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Ayush Pandey*
In your sleek phone, tucked beneath the shiny screen, lies a dark story. Not one of selfies and games, but a tale of hidden suffering in the lush rainforests of Congo. On International Mobile Phone Recycling Day, we listen to the silent screams of the Eastern Gorilla, victims of our ever-growing hunger for shiny gadgets.
Credit:- https://www.holidaysmart.com/holidays/daily/mobile-phone-recycling-day
Deep within the earth, hidden beneath green giants, lie minerals like coltan, tungsten, and cobalt – the tiny hearts that beat inside our phones. But their mining leaves ugly scars on the rainforest, tearing apart gorilla homes and pushing these gentle giants toward extinction. Forests vanish, soil bleeds away, and rivers choke with pollution – a poisonous song of greed echoing through the trees.
The Eastern Gorilla, so wise and kind, mirrors our own emotions. Yet, they endure a silent horror. Poachers, drawn by the shiny mineral trade, steal their lives. Homes vanish, families scatter, and fear hangs heavy in the air. These mighty beings, capable of such love and intelligence, are trapped in a silent scream for survival, drowned out by the buzz of our digital lives.
But hope whispers even in the darkest moments. International Mobile Phone Recycling Day is a chance to turn the tide. By giving your old phone a new life, you break the chain of destruction. Recycling reclaims those precious metals, reducing the need for fresh scars on the rainforest. It’s a small step, but multiplied by millions, it becomes a thunderous roar, heard all the way to Congo.
Technology giants, too, must join the fight. They must choose ethical sources, support responsible mining, and shine a light on their supply chains. Only then can we make informed choices, every purchase a whisper of support for the silent screams of the gorilla.
This day isn’t just about cleaning drawers, it’s about cleansing our conscience. It’s a call to break free from the cycle of exploitation, to build a future where technology thrives alongside nature. It’s a promise to the Eastern Gorilla, a beacon of hope in the midst of despair: “We hear you. We see you. We will not let you fade away.”
Let’s rise above empty words and fill the air with action. Let this International Mobile Phone Recycling Day mark a turning point, not just for our forgotten phones, but for the voiceless giants of Congo. Let the buzz of our digital world be replaced by the triumphant chorus of their survival, a testament to our shared responsibility and the enduring spirit of our planet.
*Student, BAJMC, 3rd SEMSTER
