Environmental Role of National Parks

The actions of humans are putting natural ecosystems at risk; the cutting down of trees in the world’s forests is reducing the amount of oxygen in the atmosphere and may deplete natural resources that cannot be replaced. Wetlands are being drained, which eliminates breeding environments for millions of birds and reproducing grounds for fish; treasured species of flora and wildlife are in danger of going extinct as a result. Some of the services provided by ecosystems that are essential to ensuring the well-being of humans include providing clean water and air, access to sources of food, buffers against extreme weather events, cultural and spiritual values, and raw materials for consumers. It has been demonstrated that well-managed protected areas are an effective mechanism for protecting and conserving healthy ecosystems as well as the benefits that these ecosystems deliver. National parks are primarily established with the intention of protecting the “wilderness” that remains in a particular nation over time. They also place a primary focus on the preservation of exceptional landscapes or species with widespread cultural or historical significance.

Drinking water

Potable water is water that is suitable for use as drinking water, as opposed to drinking water, which is water that is used in the preparation of food or drinks. The amount of water that one must consume on a daily basis in order to maintain good health is variable and is determined by the individual’s degree of physical activity, age, specific health concerns, and the conditions of their environment. It is possible that people who work in hot environments need as much as 16 litres (4.2 US gallons) of water per day. The typical daily water use for a home in the United States is 300 gallons. Even though only a small fraction of the water from the faucet is actually consumed or used in the preparation of food, in most developed countries the drinking water quality standards are met by the water from the tap. It is required that all public water suppliers in the United States adhere to a particular quality level for the country’s drinking water. People in the United States are allowed to drink the water from their taps at home if certain criteria are met. Other common applications for water from the faucet include cleaning, flushing toilets, and watering gardens. Additionally, greywater can be used for irrigation or in the bathroom. However, there may be dangers involved in utilising it for irrigation purposes. It’s possible that the water is contaminated with dangerous levels of poisons or sediments that are suspended in it.

Clean Air

To maintain one’s health, it is essential to constantly breathe in fresh air. The quality of life suffers when air quality is poor. Some air contaminants are irritants. Some smell awful. There is evidence that certain contaminants in the air can lead to respiratory diseases and possibly cancer. The quality of the air we breathe both inside and outside of our homes is critical. Ozone at ground level, particulate matter, and allergies are examples of frequent contaminants found in outdoor air. The most frequent types of air contaminants found indoors are secondhand smoking, mould, and radon. People’s capacities and opportunities for physical activity may be constrained if the air quality is poor. Poor air quality poses a larger threat to people who already have one or more preexisting medical disorders, including asthma, emphysema, and COPD. A key indication of a community’s livability and health is the quality of the air that residents breathe.

The Clean Air Act (CAA) is the major federal law that addresses air quality in the United States. Its purpose is to minimise and control air pollution on a national scale. It was initially enacted in 1963 and has been changed numerous times since then; it is one of the first and most prominent contemporary environmental laws in the United States.

The Clean Air Act has substantially cut air pollution and improved air quality in the United States, benefits that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) credits with saving trillions of dollars and many thousands of lives each year. The exact benefits of the act depend on what is counted; however, the act has substantially reduced air pollution and improved air quality.

Buffer zone

A buffer zone is a neutral zone that is located between two or more bodies of land, which often belong to different countries. Depending on the kind of buffer zone, its primary function may either be to divide up areas or to combine them. The terms “demilitarised zone” and “border zone” as well as “particular restriction easement zone” and “green belt” are all examples of common sorts of buffer zones. Such zones might be contained within the borders of a sovereign state, which would then constitute a buffer state. A World Heritage site that has a buffer zone surrounding it has an additional layer of defence against potential threats. In 1977, the Operational Guidelines for the implementation of the World Heritage Convention were the document that introduced the idea of a buffer zone for the first time. The most recent revision of the Operational Guidelines from 2005 states that including a buffer zone when proposing a site for inclusion on the World Heritage List is strongly encouraged but not required.

Many different goals, political and otherwise, can be accomplished through buffer zones. They may be constructed for a variety of purposes, including the prevention of violent acts, the protection of the environment, the protection of residential and commercial areas from the effects of industrial accidents or natural disasters, and the isolating of penal institutions. In many locations of the world that are becoming increasingly urbanised or crowded, buffer zones frequently produce enormous expanses of undeveloped land that are notable in and of themselves.

Conclusion

The preservation of healthy ecosystems, the provision of clean water and air, and the facilitation of the conservation of natural resources are all made possible by parks, making them an essential component in the process of guaranteeing the health of our environment. Along with the economic benefits they provide to the surrounding communities, national parks play an important role in the preservation of ecosystems as well as the world’s biological variety. In addition to their other benefits, national parks and other protected areas may also contribute significantly to the fight against climate change.