PLANET EARTH IN PERIL

The planet earth has so far been known as the only bio-sustaining space-ship in the entire cosmos which subsists and sustains every bioform ranging from micro-organism to giant elephant and the like.

- ■ G.L. KHAJURIA

But ironically, it is sad to say that this planet is subject to denudation and decimation at the merciless hands of the most modern man. We have very badly bulldozed her fragile soil, dwindled and decimated the lush green vibrant forest cover (the green gold ) in more than many ways. All this is in pursuit of the headlong development of all hues, disregards of replacements. The result being conversion of lush green forest cover into concrete jungle. Rightfully has our late Prime Minister, Indira Gandhi said in world conference on environment at Stockholm, "we do definitely want developments but not at the cost of destruction." What progress and prosperity can we proudly reckon, when in hand to hand with all these progressing developments, we are heading towards the verge of extinction or so to say death knell? All this we are doing is doubtlessly down with nature which in no sense of term should be obviated or relegated. So, at this juncture, it is most warranting to halt, pause and ponder upon the irretrievable losses we have unceasingly done to nature. The Evening Standard, Dated 27th December, 1989 reflects the appeal of His Holiness Pope John Paul II who said, we are all aware that the peace in the world is threatened by the arms race, conflicts and by inequalities between the people and between the nations. But it is also true that the world is still staggeringly threatened by disrespecting nature, the disordered abuse of natural resources and the progressive deterioration of quality of life. This generates a sense of insecurity which in turn encourages egotism. In face of widespread environmental damage, humanity is beginning to realize that we cannot continue to use the riches of planet earth as we have used in the past. In such a situation, the responsible politicians and leading leaders are