), a number that is currently increasing by more than 0.2 degrees Celsius (0.36 degrees Fahrenheit) per decade.
Generally, life on Earth depends on energy coming from the Sun. About half the light energy reaching Earth’s atmosphere passes through the air and clouds to the surface, where it is absorbed and radiated in the form of infrared heat. About 90% of this heat is then absorbed by greenhouse gases and re-radiated, slowing heat loss to space. Greenhouse gases are slowing heat loss from the lower atmosphere.
The consumption of carbon monoxide [CO]by the microbes help to reduce global warming, as CO is a notoriously known for raising atmospheric temperature as a greenhouse gas. Five key greenhouse gases are carbon dioxide, nitrous oxide, methane, chlorofluorocarbons, and water vapor.
History of link between microbes and environment
The evidence for CO utilization by “methane bacteria” was noted by Kluyver and Schnellen in 1947 and since then many microbes using CO via oxidation have emerged. Many strains of microbes use molecular oxygen as the electron acceptor for aerobic oxidation of CO.
Carbon monoxide (CO) is one of the most important chemical reactants in the troposphere layer of earth’s atmosphere. It influences the fate of methane and ozone by removing the major atmospheric oxidizing agent, hydroxyl radical.
Fossil fuel use, biomass burning, and oxidation of atmospheric hydrocarbons (methane and other compounds) account for most of the CO source strength of the atmosphere.
Carbon dioxide sequestration
Soil microbes are essential to carbon sequestration. Certain bacteria and algae convert carbon dioxide into organic matter, which is then stored in the soil. This helps remove excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, mitigating the effects of global warming.
Some of the key soil microbes involved in carbon sequestration include:
Mycorrhizal fungi: These fungi form mutualistic relationships with plant roots, helping plants to absorb nutrients and water from the soil. They also play a role in carbon sequestration by increasing the amount of carbon stored in the soil.
Actinobacteria: These bacteria are known to decompose plant litter and other organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide in the process. They also play a role in carbon sequestration by producing organic compounds that help to stabilize soil organic matter.
Rhizobia: These bacteria form symbiotic relationships with legume plants, fixing nitrogen from the air and making it available to the plant. This process also helps to increase the amount of carbon stored in the soil.
Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi: These fungi form symbiotic relationships with a many plant species, and they play vital role in carbon sequestration by increasing the amount of carbon stored in the soil.
Proteobacteria: These bacteria help in decomposing plant litter and other organic matter, releasing carbon dioxide. However, they aid carbon sequestration by producing compounds that help to stabilize soil organic matter.
Scientists have recently discovered a microbe, a type of cyanobacteria, off the coast of a volcanic island near Sicily that consumes carbon dioxide (CO2) very quickly. Cyanobacteria are a type of bacteria that use photosynthesis to obtain energy, capturing carbon in the process.
Together with a team of researchers from Harvard and Cornell universities in the US and the University of Palermo in Sicily, and with help from the Vulcano community, Tierney isolated a microbe that converted CO2 into biomass faster than other known cyanobacteria.
How do microbes impact climate change?
Scientists all over the world are of the opinion that tackling climate change will require large-scale carbon capture and carbon sequestration. Both aims at removing excess carbon dioxide from the atmosphere and thus prevent the climate change. This can probably be achieved via new technology or through protecting and enhancing existing natural ecosystems such as forests, peatlands and soils.
Last year the UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) said that carbon capture is essential because even big cuts to emissions won’t be enough to limit global warming. Microbes play a crucial role in caron capture.
This discovery elucidates the significance of coexistence of microbes in our environment for better weather and climatic state. All microbes are not deleterious to our health in normal weather and climatic conditions. Some are helpful in preserving the equilibrium of our ecosystem.
written by
Dr. Sanjana.p. Souparnika
References for further reading
February 9, 2025
Sustainable living
Sustainable living is a method of reducing one’s “carbon footprint”. In this life style people learn to minimize their use of Earth’s resources and reduce the personal and environmental impact. It also includes healthy organic food choices.
Sustainable living means we prioritize the use of natural and renewable resources instead of creating excess waste and depleting environmental resources for future generations. Sustainable living can counteract climate change and other negative environmental concerns happening from human activity of exploiting natural resources.
Sustainable living is a practical life style choice or philosophy that aims to reduce personal and environmental impact by making positive changes.
More precisely, sustainable living is a method of reducing one’s “carbon footprint”.
In this life style people learn to minimize their use of Earth’s resources and reduce the personal and environmental impact.
Sustainability or sustainable living was an idea proposed to create and maintain the conditions under which humans and nature can exist in productive harmony to support present and future generations.
Living sustainably means” curb expenditure” in order to protect and improve our environment.”
The natural resource base to supply food is being threatened by overfishing, land degradation, and more human activities exploiting natural resources. All these unbridled exploitations are polluting the world’s freshwater supplies faster than nature can purify them, and excessive use of water is contributing to global water stress. And household energy usage is contributing to 21 percent of consequential CO2 emissions.
A few sustainable living options
·       Empower organic farmers & people with agricultural and financial support they needed to make a fair living without cutting down trees.
·       Don’t use plastic bags at checkout. Instead, take your own bags for groceries.
·       Buy your grains & groceries in bulk from your local farmer’s markets.
·       Avoid buying plastic-wrapped products, opt for a paper bag instead.
·       Stop buying bottled water. Use your own steel or glass bottles filled with water.
·       Shop at bulk food stores for any goods, avoid frequent food travels. Better take products in your own jars or bags.
·       Take your own paper bags or a container when buying snacks .
·       Support fashion brands that are ethical and environmentally conscious.
·       Learn how to find sustainable materials when shopping.
·       Go paperless to avoid deforestation or falling down trees for making paper.
·       Opt to receive digital letters and notices.
·       Send electronic wedding invitations.
·       Collect scrap paper in a tray.
·       Turn off your computer before leaving work.
·       Get rid of your home printer.
·       Unplug workstation from ports overnight to reduce phantom power.
·       If you need business cards, use an eco-friendly printer.
·       Add small pot plants to your workspace. Adopt green office environment
·       Always use double-sided printing where possible.
·       Juice the off-cuts of your vegetables and fruits.
·       Repurpose glass jars usage.
·       Use washable metal straws instead of disposable plastic straws.
·       Limit the use of hot water when hand washing dishes.
·       Use cloths instead of paper towels.
·       Make your own coffee instead of buying takeaway.
·       Ditch your bin liner or use newspaper instead.
·       Start composting the vegetable and food waste.
·       Reduce your food waste by eating only what you need.
·       Invest in a pressure cooker and reduce your cooking time and save energy.
November 27, 2024