Thursday, March 28, 2024
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Clean environment; better pandemic resilience!

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By Naba Bhattacharjee

The hill states of the north east have been successful till date to keep at bay the Corona pandemic attack, compared to other states in the plain belts of the country. Hill states/UTs like Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh have also not experienced notable numbers of active Covid-19 cases. Although one school of thought subscribes to air borne spread of the virus, World Health Organization is not in conformity with the theory. With COVID-19 being a respiratory illness, it would be intriguing to see how air pollution plays a role in the acceleration of the pandemic – post lockdown. Driven by this logic and current situation, it could be asserted that high level of air pollution is probably a major cause of spread, heightened by human interference such as deforestation, encroachment on animal habitats and biodiversity loss. 

The subsequent lockdown of Hubei province – epicenter of the Corona virus; contributed to drastic reduction in high air pollution that has prevented more people from dying prematurely. The air quality in mainland India is among the worst in the world, and high mortality rates due to these unified risks could have been much higher but for the early emergency lockdowns and restrictions activating significant improvement in ambient air and water quality. This resulted in animals coming out and roaming free while humans are locked inside or distant cities graced with the vision of the Himalayas. An important aspect that the lockdown has proven is that nature can recover fast, if pollution agents are withdrawn. The recent spike all over the country, other than the hill states, after easing of lockdown and movement of migrants, is attributed to be the principal cause of the present increase, registering a national average of five thousand active cases daily.

Cities and big towns are primary sources of environmental pollution, which worsens the pre-existing health conditions of their inhabitants. Studies have suggested a high correlation between increased majorities of COVID19 infected persons, being urban dwellers, since the virus transmission affecting the respiratory system first is more pronounced in densely populated locations, with the most polluted air quality.

The COVID-19 outbreak is also environment related; believed to have been caused by the transmission of the virus from animals to humans and the ensuing transmission due to uncontrolled movement of infected people, low testing and blatant violation of protocols. In order to address the underlying factors stimulating spread of this pandemic, it is essential to significantly reduce ecosystem destruction, and rigorously implement climate change counter measures to reduce impacts. Above all, lower incidence of COVID-19 cases in the hills is due to relatively small population together with better discipline and adherence to protocols and guidelines, both at individual and community level, has contributed to keep in check the virus spread. All these factors which are intrinsic to Meghalaya can be turned into strength of the state, in the post Covid 19 setting and by extension the tailwind for resurgence. People are increasingly reconnecting with forgotten notions of traditional wisdom and self-sufficiency, resulting from age old intricate linkage with nature, of the indigenous community inhabiting the hills.

In any significant crisis, like the calamitous Covid-19 pandemic, a reasonable human response is to want things to return to normal and revert quickly to the way they were before. Regardless of its cause or origin, the emergence of COVID-19 has underscored the symbiotic relationship between people and nature and defiling the equilibrium resulting in catastrophe like the Amphan & COVID-19. Both offer a critical opportunity for the environment. Response to COVID-19 has demonstrated what can be done differently and accordingly influencing our behaviour in significant ways, all of which will not necessarily reverse after restrictions are lifted. Through this, we have already overcome an important barrier to behavioural change.

The “new normal” may see less unnecessary interstate and international travel after experiencing success with remote online meetings, conferences, and even court hearings. Meghalayans like others have slowly but surely shown a willingness to buy locally, supporting farmers and neighbourhood suppliers and go back to embracing old community norms and values. Meghalaya and most hill states and areas of NE comprises of traditional self-contained towns linked to villages in a hub and spoke model. This however, needs restructuring and adaptability, consequent to lessons of the pandemic; all of which preferably interwoven to existing pristine inherent environment of the region for a near perfect balance. Therefore, environmentally balanced, socially inclusive and structurally resilient growth is advocated to meet livelihood means.

Therefore, it is important to identify sustainable solutions that prevent pollution levels from rebounding or reaching higher levels after the crisis subsides. Business looks very different to what it did only six months ago. We can take advantage of this shift. As our state government devise their own policy for introduction of economic stimulus packages announced by the centre, it can harness this opportunity to accelerate the transition to a cleaner economy needed to address climate change. Social, economic and environmental systems are inextricably linked, and major disruptions to these systems rarely occur as isolated events.

The primary responsibility in the coming days is to find sustainable livelihood options for thousands returning home and lay foundations for positive change. We cannot go back to business as usual and indulge in old habits and governance system that will inflict further harm on the very people, communities and economies that the stimulus packages seek to support. Challenging times will demand tangible and transparent initiatives and investments. Unemployment and hunger can lead to situations worse than the pandemic.

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