June 5, 2022, Sunday; 12 noon - 1pm

• This year marks the golden jubilee of the first World Environment Day held in Stockholm in 1972. The theme for this year is "“Only One Earth" with the focus on “Living Sustainably in Harmony with Nature”. This was also the theme in 1972.
• The Oslo Protocol, Helsinki Protocol and Montreal Protocol have proved that man-made challenges can be addressed. There has been consistent effort to protect biodiversity and climate change concerns.
• A Supreme Court-appointed Committee has submitted in a report that a tree’s monetary worth is its age multiplied by Rs 74,500.
• Out of this, the cost of oxygen alone is Rs 45,000, followed by cost of bio-fertilizers, which are worthRs 20,000. 
• A fully grown tree in lifespan of 60 years could be valued at about Rs 50 lakhs.
• A heritage tree with a lifespan of well over 100 years could be valued at more than â‚¹1 crore.
• Native trees are already adapted to the environment and so do not need extra water or nutrients.
• They provide food, medicinal benefits and shade. They also contribute to nutrient recycling, absorbing nutrients from intensive agriculture, improve air quality and are vital for stabilizing soils, reducing sedimentation, moderating erosion. They provide greater indigenous biodiversity, meaning greater resilience and a bigger range of functions within our ecosystem.
• Peepal, Bargad, Ber, Arjun Jamun, Neem, Mango, bel are few examples of native species, which can combat pollution.
• There is a Triple Planetary Emergency that of climate change, Nature and biodiversity loss and pollution and waste.
• Biodiversity loss is an offshoot of the unsustainable path of development and is an emergency for everyone across the globe.
• An immense quantity of nano/microplastics is in circulation in water, which is consumed by us and in turn affect health and out of pocket expenditure. This is an immediate challenge that needs to be addressed.
• Climate change is also overall related to the concept of well-being. Delhi recently experienced a temperature of nearly 50^oC for the first time.
• Due to the high temperatures, a huge amount of water is needed to irrigate food crops, which is a challenge to the farmers. Crop failures also occur.
• A medicinal plant is any plant which, in one or more of its organs, contains substances that can be used for therapeutic purposes or which are precursors for the synthesis of useful drugs.
• Medicinal plants are integral to human society for curing diseases as well as well-being well before the modern system of medicine came into existence. Because of overexploitation, much of it is getting drained from our natural system. Indigenous and tribal communities are very closely linked to medicinal plants.
• Studies have been carried out globally to verify their efficacy and some of the findings have led to the production of plant-based medicines.
• Shift from overexploitation to sustainable resource development is required.
• Arjun, Ashwagandha, Giloy, Neem, Aloe vera, Tulsi, Patharchatta, Punarnava, Brahmi, Shatavar, Shankhapushpi are few examples of medicinal plants, which have been extensively studied for their health benefits. All of us should try to grow some medicinal plants in our homes and/or plant some trees.
• The Skand Purana speaks of planting eight Trees - Bodhi tree, Neem, Banyan tree, tamarind tree, Kaith, Bilva, Indian gooseberry and mango.
• The group of five trees - Peepal, Bel, Banyan, Amla and Ashok trees – is called Panchvati. These have immense medicinal benefits.
• We have started to become disconnected with our ancient culture with globalization. It is time to rediscover our ancient traditions. We have to restore our local indigenous, native tree and plant communities.
• Just tree planting is not the answer, tree community plantation is the answer as our aim is restoration of the ecosystem.
• Keeping green areas in cities is very essential. The quality of green cover is very important.
• The Green Delhi campaign started in 2017 and today Delhi has 23% of its geographical area under green cover.
• The Corona pandemic has taught us the challenge of managing real resources. We have suffered from the absence of open and green spaces during the pandemic.
• Many viruses are hiding in nature and many are dormant. With climate change and melting of the permafrost, new viruses may come up.
• There is a possibility of viruses jumping from forests to human areas and vice versa due to climate change.
• All plants, animals and humans should live in coexistence in a mutually beneficial manner.
• The pollination deficit is currently 25%; this has led to reduction in potential crops.
• These challenges are going to be very severe in cities than in the rural areas.
• Conflicts can lead to food crisis.
• We have to be resilient and be non-conflicting with nature.
• The rate of consumption of resources is 1.5 times the earth’s resources. A huge amount of waste, particularly plastic waste, is also generated, which existing systems cannot handle.
• The dimension of forest health, which is quite prevalent in countries like South Korea must be promoted.
• Indigenous trees can withstand climate change and so should be encouraged throughout the country. They have more potential than imported species.
• Natural resources should be used appropriately without wasting any so that they are available and in good condition for the next generations to come.
• As scientists, we also have a social responsibility to see how research can help the society, especially the underprivileged.
• Biodiversity is essential for sustainable development.
• The chances of infectious diseases increase with extinction of biodiversity.
• The Aichi biodiversity targets should be implemented.
• Industry of pharma plants can be developed.

Participants

Dr Anil Kumar

Mr Vivek Kumar

Mr Rajesh S

Mr Neeraj Tyagi

Mr Pradeep Khandelwal

Dr SK Tyagi

Dr Sanjeev Agrawal

Mr Mukul Chand

Mr BC Sabat

Mr RN Jindal

Dr S Sharma