CONSERVATION

THE BHARAT SCOUTS & GUIDES, N.T.C. PACHMARHI CONSERVATION The World is approaching an ecological collapse. The Government, non-governmental organizations and experts throughout the world have been involved in preparing a global plan, the World Conservation Strategy. The Strategy says : Only be working with nature can man survive; Conservation is in the mainstream of human progress; We must recognize that we are part of nature, and We must resolve that all our actions take this into account. ECOLOGICAL PROBLEMS : Poverty, lack of ecological knowledge, lack of alternative possibilities, political conflicts and war have contributed led to erosion which in turn has resulted in the deterioration of land, lower productivity and death.  The destruction of land, together with the population explosion is leading to an increase in the number of starving people in the world. Various forms of pollution (water, air, sound) and depletion of resources is threatening the survival of humanity throughout the glove. The environment concern rank as today’s “Global Issue No. I” problems such as destruction of the ozone layer pollution of the seas and extinction of wild life affects us all whether we live in a the North of in the South or indeed in the East of the West of the solutions to these issues will be found only by a concerted and co-operative effort involving young and old across national, political and cultural borders. Scouting has to play an active role in responding to these concerns. What we can do? perhaps it would be better to ask WHAT CAN’T WE DO? Ideas for Action The Earth and Us : Read Scouting for Boys and some of the other books written by the founder in which he discuses his attitudes towards the natural environment. Discuss with young petrol how these beliefs are reflected in Scouting today. Take B.P.’s techniques for looking at animal tracks and try to tell the story behind tracks you can find in your local area. Choose a sport in inspiring surroundings and find a reading, poem or personal statement which express how you and your culture relate to the environment. Take your group of Scouts / Guides there, ask them to sit comfortably and look at nature around them. Then to close their eyes and simply listen – first to the environment itself… wind in the trees, birds, insects or just silence. Ready your surroundings is emphasised.  Allow the Scouts to sit quietly walk, lie down, or enjoy nature as they see fit. Find out the creation stories as told in various religions and share them with other Scouts during appropriate opportunities in the outdoors such as Campfires, spiritual reflections or devotions etc. Find out about ancient beliefs in your culture related to nature. Try to show through drama, the most significant elements in these relationships. Compare this with current practice in your country and culture. During a Scout camp, take three day hike and try to survive without relying on traditional energy sources. Based on your experiences, find ways of using these alternative approaches at home. Identify with your patrol all the appliances in your home that consume energy. Discuss what you can do to reduce the amount consumed, such as switching off lights and appliances that are not being sued. Install solar appliances in Scout Camps using the technology available. Mount an information campaign among car drivers to encourage them to switch off their car engine when stopped. Create a composite pile to serve your local needs. This could be in your own garden or in a public area. Use your compost to fertilize a garden and demonstrate its value to your community. Organise painting, drawing, writing or singing festivals to celebrate the beauty of the natural environment. Atmosphere : Set up an exhibition showing the effects of various energy sources on the environment (oil, coal, wood, gas, nuclear power, solar energy, windmills, etc.). Visits your local government headquarters and find out what regulations or legislation exists governing the location and operations of industry with regard to pollution standards. Chemicals : Invite a doctor, nurse or health worker to discuss with your group the proper use of medicines and the dangers of drug abuse. Also discuss the proper storage and handling of medicines. Organise a community effort to rid parks and other public spaces of weeds by hand in order to avoid the need to use herbicides. Desertification : Tree planting. Select the right season for planing trees. Select the right place to plant a tree is to become responsible for one’s tree. Therefore make sure that you go back regularly to see how it is growing and whether it needs your help or not. Learn soil conservation techniques and reclaiming techniques that can be shown to t he local community. Using appropriate technology, demonstrate the most efficient use of wood for fuel. Show to the community that other types of fuel can be substituted for wood and that wood has to be preserved. Demonstrate wood cutting techniques that do not harms trees and discourage cutting green woods. --oOo--