Month December 2025

Are trees a solution to pollution?

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

The title may perhaps generate inquisitiveness and encourage environmental activists to understand my perspective. Let me clarify why I chose the topic. The trigger was a project work, initiated by a student, pursuing his MCA. As part of his project work, he was doing an in-depth analysis of Bangalore’s ward-wise tree cover and its role in combating the rising Air Quality Index (AQI). Unlike Delhites, AQI is a term, perhaps, new to many Bengalurians, not discussed widely so far.  Now, everyone in Bangalore knows what AQI is, as Bangalore’s air is also turning ‘toxic’, having crossed the 100-mark. At least this is what netizens are annoyed about nowadays. But, Delhites, don’t take this the wrong way—Bangalore isn’t trying to compare itself to you. You are top-notch when it comes to air pollution levels, with AQI readings at 800. It might take Bangalore years to reach your level. However, don’t underestimate the city’s potential. Bengalurians are confident that the AQI will reach your level. They pin their hopes on developmental activities: the ongoing metro construction, the upcoming tunnel road, the booming IT industry, and the influence of real estate interests, along with a government that often hesitates to heed expert advice.

Let me come back to the student’s thought-provoking study on satellite-based tree cover mapping and the area-wise relative AQI status. The research team called me to have my views on the study. I appreciated his efforts to map the tree cover and the AQI status even in small segments like Panchayats and wards. The research team was willing to consider my views. My first question was, ‘Will trees really come to the rescue in our battle against air pollution?’ The truth might surprise you: the answer is a resounding NO! Let’s explore why! Trees absorb carbon, but they cannot do the same for particulate matter (PM 2.5, PM 10) on leaf surfaces. Some studies show that the suspended particulate matter that gets deposited on leaves blocks stomata (small pores) on the leaves. Stomata in leaves are important for carbon absorption. In regions like Bangalore, with good rain (monsoon failures apart), those dust particles are washed, grounded, and leaves get cleaned up. But what about rain-starving places with more dust and carbon? Of course, trees act as natural filters to filter dust. However, the dust level remains uncontrollable due to ongoing construction activities in urban areas. While trees play a vital role in improving our environment, they cannot eliminate air pollution, as current pollution levels are too high to manage. A holistic time-bound approach is needed

Is open defecation still a problem in the 21st century?

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

My friend cautioned me, ‘Please be careful while walking.’

A few days ago, we went birdwatching at a location between Bangalore and Mysore. I prefer not to disclose the name on this platform. My friend was right in cautioning me. When I looked down, I noticed human waste everywhere. A long time back, I used to travel by train from Delhi Cantonment to Gurugram. On both sides, we used to see many people relieving themselves, unmindful of the train passing next to them. A luxury train (palace on wheels) used to pass the same route every Wednesday, carrying foreigners to see Jaipur, Jodhpur etc. We used to wonder what the tourists would think of our country.

Whether it is a lake bund or any other water body, people do not hesitate to relieve themselves. And this is not an isolated case. And the situation is not just in rural areas, but Urban areas too. India is not yet open defecation-free (ODF), although the Government of India constructed 630000 public toilets under the Swachh Bharat Mission – Urban. This may sound exaggerated, but it is true. This count includes public and community sanitation facilities built to provide toilets in markets, bus stands, railway stations, parks, and other public places. Government data indicates that most villages have achieved ODF Plus status. However, external reports from various sources suggest that having a toilet does not guarantee its use. Neither the number ensures cleanliness of the public conveniences. Mindset is also an important factor. Many villagers prefer to choose open area. Lake bunds and river sides are easy targets. During our walk along the river and lakeside, just a fortnight ago, we were personally witness to this bitter reality. Most of the Southern states have access to household toilets, but in some northern states, such as Bihar, the situation is far below.  Some may have a wrong notion that human waste is biodegradable and nothing to worry about. Years back, a data was released about the water quality of river Yamuna at Delhi. At Okhla, a test conducted by researchers revealed that the Coliform bacteria (found in fecal matter) was a formidable 11.8 Crore in 100 ML as against the tolerant level of 5000 bacteria in 100 ML. So the bacteria may cause harmful disease if left in the open. Children may be infected easily. But we must not forget the reality. A full-fledged socio-cultural change besides economic improvement among common men need to blossom to accept the health aspects of cleanliness

DO YOU KNOW? 3.4 billion people still live without safely managed sanitation services – nearly half the world’s population.   354 million people still practise open defecation, increasing the risk of disease and harm, especially for women and girls. (SOURCE: WHO/UNICEF, 2025)

Torturing animals is suicidal!

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

Published in South Express on 13.12.25

Disturbing visual! Why don’t admins remove video clips of animals being tortured?

