Global Environmental Catastrophe

Global Environmental Catastrophe: Why Biodiversity is the Only Solution

The world today faces an urgent environmental crisis. With hunger on one side and pollution on the other, humanity is at a crossroads. The solution to both lies in one powerful word: Biodiversity. At Pragati Resorts Hyderabad, we believe biodiversity isn’t just about flora and fauna—it is about balance in nature, where earth, fire, air, water, and sky coexist in harmony to sustain life.

Understanding Biodiversity: A Return to Balance

Healthy soil, rich in humus, microbes, and earthworms, forms the foundation of productive agriculture. But modern farming practices since 1958 have replaced organic manures from cows and bulls with chemical fertilizers and pesticides. Though they increased crop yields temporarily, they polluted land, water, and air, destroying natural ecosystems.

Streams that once had drinkable water have turned toxic. Crops, once considered "Amruth Ahar" (elixir food), are now laced with arsenic, lead, and mercury. UN reports confirm that a significant percentage of food carries these toxic residues.

The Collapse of Natural Ecosystems

Chemical farming and urban expansion have shattered the biodiversity that once defined rural India. The harmonious presence of rats, frogs, snakes, birds, and peacocks has dwindled. Beneficial insects, earthworms, and bees are vanishing. Urbanization continues to destroy habitats, speeding up extinction and disrupting the ecological balance.

Our energy levels are falling. We struggle to lift even 25 kg, while lifestyle diseases like blood pressure, diabetes, and thyroid disorders rise. The cause? A broken link between nature and our way of life.

Biodiversity in Policy: Ignored Promises

Despite global and national commitments—like Smt. Indira Gandhi’s 1972 biodiversity budget proposal and the UN Conventions at COP11—implementation remains weak. Funds meant for biodiversity are often diverted. The Supreme Court of India and the RBI recognize the value of trees, yet our systems continue to undervalue them. A tree worth Rs. 5.6 crore in environmental services is cut down for a mere Rs. 10,000.

The Farmer Crisis and the Need for Conscious Consumption

Farmer suicides are symptomatic of a broken food system. We bargain for fresh vegetables but pay full price for Coke or pizza. This economic disparity drives farmers into debt. We must support local, sustainable farming by valuing what farmers produce.

At Pragati Biodiversity Park, we have shown that barren land can be revived through natural farming and biodiversity restoration. We embrace India’s ancient culture where gods and nature coexisted. From Lord Shiva's snake to Ganesha’s rat and Kumaraswamy's peacock—our deities teach us the importance of every life form.

Ancient Wisdom, Modern Relevance

Our ancestors practiced tree-based water purification using Triphala and Dasamula. Rituals protected nature, embedding conservation into our spiritual fabric. Trees weren’t just worshipped—they were valued for the oxygen, shade, food, and medicine they provided.

We need not look to Japan or Germany for river cleaning. The answers lie in our own history, where biodiversity was embedded in daily life across Madhura, Maya, Kashi, and Kanchi.

Preventing Urban Migration through Green Livelihoods

As rural greenery falls from 35% to 4.5%, urban migration increases. By cultivating herbal and medicinal plants, farmers can earn well and stay in villages. For instance, drumstick leaves fetch up to Rs. 1 lakh per acre globally. Policies must shift to support such profitable and sustainable practices.

Meanwhile, outdated laws, like restrictions on sandalwood farming, continue to cripple India’s potential. While Indian laws limit its use, an Australian firm earns thousands of crores exporting Indian sandalwood.

Reviving Traditional Agriculture with Modern Support

The shift from paddy to millets is crucial. Millets require less water (300 liters vs. 12,000 liters for rice), are drought-resistant, and rich in nutrients. Farmers need training in natural manure production, herbal cultivation, and access to modern agricultural tools.

Instead of loan waivers and subsidies, governments should invest in empowering farmers with knowledge and skills for sustainable farming. Minimum Support Price (MSP) should be provided for herbal and millet crops.

The Urgent Call for Biodiversity

Without biodiversity, the soil loses its digestive strength. Seeds won’t germinate. Carcasses won’t decompose. Epidemics may rise. This is not a distant threat—it is a clear and present danger.

We must:

• Revive biodiversity through sacred groves, herbal plantations, and natural farming.
• Educate youth on Bharatiya Samskriti and the role of nature in holistic well-being.
• Adopt the Pragati model across rural and urban India.

Conclusion: Food as Medicine, Farmer as King

India has the power to lead the global shift to biodiversity-based living. The farmer should be seen not as a laborer, but as a king, growing food that heals. Biodiversity is not just the answer to pollution and hunger—it is the key to our health, happiness, and future.

Pragati stands as living proof that man-made biodiversity can restore what has been lost. Let us not wait for more damage. Let us act now—and let India rise again, rooted in its ancient wisdom and guided by a green, sustainable vision.

‍