Published in Dwarka Express on 4.2.23

For a common man in India, especially the working class, FEB 1 is a ‘D-day’ at least from the income tax perspective. Sans this, swelling fiscal deficit, the bullish trend in Dalal street or plummeting Adani stock makes no impact on the aam admi, whose damp squib is managing his daily errands. While for many others, union budget as just an annual ritual, though this time, the FM seems to have caught up with the GREEN GROWTH. For one reason, the FM deserves a thumbs up, as the budget highlighted green growth in a popping way, indeed a big prominence is given unlike the past, though the PAGE 3 journalists as usual are averse to the term ‘environment’ apparently unaware that it is now part of lifestyle definition, going by Government’s new maxim i.e., LiFE (Liftstyle For Environment) initiative

While PM spoke about the AMRIT DAROHAR SCHEME during the recent Mann ki baat, FM has quoted the same in her speech while talking about GREEN GROWTH. She has mentioned that the RAMSAR sites has increased to 275 whereas the same was at 26 before 2014. Local communities have always been at the vanguard of conservation efforts for wetlands. The government will promote their unique conservation values through the Amrit Dharohar, a scheme that will be implemented over the next three years to encourage optimal use of wetlands and enhance biodiversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities and income generations for local communities,” she said.

GREEN GROWTH is treated by Finance Minister as one of the SEVEN PRIORITIES, called Saptarishi (seven sages) which is expected to guide the Amrit Kaal (next 25 years), which inter-alia speaks of Green Credit Program under Environment (Protection) Act to sustainable actions by all in tune with LiFE (Lifestyle For Environment) initiatives to reduce carbon footprints. PM- PRANAM (Program for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment and Amelioration of Mother Earth).

When Finance Minister said old vehicles have to be replaced and in it is the Government policy, by slip of the tongue, she said “old politicians” instead of “Old polluting vehicles”, entire house went into laughter. She corrected it but there is genuineness in eliminating both.  (In lighter vein)

PM’s circular economy initiative envisages recycling of the 500 new ‘waste to wealth’ plants under GOBARdhan (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan) including compressed biogas (CBG) plants, and community-based plants at a total investment of Rs. 10,000 Cr is expected to take off soon. A series of initiatives such as Coastal shipping, Mangrove initiative (MISHTI, Compensatory plantation, vehicle replacement to control pollution (not politician !!!) Bio-Input Resource Centres, National Green Hydrogen Mission, priority capital investments towards energy transition and net zero objectives, Battery Energy Storage Systems are lined up. All these tall promises paint a greener picture to the budget, though certain deficiencies and inconsistencies are predicted by critics and environmentalists. Even if it is criticized as election budget, the fact remains that the Government needs to prepare itself emphatically to meet the global zero emission targets. Let’s wait to see how these are going to be enforced

Published in Dwarka Express on 28.1.23

Harohalli lake is one of the untouched lakes of about 90 acres. Situated in North Bangalore, the lake falls under the maintenance of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike, the fourth largest Municipal Corporation in India. 164 species of birds, including migratory birds have been recorded in 2021-22 in the eBird India site by various renowned birders. The water here is appearing clean though it may not be and the lake gets partially or fully dry during hot summers.

Most of the lakes in Bangalore are rainfed, else the untreated sewage water gets into the lakes. In some lakes, water gets treated before entry into the lake. As per Karnataka State Pollution Control Board notification, 78 out of the 106 lakes are polluted and are unfit for aquatic life.

Harohalli lake is not an exception. The Strom water drains feed the lake and hardly any filtering of grey and black water happens naturally. The lake has a compound wall, built by BBMP, but is broken at many places to allow illegal entry, since the lake is closed for public during night. But this is the best time suitable for unauthorised fishing. Even during the day time also fishing happens by authorised contractors. Only fish is taken, not the water, argues the less informed.  Who can challenge the bureaucracy that fishing should not be allowed to maintain ecological balance.

Water Birds reach a waterbody only if the lake has enough of fishes. The ecological balance gets disturbed in this way, ultimately to give up completely to the onslaught. Pervasive weeds like Ipomoea and hyacinth flourish in dirty water and one day, the said lake fails to exist. One day, a Real Estate giant targets the lake and builds skyscrapers and this story is endless.

