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Indian cities need to be saved from pollution

By Sudhansu R Das. Dated: 5/23/2018 10:58:26 PM

According to Union Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change (MOEFCC), a total 1080101 trees have been cut down in 15 states between 2013 and 2016. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana account for over 55% of the depletion of the tree cover. Most of the trees have disappeared from urban areas only.

The World Health Organisation has placed India's fourteen cities among the top polluted cities in the world. Kanpur, Faridabad, Varanasi, Gaya, Patna, Delhi, Lucknow, Agra, Muzaffarpur, Srinagar, Gurgaon, Jaipur, Patiala and Jodhpur feature in the list. There are many cities where the pollution level is alarmingly high.
The incident of Chinese rivers catching fire in more than a kilometre stretch due to hazardous chemical effluent from polluted cities has been reported in various world's leading newspapers and magazines. In some Chinese cities, the levels of fine particulate matter in air has reached 40 times the recommended exposure limit set by the WHO. But those cities are not placed among the top polluted cities. Whatever may be the WHO methodology to know pollution level, it has warned the planners, economists and the world community that there is a need to take action.
Over decades the natural and physical infrastructures in many Indian cities has crumbled due to large scale migration of people from rural and semi urban areas to cities for sake of employment. According to the Center of Science and Environment (CSE), Bengaluru has lost 79% of its water bodies, Raipur 80% and Ghaziabad 75% of its water bodies. Nearly 3000 water bodies in and outside Chennai and about 2500 water bodies in Hyderabad have disappeared. Thousands of water bodies in urban centers have been replaced with shopping malls, housing colonies, hotels, buildings and cinema halls.
According to Union Ministry of Environment Forests and Climate Change (MOEFCC), a total 1080101 trees have been cut down in 15 states between 2013 and 2016. Andhra Pradesh and Telangana account for over 55% of the depletion of the tree cover. Most of the trees have disappeared from urban areas only.
Many state governments earn an average 40% of their revenue from the realty sector and keep their eyes close to activities of the builders. In the last two and half decade aggressive real estate growth has destroyed lakes, ponds, rivers, hills, tree covers, open space, ground water, surface water and air in urban areas. Many classical Indian cities have fallen prey to this abnormal realty sector growth. In the 80s, Pune was the most beautiful city with pleasant climate, open space, tree cover, ever flowing Mula and Mutha rivers. The temperature in Pune seldom exceeded 30 degree Celsius. Until 1990, Air Conditioners were not required for the residents in the city and Pune was known as the retired people's paradise. In the 90s, the decline started and from 2000 onward the city got distorted beyond recognition. The real estate price has tripled between 2002 and 2012 as massive black money poured into the realty sector after government allowed 100% FDI. The open space, pedestrian paths, magnificent wooden houses (wadas), ancient architectures, palaces, the rich ethnic culture and cuisines began to disappear. The city's temperature rose to above 40 degree Celsius. The Mula and Mutha rivers have become like drains carrying garbage and hazardous material. In just two and half decade the city has lost its pleasant environment. A price people have paid for not waking up to safeguard the environment.
The Dal lake of Srinagar which formed the backdrop of many a romantic Hindi film songs has lost its charm due to aggressive growth of concrete houses in and around the lake. The city effluent has polluted the lake. Water plants has grown in most part of the lake. This adversely affect tourism, revenue from cinema and hundreds of small economic activities.
Similarly, Hyderabad which is situated on Deccan plateau once had perennial springs in many places, mango orchards, grape gardens, hills and forest with significant peacock population and rare faunas. Researchers from the city based Indian Institute of Chemical Technology ( IICT) found the city air is laden with high level of barium, copper, chromium lead, nickel and zinc which adversely affects lungs. Over the years, the living condition of people in majority urban centers has deteriorated. As per Census 2011, a quarter of urban families do not have bathing areas in their homes and 1/5th of the urban population do not have pucca house. Around 1/3rd of urban households live in single room. The metro rail, sky walk, local trains, rapid transportation system can temporarily reduce the traffic density but it can never be a permanent solution. The metro rail which was operated in Hyderabad in 2017 had little impact on traffic density but it has skyrocketed the real estate price in places which are linked by metro rail.
The University Grants Commission has instructed all universities and colleges to include a subject on urban planning from the current academic year- 2016-17. In fact, the urban planning should be based on dedicated urban potential survey. Every urban center has diverse potential for growth which should be tapped.