7 COVID-19: Disaster or an Opportunity …
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which will take a lot of time to get back to normal. Some of the negative aspects of
coronavirus are given below:
1. Pandemic has resulted into unemployment and greatly impacted economies
of different countries which will ultimately put pressure on limited natural
resources in future.
2. Due to decrease in availability of cargo transportation services and further due
to restrictions on import, there is decrease of agriculture and fishery export
which has resulted into unshipped organic waste and levels of methane (CH4)
emissions have increased because of decaying of organic waste [27].
3. It has lead to increase in unrecyclable waste. Municipalities are not doing recycling activities as they are afraid of contracting viruses while segregating waste
as waste contains used masks, PPE kits, etc. [27].
4. Food retailers are using plastic bags instead of reusable paper bags as they fear
that usable bags can spread virus [34]. The use of plastic bags has been increased
due to demand for take-away food with single-use packaging as people prefer
to stay at home due to restrictions [27].
5. People are throwing used masks, sanitizer bottles, etc., in water which are
disturbing natural ecosystems. By throwing used masks, bottles in rivers, seas,
etc., people are not only polluting water but also putting life of water animals
in danger.
6. By throwing used masks, medical waste, etc., in open area there is a chance that
virus can be transmitted to animals if they come in contact with these medical
waste.
7. Tourism has also been affected by natural areas. This lack of ecotourism will
also lead to unemployment and people will start using resources from fragile
ecosystems as these people will need food and money for their survival which
will put pressure on the resources and leads to unsustainability [27].
8. Exports of agricultural and fisheries products have decrease due to which
production of these products has been stopped which will increase unemployment.
9. Maintenance and monitoring of natural ecosystems got disturbed due to coronavirus. Due to coronavirus, environmental protection workers are staying home
due to lockdowns due to which they are not able to monitor national parks
and different conservation zones. Natural ecosystems and wildlife and species
which are protected are at high risk because of illegal deforestation, hunting
and fishing [27].
10. Due to lack of ecotourism activity, our natural ecosystems are at high risk as
there is possibility of illegal harvesting and encroachment.
11. According to the WHO, people who are aged and have pre-existing medical
problems, are at higher risk of getting affected by this virus. India has the highest
number of tuberculosis cases. Such people are at high risks due to coronavirus
[53].
183
which will take a lot of time to get back to normal. Some of the negative aspects of
coronavirus are given below:
1. Pandemic has resulted into unemployment and greatly impacted economies
of different countries which will ultimately put pressure on limited natural
resources in future.
2. Due to decrease in availability of cargo transportation services and further due
to restrictions on import, there is decrease of agriculture and fishery export
which has resulted into unshipped organic waste and levels of methane (CH4)
emissions have increased because of decaying of organic waste [27].
3. It has lead to increase in unrecyclable waste. Municipalities are not doing recycling activities as they are afraid of contracting viruses while segregating waste
as waste contains used masks, PPE kits, etc. [27].
4. Food retailers are using plastic bags instead of reusable paper bags as they fear
that usable bags can spread virus [34]. The use of plastic bags has been increased
due to demand for take-away food with single-use packaging as people prefer
to stay at home due to restrictions [27].
5. People are throwing used masks, sanitizer bottles, etc., in water which are
disturbing natural ecosystems. By throwing used masks, bottles in rivers, seas,
etc., people are not only polluting water but also putting life of water animals
in danger.
6. By throwing used masks, medical waste, etc., in open area there is a chance that
virus can be transmitted to animals if they come in contact with these medical
waste.
7. Tourism has also been affected by natural areas. This lack of ecotourism will
also lead to unemployment and people will start using resources from fragile
ecosystems as these people will need food and money for their survival which
will put pressure on the resources and leads to unsustainability [27].
8. Exports of agricultural and fisheries products have decrease due to which
production of these products has been stopped which will increase unemployment.
9. Maintenance and monitoring of natural ecosystems got disturbed due to coronavirus. Due to coronavirus, environmental protection workers are staying home
due to lockdowns due to which they are not able to monitor national parks
and different conservation zones. Natural ecosystems and wildlife and species
which are protected are at high risk because of illegal deforestation, hunting
and fishing [27].
10. Due to lack of ecotourism activity, our natural ecosystems are at high risk as
there is possibility of illegal harvesting and encroachment.
11. According to the WHO, people who are aged and have pre-existing medical
problems, are at higher risk of getting affected by this virus. India has the highest
number of tuberculosis cases. Such people are at high risks due to coronavirus
[53].