 Every Bangalorean agrees that the lakes are our lifelines. Why then the number of lakes is dwindling? The once garden city has slowly turned into garbage city and a day will come when the city will be lack of lakes

Published in Dwarka Express on 21.1.23

Allow unscientific de-weeding: Unmindful de-weeding kills micro-organisms like algae, phytoplankton and zooplankton which are rich in nutrients. Unscientific de-weeding removes Vallisneria and other useful algae and leads to deterioration of the quality of water and imbalance of the ecosystem, leading to the disturbance of the food chain. Every living organism needs food, why don’t we realise this basic fact?

Allow Unauthorised Fishing: Water is for fishing, why can’t this be allowed? The birds or natural fishing within limits do not disturb the eco balance. But lakes, mostly urban lakes, which are very natural, rainfed are useful in recharging the water table depends on sustainability. Fishes play an important role

Concretize bunds: Quite often, an urbanite can see that the lake bunds are cemented or concretised. In olden times lakes were formed due to natural depression in land mass and thus the drained-out rainwater accumulates somewhere and form the natural waterbody.  Storm water drains have become a important link. But concretised bunds are detrimental to the natural waterbodies. The bunds are concretised to enable walkers to feel comfortable, but they really miss the natural heel therapy by walking in uneven terrain

Make the lake a picnic spot: With boating facilities, food courts and children play areas, the modern lifestyle may be boosted but the lakes will simply become a picnic spot, relegating the importance of the water resource management to backseat. In the process, the aquatic life is disturbed unfortunately. It is a slow poison and its impact become visible after years

Plant exotic species: Tree planting has become a fashion rather than a passion. Often exotic species of trees, mono culture and ornamental plants beautify the bunds. Either they perish or disturb the local eco balance. Plants like lantana have mushroomed out on many areas. Partheniums and other dangerous weeds are common scene.

Connect sewage lines: Rainwater drains have turned into sewers of late. Stormwater drains are either clogged or encroached upon by building mafias. Often, one can notice that residential sewers are connected to nearby waterbodies. Untreated water pours into the waterbodies harming the aquatic life.

Remove grasslands: In the eyes of myopic politicians, blinkered real estate mafia and bigoted bureaucrats, grasslands and scrub jungles are waste lands and need to be removed. But these are important links in the ecosystem and helps in energy flow and nutrient cycling. Abundant abiotic and biotic components of the grasslands are instrumental in lake ecosystem succession and development.

Permit constructions: In buffer zones of lakes, construction is not permitted. In Karnataka it is 30 meters around the lake in which no construction should come up, and in most of the lakes, one can see the violations. Most of the lake view apartments are lack of this wisdom, and all apartments throw the untreated water into the lake. The rainwater drains from residential areas have conveniently turned into sewage drains

Avoid desilting of inlets/outlets: Lakes are interconnected through rainwater drains, which are unauthorisedly used for letting out sewerage water from commercial and residential areas. Often, one can find the inlets and outlets clogged due to sedimentation. Inlets and outlets become an easy breeding ground for the mosquitos and other pests. Stagnant grey water speeds up the process

Allow light & sound This is the most cosmetic way to scare away birds and animals. Beautification is an ugly word for lake management and ensuring 24 hours accessibility in fenced lakes result in unlawful activities. Sound and lights add to pollution and results in disturbing the placidity and tranquillity of aquatic life

So…urban lakes are the easy victims for man-made destruction and the above are some of the tips to destroy lakes and the choice is ours!

