Piecemeal" and "standalone" are not tenable or practical concepts in real life in general, and, in particular, in the context of nature and environment. Likewise, ceteris paribus (all else remaining the same) is not a real-life situation or condition; it may be a theoretical, man-made and laboratory-controlled condition. In real life there is nothing static; everything is in a state of flux, there is constant evolution, adaptation, and the quest for equilibrium, optimality and sustainability in growth and development.

When we come to the issues of studying and conserving and protecting nature and the environment we find there is nothing static, no water-tight compartments. Instead, we observe networks, inter-relationship, inter-dependence, and inter-connectedness. And these are complex in nature and cannot be viewed or analysed in isolation. For instance, many species share symbiotic relationships, and food chains themselves are intricate and interdependent. Flora and fauna within habitats are closely interconnected. Moreover, natural cycles both influence and are influenced by multiple factors, including weather, climate, and landscape.

Such being the case of the web of life on planet Earth revealing a highly intricate and complex scenario the role of every element, big and small, becomes important. For, after all, life on Earth did not start yesterday or the day before; it has millennia behind it. Therefore, it is not only the seemingly sitting-at-the-top-of-the-evolution-pyramid Homo sapiens who is important. Or the mammoth elephant or the flagship tiger that alone are important by themselves. In the complex whole everything is significant.

This is a subject of great significance. Just as specialization and over-specialization in the human race and civilization in work, life and livelihood has cost us heavy, so too a lack of understanding and appreciation of the inter-connectedness in nature and environment has caused much harm, often irreparable.

We know, for instance, that doing away with bees only means doing away with the great pollinators so that plants, trees, crops, nothing can grow in their natural cycle of coming  into fruition. There can be no vegetation, no green cover, no agriculture. And then if an orchard, for instance, has to have trees bearing fruit, bees have to be brought in as a consignment hoping they will do the job of pollination.

The realization then comes that the seemingly unattractive black bees have been playing a major role in pollination and thus in germination and thriving of every form of vegetation. Likewise, if we take the case of the cute little house sparrow we discover that the trend in the last decade and a half has been one of falling populations. A bird that has been part of human habitations for many thousands of years has now become a rarity to spot in most human habitations whether rural or urban. The house sparrow is, in fact, an indicator species in urban settings. In other words, if the population of the house sparrow is declining in an urban setting it is indicative of such changes in the habitat, environment and surroundings that are harmful to life—life forms—and vegetation. The little birds that were forever chirruping on our verandas and in our balconies in our homes often taking the liberty to dash into our bedrooms and living rooms have dwindled in their numbers, and various factors are being studied to understand the causes. From vehicular pollution to mobile tower-generated electromagnetic radiation to modern architecture of buildings and homes to increased use of chemical-based insecticides and pesticides in our gardens and agricultural fields. 

We see here thus the complex interplay of factors and scenarios that influence and are influenced by various other factors and various other scenarios.

If wildlife species have got extinct, species of trees, plants and herbs have also got lost. Many traditional crops have also disappeared from the culinary scene. Of course, today millets have begun to catch on winning the fancy of the people, and, in fact, even becoming quite a rage. But this was not the case a few years ago when one hardly heard of ragi in cosmopolitan fast-paced cities. Millets are not only healthy for human consumption, but also environment-friendly given that the hardy millets are amenable to growing in dry weather conditions making them even drought-resistant.

Ecosystems being dynamic there is interaction and mingling of everything with everything else. Known examples are innumerable. For instance, if we go back into the past, we know that DDT (dichloro-diphenyl-trichloroethane), the extensively used insecticide, was found, through the food chain, in human mother's milk, and was thus passed into babies' bodies, impacting their health from infancy.

Not long ago the issue of the consequences of the chemical named diclofenac used as a veterinary drug came up. Vultures that consumed carcasses of cattle that had been treated with diclofenac eventually died. This led to large numbers of deaths of vultures nearly threatening their extinction. Of course, incidentally, the chemical diclofenac is also used as an analgesic for humans.

In present times, plastic has assumed mammoth proportions as a pollutant. The issue of plastic reaching water bodies and eventually oceans, has become a multi-dimensional menace, affecting, as it does, the water and both aquatic and terrestrial life forms. Recently, the issue of microplastics in the human body has come to light, with the presence of microplastics affecting the human brain and cardiac health, besides other consequences.

What is seen as economic growth and urbanization and city development should also take a holistic approach vis-à-vis the plans and execution. All factors need to be taken into consideration with a view to protect and safeguard life forms and vegetation in their habitats. This includes thus the floral and faunal wealth and pristine habitat and landscape of any place. So whether it is laying a railway line, developing land for real estate, and all the varied construction activities, the impact on the habitat and its inhabitants needs to be assessed 360 degrees. 

All these cases and scenarios in nature and the environment, in our surroundings, near and far, and in our human lives, reveal the interplay of so many factors both natural and anthropogenic. Any analysis and research and thereupon policy needs to factor in all factors and determinants for an ecologically sound and sustainable as also a holistically meaningful understanding and solution set. In other words, a holistic approach is what is called for. #