The Pandemic and a “Restoring Ecosystem”

The global outbreak of COVID-19 has  affected every part of human life. The measures taken to control the spread of the virus and the slowdown of economic activities have significant effects on the environment. The pandemic situation has significantly improved air quality in cities across the world, has lessened water and noise pollution, and reduced the pressure on the tourist destinations, which has majorly assisted with the restoration of the ecological system, which is fittingly the theme for this years World Environment Day, “Ecosystem Restoration”.

Water pollution is a common phenomenon in developing countries like India, and Bangladesh, where domestic and industrial wastes are dumped into rivers without treatment. During the lockdown period, the major industrial sources of pollution have shrunk or completely stopped, which has helped to reduce the pollution load. For instance, the rivers Ganga and Yamuna have reached a significant level of purity due to the absence of industrial pollution on the days of lockdown in India. Water pollution has also been reported to be reduced in the beach areas of Thailand, Maldives, and Indonesia. Moreover, owing to the reduction of export-import business, the movement of merchant ships and other vessels, marine pollution has been reduced. 

Noise pollution is the elevated levels of sound, generated from different human activities, which may lead to adverse effects in human and other living organisms . Unwanted noise negatively affects the invertebrates that help to control environmental processes which are vital for the balance of the ecosystem.However, the quarantine and lockdown measures mandated that people stay at home and reduce economic activities,which ultimately reduced noise level in most cities . According to the Central Pollution Control Board of India, the noise level of residential areas of Delhi is reduced from 55 dB (daytime) and 45 dB (night) to 40 dB (daytime) and 30 dB (night) respectively. As a result, city dwellers are now enjoying the chirping of birds, which usually ranges from 40-50 dB. Moreover, due to travel restrictions, the number of flights and vehicular movements have drastically reduced around the world, which have ultimately reduced the level of noise pollution.Overall, COVID-19 lockdown, and lessening of economic activities has reduced the noise pollution around the globe for the better .

Over the past few years, the tourism sector has witnessed remarkable growth because of technological advancements and transport networks; while it contributes significantly to the  global gross domestic product (GDP), it has majorly impacted the ecological balance negatively. It is estimated that the tourism industry is responsible for 8% of global GHGs emissions. Due to the outbreak of COVID-19 and local restrictions, the number of tourists has reduced in the tourist spots around the world . Nature gets a time to assimilate human annoyance, and due to pollution reduction recently returning of dolphins was reported in the coast of Bay of Bengal and canals, waterways, and ports of Venice (Italy) after a long decade 

Like all things in life, even the lockdown scenario is a two-sided word, with both good and bad effects on the environment. Since the outbreak of COVID-19, medical waste generation has increased globally, which is a major threat to public health and environment. For example, in the city of Ahmedabad of India, the amount of medical waste generation is increased from 550-600 kg/day to around 1000 kg/day at the time of the first phase of lockdown Such a sudden rise of hazardous waste, and their proper management has become a significant challenge to the local waste management authorities. To protect from the viral infection, presently people are using face masks, hand gloves and other safety equipment, which increase the amount of healthcare waste. 

Directly or indirectly, the pandemic is affecting human life and the global economy, which is ultimately affecting the environment and climate. It reminds us how we have neglected the environmental components and enforced human induced climate change. Moreover, the global response of COVID-19 also teaches us to work together to combat the threat to mankind. Restoring the entire ecosystem is not an easy task. Therefore, there is a need for a collaborative approach involving all stakeholders like Governments, conservationists, financiers and the General Public in an effort to identify the barriers to Restoration and drive grassroots actions.

                                                                                                                            Aaditya S Rao