Editorial by V Selvarajan in Delhi based weekly Dwarka Express dt 21.1.2023

Joshimath and its aftermath. It is the most discussed topic in media and social platforms nowadays. It is formidable, unpredictable and beyond human conception whether it is going to be a massive disaster. A recent report justifies our trepidations as there are cracks and alarm in Karnaprayag which is just 82 kms southwest of Joshimath. Is it an indication of the ensuing calamity? Frequent landslides and cave-ins are routine occurrence for the hill dwellers and they are well accustomed to it. But flash-floods, cloudbursts and massive cracks indicate that the Himalayas speak loud about the vulnerability of man-made disasters. It has been understood that homes in a number of hill areas like Uttarkashi, Nainital, Karnprayag, Gopeshwar and Mussorie have developed major cracks. Activists have vehemently questioned the bursting of dynamite and drilling for the purpose of the Rishikesh-Karnprayag railway line project and the Char Dham road expansion Project. As usual the decision makers show callousness to the early warnings

Himalayas always have been in news whether its Ketarnath cloudburst or landslides, earthquakes or flash floods elsewhere, though the most vulnerable region in Himalayas had always been Garhwal division. From 1976 till date, several committees by various Governments sounded dire consequences if proper environmental impact assessment (EIA) is not undertaken. However, under the garb of development and economical growth, we have ignored the environmental concerns always. Whenever there is a cry from environmental organisations, the investigation panels undertake a spot visit and submit their report on the basis of physical investigation. However, such investigations reportedly do not include geophysical, geotechnical or hydrological study. It appears that the Disaster Management Authorities have come out of the hide to ensure proper investigation, of late.

So, the aftermath of Joshimath can’t be ascertained at the moment and the future of the hill dwellers and travellers are bleak. Some of the immediate priorities are evacuation, rehabilitation, stoppage of the hill cutting works and heavy explosion infra projects, besides warranting controlled population pressure and discouraging tourists to visit the affected areas. Giving a lame excuse to stop the infra projects and jeopardizing the precious lives of the people will land us nowhere.

Published in Dwarka Express on 7.1.23

  “To enable citizen participation, an SUP Public Grievance App was launched by Hon’ble Minister EF&CC, Shri Bhupender Yadav and comprehensive directions have been issued to all stake holders. By doing so, the Government has proved its seriousness to control SUPs. So, CPCB is hell bent to enforce SUP ban from July 22. India is a vast country with 140 crore population most of whom might not have gone through the new set of rules. It is therefore understandable that implementation would take time. It is the duty of every Indian to raise to the occasion to address this issue seriously. South Express expects that there would be many violations reported in the App. It is going to be a formidable task to address all grievances. Nevertheless, it is also true that if we miss the bus this time, it will not be possible to return to the plastic free era. Will the SUPs vanish? Let us not wait and watch, but ACT NOW!”

Ban on SUP was enforced from 1.7.22. South Express recently made a country wide survey, to find the effectiveness of the ban. Many participated in the survey and the general feedback is that there is no visible change in the usage of SUPs. Some were of the firm opinion that there should be a strict ban on manufacturing of the SUPs.

As per the Plastic Waste Management (PWM) Rules, 2016, there is a complete ban on sachets using plastic material used for storing, packing or selling gutkha, tobacco and pan masala. As per PWM (Amended) Rules, 2021, the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of carry bags made of virgin or recycled plastic less than seventy-five microns has been banned with effect from 30th September, 2021 as opposed to fifty microns recommended earlier under PWM Rules, 2016. Additionally, the notification of 12^th August 2021, prohibits manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale and use of the identified single use plastic items, which have low utility and high littering potential with effect from the 1st July, 2022. All said and done, the SUPs are yet to bid adieu!

Published in Dwarka Express on 31.12.2022

Next time when you watch a tiger or a lion in a cage, just wait for a second to empathise with the animal. Is happiness, a sole property of a human being? Why should an animal with huge amount of energy confine in a cage with little moving space? Are we so inhumane to imprison the animal or a bird for no fault of it? According to PETA (PEOPLE FOR THE ETHICAL TREATMENT OF ANIMALS) about 40 million birds in the U.S. are kept caged and often improperly cared for—bored, lonely, and a long way from their natural homes. Circus and zoo are the important caging locations.

