What are we losing at the expense of creating a smart-city? That is a question one needs to address in times when the entire world has seen massive developments in all sectors. Let us focus on our own city Guwahati, the capital of Assam which is the gateway of many Northeastern states. Guwahati has seen many developments during the recent times in order to become a smart city.
Urban planning and development are undoubtedly significant for building a smart city. However, it shouldn’t be at the cost of damaging nature. A report published in a regional daily on March 22, 2022, enumerated the state government of Assam’s mega national highway expansion project, the 16.5-km stretch from Jalukbari to Basistha along the National Highway 37 that will additionally see the felling of 2500 trees for the expansion.
A significant amount of green cover, which the multiple developmental projects have already gobbled up, has put the state government in the dock, with criticisms falling from all quarters.
A few months back, about 300 trees were axed to facilitate the city’s construction of flyovers and roads. During that point, the NHAI regional officer (northeast) mentioned while speaking to the media, “Nearly 300 trees have already been felled. It is pertinent to mention that most of the trees are planted recently. The forest department was consulted before the operation.”
The highway expansion project along the Basistha-Jalukbari stretch in Guwahati is already witnessing a huge number of trees being felled. Locals are criticizing the government for uprooting the trees that have provided sheds to the people during the scorching summer heat.
The project, aimed at streamlining traffic logjams and providing a major boost to road connectivity of the strategic NER (North Eastern Region), is being developed at the cost of 2500 trees that are being sacrificed in the name of developmental projects and beautification of the city.
Forest officials say that the NHAI has the ‘Right of Way’ (ROW) to cut trees if required for expansion. The authority has schemes for replacement plantations, the cost of which is usually included in the project cost.
In recent times, the entire globe has witnessed massive climatic changes which are the result of many developmental projects that are taking place at the advent of destroying nature. For the past few days, Guwahati and many parts of Assam have been facing extreme weather conditions. With rising temperatures and killing humidity, life in the cities has become more troublesome as the green cover continues to deteriorate due to rapid deforestation.
But, development of a country should not be ignored. With the increasing competition, a country’s development has become significant in order to stand out in this global race. But the most important focus should be on how a country can be developed in a sustainable way. But unfortunately the city’s changing look can only be attributed to the numerous trees being cut off or uprooted, leading to deforestation and change in climate patterns, which now is causing major troubles during the monsoon and the summer season.
The decade-old trees that have been a source of respite and the city’s green pride are fast losing their existence due to the harsh and failing decisions of the government. The alarming climate change is proof of human failures in protecting mother nature, while the natural disasters are Mother Earth’s answer to humanity’s destructive policies.
Even if the Assam government urges its employees to plant 10 trees, can the chopping of the trees in the name of Highway expansion be compensated? Please let us know your opinions in our comment section.