10,000 steps towards climate conservation

The 10,000 steps of walking routine has been on trend for quite a few years now. More so when digital watches were all rage, almost everybody was counting their steps. Notably it does help, not only in weight management but improves mood and clear thinking.

But where would you walk? Do we have the infrastructure to allow everyone to enjoy walks. A city riddled with double parked roads and extreme air pollution, would it not be wise to stay inside.

Last year the Air Pollution levels in Delhi went above 100 times the WHO Health Limit. Every person in Delhi dreads the onset of winter now due to inevitable smog and rise in pollution levels. In February, 2024, the Hon'ble Bombay High Court stepped in to issue directions for an audit of industrial pollution in Bombay.

The Supreme Court has been handling the issue of Air Pollution since 1985 by way of passing periodic directions in a long pending Writ Petition(s)(Civil) No(s). 13029/1985 titled MC Mehta v. Union of India. Such directions are usually issued to the Commission of Air Quality Management (CAQM) and the Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC). These entities periodically monitor the air pollution levels and accordingly regulate all such activities which may impact pollution levels.

Hon'ble justice BR Gavai in a recent judgment in T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad Vs. Union Of India & Ors. In Re : Gaurav Kumar Bansal 2024 INSC 178 delivered on 06.03.2024 on the issue of Tiger Safaris and rampant illegal construction and felling of trees at Corbett Tiger Reserve, narrates the story of reintroduction of wolves in the Yellowstone National Park in 1995.

"The impact of the absence of carnivores in a forest and the regenerative effect on their re-introduction was witnessed in the recent past in the famous Yellowstone National Park. Wolves were hunted down by the mankind and the last recorded wolf in the park was shot down by a park ranger in the year 1926.

Resultantly, owing to lack of apex predators in the park, the population of deer and other herbivores rose significantly. Efforts made by humans to control the herbivore population proved unsuccessful and resultantly these animals grazed away the vegetation which had the cascading effect of soil erosion and depletion of forest. As an ambitious restoration experiment, the scientists re-introduced a pack of wolves in the Yellowstone National Park in the year 1995.

Once the wolves arrived, even though few in number, the same had remarkable effects. The obvious outcome of such reintroduction was the reduction in the population of deer; but even more significantly, the wolves changed the behaviour of the deer which started avoiding certain parts of the park, particularly the valleys and gorges. This resulted in regeneration of the flora of the national park and an increase in the height of trees which quintupled in mere six years. The valley sides quickly became forests of aspen and willow and cottonwood. Consequently, the birds started migrating to the Yellowstone National Park, sparking an increase in migratory and songbirds. The population of beavers increased and like the wolves, they too are ecosystem engineers who built natural dams in the rivers, creating habitat for otters, muskrats, ducks, fishes, reptiles and amphibians. The wolves hunted the coyotes as well, which resulted in the rise of rabbits and mice, enticing more hawks, weasels and foxes. The ravens and eagles came down to feed on the carrion left by the wolves. The regeneration of shrubs also aided in the growth of bears, who mostly fed on berries and the carrion. The bears also reinforced the impact of the wolves by killing deer. Most interestingly, the experiment of reintroduction of the wolves helped in stabilising the water banks and fixing the course of rivers. There was reduction in soil erosion due to recovery of the valley and the vegetation. So, a small number of wolves left an indelible mark in the transformation of the first national park of the world, the Yellowstone National Park and its physical geography within a short period of around 20 years. This kind of regenerative effect cannot even be thought of by human efforts whatever the magnitude be thereof."

This judgment is important to understand that each and every entity of nature has its place in the ecosystem. Our courts are increasingly recognising the perils of neglecting endangered species, forests and tribal communities vis-a-vis industrial development.

Recently, the Hon'ble Supreme Court in a judgment dated 21.03.2024 MK Ranjitsinh And Ors. v. Union of India And Ors. recognised the right to be free from the adverse effects of climate change.

While the efforts put in by the High Courts and the Supreme Court are laudable and probably the only saving grace; it is deplorable that the Government has neglected the basic rights of the citizens regarding environment and health over the years in a bid to promote rampant industrialisation in the name of development.

The better part of my day is taking walks in the park right next to my office. Infact, this year, I explored quite a lot of parks of Delhi besides the beautiful Lodhi Gardens which I regularly visit on weekends. In April, these parks were blooming full with flowers, lush with trees, people- young and old, runners and walkers, couples and families alike, enjoying warm picnics with their families.

It was recently reported that Delhi air was the cleanest in past six years in the month of April this year. I could feel a marked improvement in my overall productivity and mood, especially in March and April.

Recently, in a highly awaited decision, on April 8, 2024, the European Court of Human Rights has ruled that Swiss authorities are accountable for their failure to enact effective climate change policies, thereby infringing upon the right to life of a cohort of elderly women in Switzerland.

This verdict carries significant implications globally and lessons for civil society groups and common man alike to demand for clean air, clean water and climate conservation.