Nature is the vital foundation of all life, and man’s development has invariably affected it. Mankind has moved from the nomadic hunter-gatherer lifestyle to the comforts of civilization, yet we are still surrounded by wilderness, which continues to offer us sustenance, beauty, and a sense of peace. With the benefit of hindsight, we can see that we have destroyed much that was once untouched by human hands. One need only visit a national park or wilderness area to witness the damage that humans have wrought on the land. The beauty of snow-capped mountain peaks and raging rivers has been replaced by scarred hillsides and barren valleys. Such damage cannot be repaired easily and is, therefore, costly to maintain. The introduction of highways and roads into wilderness areas has accelerated the erosion of topsoil and the destruction of habitation sites. The introduction of non-native species has disrupted natural ecosystems, causing the introduction of disease, and diminishing biodiversity. The introduction of non-native plants can disrupt the food chain and upset ecosystems, which has led to the destruction of native flora and fauna

Now, some argue that preserving wilderness areas in their natural state is pointless. After all, these natural areas cannot be developed economically, so why waste valuable time and resources to protect them? The conventional wisdom is that people should be exposed to the natural world so that they can be inspired to protect it. However, this philosophy ignores the fact that many people, especially when they are young, are unable to appreciate nature’s beauty. They are too busy with work and school, or they simply have no memorable experiences with the natural world. Children need to leave the concrete jungle that is their home and travel to wilderness areas so that they can begin to develop a fondness for nature, and by the time they are adults, they will be more able to appreciate the natural world. Another argument against the preservation of wilderness areas is that man has exhausted the natural resources of these areas. However, man’s ingenuity is causing these problems to subside. We are developing renewable sources of energy such as solar and wind power, and biodegradable plastics. In addition, many materials found in nature, such as indigo, wool, and medicinal plants, are being cultivated and harvested. The wilderness will remain untouched as long as man does his part to preserve it

Another argument against wilderness preservation is that man is capable of making a positive contribution to nature. Mankind’s ingenuity has made it possible for us to destroy the natural world, but that same ingenuity has also enabled us to restore it. Man’s development has provided us with sustainable methods of harvesting natural resources such as wood, which has been used for centuries to build homes and furniture. Man’s development has also provided technology such as wind farms and solar panels, which allow us to create energy without depleting fossil fuels. Furthermore, we have also developed techniques like genetic engineering and cloning, which allow us to selectively breed plants and animals for desirable traits. These techniques can be used to preserve endangered species and replenish natural resources

The benefits of preserving wilderness areas in their natural state far outweigh any costs. Preserving wilderness areas is important for maintaining biodiversity and preserving our irreplaceable natural resources. Man’s development has irrevocably changed the natural world, but it can still be restored. By passing laws to preserve wilderness areas in their natural state, we will safeguard our planet for future generations.