Marathi is a beautiful language spoken by millions of people, predominantly in the Indian state of Maharashtra. When learning Marathi, it’s common to come across words that seem similar but have distinct meanings. Two such words are निसर्ग (nisarg) and पर्यावरण (paryavaran). Both words pertain to the natural world, but they are used in different contexts. Understanding the distinction between these terms is essential for anyone looking to gain proficiency in Marathi. In this article, we will explore the nuanced differences between निसर्ग and पर्यावरण.

निसर्ग (nisarg) – Nature

The word निसर्ग (nisarg) refers to nature in its purest and most unaltered form. It encompasses everything that is natural, untouched by human intervention. This includes mountains, rivers, forests, flora, and fauna. Essentially, निसर्ग represents the raw beauty of the world as it exists on its own.

निसर्ग (nisarg) – Nature
माझ्या गावाजवळ सुंदर निसर्ग आहे.

Examples of words related to निसर्ग (nisarg)

डोंगर (dongar) – Mountain
Mountains are a significant part of nature, and in Marathi, they are referred to as डोंगर.
सह्याद्रीचे डोंगर खूप उंच आहेत.

नदी (nadi) – River
Rivers, essential to natural landscapes, are known as नदी in Marathi.
गंगा नदी भारतातील पवित्र नदी आहे.

झाड (zhad) – Tree
Trees, a crucial element of nature, are called झाड in Marathi.
आमच्या शाळेच्या आवारात मोठं झाड आहे.

फूल (phool) – Flower
Flowers, which add beauty to nature, are referred to as फूल.
हे गुलाबाचं फूल खूप सुंदर आहे.

प्राणी (prani) – Animal
Animals, an integral part of nature, are known as प्राणी.
चिडियाघरात अनेक प्रकारचे प्राणी आहेत.

पर्यावरण (paryavaran) – Environment

On the other hand, पर्यावरण (paryavaran) refers to the environment, which includes both natural and human-made surroundings. It encompasses the interaction between the natural world and human society. Therefore, पर्यावरण includes not only natural elements like air, water, and soil but also human influences like pollution, urbanization, and technology.

पर्यावरण (paryavaran) – Environment
पर्यावरणाचे रक्षण करणे आवश्यक आहे.

Examples of words related to पर्यावरण (paryavaran)

प्रदूषण (pradushan) – Pollution
Pollution is a significant environmental issue, and in Marathi, it is referred to as प्रदूषण.
शहरातील वायुप्रदूषण वाढत आहे.

शहर (shahar) – City
Cities, often a blend of natural and human-made environments, are called शहर in Marathi.
मुंबई हे मोठं शहर आहे.

वातावरण (vatawaran) – Atmosphere
The atmosphere, a critical part of the environment, is referred to as वातावरण.
आजचे वातावरण खूप उबदार आहे.

संसाधन (sansadhan) – Resource
Resources, whether natural or man-made, are known as संसाधन.
पाणी एक महत्त्वाचे संसाधन आहे.

साखळी (sakhali) – Chain (as in food chain)
The food chain, a concept significant to the environment, is referred to as साखळी.
खाद्यसाखळी पर्यावरणाचा एक भाग आहे.

Understanding the Interplay between Nature and Environment

While निसर्ग focuses on the untouched, pure aspects of the natural world, पर्यावरण considers the broader interaction between these natural elements and human activities. Both concepts are crucial for a holistic understanding of the world we live in.

How Human Activities Affect the Environment

Human activities have a profound impact on the environment. The following words help illustrate these interactions:

उद्योग (udyog) – Industry
Industries contribute to economic growth but also have environmental impacts.
उद्योगामुळे पर्यावरणावर ताण येतो.

कचरा (kachra) – Waste
Waste management is a significant environmental concern.
कचर्याचे योग्य व्यवस्थापन आवश्यक आहे.

वनीकरण (vanikaran) – Afforestation
Afforestation efforts aim to improve the natural environment.
वनीकरणामुळे पर्यावरण सुधारते.

ऊर्जा (urja) – Energy
Energy consumption and its sources impact the environment.
पारंपरिक ऊर्जा स्रोतांपेक्षा नवीकरणीय ऊर्जा स्रोत चांगले आहेत.

जलसंवर्धन (jalsanvardhan) – Water Conservation
Water conservation is vital for sustainable environmental practices.
जलसंवर्धनामुळे जलस्रोत टिकून राहतात.

Conclusion

In conclusion, understanding the difference between निसर्ग (nature) and पर्यावरण (environment) is essential for anyone learning Marathi. While निसर्ग refers to the pure, unaltered natural world, पर्यावरण encompasses the complex interplay between natural and human-made elements. By familiarizing yourself with these terms and their related vocabulary, you can gain a more comprehensive understanding of the language and the world it describes.