[We reinstate our naturally diverse vegetation with artificial
monocultures. We are pulling our environment and changing the background
of environmental conditions faster than nature can respond. We are
violating the fundamental rights of the indigenous people.]
Dwijen Sharma was an eminent environmentalist, botanist, naturalist and true lover of environment. He, in his whole life, planted trees, conserved nature and built gardens. He believed, humans are the essential part of natural process. If nature dies, people will also die, human beings will extinct.
Globally, we are on the way of danger as we are only working for artificial settlement and urban reality. In the era of neo-liberalism-- biodiversity, land, water bodies, forest, wildlife are extirpated.
We cut down thousands of acres of virgin forest before we explore what was there. We reinstate our naturally diverse vegetation with artificial monocultures. We are pulling our environment and changing the background of environmental conditions faster than nature can respond. We are violating the fundamental rights of the indigenous people.
Dwijen Sharma carefully observed this existing global condition. He devoted his efforts to erect gardens where he got opportunity, such as --Notre Dame College, National Museum Dhaka, Brojomahan College Barisal, Central Women's College Dhaka, Bangla Academy etc.
He, through his dedicated works, spread the light of knowledge. He moved from village to village, community to community, district to district in order to aware people about environmental security, plants' diversity, and importance of gardening.
In addition, he spread knowledge on environmental ethics, aesthetic value of environment, environmental theology, moral status of animals and plants, endangered species etc.
Naturalist Sharma gave a lot of introduction of various plants -- flower plants, aquatic plants, endangered plants, medicinal plants, marine plants and aesthetic plants. He wrote many research based books, such as -- Shymoly Nishorgosh, Sopuspok Udvider Shreni Binnash, Gasher Kotha Fuler Kotha, Nishorgo Nirman Onandonik Vabna, Banglar Brikkho, Darwin O Orojatir Utpotti etc.
Dwijen Sharma, a son of nature and ecology, provided nature oriented philosophy which is very essential of our life. It is high time to combine economic development and environmental security for sustainable development.
Through practicing the environmental protection philosophy of Dwijen Sharma, we -- young generation can work for nature, biodiversity, ecology and environmental security.
The writer is an Environmental Analyst and an Associate Member of Bangladesh Economic Association
