As the world evolves, the relationship between Nature & Environmental Conservation and Heritage Management grows stronger. Throughout the years, many organizations have come forth to protect the environment around us. Today, we will be discussing a few of them that hold significant positions in the world.
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
Established in 1948 as International Union for Protection Nature (IUPN) and later renamed International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 19556, it is the world’s largest global environmental network.
The organization is working towards gathering information about biodiversity, accessing the cautions, and protecting the natural wonders around the world. The group encompasses actions on forest protection, coastal protection, and managing water resources around the world. The IUCN tries to influence the actions of governmental bodies, businesses, and stakeholders by providing them with information and advice that can be beneficial for the environment.
As per the financial plan for 2021- 2024, IUCN plans to respond to the planetary crisis caused by climate change, habitat loss, and over-exploitation of natural resources. These crises will be brought forward through fundraising opportunities across the globe. Apart from this, the organization is working on a decadal timeframe for The Nature 2030 IUCN Programme for the first time in history. Through this programme, IUCN will prioritize five sectors- People, Land, Water, Ocean, and Climate. In the report, the IUCN committee establishes a 5 R programme that will help the world move forward in a positive direction.
Environmental Conservation in the US
In the United States, many initiatives began amongst the urban elites to protect the environment surrounding them. The Conservation Movement rose to the limelight in the late 1800s. The conservation movement aimed to protect the American natural features while establishing state and national parks, wildlife refuges, and national monuments across the country. Then President Theodore Roosevelt made conservation a key component in his domestic policy and was the leader of the conservation movement, which fought to stop the squandering of natural resources.
The pivotal point in the conservation history of the United States was the “Conservation and the Gospel of Efficiency: The Progressive Conservation Movement,” 1890-1920 by Samuel P. Hays. The book was written over a century ago but has been a critical point as it provides a vital background on the history of the conservation movement and offers a clear perspective for understanding current environmental issues and potential solutions.
The movement grew as the citizens of America became more and more aware of the impact architectural industrialization brought. People became more aware of the deforestation, displacement of animals from their natural habitat, and utilizing open lands for urban development, and arguments between the government and citizens for preserving these open lands grew stronger and stronger.
From The First Anti-Pollution Campaigns to Scientists joining forces to ensure less harm is caused to the natural world, many scholars have presented their views on the Environmental Conservation Movement. However, today the country follows the United States Environmental Protection Agency. Today, the agency works on giving Americans clean water, land, and air, Conducts research to reduce environmental risks, Enforces federal laws to protect human health, and helps the marketplace be a chemically free zone, so any natural elements are not harmed.
Indian Traditions and Environmental Conservation
As Indians, we are taught to worship the nature around us; whether it is a plant or tree, mountains, rocks, rivers, or a forest, they are considered sacred. Through traditional knowledge and wisdom, indigenous communities protect and conserve their environment. This information was passed down through generations after a period of observation, practice, and resource utilization. India is a diverse country with a wide range of biological and cultural landscapes infused with deep traditional knowledge. All over India, we can find ‘Sacred Groves’ that are worshiped in the name of ancestors or gods. These land preservations have made a profound contribution to nature conservation. Even after large amounts of deforestation and depletion of forests across the country has been taking place for years, some sacred groves are intact as oases in deserts, conserving rich biological diversity.
Trees like the Peepal tree (Ficus religiosa), Banyan tree (Ficus ‘bengelensiss), and Khejdi tree (Prosopis cineraria) are never cut down due to the sentimental and religious values people hold for them. As there is a large amount of trees and plants that are considered sacred, the preservation of it is unintentionally taken care of by the localities of the area. The same practice goes with wildlife, as Indian Mythology also involves many creatures like peacocks or the Blue Rock Pigeon or rodents like mice, tigers, etc. are protected on religious grounds.
There have been studies that indicate that religions like Buddhism and Jainism also voiced for nature conservation. While Jainism is against any kind of violence toward the living, Buddhism believes in strong necessity against the actions.
India has also been on the radar for environmental degradation caused by industrial or developmental activities. Today’s significant issues concern India: Deforestation, Loss of Land resources, Air and water pollution, Threat to living resources, and unlawful Urbanization practices.
As the country is becoming increasingly aware of the future consequences, India has joined hands with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) to ensure the conservation of biological diversity and sustainable use of natural resources. Apart from this, India also has- Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, under which animals, birds, and plants are conserved and protected from any endangerment. After the Bhopal Gas Tragedy, India also put forth the Environment Protection Act, 1986, where the government implements the decisions of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in order to safeguard and enhance environmental quality, manage and lessen pollution from all sources, and forbid or restrict the construction, use, or operation of any industrial facility for reasons related to the environment.
Ramsar Convention 1971
Wetlands around the world are an essential part of our ecosystems, but in recent years, there has been a drastic decrease in their number due to people utilizing them for other means. Wetlands have been an integral part of the living environment such as microorganisms, fish, amphibians, shellfish and insects, plants and even humans. Today, wetlands face threats from the rapid urbanization, conversion to paddy fields for agricultural practices, water pollution, sand mining and most recent Climate change. In order to protect these wetlands Ramsar Convention was formed in the city of Ramsar, Iran.
Established in 1971, Ramsar Convention is an intergovernmental treaty which provides a framework for the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands. The treaty is also known as the Conventions of Wetlands. Finally in 1975, Ramsar Convention went into effect after several nations and NGOs began negotiating the convention in the 1960s to protect wetlands and their resources. After coming into existence, in 1975, the mission and goals of the treaty were to conserve and use the wetlands wisely, Selection of suitable wetlands and their effective management, and Cooperate internationally on common wetland systems, transboundary wetlands, and species.
As of the Ramsar Convention The 4th Strategic Plan 2016 – 2024. The organization plans to conserve the wetlands in four phases:
- Addressing the Drivers of Wetland Loss and Degradation
- Effectively Conserving and Managing the Ramsar Site Network
- Wisely Using All Wetlands
- Enhancing implementation
Stockholm Conference- United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, Stockholm- 1972
In 1972, global leaders came together in Sweden, for the first ever United Nations Conference on the Human Environment. It was unlike any past event as it brought together 113 governmental bodies to discuss humanity’s impact on the natural world. The Stockholm Conference listed down 26 principles that encompass- humans, animals, biodiversity, climatic conditions, environmental concerns, education etc.
Now 50 years after the Stockholm meeting, we face a triple crisis of climate change, pollution and biodiversity loss. This year the convention published a report, “Stockholm+50: Unlocking a Better Future” which was written under the supervision of scientists who analyzed the impacts made by the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment in 1972 and gave their recommendations and solutions for the future. Based on these recommendations the world leaders discussed sustainable development solutions, changes due to climate change, and animal protection.
The conference also gave birth to the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The main goals of this organization is to provide leadership, deliver science and develop solutions, including climate change, management of marine and terrestrial ecosystems, and green economic development.
As the world progresses, frameworks regarding Environmental practices will be stricken and impact are surrounding in a hope of a better future.
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