COP15, the December nature summit in Montreal, cautions about a human driven mass extinction looming ahead

Described as the lesser-known equivalent of the climate crisis, humans do have a “once-in-a-decade" chance to fix it. In other words, it is necessary to apply brakes to the destruction of life-sustaining ecosystems. It seems global wildlife populations have plummeted nearly 70 percent in just 50 years. The result is mindboggling – experts say an unprecedented one million species are now at risk of disappearing off the earth forever. International talks are coming up in Canada next week. Its aim would be to strike a global biodiversity treaty in order to apply brakes on the nature crisis. It could be similar to the historic Paris Agreement that tackled climate breakdown. Former French diplomat Laurence Tubiana, integral to the Paris deal, said protecting climate and life-sustaining nature are "inseparable challenges, but our global governance system has splintered them." A mass extinction looms – and we have a 'once-in-a-decade chance' to fix it. The December nature summit in Montreal proposes to reverse wildlife decline by 2030, as well as to protect 30 percent of land and sea. There would be a global biodiversity goal to "direct targets, laws, policies and funding at all levels and regions, much like the Paris Agreement has started doing for climate action.” That is what Ms Tubiana says.

Professor Alexandre Antonelli, director of science Kew Gardens explains – “The climate and nature crises are "intertwined." Biodiversity is absolutely critical to our lives and we losing it at an accelerating speed." Each country has its own interests and draws battle lines over things like pollution and cash. The previous global plan to stop species extinction and habitat destruction did not help and the world failed to achieve a single 2020 target. Professor Alexandre Antonelli cautions - "It is absolutely essential that we get it right this time." Otherwise, we may "reach a tipping point, after which it may be impossible or extremely hard to revert the loss of nature." The death of the Amazon rainforest is the best example. It regulates the world's climate and provides vital water to nearby industries and megacities. However, humans have chopped down nearly 18 percent of the forests. Once it reaches 25 percent, the rainforest will stop producing water and turn into a dry savannah. Instead of absorbing climate-heating carbon dioxide, the new ecosystem would begin to unleash it. Campaigner Ruth Davis cites a drought in Argentina in 2017-18, exacerbated by deforestation in the Amazon. It inflicted $4.6bn loss to the economy of one of the biggest agricultural producers in Latin America.

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Forests of the southern Sierra Nevada become victims of climate change

Wildfires, drought and bark beetle infestations between 2011 and 2020 have led to the loss of nearly a third of all conifer forests in the lower half of the mountain range. This is according to a recent study published in a journal related to ecology. It puts the loss to eighty-five percent of the southern Sierra’s high-density mature forests. These have either lost density or became non-forest vegetation. Obviously, climate change is taking a heavy toll of the landscape of California. It is not only staggering but also often irreversible. Losses of this nature could have grave consequences for wildlife in the region. These include protected species like spotted owls and Pacific fishers. They rely on mature tree canopies for their habitats. In the opinion of researchers, the findings are another indication of the shifting climate regime. Moreover, these offer new insights that could help guide forest management and conservation strategies. Nearly a third of southern Sierra forests killed by drought and wildfire in last decade. The Sierra covers about a quarter of California’s land area. Hundreds of plants and animals call the region home, and the forest helps sequester carbon and store water for the state’s residents.

The problem is multifaceted. Human-caused climate change is contributing to warmer, drier conditions. These are converting once-green forests into brittle tinder and lengthening the window of time in which wildfires can burn each year. Wildfires once regularly simmered along the forest floors, today’s “megafires” are burning at high severity and searing some trees up to the top. Incidentally, the loss of forestland may be jarring to humans, but it is devastating for some creatures that call the Sierra home. California spotted owls, which typically occupy nest sites with huge canopy cover are left with fewer options in younger, sparser forests. Climate change is a “threat multiplier” and it might lead to irreversible disturbances in due course of time.

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Durga Puja for Bengalis usually means a trip to the hill station of Darjeeling

This year, the government of Bengal has declared 10 days holiday for the Durga Puja. Obviously, there is a rush to book hotels in the hill station of Darjeeling. It seems already more than 70 per cent of hotel rooms in this favorite tourist destination are already booked. Darjeeling is located in northern West Bengal. The economy of the region depends on tourism. During the pandemic lockdown, tourism suffered in the hills of Darjeeling and Kalimpong apart from the forests of the Dooars. In view of reduction in coronavirus cases, revival of businesses would now be on the cards. New Jalpaiguri is the gateway to the region and tickets of trains are not available. Occupancy rate of hotel rooms have improved. It seems the region witnessed good footfalls during the summer holidays and hoteliers expect the trend to continue during the forthcoming festive season. Hotels nearly full as north Bengal braces for 'revenge travel' during Durga Puja. Apart from hotels, there is also an increase in demand of homestays.

The 10-day Durga Puja holiday for employees of the Bengal government, coupled with 'revenge travelling,' has prompted this massive demand. That is the opinion of the tourism industry. The surge is in 'revenge travel' because people are trying to make up for vacations lost during the pandemic. This has led to considerable escalation of hotel prices. An official of the West Bengal Tourism's Jaldapara Tourist Lodge says all rooms of the property are fully booked. Efforts are on to create a special menu for the guests. In order to tackle the rush of tourists, there will be special trains between Kolkata and New Jalpaiguri in Siliguri. As for the joy rides in the famous toy trains, the Northeast Frontier Railway has decided to operate four new rides in Darjeeling during the festive season. These will operate between Darjeeling and Ghum.

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