15 COVID-19 Pandemic: An Unprecedented Blessing for Nature
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then we will be successful in saving many floral and faunal population and diversity.
The reports on decreased risk to animal lives from noise pollution or restricted traffic
movements (railways or rad vehicles) implies that there is a need to address the
issue of ineffective drafting and documentation of ‘Environment Impact Assessment’
reports by the agencies, which often overlooks the impact of a construction (whether
a track or infrastructure) on the biodiversity. The development of tracking systems
for animals during the lockdown period will also aid in conservation and preservation
of wildlife. However, more studies on biodiversity required to analyse the impact of
lockdown in-depth.
Other miscellaneous impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown have been on noise
pollution and waste management systems. Studies have appraised the reduction of
noise levels due to reduced air, water and land traffic. Restriction on human mobility
has reduced industrial wastes; however, large-scale generation of domestic wastes and
medical wastes (personal protective equipment kits and testing kits) is still occurring.
The possibility of spreading of the COVID-19 virus has discouraged the recycling
and reuse of wastes; thus, increasing the pressure on the waste management system
in various countries. Nevertheless, priority for proper disposal of wastes particularly
medical wastes should be maintained to avoid secondary adverse impacts.
15.3 Measures for Revival of Environment and Economy
COVID-19 lockdown demonstrates that in the anthropocene period human is one
of the chief drivers of environmental changes. The ceased human activities even
for a few weeks made huge impact on the environment and other sectors. Globally,
the lockdown period witnessed an improvement in the air, water and wildlife and
biodiversity. The highly polluted air and water in several countries and regions before
the worldwide lockdown period got significantly improved during the quarantine
measures. Nevertheless, these ameliorated changes are temporary because as soon
as human activities resume in the post-COVID period, the durability of the positive
environmental changes is questionable. The high risk of COVID-19 morbidity and
mortality in highly polluted regions even after having excellent medical facilities
indicates that the development of an economy without a sound environment is not
enough for the sustenance of the human race. Pandemic made us realise the need
for focussing on strategies which will encourage preservation and conservation of
the environment along with sustainable development of the society. Some of the
measures which can be adapted to maintain the ameliorated state of ecology along
with the revival of the economy in the post-COVID scenario are as follows:
(a) Adoption of more strict pollution laws and levying hefty fines and taxes on
polluters.
(b) Policymakers should contemplate the efficiency of existing frameworks on the
environment and reframe if required.
365
then we will be successful in saving many floral and faunal population and diversity.
The reports on decreased risk to animal lives from noise pollution or restricted traffic
movements (railways or rad vehicles) implies that there is a need to address the
issue of ineffective drafting and documentation of ‘Environment Impact Assessment’
reports by the agencies, which often overlooks the impact of a construction (whether
a track or infrastructure) on the biodiversity. The development of tracking systems
for animals during the lockdown period will also aid in conservation and preservation
of wildlife. However, more studies on biodiversity required to analyse the impact of
lockdown in-depth.
Other miscellaneous impacts of the COVID-19 lockdown have been on noise
pollution and waste management systems. Studies have appraised the reduction of
noise levels due to reduced air, water and land traffic. Restriction on human mobility
has reduced industrial wastes; however, large-scale generation of domestic wastes and
medical wastes (personal protective equipment kits and testing kits) is still occurring.
The possibility of spreading of the COVID-19 virus has discouraged the recycling
and reuse of wastes; thus, increasing the pressure on the waste management system
in various countries. Nevertheless, priority for proper disposal of wastes particularly
medical wastes should be maintained to avoid secondary adverse impacts.
15.3 Measures for Revival of Environment and Economy
COVID-19 lockdown demonstrates that in the anthropocene period human is one
of the chief drivers of environmental changes. The ceased human activities even
for a few weeks made huge impact on the environment and other sectors. Globally,
the lockdown period witnessed an improvement in the air, water and wildlife and
biodiversity. The highly polluted air and water in several countries and regions before
the worldwide lockdown period got significantly improved during the quarantine
measures. Nevertheless, these ameliorated changes are temporary because as soon
as human activities resume in the post-COVID period, the durability of the positive
environmental changes is questionable. The high risk of COVID-19 morbidity and
mortality in highly polluted regions even after having excellent medical facilities
indicates that the development of an economy without a sound environment is not
enough for the sustenance of the human race. Pandemic made us realise the need
for focussing on strategies which will encourage preservation and conservation of
the environment along with sustainable development of the society. Some of the
measures which can be adapted to maintain the ameliorated state of ecology along
with the revival of the economy in the post-COVID scenario are as follows:
(a) Adoption of more strict pollution laws and levying hefty fines and taxes on
polluters.
(b) Policymakers should contemplate the efficiency of existing frameworks on the
environment and reframe if required.