Pandemic a boom for planet: myth or reality?

- By Alka Shah
CoVID-19 crisis has brought the entire world to a standstill. The pace at which technological
development was taking place globally, we felt that the control of everything in this world is
in our hands and we can change whatever we wished to change. However, this pandemic has
brought us to a conclusion that we all are mere players in the hands of nature which we had
been taking for granted for several decades together. 
The initial phases of this disease made us believe that due to the restricted movements of
people within their respective cities, there has been a relief for the environment- no exhausts
from factories, no fumes from cars, cleaner rivers and oceans, clearer skies and fresher air to
breathe. As a result of which, we could see a lot of species of birds, insects and animals
which had long been lost due to our indiscriminate play with the environment. This is a clear
indication of how our activities have trespassed into the various fauna’s original habitats and
have interfered with their interaction with nature.
The CoVID-19 lockdown has given us this time to rethink about the effects of our actions on
the environment. So, here I wish to ask whether CoVID-19 actually turned out to be a
blessing in disguise for the environment? I would say, not really! There have been many
ways by which this pandemic has enhanced our impact on the environment. Be it adopting
the safest way of evading the spread of coronavirus which is to frequently keep washing our
hands.  During the lockdown, most of us have stocked up a lot of food and snacks, the
majority of which came packed in plastic/paper bags. Earlier, we used to store those bags to
be reused later for some other purpose. But now, considering the angst that corona has
spread, we throw every bit of it outside thereby enhancing the amount of waste going out of
our house on a daily basis. 
Our oceans and landfill sites are already overwhelmed with the amount of waste we generate.
Ever since this pandemic has emerged, there has been an increased demand for PPE such as
masks, gloves, face shield, etc. Several images have emerged of plastic-based PPE equipment
ending up in the natural environment.
It has been predicted that if we don’t limit our anthropogenic activities, there are chances of
more and more such pandemics to emerge and create even more devastating results.
Nature is thus creating numerous challenging and adverse situations for us to be more
considerate towards the use of its natural resources and demanding us to be more innovative
and creative at these times to fight and emerge out as winners from such situations.