The early indicators from the lockdown aren’t encouraging. Oil demand has reduced by only 35%. That may seem good, but this is the lowest conceivable level with almost everyone home. For climate breakdown, we have to get to zero oil use in 10 years (2030), while energy demand will keep rising as poorer nations become richer. It is crystal clear, we have to de-grow, we are consuming too much. Secondly, minerals, natural resources, and the commons are a shared inheritance. It is our duty to ensure future generations inherit at least as much as we did. If we fulfill our duty, we may enjoy the fruits of our inheritance- Rahul Basu, good governance activist
Animals return to their territories
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There is little hope. Forest habitats appear to have improved and wildlife is seen roaming freer. A tiger and tigress were recently sighted in the Mhadei wildlife sanctuary by some drivers of vehicles carrying essential supplies from Belgaum to Goa.
People have also noticed that rats have been coming to eat the crushed cashew apples which in turn is attracting rat snakes and in turn the king cobra which feasts on smaller snakes. So now there are more cases of king cobras being sighted in cashew plantations which are their territory- Rajendra Kerkar, forest and wildlife activist
We must continue to nurture nature
The lockdown literally means all human activity has been confined to our personal living spaces and all our actions that were detrimental to the environment have been limited. In Goa too, with casinos, restaurants, hotels, manufacturing units, mining, construction, road building shut, the positive impact on our rivers and air is visible. But garbage and sewage generated by households, gated colonies, etc is still poisoning the groundwater and rivers. For long-term cleaning of our environment will need to be curbed.
There have however been some super-positive changes that will have a long-term impact on the environment. The lockdown has pulled at our consciousness and touched our hearts where we have begun a process of reformation and repair in our ways to heal the environment.
Many have consciously adopted a healthier lifestyle by eating home-cooked food, homemade snacks. And most importantly all of us are spending time with nature—bird watching, walking, sharing gratitude, thanking its bounty- Tallulah D’Silva, architect & environmentalist
A lot more has to be done
The lockdown has seen nature bounce back—cleaner air and water, more sightings of birds and wildlife. It just goes to show how much we do every day to suppress our environment. However, this temporary respite is not even a drop in the ocean as far as reversing climate change is concerned. A lot more is required to reverse 200 years of industrialization that has put out more CO2 into our environment than can be absorbed by the natural carbon cycle.
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has already warned us a couple of years ago that if we do not limit global warming to 1.5 degrees by 2030 we shall see repeated disasters from which there will be no pulling back. Diseases like the present virus can become commonplace, natural calamities like storms shall increase, agricultural cycles shall be disrupted and wildlife shall perish on a mass scale. Will humans survive?
Perhaps this virus has come as a stern warning. It gives us the chance to think and prepare for the future- Vishal Rawlley, environmental educator
No power to be from powers that be
Dialling down consumerism will help restore the planet to some extent while fastening the demise of our current unsustainable economic model of development. But those in power, who need to make policy amendments to protect us from our immediate climate crises are busy signing contracts for more infrastructure projects. There is no hope for any nature restoration from this government, irrespective of the levels of damage by Covid-19- Shrayragi Israni, artivist
Nature still at man’s mercy
It’s a temporary phase because people are not allowed to leave their homes. But it doesn’t mean that the same is being implemented in rural and forested areas where theft (of natural resources) is still on, and a lockdown makes this theft easier.
Secondly, there is a possibility of mining being revived in Goa because a powerful miner has invested heavily in the central and state governments. Besides, for politicians mining is the goose that lays golden eggs while the government has no will whatsoever to quantify the actual damage from mining on not just the environment but on people’s health and livelihoods.
The government has also not auctioned the 360 mining leases despite the Supreme Court order to do so now being 4-5 years old. It only keeps talking about mining being the backbone of Goa’s economy, when the activity has actually been breaking the backbone of all villagers by polluting the air and therein their lungs and destroying water bodies, fields, horticulture orchards, and rendering once self-sufficient villages as unsustainable to live in. Despite mines being closed for a few years now, no effort has been made by the government to help nature revive itself in these areas- Ramesh Gauns, mining activist
Natural heritage is being saved
Yes. Nature is seeing her rejuvenation because of the lockdown. Birds are chirping. The air is getting cleared off its pollution caused by fumes, traffic, etc. People have no opportunity to spit on the roads, a nasty, filthy habit we Indians have. Builders have stopped construction so our hills, fields are breathing. Our Mandovi River is smiling because the casinos are off. Yes natural heritage is saved due to this lockdown- Prajal Sakhardande, heritage activist
