SOILS, WATER, BIODIVERSITY AND CULTURES

R. Rajamani, lAS, (Retd)

Soils, water and biological diversity expressed in all flora and fauna, existed long before the human species, Home
erectus, who was part of this scene came down from the trees and started behaving as though he was superior to other
species. In early history of the world many natural disasters and phenomena occurred like floods, avalanches, earth quakes,
and continental drift and meteorite strikes. These wrought many changes like disappearance of species, formation of new
continents

and

landmasses.

Geological tumults which brought a glacial era, ecosystem changes (like the rise of the Himalayas), formation of fossil fuels and
so on. The human species evolved long after many of these changes had occurred and we are witnesses even today to many
natural disasters, though not on the same scale so far. Human beings have made their contribution to the destruction of
resources by events such as the World Wars and indiscriminate industrialization which have left deep scars on our soils, water
and biodiversity, not to speak of air which is a big subject in itself! It is important to note that these changes due to
anthropogenic forces are compressed in time scale and accelerate environmental deterioration much faster than even natural
disasters. Soils, water and biodiversity are therefore reducing natural' resources now due to interference with evolutionary forces and
over

utilization.

We are rushing ahead with utilization as though today counts more than tomorrow. The human intelligence and power of reasoning which
apparently distinguishes it from other species is being used more for destruction than conservation of natural endowments. Soils,
especially topsails are, along with clean air and water, life support systems which ensure the food chain is intact and food security is
assured. Yet our agricultural, pastoral, forestry, irrigation and industrial practices are such that precious topsoil is being washed away
year after year and there is no renewal of either the soil or the nutrients that go with it to sustain our food chain over a long period. Use
of chemical pesticides and fertilizers for short-term gains, over irrigation and changes in land use like deforestation, over urbanization
and overgrazing are altering the chemical composition and texture of soils and laying waste productive land like never before.

Our waters are victims too of similar phenomena. Both quality and quantity of water are in grave danger. We have reached a stage where
waters in our rivers, lakes, ponds and even under the ground are no longer fit for drinking or even bathing in many places. Over use of
water for irrigation, interference with natural water courses and industrialization has resulted in disputes between even States within our
country itself! Things have come to such a pass that even the abundant sea waters are now being polluted by discharge of sewerage,
industrial effluents and oil spills which endanger marine biological resources on which we could have depended when our terrestrial
resources are depleted. Flora and fauna of all descriptions which are part of the rich biological diversity are disappearing at a faster rate
than

when

natural

phenomena

overtook

them.

In India we have lost the cheetah and the pink headed duck in the last century, to mention two species which were more visible. Many
other organisms both above and below ground must have vanished even before being documented. Many domesticated species of
animals and crops too are now victims of the greed for more production and breeds which served us well for centuries are now on the
verge

of

extinction.

We are compelled to see many of our animals and plants only in zoological parks, botanical gardens or herbariums Many species are now
in the threatened or vulnerable category and we are hard put to conserve even our apex species like the tiger and the elephant Why have
we reached this stage in our existence where our own future, leave aside that of future generations is put at such risk? It is easy to
ascribe this as being due to overpopulation or the inevitability of economic growth where some sacrifices are inevitable. But the more
deep

causes

are

cultural

in

nature.

The values of conservation and proximity to Nature which prevailed for centuries and even permeated religious and other beliefs,
particularly in countries like India are facing erosion. The dominance of the human species, ignoring the equity among, if not equality of,
all living things and organisms has reached a point where it is endangering its own survival. Unlike our ancient cultures we see now

natural resources as those to be subjugated, used and even overused in the name of better management! The surprising aspect of these
developments is the utter disregard of the interests of our own future generations who will find that non renewable natural resources
have

been

exhausted

and

renewable

resources

have

been

harvested

to

the

point

of

no

return.

These trends do not reflect the close link between soils, water, biodiversity and human cultures which did not look at them as distinct
entities

to

be

manipulated

at

will

but

as

continuum

with

strong

inter

linkages.

We in this country have had such a culture and understanding of Nature for centuries and even now, mercifully, in most of our rural areas
and

in select

urban pockets

we have

wise

people

arid

'Communities which cherish and

even

worship these

linkages.

