Some Thoughts to Share

Today, I'd like to share an incident that occurred during an outing with my relatives. We witnessed a cat, with a pigeon clutched in its mouth, being chased by another cat. The chase escalated into a fight when the cat stumbled, and the pigeon fell from its grip.

In the midst of this, a person we'll refer to as "Nannmamaram" (a Malayalam term for individuals with extraordinary talents to help others) intervened. He rescued the injured pigeon and placed it on a branch. This act of kindness was applauded by my relatives, and rightfully so. However, it raised a question in my mind: Are we, as humans, supposed to interfere with the natural law?

The law of nature dictates survival of the fittest, where one life form survives at the expense of another. If we extrapolate this scenario and imagine a world where humans prevent animals from preying on each other, it could lead to imbalances in nature and potentially mass extinction.

Evolution is driven by hardship and challenges. Early humans, for instance, invented weapons to protect themselves from wild animals and developed shelters, clothing, and fire to survive extreme climates. These adversities led to solutions that have shaped us into what some might call the apex species.

However, when we interfere with the natural order, even with pure intentions, we might inadvertently create obstacles in the path of life. We learned about the food chain in school: producers are eaten by primary consumers, which are eaten by secondary consumers, and so on, until the apex predator. When the apex predator dies, decomposers return it to the soil, completing the cycle.

If any link in this chain vanishes, the ecosystem could collapse. Imagine a world where decomposers are destroyed, leaving dead plants, animals, and humans undecomposed. Or consider a scenario where producers go extinct, leading to the eventual collapse of all life forms.

We must remember that every unwanted change carries a heavy toll. We are not masters of the universe, despite our ability to build machines, buildings, dams, and more. We are part of nature, and any damage we inflict on nature will eventually harm us as well.

So, does this mean we should halt development? No, development is necessary for our growth as a species. However, it must be sustainable. Our advancements should not endanger nature itself. We should seek better alternatives that reduce harm, not just cheaper ones.

While governments can implement regulations, it's our responsibility to follow them. For example, if you visit an ecologically protected area with regulations against littering, it's your decision to abide by these rules. Remember, we are all connected. We are part of one nature, and harming it is harming ourselves.

In conclusion, while it's natural for us to want to help and protect, we must also consider the broader implications of our actions on the natural order. Our role should be one of guardianship, ensuring the balance of nature while advancing in a sustainable manner.