In
the autumn of 2004, I made my first trek in the Garhwal Himalayas along with a
group of students. Hemkund at a height of 4600 metres was our destination. We
started our trek from Govind Ghat on a fine morning with a lot of enthusiasm
and excitement. It was a two-day trek with a stopover at Ghangaria. We took in
the mesmerising charms of the Himalayas as we plodded on the weary way. In the
afternoon of the first day, a few hundred metres down Ghangaria, we were
stunned by something that was just incredible. A whole mountain of plastic
bottles and plastic waste lay in the course of the Laxman Ganga.
 |
| Starting off from Govind Ghat, Maggie and I |
Most
of the trekkers were pilgrims, people who went to pray at the Gurudwara atop
the peak after taking a holy dip in the icy lake. What kind of spirituality is
it that failed to teach people a basic respect for the planet?
We
have so many beautiful slogans which are going to save everything from the
rivers to the mountains, the planet itself. Save the trees, save the whales, save
the snails, and what not. But just take a look around and you’ll be amazed by
what you see. No one is saving anything. Our slogans sound so hollow. They are
hollow.
Two
years ago Kerala was buffeted by tremendous rains and floods. The two rivers
that flow through my village were inundated. When the waters receded
eventually, what remained on the banks of the rivers was an incredible mass of
plastic. Plastic bottle and carry-bags covered the entire banks on both sides.
It was a terrifying sight.
The
experience taught the state a lesson, however. The Panchayats in the state
swung into action and now there is a well-oiled machinery for collecting
plastic waste from every household and sending it to the shredder.
Shredding
is not the best solution. Why not reduce the use of plastic? I carry a shopping
bag so that I can avoid some of the plastic at least that shopkeepers give us
generously. Everything from food items to furniture comes in plastic.
Maybe,
every religion should make it a sin to use plastic unless it is unavoidable.
Will that work? I don’t know. I don’t see religions working anywhere. Yet they
could try to be useful this way at least. Some awareness will descend on
people, perhaps.
PS. Written for Indispire
Edition 302: As responsible citizens, should not we ask people using polythene in
market not to use or should we be quiet? #environment
Good idea.
ReplyDelete🙏
Deletepeople pray for the soul; the physical earth is maya. so they say!
ReplyDeleteHahaha... When someone told me once that the earth was maya, i told him to kick the huge boulder that lay on the roadside.
Deleteevery religion should make it a sin to use plastic unless it is unavoidable.Good idea
ReplyDeleteReligions should evolve and become relevant.
DeleteIntellectual idea, religion can make any changes...
ReplyDeletePlastic is a threat for the human race , hopefully one day people will realize its fatal effect.
Do people ever realise their mistakes?
DeleteWhat irritates me the most is the hypocrisy displayed by us. the same people who litter everywhere in our country wont even think about it in foreign countries. Where does your sense go ? i questioned a couple of people on their double standards, they say everybody litters in india so they do it too. What sort of thinking is this ?
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely relevant observation. Indians seem to share that herd mentality too much: do just what the next guy does.
DeletePlastic free earth can be possible through the Biotech.
ReplyDeleteFor more interesting and informative Biotechnology related posts go to BioTechBug website.