But still, one can find the unhealthy and weak animals in zoos. Tigers in the circus are always seen walking or moving within the insufficient cages to exert the extra energy it has to adopt to the circumstances. Elephants are seen chained heavily in temples often. While it is not advisable to leave the animals unchained, the temple authorities in many temples treat them with humane approaches. But we have seen snake charmers and bear tamers used to treat them cruelly. Even today, tigers and other animals are killed mercilessly for their body parts. Not just wild animals, even sometime the pet animals get harsh treatment. One can see the literally weeping sounds from pets just because they are not let out to answer the call of nature or just because they do not obey the pet parent’s commands (not always). Buffalos and bulls are harshly beaten quite often. Monkeys are seen beaten quite often and are made to perform somersaults. Birds, especially the exotic species are the worst sufferers. In India, though there is law to prevent caging birds in private homes, the same law does not seem to have any impact on the exotic love birds. An elephant being hit by the trains or electrocuted by the fences are not new to us. We enter into their territory but condemn them for intruding our villages next to the forest areas. Culling of camels in a massive scale in Australia is such an inhumane act of this century

Modern zoos, like Arignar Anna Zoological Park, Chennai, National Zoological Park Delhi or Nehru zoological park, Hyderabad are certainly conceptualised to accommodate the wild animals with enough space. In Tamil Nādu, elephant camps are conducted every year to facilitate the animals to enjoy certain amount of freedom and rejuvenate their energy. At the same time Indian wildlife act has been amended recently to remove certain wild animals from the schedules which provided them full cover against poachers. For example, certain species will not enjoy any cover under the amended wildlife act 2020 which is not a good sign. The biodiversity of the nation must be preserved at any cost. The cruelty towards animals must stop.

V. Selvarajan

Published in Dwarka Express on 24.12.2022

Rashtriya Kisan Diwas or National farmers day 23.12.2022!

A day to thank the farmers! This day is observed on 23^rd of December every year to commemorate the Birth anniversary of Choudhary Charan Singh, India’s fifth Prime Minister. But how many know that there is a day for farmers? If a survey is taken to know when is the National Farmers Day observed, perhaps 80% of respondents may not be able to recall. In a way, no one is to blame, as on the one hand there are myriad ‘days to celebrate’, and on the other, there are many other priorities from the day of genesis. If a day is celebrated to thank, wish or socialise, then did we do that for at least one farmer on this day. If you happen to travel in a train or a bus on the countryside on this day, one can notice the poor landless farmer toiling busy in their daily farming activities. Unless they toil this day, they may not reap their crop in the ensuing harvest month.  Come January, various regional festivals like Sankranti, Pongal and Makar Sankranti are eagerly awaited by all, especially the farmers. If alone the Rain God is kind enough and the storms cross the shores silently, there will be some relief or else, the farmer is not going to be happy.  

“Farmers, our annadattas are the reason we all can sit in our comforts and have food and live easy. But its important for us all as consumers to ensure a good fair portion of what we spend on the food produce goes back to them. We should also encourage and buy food that is produced without chemicals, organically using heirloom seeds with best practices. While we are at it, let us also resolve to recognise the invisible women and landless farmers too for their great contribution” says the Ananthoo, a Sustainable Agriculture & safe food activist, Chennai As per data from department of Agriculture & farmers welfare, The share of the agriculture & allied sector in total Gross value added in the economy, improved to 20.2 per cent in the year 2020-21 and 18.8 per cent in 2021-22. This may be a good trend but overall share of agriculture in GDP is not that encouraging

It is estimated that India’s agriculture sector accounts only for around 14 percent of the country’s economy but for 42 percent of total employment. As around 55 percent of India’s arable land depends on precipitation, the amount of rainfall during the monsoon season is very important for economic activity. Given the scenario, one may conclude that farmers may not and will not be happy unless timely action is taken for farmers welfare, food security and dependence on indigenous produces, preferably organic

V. Selvarajan

Published in Dwarka Express on 17.12.2022

The question may appear hilarious for many!  Yes, tree man, lake man, garbage man, river man or green man… and so on. Some of the titles are being liberally used and sometimes prefixed to names also. Someone whispers loudly, ‘so what, when God Himself is tagged to someone’s name as GODMAN…’, After all, when national awards are not that easy, many may venture out to find some short cut.

How to become a lake man? It’s seemingly simple. All that he has to do is file a few RTIs, PILs and highlight the issues concerned to a lake, a river, jungle or trees. If these missions get highlighted in the local circles as a crusader of environment, he will become a lake man. Or, if you are a political wizard, you confide in someone and ask them to do so for you. Often, we come across whispers, ‘that guy is not sincerely interested in promoting the environment, this guy wants to be known as lake man’. Such cynical statements are not new. There may or may not be truths. But every time, an activist emerges strongly and firmly stands for environment causes, there used to be criticisms.

