Call for Environmental Protection

SOS in the Wilderness

An urban planner in the Philippines in the name of F. Palafox, who conducted a study on the urban development of Metro Manila, during the early 70’s, was finally heard.

The study forewarned that major disasters may happen in Metro Manila if it will continue its developmental course. It identified the flood prone areas around metro Manila and discouraged the government in pursuing its developmental course in those areas.

Just like Noah, during the biblical times, the warnings fell into deaf ears. Developmental boom continued gigantic structures sprouted everywhere; squatters invaded the beauty of riverbanks, most of them in the flood identified areas.

Not until when, unexpectedly, Metro Manila and its neighboring provinces were visited by typhoon “Ondoy” last September and submerged the lowlands under mud and water for several weeks until this writing.

Skeptics vilified that it was an “act of God”. But was it really an act of god or act of man?

While people blame nature of its wrath, in not respecting the sanctity of their houses and properties ravaged in the lowlands; nonetheless, they were not mindful of the activities happening in the uplands as well. What have we done to indiscriminate illegal-loggings in the forests? How about the massive quarrying in the mountain slopes? Where have all the crowded rain-forest in many parts of the country gone? They have gone to the hands of evil, selfish and monstrous desires of man.

Indeed, what is happening in the mountains have their corresponding repercussions in the lowlands.

So, we expect nature to respect our rights. But do people, also, respect the sacredness and holiness of nature? As an old saying goes, “Nature has its way of fighting back”.

Time and again warnings have been made in multitude of occasions. Signs have been shown about our final destination. This planet is dying due to the evil desires of man. The only way to escape eventual destruction is to learn how to live in harmony with nature.

If only we can realize that everything in this world has its own purpose and importance, only then, can we prolong our existence. We are interdependent with one another and not master over the other.

Development is not evil per se; a development which upholds the sanctity of nature is what we need to survive.

Image via Wikipedia