On the scenic journey through the lush landscapes of Swat Valley, tourists often pause under the comforting canopy of trees lining the Asharay Jalala road in Matta subdivision. These brief stops are the moments of quiet reflection and photo opportunities, which are more than just a rest from travel. They are subtle reminders of something deeper – our inherent love for nature. As the travellers relax under the thick shade, feeling the breeze brush against their skin, smiling at the dance of light filtering through the leaves, a timeless bond is rekindled – one that connects human beings with their natural world.
Why Our Inherent Love for Nature Just Stop at Admiration:
However, here lies a profound contradiction: If our inherent love for nature is so deeply rooted in us, then why does it often stop at admiration? Why do we find joy in nature’s beauty, seek healing in its serenity, and marvel at its wonders, just to turn away when it comes to caring for it? Why do we treasure the comfort it offers while ignoring the responsibility it silently entrusts to us?
A Love That’s in Our DNA:
From the ancient cave paintings of animals and forests to the poetry of Wordsworth and the art of Van Gogh, humans have always expressed a spiritual and emotional connection with the natural world. It’s not an exaggeration to say that our inherent love for nature is embedded in our DNA. Scientific research also supports this, and studies show that spending time in nature reduces stress, improves mood, enhances focus, and even boosts the immune system.
We are instinctively drawn to landscapes and trees, or rivers and skies. These elements remind us of our inherent love for nature and that’s where we come from. Our ancestors lived in harmony with nature and relied on its patterns and rhythms for survival. The love for nature is not something separate from life, it is life itself.
From Appreciation to Action:
Unfortunately, our relationship with nature has taken a more passive form today. We appreciate it from afar, and often showing our love for nature through the lens of a smartphone camera. We post pictures with captions like “Heaven on Earth” or “Nature is therapy,” and then walk away leaving plastic wrappers behind. We visit serene locations and take in their charm, but contribute little to their preservation.
It is this selective affection that must be addressed, otherwise we will lose the precious gifts of nature with us today. Our Inherent love, in its truest form, calls for responsibility. You cannot say you love a forest and then cut down its trees for timely gains. You cannot say you admire the mountains and water and yet dump your waste in their streams. Genuine and true love means protection, demanding action, and not just admiration.
Why Don’t We Do More For Inherent Love For Nature?
There are several reasons why our inherent love for nature fails in transforming into environmental stewardship:
1. Disconnection from the Consequences: Urban living distances us from the struggles of nature. When we don’t see the direct impact of pollution or deforestation on nature, we assume that everything is fine.
2. Short-Term Thinking: We prioritize immediate comfort and timely gains over long-term sustainability. For example, using plastic for convenience we forget its lasting environmental damage.
3. Lack of Awareness: Many of us are unaware of how small changes in lifestyle – such as reducing waste, planting trees, or conserving water – can contribute to nature’s well-being.
4. False Sense of Helplessness: People often feel that their individual actions won’t make a difference. This belief keeps them away from doing even what they can.
The Silent Cry of Nature:
If nature could speak, what would it say to us? Perhaps, it would remind us of its silent services , like the oxygen we breathe, the water we drink, and the food we eat, or the pollinators that help our crops grow, the trees that cool our planet, and the beauty that heals our soul. In return, all it asks us is care – just enough to ensure it can continue doing what it has always done for us.
The shade on Asharay Jalala road is not just a patch of comfort, but a gift for us. Every tree that offers us rest, every stream that soothes our eyes, and every meadow that invites joy – they are all silently giving. Our Inherent love for nature is not just a role that only receive, but it’s to to reciprocate.
Becoming Guardians of What We Love:
Transforming our Inherent love for nature into responsibility doesn’t require grand gestures. It starts with small, and consistent actions:
- Leave No Trace: Whether you’re hiking in the mountains or strolling in a city park, ensure you take your trash with you.
- Educate Others: Share not just pictures of nature, but also knowledge about protecting the natural resources. Inspire your friends and family to be more conscious of nature.
- Support Local Environmental Efforts: Volunteer, donate, and amplify the work of organizations striving to protect ecosystems.
- Live Sustainably: Reduce your carbon footprint, and use less plastic. Choose eco-friendly products and practices. Plant trees, and stay, as every bit counts.
- Advocate for Nature: Raise voice against environmental degradation, and support policies that prioritize conservation over exploitation.
A Love Story Worth Writing:
Our inherent love for nature is, ofcourse, one of the most beautiful aspects of being human. Whereas like any love story, it must be nurtured. Love without care is only superficial, and care without action is ineffective.
Imagine if every tourist who stops under the tree canopy also picked up a piece of litter. Imagine if every admirer of the mountains planted a sapling in their neighborhood. Imagine if every lover of scenic beauty supported a reforestation drive in their locality or elsewhere. The collective impact would have been immense.
Nature is kind and has always sincerely kept its side of the relationship. It has given us without asking. Now, it’s our turn to show that our inherent love for nature is not just poetic, not just photogenic, but powerful enough to heal, protect, and preserve it. Let us be more than mere tourists on this planet. Let us become its caretakers.