Committed few do not last long. Either they give up or become extinct. Is it that Darwin’s theory of the survival of the fittest? Dr G D Agarwal alias Swami Gyan Swaroop Sanand, an 86-year-old environmental activist from India, died on 11 October 2018, after 111 days into his fast. He was protesting inaction on keeping the Ganga River free from pollution. True environmentalist, he had a vision for river Ganga. 4 years have gone, neither Ganga is clean nor he is remembered.

Green activism is indeed a red-hot subject and much debated about too. We are not discouraging volunteers or ridiculing genuine protagonist of a social cause. Fake ventures should be dissuaded. It is an era of materialism and identifying the fake is complex. Very few pursue environmental cause voluntarily and if someone ventures to do so, one should stir him.

Freedom fighters and those few who laid their life to free the nation from the clutches of the British rulers are seldom remembered for their sacrifices and dedication. Many faces were dumped in dusted photo frames and some have already reached the landfills. But human struggles persist. Hardly a modern youth comes forward to take the environmental cause, either voluntarily or professionally. Contemporary curriculum has opened up the environment stream and a plethora of opportunities are brewing up the form of enormous career options. Waste segregation, water resource management, plastic alternatives, eco-friendly products, carbon trading, organic farming, the list is endless. One may contribute to nature while simultaneously earn his livelihood. Environmental engineering and bio technology are emerging as preferred career option. Given the transformation, environment must turn better for future generations, but will it be so? A pertinent question, that only posterity could answer. So, lake man tag may not be that bad if one lives for the cause. Genuineness should be felt rather than seen!

V. Selvarajan

Published in Dwarka Express on 5.12.2022

If you land in Mumbai, you will never miss the bird’s eye view of Dharavi, one of the biggest slums in Asia and that too if you are allotted the window seat in any airlines. Your ‘love at first sight’ rendezvous with Mumbai will vanish in 17 years, hopefully, if Adani delivers a new look. Congrats Adani, for your ‘not so surprising’ win of the bidding. Dharavi will wear a new look, wow, what a new architype, says the protagonists of ‘redevelopment’. Yes, of late, the word DEVELOPMENT has been pushed to oblivion as the new paradigm REDEVELOPMENT has come to stay.

Dharavi Slum, Mumbai

The not-too-far-off ground breaking ceremony aside, coming to the ground reality, with nearly 7 to 10 lac people, Dharavi, the inimitable slum spread in just 2.1 KMs and is nonetheless a replica of an iconic Indian urban scene. But one cannot set aside the slum just like that. Many ‘architects’ of blockbuster films like Dheewar, Nayakan, Kaala prospered on Dharavi. One can’t miss a church, masque or mandir if he treks through Dharavi. Dharavi formed an asylum for migrant labourers, mainly Tamils. Unsustainable and haphazard growth of this area could be due to its easy susceptibility of the demigod Netas who made it indeed an endless political Kurukshetra. These ‘change-makers’ never risked any change in fact. However perpetual lobbying by inhabitants could equip Dharavi with water supply, electricity and suburban rail connectivity so far. 

Dharavi us not yet another slum that are equated with poverty. It exports textiles, jewelleries etc worth ~$500 million. The per capita income of the slum may be ~ Rs 3 lac per annum. It is rather a quintessence of Indian economy in general. If a Mumbaikar you meet says that he is from Dharavi, none looks them down. Dharavi is rather an ‘icon’ as good as its gateway of India or Dadar or Bandra. So, Dharavi is a developed slum sans hygiene and degraded environment. This probably may be the motive behind the corporatized ‘redevelopment’ of this area

Adani, the ‘buyer’ of the slum at a cost of Rs 5069 Crore, of this Rs 20000 Crore worth redevelopment project is the new saviour who could successfully snatch the deal from other bidders, DLF and Naman who quoted far less. But one has to live another 20 years to see how the metamorphosis takes place. Life goes on as usual; we plan, develop and redevelop. Will the Dharavikar or for that matter the Mumbaikar really benefit from the model in the offing? Let us wait… wait for, say, 2 decades to see. Many may not be there, many may forget, so what, life goes on!

