COVID – 19 LOCKDOWN AND POSITIVE EFFECTS ON THE ENVIRONMENT

Rapid urbanization and increase in population had lead to different impacts on the environment such as drastic climate change, global warming etc., Due to the rise in industrial activities, the disposal of pollutants in the form of gas, liquid and solid into the atmosphere had resulted in severe damage to the environment.  Though the effect of such activities is well known, they couldn’t be stopped due to human needs. But which was once thought impossible was made possible by COVID – 19 lockdown. COVID -19 lockdown paved a way for the closedown of almost all activities which are against environmental safety. Only a few activities such as agricultural, medical etc., were happening. What was not possible since World War II i.e., for the past 75 years, was made possible by the COVID -19 within 3 months.  So this can be categorized as a positive impact on the environment.

World Environment Day is celebrated every year on 5^th June since 1972. From 1972 to 2020, every year a theme for the Environment day will be hosted by any one country. This year(2020) the theme is “Time for Nature” and was hosted by Colombia. In 2019, 2018, 2017,2016 and 2015 the respective themes were “Beat Air Pollution”, “Beat Plastic Pollution, “Connecting people to Nature – in the City and on the Land, from the poles to the Equator”, “Zero Tolerance for the Illegal Wildlife trade”, “Seven Billion Dreams. One Planet. Consume with Care. The World Environment day was announced since 1972 to make people aware of the threat caused to the environment due to human interventions and the need to protect the environment for the future generation. In 1997, the Kyoto Protocol was formed between many developed, developing and underdeveloped countries, in order to have control over their Carbon dioxide emissions. But that too was a failure.

We human beings are more concerned only about our survival. Though we know that we are only a very small part of the environment, we thought that the earth is only for us to live in. We forget about the ecological system and its balance for environmental sustainability. Many important plant and animal species which form part of the ecological cycle were destroyed by us. We are least bothered about their extinction.

Coronavirus has closed all the industries be it a multinational company or a small scale industry, be it in a well-developed country or in an underdeveloped country or in a developing country. Satellite images give us a clear picture of the decrease in the pollution level in the Environment. Carbon dioxide emission has been reduced rapidly because factories were devoid of workers, thousands of flights were cancelled, and the streets were empty. Though the global economy has gone backwards due to Corona Pandemic, from the environment perspective Corona Virus have given great relaxation to the environment.

Carbon footprint is the amount of carbon dioxide emitted into the atmosphere due to human activities, the Carbon footprint is depicted in all the activities that we do. To mention a few, travelling in a car, riding a motorbike, purchasing clothes, living in a home with the basic amenities such as television, Fridge, Washing machine, iron box, LPG stove, Smartphone, Laptop/Personal computer etc.,. The individual carbon footprint has gone down.

China, from where the Coronavirus originated show a remarkable decrease in air pollution from December 2019 to March 2020, smog has given way to blue skies, residents can feel an unusual fresh breath of air. Rivers, streams and natural waterways are flowing freely without wastes. Air pollution which claims major lives and reduces the average life of human in the world has now drastically reduced.

In the Indian Perspective, all the rivers right from Ganga in the North to Kaveri in the South are flowing with pure water. Floating matters, colours, suspended particles were not seen in the surface water sources. Nature is rejuvenating itself. COVID-19 lockdown has become a ventilator for rivers.

India Gate – Delhi before and after COVID -19 Lockdown.

A skyline of India’s capital city during 2018 and during 2020. (Image: Reuters)

Ganga river before and after lockdown.

Coronavirus has controlled all the forms of pollution which couldn’t be achieved by National Green Tribunal, Central Pollution Control Board, State pollution control Board etc.,. The industrial activities which couldn’t be controlled by all these bodies were controlled by a tiny virus. COVID 19 lockdown has not only made the environment better but also the family atmosphere.

It has bought all the members of a family together, promoted way to spend valuable time with everyone’s family, enjoy chatting with each other. It has taught us that we can live without going to malls, without going to recreation halls etc.,. Nobody could have imagined that they will lead a life like this. Corona Virus has taught us a lesson that if we are doing anything against nature, it will revert back.

COVID – 19 lockdown is really a natural heel for the earth. I hope this is the act of nature in rejuvenating itself. Its time for us to think about the post-COVID -19 lockdown activities. The world is being purified by the tiny virus, but we don’t know how long will it be like this. Once the regular activities start, the globe may again revert back to its previous position.

As said in 2020 World Environment day theme “Time for Nature”, it is really the time for the Nature to take action on human deeds. Though on one side, the country’s economical status is getting weak and everyone is panic about the pandemic disease. On the other side, the pandemic disease has made the environment safe for future generations to live, by reducing the pollution. Hope every human on the earth is responsible for giving a sustainable green environment for his/her future generations, which he/she enjoyed from his/her ancestors.

We do understand that there is something good in every happenings. Likewise, COVID -19 Lockdown is indeed a positive impact on the environment.