The COVID-19 pandemic has caused a global hindrance to human activities and although this is a major cause of concern, but it have had a positive impact on the global environment. Before the COVID-19 pandemic the air around us used to be toxic to breath due to the amount of greenhouse gases emitted through human activities over centuries. Environmental degradation was happening fast due to depletion of resources around us but after the lockdown there has been significant changes in the environment.
Impact of Lockdown on Environment
1. Air Quality.
After the lockdown came into play, there was almost no travel or very less travel done by the people whether it be train, or car, or flights. There has been a significant drop of greenhouse gases emitted by these vehicles and hence the air has become cleaner than before. Even factories and industries were not allowed to function during lockdown due to which a significant drop of nitrous oxide in the atmosphere was observed.
Some of the most air polluted cities in India like Delhi, Kanpur and Bangalore have witness AQI (Air Quality Index) level within 2 digits. Results were similar in other countries too where China and Italy recorded significant drop in nitrogen dioxide level.
So clean was the air that even the Dhauladhar ranges in India were visible from 213 kilometers apart. Read more about it here.
2. Water Quality.
Since the waterways have also been abandon during lockdown, water bodies have been cleared up. Also, no more factories are discharging waste products into the water bodies. In Venice, the water became so transparent that even fishes were visible from the top. Because of lesser human activities, oceans are recovering and marine life is thriving once again.
Some of the polluted rivers like Ganga has been cleaned up. From the past 34 years, the government has spent millions of dollars to purify this river, but what lockdown has achieved in 34 days is much more visible than the efforts of 34 years.
3. Effect on Wildlife.
The lockdown has seen a decline in mass fishing due to which the fish biomass will increase in the water bodies. Endangered species have also been visible at places where they were once scarcely visible. The chirping of birds is more audible than the noise of traffic. Endangered species of sea turtles have once again returned back to India's sea shore in Odisha. Due to no human disturbances, animals have been often spotted at places where once they dare not go.
4. Effect on Natural Vegetation.
The plants are growing well in cleaner air and water because once again there is an absence of human interference. In the long run of the environment, it is a good indication that vegetation is flourishing well.
Chances are there that after the end of the lockdown, when humans will be back on the track of nature destruction, these positive impacts will vanish in a matter of time. But the lockdown has given a trailer that how beautiful the earth will look in the absence of human activities.
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