Published in Dwarka Express on 26.11.2022

To hate or to love. It appears to be a tricky question. If the question were rephrased as “to hate or not to hate” it would have been a different proposition. Many would have responded, saying, ‘we should not hate animals.’ Yes, obviously many do not hate animals. That doesn’t mean that they love animals. To love an animal is a fiddly issue for certain. Thus, the animal welfare boards are innate to shield the animals if not love them. In the same way human beings have the human rights commissions. PETA, SPCA etc are to speak for the speechless animals and fight for their right to live in planet Earth. The only catch here is the animal boards as well as human right commissions are manned by human beings only. It goes without saying that a man has upper hand and he can even make a beast dance to his tunes. A common man’s behavioural pattern changes on seeing an animal behaviour. A dog that doesn’t bark, a pigeon that doesn’t drop, a snake that doesn’t bite is what they look for. Someone recently quipped, I don’t want to see pigeons on my balcony. Another exasperated resident lodged a complaint to his apartment association that monkeys have no business in the apartment. another man barked, ‘Association Management committee should resign if they allow stray dogs inside the compound’. Even a pet parent who spends Rs 10000 for his Doberman may not adopt a stray dog.

Day in day out, anger is ventilated on dog poop, pigeon dropping, monkey menace and bee hives on high-rises. Truly these are all concerns but why it should culminate in destroying the biodiversity. homo sapiens fail to recollect that his apartment was once home for animals. In fact, this debate is highly controversial. A year back, Australian Government mercilessly culled thousands of camels for no fault on their part. Animal rights are perceived by different individuals in different ways though law takes its own course. While some hate people feeding stray animals, others love to feed them. Some school of thought declares that the affinity to a stray dog is a phobia. Animals are part of the ecosystem. They are interlocked in the food web. One should not end in erasing the rich diversity. Man is placed in top of the food chain and if the other living beings are eliminated, that will be the end of the human race. The animal is not a menace and an intruder in our life but they need love and care. How to manage the unbalanced growth needs a lot of scientific solution so that everyone in the ecosystem takes their own share.

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Published in Dwarka Express on 19.11.2022

The one and the only one sphere which witnesses (un)sustainable development is the world population, though every country makes tall claim of making vast development in many other fields. The eight billionth baby was born at Dr Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, reports the media and the baby will soon become popular. India is just competing with China with a population of 1.41 billion just inching towards Chinese figure of 1.45 billion. There is a prediction that in 2023 or so, India may achieve the dubious distinction of world number One. At least it appears so. China has a land area which is 3 times that of India.

With similar level of population, one can easily imagine the population density in India. Most of our political discussions are centred around religious dogmas and populist stunts. There are no visible efforts to control the unabated population growth. On the one hand the natural resources are getting depleted in the name of growth while on the other the consumption hits the roof. Wherever we go, we experience crowds and the resultant avoidable competitions and clashes. India being one of the world’s largest democracies, there is no respite from ever increasing demand-supply gap.

Most of our cities are visible victims of the spurt in urban slums and deteriorating healthcare. Being a country in tropical area, India is in a very fertile area for spurt in population. What is worrying the planners is the availability of resources to cater to the needs of the people. Instead of blaming each other and wasting our energy on mutual mudslinging, time has come to make a common code for all in India to emphasize the need for small family norm. The one and the only one sphere which witnesses (un)sustainable development is the world population, though every country makes tall claim of making vast development in many other fields. The eight billionth baby was born at Dr Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, reports the media and the baby will soon become popular.

 India is just competing with China with a population of 1.41 billion just inching towards Chinese figure of 1.45 billion. There is a prediction that in 2023 or so, India may achieve the dubious distinction of world number One. At least it appears so. China has a land area which is 3 times that of India. With similar level of population, one can easily imagine the population density in India. Most of our political discussions are centred around religious dogmas and populist stunts. There are no visible efforts to control the unabated population growth. On the one hand the natural resources are getting depleted in the name of growth while on the other the consumption hits the roof. Wherever we go, we experience crowds and the resultant avoidable competitions and clashes. India being one of the world’s largest democracies, there is no respite from ever increasing demand-supply gap.

