The existence of our blue planet is in jeopardy because of the follies of a dominant and key stone species of ecosystem/ biosphere (Human Being)the wise among all scientifically known as Homo sapiens. Researchers believe that this planet is not the home of mankind, thus mankind is in constant search of its original home and is easing life on this planet. The saddest part of this is being done at the cost of others. Homo sapiens is only one kind among 1.7 billion of recorded species so far and it is expected that there are about 5 to 7 billion kinds of organisms on this planet earth/biosphere. A vast majority yet to be discovered and named ? Imagine if the species of fungus Penicillium has become existent before its discovery of antibiotics potential so the mankind will have to suffer for the treatment of diseases. Succession is ecological reality but the pace at which we are degrading ecosystems is a matter of concern.

The world is facing accelerated rates of species extinction largely due to human interference and the major causes are Habitat loss and fragmentation of organisms by overpopulation, urbanization, industrialization which require additional land every year which is available through filling wetlands, ploughing grasslands, cutting down trees and burning of forests. Over-exploitation, Alien Species Invasions, Co-extinctions, pollution and intensive agriculture are other causes.
Trash has become an issue of concern everywhere in the world especially in tourist areas. Tourism is one of the fastest growing industries in both developed and developing countries as a tool for economic development. Developing countries see tourism as the opportunity to earn scarce foreign exchange and to generate employment but nobody gave any thought to environmental damage resulting from tourism. Among different problems one of the biggest problems arising out of tourist activities is the solid waste problem (scientific management and disposal) even in sensitive areas of Himalayas, Pir Panchal and other similar mountainous tourist spots at the global level.
Lack of waste management programs with in tourist destinations leads to illegal dumping of the majority of generated solid waste, thereby creating a threat to human safety, disrupting habitat and reducing recreational value of our tourist destination.
Biodiversity encompasses the variety of all life on earth. India is one of the 12 mega biodiversity countries of the world. With only 2.5% of land area, India already accounts for 7.8% of the recorded species of the world. The Indian Himalayan Region (IHR) covers approximately 419873 Km2 area and extends from Jammu and Kashmir in the North-west to the Arunachal Pradesh in the East, supports representative, natural, unique and socio-economical floral and faunal diversity. This may be due to unique topography; diverse habitats and large altitudinal range (200 to 8000). Due to the dependence of local communities on plant resources for various purposes such as medicine, food (wild edible), fodder, fuel, timber, making agricultural tools, fiber, religious etc, the population of many economically important plants and animals are depleting fast.
Biodiversity loss is an enormous challenge worldwide and one of the most important environmental threats facing by this blue planet. The creation of red lists is essential for plant conservation purposes; however most efforts have focused mainly on species level.
Setting conservation priorities, which normally include the assessment of extinction, risk, also take into account other factors such as ecological, phylogenetic, historical, cultural preferences, the probability of success of conservation actions, availability of funds, and legal framework for conservation. Conservation priority lists have been developed as an effective method for prioritizing conservation necessities.
.Conclusion
Let we take this pledge that from now onwards we will be a part of solution and not the problem and make United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration 2021-2030 a successful programme instead a hollow slogan and ponder climate change is not just real, it’s here and now. Take the survey to find out how you can take action before it is too late, because reality is scarier than fiction.


Writer is Senior lecturer Botany at Govt HSS PakharPora
Email:-----lec.javaid786@gmail.com