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In most of
the urban regions, we are living in concrete jungle; our days are spent under
artificial lights, our homes are decorated with artificial plants and flowers.
Our children are spending time with gadgets, all we are gradually disconnecting
from Mother Nature.
Why I’m
telling all these because, Nature Deficit Disorder or NDD has gaining attention
both in the field of psychology and ecology. In recent years, a famous Indian
ecologist Dr. Harini Nagendra on global platforms relates Nature Deficit
Disorder to need for nature conservation.
Nature
Deficit Disorder is a non-clinical term, not recognized in any of the medical
manuals for mental disorders such as the ICD-10 or the DSM-5. Although it’s not
a recognized medical condition, concerns about its effects on wellbeing are
attracting widespread attention.
Richard Louv,
an American non-fiction author and journalist coined the term Nature Deficit
Disorder in his book ‘Last Child in the Woods: Saving Our Children From
Nature-Deficit Disorder’ (2005). He argues that all of us, especially children,
spending more time indoors, which makes us detached from nature and perhaps
more vulnerable to negative moods or reduced attention span. In brief Nature
Deficit Disorder describes potential impact on the well being of human being due
to detachment from nature.
Causes for
Nature Deficit Disorder are Loss of natural surroundings in a child’s neighborhood
and city. No much place for growing plants in homes. Many parks and nature
reserves have time limits, restricted access with ‘don’t touch’ and ‘do not
walk off the trail’ sign boards. Parents are keeping children indoors in order
to keep them safe from danger. Spending more time with mobile, computer and
television, children have more and more disconnection with nature.
Though the effects
of NDD have not assessed, but the observed effects quoted in few research are,
children have limited respect for their immediate natural surroundings, so this
could lead to the health issues in children with wide range of behavioral
problems and many kids with less nature-time seem more prone to anxiety,
depression and ADHD.
In present
scenario of pandemic, as children are spending maximum time with gadgets, it’s
all our responsibility to connect them with nature by small and simple
activities like observing a bird, squirrel or butterfly at the front door or
engaging them in home garden, so that they understand the worth of Mother Nature
with stronger feeling of belonging. This is not only helpful for well being, also
very much needed for nature conservation.
“In every walk with nature
one receives far more than he seeks”.
Ms. Prema S S.
Lecturer, Dept of Environmental Science
