This is the English version of our Marathi essay on Environmental Conservation.
Points / Outline
- What the environment is – air, water, land, trees, animals
- The bond between humans and nature
- Pollution, cutting of trees and the growing use of plastic
- What happens when nature's balance is disturbed
- What we can do to conserve the environment
- The responsibility of students
- Conclusion – our future is safe only if we protect nature
Essay
The cool breeze through the window in the morning, birds chirping in the tree in the yard, green hills in the distance – how much joy all of this gives us! The air, water, land, trees, creepers, animals and birds around us together make up what we call the environment. Human beings are a part of this very environment.
Nature gives us so much without our asking. Clean air to breathe, water to drink, grain, fruit, medicinal plants, wood to build homes – all of these come to us from nature. That is why nature is thought of as our mother.
Today, however, people are using nature far beyond their needs for their own convenience. Huge numbers of trees are cut down to make roads, buildings and factories. Smoke from vehicles pollutes the air. Waste water from factories is released into rivers. Plastic bags and garbage pile up in the soil and in water. As a result, summers are getting harsher, rainfall has become irregular, and many animals and birds are losing their homes. When nature's balance is disturbed, it is finally people who suffer the consequences.
Environmental conservation means caring for nature, protecting it and using it wisely. Along with big projects, small habits matter a great deal. We can plant at least one tree every year and look after it. We can carry a cloth bag when we go shopping. We can switch off lights, fans and taps when they are not needed. We can walk or cycle to nearby places. We can separate wet and dry waste and dispose of it properly. We can celebrate festivals in eco-friendly ways.
As students, our responsibility is even greater, because we are the citizens of tomorrow. We should take part eagerly in tree planting, cleanliness drives and poster competitions at school. We should also remind the elders at home to save water and electricity. When one person changes, the change seems small; but when lakhs of people make the same change, it makes a big difference.
Our traditions, too, teach respect for nature. We protect trees such as the banyan, the peepal and the tulsi. In many villages a part of the forest is kept as a 'devrai' (sacred grove), where trees are never cut. We should carry these good traditions forward. At the same time, we should take the help of science. If we use more clean energy such as solar and wind power, recycle waste and plan our use of water, we can keep a balance between development and nature. We want development, but not at the cost of nature.
Nature is a treasure handed down to us by our ancestors, and it is our duty to pass it on safely to the next generation. If we take care of nature, nature will take care of us. So let us resolve, starting today, to protect our environment.
10 Lines
- The air, water, land, trees and animals around us make up the environment.
- Nature gives us air, water, food and medicines.
- Today, trees are being cut down in large numbers.
- Smoke from vehicles is polluting the air.
- Plastic is spoiling our land and water.
- Because nature's balance is disturbed, rainfall has become irregular.
- We should plant at least one tree every year.
- We should use a cloth bag when we go shopping.
- We must use water and electricity carefully.
- Our future will be safe only if we protect nature.
Writing tips
- Begin by describing a beautiful scene from nature; it catches the reader's attention at once.
- Divide the essay into two clear parts: the problems (pollution, cutting trees) and the solutions (planting trees, cloth bags).
- End with a short, meaningful line of your own, such as "If we take care of nature, nature will take care of us."
- Using the right words – conservation, habitat, eco-friendly, balance of nature – makes the essay stronger.