Eco Systems

Man’s constant interaction with nature and its systems has never been so exploitative that now the natural resources that helped to sustain life for millions of years have started to retaliate by slowly breaking the links in the chain of a well structured eco system. So far reaching can be the disruption in the eco system accelerated by the greed of humans that after a few generations, greenery could be a myth, and clean air and water only a concept. However, the magnitude of the damage done so far is not entirely irrevocable though it has cost the existence of millions of organisms, whether it be human, animal or plant. Hopes and possibilities of eco system restoration cannot be overlooked.

It is in this context that eco house systems gain importance. It could be a decisive step in the process of soldering the loops of the broken eco chain.  The eco friendly houses that our ancestors once made are becoming the trend now. The idea of a Green Home or Green Building that combines the advantages of modern technology with the boons of nature without disturbing its balance is being popularized by many new generation architectural concepts. Whether in the choice of materials or in the method of construction, sustainability is the key word. Recycling of materials like steel and wood, using eco friendly products like bamboo, clay, etc. add to the effort of reducing the risks of environmental imbalance.

Eco system services can be incorporated into the construction of eco houses. Rainwater harvesting, biogas plants, solar systems, etc. are all excellent examples of successfully utilizing eco system services as alternative energy resources. Eco solar systems are not solely solar electric systems. It is also the efficient use of direct sunlight in houses by specific construction techniques like pergola roofing, sky lights, and courtyards that reduce the use of artificial lighting during daytime by letting sunlight in.

Apart from these modern inventions, there are some other smaller actions that make a huge difference in the eco system. Actions that have been the habit and lifestyle of a generation that never compromised in its contribution to nurture the environment in which its members sustained. Their give-and-take relation with nature was evident in the agricultural conventions they followed, such as natural farming methods using organic fertilizers; natural pest control methods like oil traps, medicinal sprays, and fuming herbs; growing mangroves for water purification and to protect the eco system in water; breeding special types of fish to destroy mosquito larvae and to purify natural water resources; planting more new trees for every tree cut. These toxin-free techniques can be successfully applied in the modern world too for a healthy living in harmony with nature.
Being eco friendly is not just a process; it is also an attitude to preserve nature for posterity.