A conversation with Bittu Sahgal- Environmental activist and founding editor of Sanctuary Asia .
An interactive session with Bittu Sahgal, Environmental activist and founding editor of Sanctuary Asia made the closing ceremony memorable. He captured the essence of the four days of the Young Round Square Conference with a clip on Mother Earth.
There were many pernent messages regarding the need to save the earth but the most conspicuous one stated that 'She is worth defending.' It is ironical that human beings need to be reminded about the most critical hygiene issue in their lives; if you do not repair and maintain your home then very soon there will be nothing left to call home. Human greed is destroying the earth at a faster rate than the rate at which it can replenish itself.
However, this bleak scenario is lightened up to an extent when one observed the enthusiasm of the student delegates to do their bit to save Mother Nature. Many thought provoking questions such as 'Does technology have a relevant role in saving nature or does it only destroy nature?' revealed that delegates were pondering over the feasibility of several steps to conserve the environment. Sahgal had expressed firm faith in the young audience that was interacting with him and their responses augured that Mother Earth would soon be in safe hands.
The press began by asking the vibrant Mr. Sahgal to share with us the origin of his love for nature. He said that he grew up surrounded by forests and therefore developed an awareness and appreciation of nature. He then smilingly said that he could be called a patheist as he believes in the interconnectedness of man and nature and aspects of the planet. As a boy, he said, he was fascinated by everything natural, even as being “your ordinary everyday boy.”
When he asked him what worries him about the environment he unhesitangly said that as human inhabitants, we are walking a ghtrope between enjoying what we have and what will go. He said, we must enjoy what we have but to remember that irresponsibility will result in it going. He said that regreully we think we have become the Gods we invented. “trust, we must trust nature to look aer us.” He said humans are taking over the planet like a swarm of termites. Termites aren't bad, he continues, but then said sadly that only if each one of us take action will it make a difference to
the environment.
Yeh Sab Kyun? His reflective rhetorical question echoed long after the interview concluded.
The last thing we asked him was why has he singled out tigers as his mission?
He smilingly said, “ for me a ger is a metaphor of life.” His words, echoed that of Dia Mirza's who too equated a tiger to life.
There were many pernent messages regarding the need to save the earth but the most conspicuous one stated that 'She is worth defending.' It is ironical that human beings need to be reminded about the most critical hygiene issue in their lives; if you do not repair and maintain your home then very soon there will be nothing left to call home. Human greed is destroying the earth at a faster rate than the rate at which it can replenish itself.
However, this bleak scenario is lightened up to an extent when one observed the enthusiasm of the student delegates to do their bit to save Mother Nature. Many thought provoking questions such as 'Does technology have a relevant role in saving nature or does it only destroy nature?' revealed that delegates were pondering over the feasibility of several steps to conserve the environment. Sahgal had expressed firm faith in the young audience that was interacting with him and their responses augured that Mother Earth would soon be in safe hands.
The press began by asking the vibrant Mr. Sahgal to share with us the origin of his love for nature. He said that he grew up surrounded by forests and therefore developed an awareness and appreciation of nature. He then smilingly said that he could be called a patheist as he believes in the interconnectedness of man and nature and aspects of the planet. As a boy, he said, he was fascinated by everything natural, even as being “your ordinary everyday boy.”
When he asked him what worries him about the environment he unhesitangly said that as human inhabitants, we are walking a ghtrope between enjoying what we have and what will go. He said, we must enjoy what we have but to remember that irresponsibility will result in it going. He said that regreully we think we have become the Gods we invented. “trust, we must trust nature to look aer us.” He said humans are taking over the planet like a swarm of termites. Termites aren't bad, he continues, but then said sadly that only if each one of us take action will it make a difference to
the environment.
Yeh Sab Kyun? His reflective rhetorical question echoed long after the interview concluded.
The last thing we asked him was why has he singled out tigers as his mission?
He smilingly said, “ for me a ger is a metaphor of life.” His words, echoed that of Dia Mirza's who too equated a tiger to life.