Pollute Water bodies and face the law!

In water bodies in my country, especially those referred to as rivers and oceans where aquatic animals live, there is a common lifestyle and belief system where people who serve deities frequently visit these rivers and oceans. In fact, this happens very often, as they go there to make sacrifices by throwing all sorts of items into the water bodies. These items include cans, plastics, bottled drinks, foods wrapped in nylon, money, live animals, and so on.

In my village where I was brought up, we grew up with this tradition. People came from far and near to make sacrifices to the river channel at the end of our street, the same river where we usually bathed and fetched water for daily use. Growing up, I never thought of their actions as a crime or as something that went against the rules of preserving natural resources until some weeks ago, when a particular state in my country placed a ban on such practices. Yes! They are truly polluting the water bodies, and at that moment, my brain came alive.

However, this decision has not gone as smoothly as expected. The body of deity worshippers, mainly traditional worshippers, have risen to fight against the law that seeks to stop sacrifices from being thrown into rivers. They argue that sacrificing to the river goddess has always been their way of paying homage to their gods. According to them, it is what their forefathers practiced, and the modern government cannot simply wake up one day and put a stop to a tradition and heritage that has existed for generations. The whole situation really sucks!

While the traditionalists may be correct in defending their traditions and ancestral laws, their practices clearly go against the modern lifestyle of preserving nature and protecting the environment. Tradition should not be an excuse for environmental destruction.

Take plastics for example. Plastics do not decay, and once they are thrown into rivers, they pose serious harm to aquatic animals. Other items such as live animals, although they may eventually be eaten by aquatic creatures, still pollute the water bodies and make them unfit for human usage. Other materials thrown into the rivers can also cause serious hazards within these water bodies.

All of these points have been explained repeatedly to the traditionalists, but they have refused to adhere to them. As it stands now, the state government has maintained its position, and anyone found guilty of violating the law will face the full weight of the law.

Thanks for reading.

The photo used is mine