Just Wondering - Climate Change by DKK
Thirty odd years ago, we had heat waves. In Chandigarh as in this region of India. It was normal as it is now. But earlier we would have in the middle of heat waves or the peak summer season dust storms and sharp showers and it would cool down for a while. I have seen at that time even clothes being blown into the houses of neighbour. The evenings were still tolerable in peak summer due to the cool winds from the nearby hills. Now it’s all over it seems.
The Last few years it’s day after day of scorching heat and hardly any relief. We see the odd micro precipitation but that’s about it.
Climate change is seemingly a reality now. The Shivalik Hills nearby Chandigarh are barren. All the hills are denuded and it’s man made. And planting eucalyptus or poplar etc is not plantations. Chandigarh and it’s surrounding cities are evolving as a major urban centre but the upcoming suburbs are without much thought to planning trees and shrubs. We are certainly heading for more trouble if this continues.
Grow trees everywhere possible and let them be native trees we grew up with, neem, tamarind, Kikar, peepul etc. We need natural forests and even small pockets will do in all corners possible.
Our farmers again need to be encouraged to plant trees along the boundaries of fields and on the banks of seasonal rivulets and ponds.
Where dense foliage is preserved in a natural state I have personally observed huge benefits. This needs a cultural orientation. We cannot leave this to the Forest Department.
#climatechange #planning #treeplanting
We have to remember another viewpoint or rather important aspect as regards the planting of tress. I remembered an incident from many years ago which gave me a sharp insight into the developmental process. I was north of Shimla and was a few years into the developmental journey. It was a village where a gathering was organised for self help groups and their training and broadening of vision. The day long process turned into a free wheeling discussion on related issues of empowerment and day to day running of households. In that context Sharma Ji (I forget his name) the District Programme Officer asked me to share my views as a summary of all that we had discussed. Coming to the environment, I related a quote which my father would often say when he justified the planting of many fruit trees at our house at Chandigarh. He would say ‘Dada boye, Potta Khaye ‘ - roughly The Grandfather sows and the Grandson enjoys the fruits’. I expounded on it thinking I was being so very wise and sharing insights as I exhorted them to avoid cutting trees for firewood or for sale.
A lady interrupted me politely but firmly and just pointed out simply, we are all here from poor families and slog to save RS 50/- a month for the Self Help Group. We have mouths to feed and have to lead our lives now in the present. So while you may be right as also your father but I am also right in managing my family economically the way I can. I know the consequences as we are educated but what do we do. We do plant a few trees but we have to cut the wood to cook and to earn.
It left me thinking and ruminating. I just thought I should share this counter viewpoint too. We have to factor this in too while planning any initiative.
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