Most of our cities are visible victims of the spurt in urban slums and deteriorating healthcare. Being a country in tropical area, India is in a very fertile area for spurt in population. What is worrying the planners is the availability of resources to cater to the needs of the people. Instead of blaming each other and wasting our energy on mutual mudslinging, time has come to make a common code for all in India to emphasize the need for small family norm. The one and the only one sphere which witnesses (un)sustainable development is the world population, though every country makes tall claim of making vast development in many other fields. The eight billionth baby was born at Dr Jose Fabella Memorial Hospital in Manila, reports the media and the baby will soon become popular.

India is just competing with China with a population of 1.41 billion just inching towards Chinese figure of 1.45 billion. There is a prediction that in 2023 or so, India may achieve the dubious distinction of world number One. At least it appears so. China has a land area which is 3 times that of India. With similar level of population, one can easily imagine the population density in India. Most of our political discussions are centred around religious dogmas and populist stunts. There are no visible efforts to control the unabated population growth. On the one hand the natural resources are getting depleted in the name of growth while on the other the consumption hits the roof. Wherever we go, we experience crowds and the resultant avoidable competitions and clashes. India being one of the world’s largest democracies, there is no respite from ever increasing demand-supply gap.

Most of our cities are visible victims of the spurt in urban slums and deteriorating healthcare. Being a country in tropical area, India is in a very fertile area for spurt in population. What is worrying the planners is the availability of resources to cater to the needs of the people. Instead of blaming each other and wasting our energy on mutual mudslinging, time has come to make a common code for all in India to emphasize the need for small family norm.

Published in Dwarka Express on 12.11.22

Anyone who wants to settle down in a clean and cool environment, opts Bengaluru as his destination. But what he experiences today is not the same, compared to 50 years before! Yes, Bengaluru was once a paradise in South and talk to any octogenarian, he will lament about the bygone era when he was a youth. Cubbon Park, Lalbagh, Majestic Circle, Malleswaram, MG Road or Ulsoor – name it, many will go nostalgic about the clean and green boulevards. Even today, one may relish the reminiscences hither and thither, which is now more of a ‘garbage’ city than a ‘garden’ city. A drive from Hebbal to Majestic (10 KMs) may take a minimum of one hour. Why so? Ever-increasing vehicular jams, will make you feel, will it be better to walk the distance rather than idling out behind the wheel? Air Pollution has peaked out though not to that level as that of Delhi. ‘Bangalore AQI is 103.. Not too encouraging…’ bewailed one office-goer, though the AQI level is nowhere nearer to what is prevalent in Delhi, now. But looking at the developments, like faster urbanisation, vanishing green cover and raising pollutants, one feels whether Bengaluru is inching towards the same situation as that of Delhi. In Delhi, the terrain is low-lying in Gangetic plains and the pollutants like PM 2.5 and PM 10 gets settled down and as the mercury dips low, in the winter, these particles moving from nearby agricultural states worsen the situation. The already ailing Delhi, thanks to traffic congestion, further succumbs to pollutants and ends in frequent smog. In Bangalore’s case, the terrain that is part of deccan plateau where rain or wind brushes away the particulate matters, though piling garbage, ever growing infra constructions and traffic jams will soon make the city a hell if no action is taken.

Dr Chanakya Hoysall, Chief Research Scientist at the Centre for Sustainable Technologies, Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore adds, “Bangalore has a unique topography /geography.  It is a Table Mesa where altitude falls by about 1000 feet in any direction.  Air flow from any direction will push the air mass upwards and or away from Bangalore.  This is also enhanced by the green cover around this part that increases transpiration as well as its condensation / precipitation over Bengaluru.  There will thus always be some air movements that sucks up the air to move upwards and therefore only in a very few days in the year one will experience inversions that are the common cause of Fog and Smog of North India. You may see this inversion in a few places in Bengaluru like the trough opposite BDA Head Office, Ramanagara, some parts of Devanahalli airport, GKVK, etc.”