Global Recovery: - United Nations Day of Vesak 2013

Global Recovery :
through Buddhist Ecology
Another old lady expressed her love of village-life within her community; she loves
the place, where she was born and raised. She has everything in her garden for
living. She said that even if all her relatives leave for Bangkok, she will remain.
She has land and trees with which she can share the times of sweetness and
bitterness. She has planted and nurtured many trees around her house, especially
mango trees, over the many years; and now, she is waiting for someone to come and
buy the trees for money.
I not only interviewed members of the local lay community, but I did also
quizzed the local clergy who follow the path of Buddha – nonviolence and peace.
The clergy-community has the responsibility to exemplify virtue and ensure
the continuity of all creatures, since they are all interrelated and interdependent.
From observations at Wat Thambabau, a Buddhist temple, I found what
exemplifies them is the community encouragement to plant trees. Despite the good
intentions to growing trees, it reminds me when I arrived to eucalyptus and teak
groves. I asked the monk: “Why do you plant these trees? Are they for business,
or something else?” He frankly responded: “When these trees grow, they will be
useful for many purposes for the temple; and, we will not need to buy from outside.”
The case studies in these two provinces prove environmental issues arise
because of industrialization, and it makes those with poor livelihoods poorer, and this
affects every creature. The abbot does not know how growing eucalyptus
tremendously impacts natural resources. It has been proven or discovered that
eucalyptus is an invasive water-drinker. 5 This tree is banned to grow in some
countries, including my country, Bangladesh. 6 However, there is no research being
done on the impact of teak tree. For instance, I have observed in my own region how
the teak forests in Rangamait Hill Tract of Bangladesh, impact and infect the soil to
great proportions. Teak forests, like eucalyptus plantations, would be barren, with no
undergrowth. Also, it sucks up much water, similar to eucalyptus. No undergrowth or
minor trees grow in these gardens. Since only one variety tree or crop can grow,
there is no enhancement of biodiversity in the ecosystem.
In November 2006, I suggested to a farmer, Mr. Pain Swe Prue Marma,
56 years old, in Rangamati Hill Tract, Bangladesh, to plant commercial trees in his
forestland beside his agriculture. Thinking, he might earn much income to support
his family, he rejected the suggestion and very proudly shared his contentment and
management-style for the land. He said that he is not only the person who lives and
uses the land, but there are his children and others who will be using it. He has
5 http://www.wrm.org.uy/bulletin/147/Kenya.html, accessed on February 5, 2010.
6 http://www.bdresearchpublications.com/client/upload/1200471806/1200471806.pdf, accessed on 05
February 2010.
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