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Our precious Environment and its Safety

Diversity of Species:
     Deer, bears, salmons, pelicans, elephants, oaks, cacti, algae, lichens -any list illustrating the huge diversity of species on the Earth is inevitably and unending one. Many animals and plants inhabit our gardens; others live on high mountains or in colourful shimmering coral reefs. All of them have adapted to their environment in order to survive. This is all the more true in the case of animals that live in deserts or in extremely cold regions. Unfortunately, we are increasingly destroying the habitats of animals. We are clearing forests and polluting seas and coastal areas. 


What do plants live on?
    We know very well what animals eat. But what do plants do to live? almost all plants and animals need air, water, light, and nutrition to grow. Green plants use a complicated chemical process, called photosynthesis, to create energy for survival and growth. In this process the chloroplast inside the green leaves of plants is the 'workshop' where photosynthesis takes place. Water is supplied to the leaves by the roots, and carbon dioxide is absorbed from the air through tiny pores on the lower side of the leaf. Both these are broken down into the elements hydrogen, carbon and oxygen with the help of chlorophyll and sunlight. Plants build 'glucose' from these elements and oxygen is released in the atmosphere as by-product. Photosynthesis has been the source of oxygen in the air since the origin of life on the Earth. Since plants create their own energy, they are the first link in the food chain. But all plants do not produce their own food. There are some exceptional plants like Venus flytrap and Cephalotus follicularis use their digestive juices to convert the insects, caught in their folding or sticky traps, into nutrients called Carnivorous plants.



Life in natural habitats like forests and tropical seas:
    Forests, mountains, and coastal areas are all natural habitats, which are homes to various kinds of living things. In tropics, where the sun is warm and bright, nature offers a broad spectrum of colour. Animals use bright colour to attract partners and gaudy ones to drive away predatory creatures. Every natural habitat is an exciting world. Small animals, such as corals build huge reefs, and giant trees use various techniques to cling on to the soil, which is often only a few centimetres deep.


Life in the savannas, deserts, and polar regions:
    Life in them is extremely difficult. During summer the savannas are green and have ample nutrition for all life forms, but in the dry period survival becomes difficult. In deserts, cacti use special techniques to live and grow, and the polar regions are inhabited by animals who have successfully adapted to and extremely cold and harsh environment however they are able to protect themselves. Penguins have a thick plumage and a thick layer of fat. In addition, their body shape -a lot of mass with the smallest possible surface -ensures that the animals lose very little of their body heat. Polar bears protect themselves with the help of a layer of fat but they also have another heating mechanism. Individual hairs of their fur are hollow and conduct the little sunlight available to the skin like glass fibre cables.


What can we do to save the environment?
    Over many hundreds of years, scientists have discovered approximately 1.5 million species -many are now extinct and many others have not yet been discovered. Since ages, man has dumped garbage in the seas, fired crude oil, and caused water and soil pollution. Large forested areas have been cleared for farming or for wood. The worst part is that we carry on with these irresponsible acts. At the same time we also try to protect the environment by building national parks and zoos, or by finding new eco-friendly ways to produce energy and food stuffs.
    The most powerful solution to save the environment is plantation which can be simply performed by any individual. There should not be any fixed date as '5 June' but every single day should be environment day. 


    

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