Health for All: The Flora, Fauna and Humans

How many of us have actually given it a thought to seek a solution to the stray dog crisis? How many of us have fought with the neighbors to cut their trees as the leaves are ‘dirtying’ our verandah? On World Health Day, which we are celebrating today with the theme of ‘Health for All’, we must think about the peaceful coexistence of humans with the environment to ensure a wholesome life. Health for all must include the health of humans along with plants and animals. How can that be done?

Support the green cover

At any cost, we should not be cutting forests. It would directly lead to an imbalance in the ecosystem resulting in the extinction of every element that resides in the environment. Many rural communities depend on forest resources for food, medication, fuel, etc. Organic is the new thing. So, urban people who have become health conscious are going back to their roots to promote a healthy lifestyle. Where do these organic products come from? Obviously from the local communities who grow them.

Previously, there were only a few cases where the animals would barge out from their habitat, that number had increased off late! The reason behind this is the reduction of forest land. If we are doing that, they are definitely going to come out in search of food and water for their survival. They might even eat up a human in aggression. While humans have already involved themselves in conflicts that revolve around geographical boundaries, they must stay away from messing up with the ecosystem; or nature is going to find its way.

Lend your hand

Taking care of pets is something that one opts for, but being vigilant and helping a sick, stray animal or bird is our duty. Humans have one benefit over the other two, they have a larger brain to utilize. They must use it wisely for peaceful co-existence. There are many voluntary organizations that work during all hours of the day, as a human; you only have to dial a number and help the animal, bird, or plant that needs special care. If the biotic elements around you are healthy, it in turn is going to benefit you.

The Way Forward

Often the greatest constraint on human autonomy is nature itself. The metamorphosis of nature; wind, cold, rain, drought, and so on restrict, rather than expand, human choices. This again has aggravated post-excessive human intervention in nature. To advance human freedom, we need to be controlled by nature, to protect ourselves from them. We must opt for an approach that is pro-nature and does not refuse to grant animals, rocks, or plants a moral standing. Morality is fundamentally about how humans treat each other. It concerns itself with issues of duty, right conduct, and virtuous action between free autonomous human beings. Plants, animals, and rocks are not free; they are part of the realm of necessity. Hence, like humans, they also deserve care for the better health of the environment as a whole.