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| Photo Credit: www.beautycreep.com |
As
much as I love travelling, I love being close to the nature. I have been to a
lot of places but never away from the natural and scenic beauty. The serene
landscape nourishes the soul and rejuvenates the torn out mind. Now that we are old enough, it’s our turn to
take care of the Mother Nature.
पाँव सूखे हुए पत्तों पर, अदब से रखना ज़रा,
के धूप में माँगी थी, पनाह इनसे कभी;
के ये पेड़, ये पौधे, ये झरने - पहाड़,
बेआबरू से खड़े हैं, झोली फैलाए सभी ||
There is no running from the fact that the Mother
Nature is getting older and falling ill with each passing day. It’s even hard
to miss the hue and cry of global warming. It is not just a coincidence that a
new city is falling prey to the wrath of the ailing nature every year, be it #Mumbai,
#Kedarnath, #Srinagar or #Chennai. Looking at the present state of affairs, the
best day to get started would be yesterday. Getting started may not be enough;
we will also need a plan and it is amazing how simple and little things can
make a big difference.
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| Photo Credit: www.thelitterletterproject.com |
Travelling responsibly is a lot many small things
and not just a big word. The crux is to not do any harm and let the environment
breathe easy. We must also look for ways to curtail the toxic wastes be it
gases, plastics or any other thing. The problem is that most of these toxic
materials have found a comfortable place in our daily routines and keeping them
away would mean changing our habits and eventually our lives. But the day we
realize the gravity of it, it wouldn’t be that impossible. Here is what you can
still do to travel responsibly...
- Travel light: Well it is not just a travel tip but the fact that less stuff would mean
less waste adds responsibility to it.
- Use public transport as
far as possible: Yes! It is not a typo. Getting out of
the comforts of a SUV may be messy but using public transport will help cut the
carbon emissions and also give you the opportunity to mingle with the locals.
Even if you are using a car or your own transport, at least make sure it is
properly serviced and get a PUC certificate. You can also carpool without
compromising your own safety.
- Avoid packaged snacks
and use fruits: We have a very annoying habit of
leaving more than just footprints at natural abodes. Left out wrappers are
slowly becoming omnipresent. Besides the fact that many of these snacks are
unhealthy, we forget that these wrappers are plastics and will never
disintegrate or decompose. It is simple to keep them in a bag and dispose in
the nearest dustbin. We should never leave them behind in any case but at least
leaving fruit-skins would do less harm to the surroundings than plastics. You
see fruits are healthier for the environment too.
- Refill water bottles: Carrying your own water and getting it refilled would limit the number of
useless but toxic bottles left behind. Even if you end up doing it, just drop
the empty bottles at a local vendor for recycling instead of leaving it in open
or even in the dustbin.
- Plant more trees: You may feel there are already enough trees while going to a hill-station
or something but planting a tree now will bear fruits for your children. Think
of it like leaving a greener tomorrow for them. Remember the fruits you were
eating on your trip, yes they have seeds too.
Take a moment to plant them anywhere you like and the nature will water
them for you. Voila!!!
- Live close to the
nature; go camping, trekking etc.: It is
good for bonding and the caring will come naturally to you. If you can see the
beauty beyond the natural landscapes, you will do anything to preserve it.
- Volunteer: Whenever you see a bottle...put it in the dustbin. It is that simple.
- Don’t just do it...motivate others too...
I am a sapling, I am a tree,
Plant some more and set me free;
I am a river, flowing to the sea,
Play as you want, just don’t hurt me;
I am the land, I am mother earth,
Be a good son and prove your worth...
Don't be a tourist, Be a Responsible Traveler.
It also happens to be my 50th post, so cheers to that too.
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