A social media post caught the attention of the admins in a WhatsApp group. Indeed, the clip was quite disturbing! It showed a live crocodile being skinned. A Chinese woman used a knife to remove the top layer of a crocodile’s skin to create a stylish ladies’ handbag. If a weak-hearted person sees the clip, he would even faint. Now the question is whether the post is scary or the action. In another clip, it was explained how shuttlecocks are manufactured using feathers plucked from live pigeons. Shockingly, millions of feathers are taken from these birds while they are still alive. We do not want to debate whether such practices should be banned, but it is a fact that animals are being tortured. Cruelty toward animals for meat, milk, eggs, leather, wool, or silk is a major ethical concern worldwide. We cannot stop killing animals for meat. Any debate for this will end in controversy. But unconfirmed sources quote the world’s non-vegetarians as between 75% and 90%. However, in India, A 2021 survey found that about 39% of Indian adults describe themselves as “vegetarian.”  Slaughterhouses, in general, claim to kill animals at one go and without torture. This is what we understand, and we may be wrong. The animals are part of the food chain, which we acknowledge. Our concern lies with the cruelty inflicted on animals.

What is more painful to hear is that many wild animals and birds are tortured and killed for purposes other than food. Tigers are poached for their nails, teeth and bones. Metal traps used for killing them cause slow and painful death. Monkeys are forced to perform in street shows, kept in chains, and beaten until they obey commands. In traditional practices like “dancing bears” (now banned), bears had their teeth broken and noses pierced with hot rods. Crocodiles are killed brutally or skinned while alive for leather. Snakes are nailed to trees and skinned alive in illegal markets. Snake charmers remove fangs, causing infection and starvation. In Tamil Nadu, for kili josiyam (parrot astrology), flight feathers of rose-ringed parakeets are cut painfully so they cannot fly away and are used to pick fortune cards, even though they are protected under Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Act. It is an offence as per the law. The above are only indicative examples, not exhaustive. Instead of condemning social media posts that show cruelty towards animals, just because they induce palpitations, group members must come forward to become the voice for the voiceless. People who forward such posts must add a sentence cautioning the weak-hearted people to avoid seeing them. In our opinion, bringing such horrible episodes to the limelight will help create awareness and stop cruelty to animals.

Cyclone – brings strangers, raises brows!

Dr V Selvarajan Leave a comment

Published in South Express on 6.12.25

Yes, I am referring to the Amur falcons that were carried to Point Caimere by the strong winds during the recent cyclone. This attracted media attention and raised the eyebrows of environmentalists. It is but natural that a cyclone creates havoc. Obviously, Cyclone Ditwah also brought heavy rain and strong winds to the Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coast. After creating havoc in Sri Lanka, it has slowly lost its intensity as it crossed the Indian shore. But there were some unusual developments during this cyclone. Various marine species and birds were washed ashore. Two Amur falcons were blown off course during their migration and landed on the Point Calimere (Kodiakarai) coast. These birds are passage migrants and typically migrate through Gujarat and Maharashtra, but the cyclone forced them to divert from their usual route. Are these isolated cases, and could they be neglected? We need to wait and see whether these falcons will stay in the eastern coast or will return to their regular migration route in the western shore. In general, the Amur Falcon stays in India for a brief time. We do not know how the stranded birds will respond to this change. (Picture courtesy: birds of the Indian Subcontinent by Richard Garmmett & others)

This is just one side of the game. I recently came across a viral video showing an elephant saving a spotted deer stranded in floodwaters caused by the cyclone. In another instance, a leopard climbs onto an elephant to escape the floods. These animal behaviours are abnormal and misleading. Comments have already indicated that these video clips are AI-generated. Why these social media champions pass false and fabricated videos is anyone’s guess. Perhaps, more followers may help them monetise their page. But in the process, they pass on misinformation. Today’s netizens must ensure twice that a viral video is genuine or doctored. Else the misinformation would spread like wildfire. The fallout of such misinformation will be harmful and create disturbance to the behavioural pattern of human beings.

Cyclone is a serious matter. Today, Sri Lanka is under a nationwide state of emergency after Cyclone Ditwah triggered catastrophic flooding across the western provinces, killing at least 366 people and leaving entire neighbourhoods submerged. Residents wade through chest-high waters, stranded without food or shelter as they plead for urgent assistance. It seems to be the worst disaster in the country’s history. According to the Disaster Management Centre, key infrastructure like roads and bridges, power and rail networks are damaged and over a million people are affected. While Cyclone Ditwah has weakened into a deep depression near Tamil Nadu, officials warn that floodwaters may take days to recede. Under such a serious calamity, spreading rumours and misinformation will add more damage than good