BMC and NDZ

In the not so distant past for which historical records are available, the entire Indian sub-continent was covered with dense forests. Eye-witness accounts of several writers mention that the roads (whatever may have been their condition) were lined with shady trees, which provided shelter to all types of travelers. Travernier, a French traveler during the time of Sher Shah, wrote “From Lahor to Delhy, and from Delhy to Agra, is a continual walk set on both sides with fair trees, an object most pleasing to the eyes”.
One only has to look around on our road journeys to realize how badly we have treated our natural wealth.

As children studying during our school days, if there was one thing which was ingrained in all of us, it was that trees provide shade from harsh sunlight, shelter to birds and animals, and are chiefly responsible for inducing rainfall.

Even as adults, the beneficial influence of trees is not unknown to all, but only a handful are truly doing their bit in preserving the environment. They can be considered the environment warriors, and deserve the highest accolades from all of us. A majority tend to overlook such vital issues, choosing to remain blind to the disastrous consequences which future generations would have to contend with.
The adverse effects of environment degradation are too well documented and need no elaboration here.

Construction in NDZ and the metro car shed in Aarey colony are only two of the many issues of immediate concern for MMR region.

NDZ
Nothing can explain the most ill-advised decision of BMC to de-reserve the No Development Zone lands (salt pan lands) and convert them into so-called affordable housing for the masses. Development in the salt pan lands will sound the death knell of Mumbai, as seen in Calcutta Salt Lake City development where large tracts of wetlands were reclaimed.
Changes proposed in the DP are no doubt influenced by the powerful builders’ lobby and corrupt officials working in cahoots. This is something which needs no discussion and those guilty will doubtless face retribution. “As you sow, so may you reap”.

Effects of deforestation
Data from the Weather Bureau shows that maximum temperatures observed in 2015 are the highest experienced by all Indians in their lifetimes.

Effects of deforestation and destruction of green cover are also visible the world over. The year 2015 has shattered all records for high temperatures across the world, (ref: NASA, NOAA Analyses Reveal Record-Shattering Global Warm Temperatures in 2015, Jan 20, 2016; RELEASE 16-008). Parts of India have been worst affected. Extreme dryness of the undergrowth and soaring temperatures, reaching over 50°C at some places in Northern India, have triggered large scale forest fires raging beyond human control, (ref: Understanding a burning issue for India’s forests, IE, May 03, 2016). On the other hand, torrential rains in Southern India have caused untold damage to animal life and resulted in more than 350 deaths in Dec 2015.

Trees, as widely known, contribute towards increasing soil moisture and help modulate surface temperatures. Decrease in green cover greatly reduces surface moisture content and leads to increase in temperatures.

In Mumbai and Thane, despite large scale destruction of rain-trees (BMC blames it on the mealy bug) no corrective measures are being planned to replace the lost cover. The dead trees are being painted instead of being replaced with more resistant indigenous species. Guess who stands to gain if the mall has better visibility from the road..

Not just being content with inaction, it appears that the authorities are pulling out all stops in their efforts to cause further destruction by persisting with plan for construction of Metro 3 car-shed in Aarey Colony, the last untouched green space in the middle of Mumbai.

Resultant environmental degradation would be an unavoidable outcome of this decision. Not only will construction of the metro car-shed destroy a large number of trees, it will be the beginning of the end of the Colony.

Who is to be blamed?
Part of the blame lies with the people, but those living below poverty line may be excused for their actions. Given their economic background and strata, it is obvious that concern for the environment is something far removed from the slum dwellers thoughts. This is understandable and not surprising, as their daily search for jobs, fuel, food and water assume far greater urgency than concerns regarding air, water and ground-water pollution.

What is beyond understanding is the complete lack of civic sense and environmental consciousness exhibited by the common man – the educated working class, the economically well-off citizens, the bus and train commuters. Their behavior would bring shame to even a school kid. A very common sight on bridges over rivers and creeks is someone emptying heaps of old puja material (along with the plastic bags in which they are packed) into the sea. Replicate this scene on thousands of bridges all over the country and you would realize that we Indians care a damn about the environment, though for all apparent appearances, we consider the rivers and lakes to be holy bodies named after gods / goddesses like Ganga, Saraswati, Krishna, Godavari.

So, who is to be blamed? Yes of course, part of the blame lies all of us, the common man included, for not doing enough, for not respecting the environment, treating it with disdain, hoping that someone else will take care of it.

A far greater part of the blame lies with the corrupt politicians, bureaucrats and crafty developers. But don’t we all know how the politicians love to first create and then nurture vote banks? Illegal occupation of land by slums followed by regularization is the most obvious means of land grabbing.

So folks, what do you think? After all the money and riches that they have amassed, should they not contribute more for conserving the environment and preserving, if not increasing, the existing green cover? Are they not duty-bound to work towards ensuring equitable water supply to all citizens, especially the poor farmers? Should not expert committee recommendations about installing individual water meters be implemented? Now that the monsoon has played truant for two years, should not they be concerned and getting busy with measures for inducing artificial rainfall? What about executing the ban on plastics? Why not ban plastics on railway premises (as done for a short period) without being intimidated down by the vendor lobby? Why not concentrate on building mass transport like the metro rather than the outdated monorail? Why not build cycle tracks and promote BRTS? Questions and more questions...with no clear answers.

But, it would be futile to expect anything from our elected representatives who, baring a few good men and women, have a single point agenda: increasing their pile of ill-gotten wealth. What do you think? Please comment..

Can we contribute to the environment?
The Forest department has planned a massive plantation drive on July 01, 2016. Volunteers to assist the department in this green endeavor are welcome.