Do Not Cut Our Lifeline: Save The Trees
It is heartening to see one full coloured page in the local edition of a national newspaper highlighting the message of Sri Akhilesh Yadav, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh on the occasion of the statewide celebration of the Van Mahotsav Saptah (Forestry Week) from 4th to 10 July, 2012. To quote our young and dynamic Chief Minister—“we all know the importance of tress and forests in our lives. Forests are not only life line for all living creatures and environment but they also play a very important role in conserving and increasing the water level of the earth. With growing urbanization of the modern civilization, the forests are diminishing day by day. In such times we must not only understand the importance of forests but should also strive to garner public participation for a massive and sustained TREE PLANTATION drive. I hereby appeal to all citizens of the state to come forward and participate in the VAN MAHOTSAV and plant as many TREES as you can, as it is your pious responsibility towards the present and future generations.”
I am sure all of us will agree with these laudable sentiments and contribute our mite to have ‘a tree in every house, every courtyard for a prosperous and vibrant Uttar Pradesh’. But what about the roadsides! Of late one can see frenzied activities in different parts of Lucknow where roadside trees are being cut ruthlessly in the name of constructing road dividers. I fail to see the logic of denuding the once tree lined and shaded roads in the name of unplanned urbanization. In several places there used to be narrow green paths running parallel to the roads on either side, which not only acted as road dividers but provided the much needed green cover as well. These trees are now being pulled down and replaced with concrete structures, negating the government proclamations of a greener state.
I am sure all of us will agree with these laudable sentiments and contribute our mite to have ‘a tree in every house, every courtyard for a prosperous and vibrant Uttar Pradesh’. But what about the roadsides! Of late one can see frenzied activities in different parts of Lucknow where roadside trees are being cut ruthlessly in the name of constructing road dividers. I fail to see the logic of denuding the once tree lined and shaded roads in the name of unplanned urbanization. In several places there used to be narrow green paths running parallel to the roads on either side, which not only acted as road dividers but provided the much needed green cover as well. These trees are now being pulled down and replaced with concrete structures, negating the government proclamations of a greener state.