By Dr. Rajendra Singh*
Love for nature will mean maintaining ‘social distance from greed’
There is an urgent need to understand the relation between Coronavirus and the environment, and to focus on the well-being and health of both, nature and humans. Globalisation has made sure that wherever and whatever the hit – economic or health-related –the impact and implications will shake the entire world. However, the good news is that there are local solutions for global problems. Challenges like climate change have successfully found local solutions as countries such as New Zealand and Bhutan have demonstrated.
This is also the experience of our organisation, Tarun Bharat Sangh, based in Alwar, Rajasthan, where we work to realise our dream of a world where dignified and self-reliant communities live in harmony with nature. Community-based decentralised natural resource management here have increased agricultural productivity and, in the process, proved a model for climate change mitigation and adaptation.
In our work areas at Tarun Bharat Sangh, we have observed that the impact of the virus is not as strong as in other places. We have realised yet again, that when the environment is clean, this leads to a better immune system with more capacity and ability to keep infections at bay.
In other words, when people’s lives are aligned with nature, human health is better. It is important to realise that the COVID-19 virus is a small piece of RNA or ribonucleic acid and is non-living. Once it enters our human body, it attaches itself to our cells. It covers itself with human protein. It has the capacity to direct human cells and systems to produce long chains of viral proteins which affect the body’s immune system. The human immune system fails to recognise that this is really a ‘foreign body’ against which the body’s’ defense – the immune system needs to act. As a result, this virus replicates and begins its attack on the human body.
This attack by disease-causing viruses is not new. Humans are exposed to a variety of potential disease-causing factors, but if the environment and body is healthy, then infections and diseases are kept at bay and at safe distance. If our immunity is strong, then this virus is not able to enter, and even if it enters, it is not able to fool the immune system into thinking that this is not a foreign body. Just like a healthy mind helps in taking right decisions, in the same manner if our cells are healthy, the human immune system is able to recognise the ‘enemy,’ respond appropriately and take care of itself. This is a continuous process within the body, and therefore it is important that the defenses are strong with a focus on wellbeing and protection of health, rather than treatment. This is the principle behind Ayurveda.
It is also important to understand the origin of viruses and how these came into being. Life started with water. Before life, viruses existed. That is why the COVID-19 virus appears new: Our body, our cells, do not recognise these as foreign and thus get fooled.
We need to identify and question: Whose body is getting fooled by these viruses? Who are the most affected? It is those who are living a life of excess consumption and in polluted and ‘artificial’ environments. Their immune system is weak. The immune system of those living in clean and natural environments and leading a life with strenuous physical work, can recognise the virus as alien and their defense mechanism responds appropriately. They are less affected, even immune.
Modern science recognises the virus as non-living, as does Ayurveda. It becomes dangerous only when it is able to take over control of our cells and direct the production of its own proteins and replicate. The principle behind the vaccine against COVID-19 is also the same. The vaccine will take over our immune system and modify it so that the virus in not able to affect and take over the body. However, these vaccines are not without their own side-affects.
What is the way ahead? We need to change the environment which enabled the transfer of this animal virus in humans. We need to get back to revering and rejuvenating nature and respecting its boundaries. We need a clean and safe environment. This is possible through adopting lifestyles that are aligned with nature. This is what Ayurveda recommends.
Unfortunately, governments are turning a blind eye to this approach and way of life, and that is why even Ayurveda treatments of symptoms are becoming successful and popular. It appears that moving towards a healthy body is not as remunerative as treating an unhealthy body.
The question to ask is: Why are the leaders of nations and governments not thinking about this? Why only focus on vaccine? Is this because Governments want to provide profits to big companies? This Corona virus has amply shown how businesses have benefitted tremendously from this pandemic. Companies are more concerned about their ‘pandemic-profits’ rather than our health and with this approach, all kinds of companies are benefitting.
This virus is an outcome of greed and not recognising and respecting limits, and unfortunately, ending the pandemic will be based on greed and profits and increased inequality. What will happen when the next pandemic strikes? This pandemic can also end through actions that is in line with love for nature. The choice is ours.
My life’s journey has taught me one thing: Love for nature. This love can be experienced by all. It is time now to learn from this COVID-19 pandemic and begin respecting, loving, nurturing and rejuvenating nature. Nature will reward us in many ways, if we do this.
Love for nature will mean maintaining ‘social distance from greed’, just as we are maintaining social distancing for remaining free from the Corona infection. Reflection is needed to deeply question and understand how a non-living RNA virus has instilled fear and brought the entire world to a halt. COVID-19 is the product of markets and greed, which has led to crossing all boundaries.
This is the right time to shower love on the five basic elements of – fire, sky, earth, wind and water. If we do this, we will be able to address climate change: both mitigation and adaptation. Believe in nature. Overcome fears around COVID-19 to conquer it. This in no way means that the safety precautions should be given up.
Work for saving the environment, in urgent need of our care, protection and rejuvenation. Saving the environment will save us – our immunity will increase to tackle this virus and other such viruses, protecting us form further pandemics, in fact even preventing these.
Countries like Bhutan and New Zealand stay away from greed, protect their natural resources and in the process, are living peaceful and serene lives. On the other hand, countries like China and India are looking to make up for the economic losses that have occurred due to COVID -19 through exploiting and polluting forests and land. India has opened up its ‘no go’ forest areas for coal mining for power generation. Some 43 new mine lands are being auctioned to private companies. The auctions have already begun. When COVID-19 is spreading rapidly in ‘developed’ countries like the US and Europe, and in developing India, this move to give new leases in ‘no go’ areas needs introspection.
If the world now does not learn from this COVID-19 pandemic, will when it learn? The time of learning is now. This is the time to rejuvenate nature so that we are able to save ourselves from climate change and future pandemics. Nature always gives us warning signals of destruction, of what is to come if we don’t pay heed. It is time for us all to take appropriate action.
*The writer, also known as the Waterman of India, is an Ayurvedacharya and renowned water conservationist. The views expressed are personal.
