The news that wildlife is at risk seems disturbing … at first, but ultimately lulls her to sleep. It doesn’t matter if it’s California condors, tigers, pandas, mountain gorillas, or coral reefs.

Are they worth worrying about? Certainly! If the cute pandas disappeared, we will feel sad, but we do not depend on them. However, it is extremely important to care about humans rather than spending millions on the preservation of animals.

The cost of preserving wildlife and plant life is significant. Is essential?

There are multiple reasons why we should not save endangered species. The staggering cost is the most obvious. Billions are spent each year conserving endangered wildlife rather than caring for hungry, dying, or sick people. It is difficult to understand the reason to preserve predators such as wolves and tigers, which are a threat to livestock and people.

In reality, extinction is natural, and what we are aware of is the disappearance of the dinosaurs 65 million years ago. However, species are disappearing faster than ever. It has multiplied by a hundred in the last century. Humans are to blame. Fortunately, humans adore the natural world and even wild animals are believed to be fascinating, majestic, and lovable.

The aesthetic value of the beautiful nature is worth it, which is why some prefer that it should be preserved just like the paintings and architecture. However, some people do not connect with animals or plants, which are simply dark, ugly, or smelly.

In western countries, tigers are preserved because they look good. In rural India, they are not welcome because tigers are a threat to their family. You can see that each person has their likes and dislikes, but there is a practical need to conserve endangered wildlife.

Practical reasons to invest in wildlife preservation

Nature offers countless ‘ecosystem services’

• The bioprospecting process includes exploring nature to discover useful commercial products. New medicines can be discovered without having to travel dangerous kilometers in the jungle in the vague hope of discovering some kind of miraculous plant.

• In addition, there is the problem of local people who are already familiar with the uses of medicinal plants and do not like strangers trying to designate them.

• The other dilemma is what happens to those species, which are not useful. For example, it is impossible for mountain gorilla blood to have a therapeutic use for cancer.

• Fortunately, biologists revealed in 1990 that plants and animals benefit humans by being there. They offer ‘ecosystem services’, which we take for granted.

• Services can be direct or indirect. For example, green plants and marine plankton offer pure oxygen, which is a direct and obvious service. On the other hand, bumblebees are pollinating insects that help various crop plants to produce seeds, or they will not survive or give us food. Their services are subtle, so the decrease in pollinating insects can be a concern.

Imagine if there were no plants on earth, humans would need to design a chemical processing plant to produce oxygen and even water. If there is nothing to eat, then produce artificial foods, which will be difficult to digest.

Will you be able to create good microorganisms that live in the intestine in an artificial way? Instead of going through all the stress, it seems easy to let today’s wildlife take care of it for us. The stretch of ecosystem services is extraordinarily wide and gigantic when it all comes together.

Strong ecotourism

• Wildlife preservation is not ‘Nature in itself’, but morally it can be considered ‘Nature for people’ due to the concept of ecosystem services. Even if you don’t care about wildlife, it is of great value to the ecotourism sector.

• If you take a selective approach to conservation, like keeping the things that attract tourists and letting the rest die.

• However, for specific wildlife, a thick jungle full of trees will be necessary, which cannot be ignored. It even means that you will need to conserve other animals that will help shape the plant community.

• For many people who live near forests, they plan safari vacations and take tourists to see wildlife. These people benefit from wildlife conservation. Sightseeing tours pay better than agriculture. Ecotourism is a path, where nature compensates itself.

Keeps the ecosystem stable and resistant

• You cannot separate a pair of wildlife species from the larger web. If you remove a single species, there may be no problem or it may trigger a ripple effect that can change the entire ecosystem.

• Prediction is difficult! You can find out if you allow the species to disappear only to find that it is too late to reverse the situation. Conserving the forest is not only about saving wild species, but also ensuring a regular supply of water.

• We have experienced climatic fluctuations. Too much rain means floods, and too less defines a drought. Both are life threatening. The trees in the hills ensure a reliable supply of fresh water for the people residing in the lowlands. Forests must be stable and resistant.

• According to ecologists, ecosystems with a wide range of plant and animal species are stable and strong. They are less likely to suffer an unexpected regressive death. For example, a small lazy worm is not useful to humans, but it possibly supports the ecosystem that provides valuable services.

Science has shown that the ecosystem offers thousands of things without which a man cannot survive. Ecologist recommends that the more diversity there is in the ecosystem, the better. Therefore, in terms of food and water, it is essential to invest funds in conservation plans.

‘NATURE FOR PEOPLE’!