== CHINA EARTHQUAKE: PROUT'S VIEW ==
Namaskar,
The whole world is aware about the tragic earthquake that struck Sichuan
Province, China last month (May '08). What many may not be aware of,
however, is the potential cause.
China has been growing at alarming rates and, unfortunately, much of
their growth has been based upon Mao Zedong's premise, 'Man must conquer
nature'. This has been a major tenet of communism. In so doing, so much
environmental damage has occurred, including the onset of supposed
natural calamities like earthquakes. Because, in truth, man's hand is
often behind such tragedies.
That is why Prout's stand is totally different. Prout advocates a much
more sensitive and harmonious approach towards the use of natural
resources. Prout's socio-economic planning takes into consideration the
environmental balance of the earth and warns of the dangers of such
practices like mining, wells, and large dams etc.
In contrast, today's countries-- whether it be China, the US, Indonesia,
or South Africa-- have largely ignored environmental cries and often
pillaged the earth for more and more resources, setting off large-scale
"natural disasters".
And, unfortunately, that is what seems to have occurred in China.
WERE LARGE DAMS THE CAUSE?
In His various Proutistic treatises, Baba advises us about the proper
utilisation of the earth's natural resources and issues strong warnings
against wanton environmental destruction through faulty practices like
mining & damming, lest we invite natural disasters like earthquakes.
Baba says, "Calamities are also caused by the destruction of the
environment and the indiscriminate exploitation of subterranean
resources such as coal, oil and water...Deep cavities have been formed
in the earth after extracting subterranean resources...If these cavities
are left unfilled [with solid ground], the surrounding regions are more
likely to experience earthquakes than other areas. Moreover, the
unfilled cavities can severely weaken the surface structure of the
earth, causing whole regions to collapse." (PE)
So Baba warns about ruining the integrity of the earth through
large-scale digging projects like mining and damming, as they will upset
the balance of the earth.
Specifically, in the case of large-scale damming, unearthing the earth's
surface and collecting huge amounts of water in one place puts
tremendous pressure on the tectonic plates-- and can cause the plates to
shift, creating an earthquake. Because often times, the base of those
dams is a relatively soft basin that cannot withstand the enormous
weight of so much water. And that downward pressure can cause the
earth's plates to move, shift, & bulge.
And indeed, China is a land of many dams, more than any other country--
containing half of the world's total. Some of these dams are 1,000ft
high (304.8 meters). And the city of Chengdu, where the earthquake
occurred, is surrounded by dams as it is situated in between the
tributaries of the Minjaing river-- near the home of the great Guanxian
dam.
Thus when a major earthquake struck Chengdu, who is to say that it was
not precipitated by the large-scale dams that abound in that area.
Rather, it is highly likely that such dams were the cause, or at least
contributed in some way.
PROUT'S VIEW TOWARDS NATURE & DAMMING
Prout does not propose that there should be a halt to human development
on this earth, rather it must be done, but done in a thoughtful manner,
using our vivek.
For instance, Baba advocates the building of dams and reservoirs; such
practices are instrumental for holding and storing rainwater, which
should be the base of our water supply, not underground water. Thus dams
and reservoirs are essential.
But the theory-- bigger is better-- is not our way. We have not come to
intrude upon the earth and show off man's muscles, but rather to develop
congenial methods of development, like small-scale dams.
Baba says, "In a system of small-scale ponds and dams, any surplus water
in the canals leading to the fields can be rechannelled back to a main
water source to avoid wastage. Water will only be carried a little
distance in a small-scale canal system, so most of the time the
surrounding fields will be properly irrigated. Sometimes however, as in
the rainy season, surplus water will be created which should be
rechannelled back to the water source or used further downstream. Such a
system will also help check flooding in the rainy season and avoid
damage to the small-scale dams constructed along the rivers." (PNS-17)
So in Prout, the use of small-scale dams is essential to human progress.
Each and every locale can and should use water collection methods like
small-scale ponds and dams. That will help provide clean water to one
and all, and ease the burden on the earth's water table. So ponds and
dams are needed.
But to build dams of such grandiose proportions is not good-- rather it
is quite dangerous and will make that area earthquake-prone. Yet that is
what the Army Corps of Engineers has done in the US, and that is what
the Communist Government has done in China-- thereby threatening the
stability of the earth.
In result, we see "natural calamities" strike like the recent earthquake
in China, wherein scores and scores of people were killed, including
many small schoolchildren.
MUST REASSESS THE SITUATION
Here below Baba warns us how we must reassess our relationship with this
earth and the natural world.
Baba says, "Human beings have not taken proper care of the inanimate
world. For example, human beings have damaged and destroyed many hills
and mountains. You should not destroy the mountains and hills, otherwise
the rainfall will be affected. You should not use subterranean water or
encourage the use of deep or shallow tube wells...To protect the
inanimate world you should conserve and properly utilize all natural
resources." (PNS-17)
Unfortunately, so far human civilisation has tested the earth's balance
and pushed the limits by constructing huge dams that contain millions of
pounds of concrete and hold millions of gallons of water, putting
terrible stress on the earth and its tectonic plates. Plus innumerable
other types of exploitative and greedy methods have been in vogue-- from
clear-cutting and deforestation to mono-cropping and chemical
fertilisation.
In result, we have experienced and will continue to witness tragic
natural calamities on this earth-- many of which are precipitated by
precarious human actions.
BABA'S BLESSING
By adopting Baba's Proutistic principles in all facets of life, we will
be able to build a healthy human society, and avert all kinds of
human-triggered natural calamities ,like the recent earthquake in China.
Baba says, "I have formulated PROUT to resolve the defects and
discrepancies which exist in the mundane world...To prevent the
possibility of future problems and inconsistencies arising I have
formulated PROUT." (AV-6)
Namaskar,
Pradiip
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This following example of Baba gives this direction: That we should give
first priority to honoring those whom nobody gives honor.
Baba says, "To those who think for all...
Who offer others seats of honour and respect...
Who venerate others, instead of waiting to be venerated-- To them I
dedicate this book with humble esteem, and deepest salutations."
(NHLOI, Dedication)
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