They have a clear understanding of the distinction between need and greed and the intra and intergenerational equities which are
fostered by a spirit of give and take, compassion and mutual love and support. It is no surprise that most of the saints, savants, religious
and even temporal heads recognized these linkages not only in the world but especially in India. We had the Vedas which sought
benediction in natural phenomena as when they said vanaspatheye shanthih. In the Bhagwad Gita, the lord says that among the trees He
was the aswattah. The two religions which originated here just before the birth of Jesus Christ, Buddhism and Jainism gave central place
to compassion, karuna. jeeva karunya or compassion to all living creatures became a powerful tool of thought and action, so much so
that two thousand years later, it became part of the Constitution of India which makes it the fundamental duty of India's citizens to "have
compassion

for

all

living

creatures",

We

had

kings

like

Sibi

and

Paari

who

were

part

of

this

culture.

Sibi carved out his own flesh to save a dove trom the hunter who insited on his pound of flesh. Paari left his golden chariot on the side of
the road to support a jasmine creeper which was drooping under its own weight Then we had Emperor Ashoka who decreed tne creation
of wildlife sanctuaries and even had a hospital for elephants! Our common people recognised the pools of water and biodiversity in many
places and by attributing divinity to them, preserved them as devarakadu or "Sacred Groves". Strangely, centuries later we saw the
British naturalist and shikari Mr Jim Corbett recognising the distinction th_ animal kingdom observed between greed and need.
He was averse to the practice of attracting tigers with a goat as bait When he was prevailed upon by a hunter friend to witness from a
machan such a bait for the tiger, the tiger astonished his friend by smelling the goat and walking away! Jim Corbett was not surprised
and told his friend the tiger must have killed for food just before that and so had no interest in the goat! The tiger killed only when it had
a need and not out of greed. Can we say the same thing about many of the lavish and ostentatious things we do these days? The cultural
values that helped conserve our natural resources did not treat them as separate entities but sawall of them as a whole not distinct from
the

parts-the

concept

of

poornam

and

simple

living

inherent

in

some

of

our

texts

and

philosophy.

The simple life, dharmic path and philanthropy practiced by the Jagadguru Shivaratri Swamigalu Order are in the same genre. But the
prevalence and power of the existentialist thought as well as the two dimensional reductionist approach of Western Science, which we
have copied without demur, have led us away trom these values. It is not as though we can have only one path of development that is
ruinous to our natural resources. We can practice many things which contribute to sustainable development like using more of biological
control of pests and diseases, finding more biodegradable substances for uses which have become part of the modern cultures, growing
more of nutrition rich and less water intensive crops that will help minimse conflicts, incorporating cleaner technologies that do not
generate waste at all and do not pollute our air and waters, reusing and recyc1 ing- the list of things that the human intellect can do to
conserve natural resources is long but practical and achievable. But what more is required is a cultural attitiude where the spirit governs
us as much as matter. Contentment and being able to make do with less, altruistic practices that avoid driving the weak up the wall,
respect and compassion for all living creatures (which should include plants, shrubs and trees) -these and more that our saints and
scriptures

have

imbibed

in

us

should

drive

us

rather

than

greed

and

an

attitude

of

the

Devil'taking

the

hindmost.

The thought for the morrow and the lives we shall ourselves create for living in it should ever be at the back of our mind as we use our
soils, water and biodiversity. I had an interesting experience with communities living around Nagarhole National park. Many in the group
of villagers were incensed about not being allowed to cut the grass, gather small fuel or take up small water harvesting structures. When
they were asked whether they were against the steps taken to conserve wildlife they said no, but wanted that the Park should not inhibit
their own growth in terms of food, income and jobs. When they were asked if someone else also ought to be heard in this connection,
they

were

bit

confused

as

who

it

could

be.

When I asked if we should not hear also the animals, trees and grasses what they thought of all this, the people became silent. It is quite
possible they thought I was being eccentric but I give them the benefit of doubt and recognise their cultural milieu where other living

beings were also having divine sanction. If they were not like that surely they would have risen in protest. But it is not possible to have
the

same

reaction

from

those

for

whom

making

quick

rupee

or

believe

"Development

is

all".

I have tried to reason with many of our engineers, contractors, industrialists, farmers and even policymakers and found that they paid
only lip-homage to our cultural traditions and Conservation. Our future 'witl be secure only when they imbibe the values I quoted from ou
Vedas

and

philosophies

and

from

the

following

two

quotations.

The first is from a Nobel Peace Lauraeate Ms Rigoberta Menchu who is from Guatemela and of Mayan descent. It reads. "The Mayas, our
grandparents, always said ,every human being occupies a small piece of time, time itself is much longer, and because of this they always
said that we must care for this earth while we are on it because it will be part of our children, of our granDchildren.
They know that life is short, that it can end so soon, and if that one gets lost on the way, others will come to take their place"

The

second one is from a Cree Indian saying in USA: "It is only when the last tree has been cut When the last fish has been caught, When the
last river has been poisoned, That you will realise that you cannot eat money". Amen.