The environment is what has been the reason for life being sustained on earth for so many years. But as humans have outgrown their years with time, and there has been advancement in technology, the environment has been at the receiving end for all human activities. It has suffered for much longer, and therefore, many activists have come to the forefront to save the reason behind the existence of every being. Arnab Basu, an environmentalist, took to the cause and penned down his book, “The Journey Through Holocene,” which revolves around the subject in question throughout the book.

Basu, in his book, covers the span of a decade from 2010-2020 and talks about various events and how they have impacted the environment at large only to make situations worse in the long term. Rumita Chowdhury mentions in the Foreword about the concept of sustainable development, which has been an issue of central concern in this span. In light of this, he talks about how various organizations and businesses have worked in the direction and have tried to contribute in whatever ways were suitable for them. 

In the Preamble to “The Journey Through Holocene,” the author talks about how times have changed and what led to his becoming an environmentalist. He keeps the content brief and quickly introduces the readers to the circumstances which made him choose his career path. At the same time, he also explains how he found this to be his calling amidst all the other career options available to him. He divides the book into 6 chapters and a conclusion in addition. 

In chapter 1, Basu gives an overview of the book and what is to follow. He briefly gives an idea of the chapters and gives little details about what each chapter contains. Alongside, he also helps the readers get familiar with the different terminologies that would form a part of the book in the following pages. In the second chapter, he talks about the activities that led to the collapse of the ecosystem. This helps readers to introspect and understand how the actions of earlier generations have cast their consequences for the present age. There are not just national but international records of the actions taken by people and the resultant effects. 

The next chapter talks about the effects of human actions on the fauna, animal life in general, and the tiger in particular. It has a record from the times of the Aryans to the time of the present day. This makes the book more of a document of records that the author has presented after thorough research. Towards the end of the chapter, the author also mentions the efforts that have been made to ensure the wild animal is saved from extinction. An extended discussion on this has been done in the following chapter.

Chapter 4 talks about all the efforts that have been made to save flora and fauna and protecting the environment from the danger it is in. In light of the guidelines given by the concept of sustainable development, the acts and rules laid down find accurate mention in “The Journey Through Holocene.” This chapter entirely revolves around the decade the author has taken into account for his research.

Chapter 5 talks about the concept of conservation and the various ideas like “Ecotourism” and “Biodiversity Conservation” that have evolved with time to save the environment. The readers may find a few new facts to update their knowledge and understand the ideas in a better manner.

Chapter 6 is based on the present time and how human beings have to adapt to the current situation where they have to be environmentally more sensitive and conscious as their actions would have immediate consequences. The readers may find the essay “Shoot Only Photographs and Leave Only Footprints” catching their interest quickly. 

The last chapter, which is a conclusion, has the mentions how humans are suffering the consequences of their actions in the form of various diseases which did not exist in earlier times. By the time the readers finish “The Journey Through Holocene,” they agree with the critical time they face and how crucial every action is for not just this generation but also for the coming generations. 

All readers, old or young, can read this book; the only requirement is an understanding of the critical stage the environment is in and an analytical mind to be critical of the actions of the human race, which has impacted not just plants and animals but nature at large.

Can’t wait to read it? Buy your copy of “The Journey through Holocene” using the link below.
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REVIEWED BY: Aashi Vats  at The Literature Today
PUBLISHER: Notion Press; 1st edition (28 September 2020)