Essay – The Earth is not for humans only
The Earth is not for humans only Essay: Earth is the only habitable planet out of the eight planets in our solar system ., with Pluto being discarded as a dwarf planet by the International Astronomical Union in August 2006. It is the only habitat for the predicted 8.7 million species, of which 2.2 million species are aquatic in nature. Human Beings have been unanimously acknowledged as the smartest inhabitants of the planet possessed with ample cognitive abilities, processing power and motor skills. The human race has turned a blind eye to other inhabitants of the planet for their self convenience without regarding the detrimental consequences faced by other species.
Discussion
The increase in human activities such as industrialisation from the 1780s till contemporary times has exploited the natural habitat and resources such as forests, water bodies as well as the climate for wildlife to sustain.. The passenger pigeons, dodo birds and stellar sea cows are already extinct from the earth. Global warming and its resultant rise in temperature have led to the destruction of the ‘Island of Bramble Cay in the Great Barrier Reef’ that sheltered the now-extinct species of Bramble Cay Melomys.
The National Green Tribunal has validated the aforementioned statement that ‘The Earth is not for humans only’ and that it is a shelter for all wildlife, as such they have a right over it in a suit on ‘Deepor Beel.’ Deepor Beel is a natural freshwater lake situated in the southwestern region in the Assamese capital Guwahati in the Kamrup district. The natural ecosystem surrounding the Deepor Bill has been endangered due to increased real estate development projects.
The Deepor Beel emanates from the southern branch of the Brahmaputra river. There is a huge Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) plant just next to Beel that contaminates the natural habitat of species such as the Greater Adjutant Storks. Twenty-two Greater Adjutant Storks were found to be dead in January 2017. The cause of their death is speculated to be poisoning due to the consumption of garbage disposed of at the Beel by the birds. In addition to disposing of untreated wastes near the Beel, two railway tracks go through the water body near its southern side. According to a survey by Northeast Frontier Railway, the railway tracks pass through major corridors used by wild elephants in the Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary threatening the population of rehabilitated elephants.
Conclusion
In conclusion, human beings are popularly acknowledged as the smartest species to inhabit the earth. Endowed with superior cognitive skills and motor skills, human beings have moulded the entire environment to its convenience. However, every development made by human activities has come at a cost to the lives of less endowed species such as the Great Adjutant Stork of Assam. Already an endangered species, twenty of its population has been reduced by improperly disposed of waste and fast-expanding real estate projects. The fast extinction of rare species is a warning sign that the earth is a shelter for other species of life as well.
FAQs on The Earth is not for humans only Essay
Q1. Which species are extinct due to climate change?
Ans: Global warming and its resultant rise in temperature have led to the destruction of the ‘Island of Bramble Cay in the Great Barrier Reef’ that sheltered the now-extinct species of Bramble Cay Melomys.
Q2. Which species are threatened in Assam?
Ans: The Greater Adjutant Storks is threatened as Twenty-two Greater Adjutant Storks were found to be dead in January of 2017.
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