Bhopal: Regional Museum of Natural History, Bhopal organised a power point presentation cum lecture on ‘Traditional Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources’ on Sunday under summer nature study programme. Coordinator of the programme and Scientist-B, Manik Lal Gupta delivered the lecture. During the lecture Gupta defined a belief of person passed from one generation to another generation becomes ‘tradition’. Gupta also explained to participants about the nature and natural resources. He told that plants, animals, landscape and product of earth are called nature and resources that exist without action of humankind i.e. magnetic, gravitational, electrical properties and water, sunlight, atmosphere, land minerals, flora & fauna are called natural resources.
He further informed the participants about ecosystem services of elephant, monkey, wild boar, cow, ox, snake, lion etc. and told that probably for this reason our ancestors called them as lord Ganesha, Hanuman, Varah, Nandi, Nag devta etc. since we respect our god and will conserve these god species. During the lecture Gupta detailed that probably medicinal property as well importance of Tulsi, Banyan, Peepal, Neem, Amla, Bel, Coconut, Areca nut, Turmeric, Durva, Paddy, Barley, Chandan, Sesame etc. were the reason for which our ancestors decided to offer these things to god for our peace and prosperity.
He also told that in same way probably the ecosystem services of Peocock, Rat, Ashok, Owl, Mute swan, Kadamb, Mango, Semal etc were the main reason to associate these species with various gods and goddesses. He concluded his lecture with the statement that our ancestors wisely associated most of the flora and fauna with God to conserve nature and natural resources for the sustainable development of future generation. He also made an appeal to “Keep Conserving Nature” to the participants.
