Sudipta Subham Sahu
Yes, you heard it right. The Good effects of Coronavirus. One might as well as think what an implausible statement this is. How can a fatal virus, that has affected more than 1 Million people worldwide and forced Governments to impose lockdown on their countries can have benefits? How can a virus, that has claimed lives of about 64,000 people and brought economies to a standstill can have positive effects. But indeed, the Covid 19 has virtues of its own.
China, the most populated country of the world and the biggest contributor to global pollution has been in lockdown for a long time now. With no machines roaring, and with no factories running, the emittance of toxic substances, both into air and water, had reduced drastically. Recently, China’s Ministry of Ecology and Environment confirmed that the air quality in China, which usually remained, has improved rapidly. Carbon emissions are on an all time low. Between 3rd February and 1st March, the country has experienced an carbon emissions decline of 25%. NASA released photographs confirming the same. Not only China, but also other countries of the earth have experienced similar fall in pollution.
In India, the decline in air pollution has been dramatic. Out of top 30 most polluted cities of world, 21 are in India itself. But data show that the main cities are recording much lower levels of harmful gases. In New Delhi, the average concentration of toxic gases fell by 71% in a week. Due to reduction in air pollution, the Dhauladhar mountain range in Himachal Pradesh can be seen from Jalandhar, Punjab. Due to lockdown, Peacocks were spotted at Khareghat Colony in Mumbai. Nilgais have been spotted loitering in the roads in Noida. Innumerable birds are seen roaming in the roads. Animals are freely moving here and there. It is high time that humans understood that we share this earth, not own this. We must.
Jyoti Pande Lovakare, the co founder of Indian Environment Organisation Care for Air, said , ‘‘I have not seen such blue skies in Delhi for the past 10 years.
After Italy was hit by the virus, the entry of ships were stopped, and so were the plying of water transports in the rivers. Due to this, Dolphins are seen on the banks of the rivers for the first time. Furthermore, Venice, which is one of the biggest tourist attractions of Italy is in its cleanest state, as compared to past 60 years. You can spot the canals full of fishes, enjoy nature without human intervention. The famous canals of Venice are now full of crystal clear water.
Not only this, but another major benefit of Covid 19 is that people across the world are learning the importance of hygiene and cleanliness. People have understood that spitting is a curse. People have learnt to save food. Earlier, patriotism was usually connected with armed forces. But now, people understand that even the work of a street sweeper is important. Doctors and nurses who are working day and night are hailed all across the globe. People have started to respect the job of police, doctors, and Municipal Sanitization Workers. This virus will leave us with valuable experience, so that the blunders that caused the spreading of the virus will not be repeated when humanity faces such grave crisis again.
