Dear Editor,
The variety of life on Earth, its biological diversity is commonly referred to as biodiversity. The number of species of plants, animals, microorganisms, and the enormous diversity of genes in these species, the different ecosystems on the planet, such as deserts, rainforests and coral reefs are all part of a biologically diverse Earth. Appropriate conservation and sustainable development strategies attempt to recognise this as being integral to any approach. Almost all cultures have in some way or form recognised the importance that nature and its biological diversity has had upon them and the need to maintain it. Yet, power, greed and politics have affected the precarious balance.
In The Holy Quran it is said that God has not created anything useless (Surah Al-Imran, Verse No.191). There is one chapter in The Holy Quran known as Surah Al-Namal. Namal means ant. From this we can guess that even one of the smallest insect ant is important before God and one chapter has been given in the Holy Quran after the name of the same insect. In the same Surah (Verses20-24), God narrates the story of a small bird Hoopoe who provided very important information to Prophet Soloman(AS) regarding the Queen of Sheba and people of this region who were practicing worshiping of sun. In Surah Al-Feal God refers a big task performed by the small birds (Ababeels) who crushed a big Army of King Abrah who tried to invade Khana Kabba.
In Surah Al-Araf (Verses 117-121), God had got performed the miracle of snake by Prophet Moses to inculcate the faith to the opponent group. In Surah Al-Yasin (Verses71-73), God say that he has created cattle and subjected them under domination of human beings. Of them some carry them, some they eat and have other profits. From them they also get milk. Several big and small animals have been discussed in the Holy Quran. In Surah Al-Rahaman (Verse No.6), it is said that all bushes and trees bow before God. From this one can easily understand the importance of trees.
One see the importance of plants in several sayings of Prophet Mohammad(SA) where it is said that eye sight increases by looking on greenery and in the introduction of heaven:- greenery, shadow of trees and channels of waters come in discussion. Several herbs/shrubs have been shown as cure of several diseases.
Dr. Shakeel Ahmed Raina
Jammu
