Yesterday and today, news papers reported that temperatures in different parts of A.P set a record for the decade. Temperatures are in the range 45-48 degree Celcius in many cities. The main reason, I feel is, indiscriminate tree felling. Whenever we go under a tree shade or along the road adjacent to good greenery area, we feel a cool breeze. Trees are cut because of increased urbanization. To meet never ending traffic problems and congestion, roads are widened and for this adjacent trees on the road side are cut. Every year, we feel that summer is starting in advance, precisely because of this tree cutting and resultant temperature rise. May be, there are other factors. But, it is our duty to protect our surroundings. If trees are to be cut to meet some other needs, then we have to ensure that these cut trees are planted safely in areas adjacent to widened roads. Green coverage should not decrease because of our needs.
There is a saying that "Vriksho rakshathi, rakshithaha" meaning that" save trees, it will save us". How true it is. Proverbs are the result of experiences of our ancestors over hundreds of years and we are least bothered about them. We do not want to learn evern after experiencing directly because of our acts without foreseeing the effects.
Governments spend vast amounts of money for forestry but it is also the duty of people to put some money from their pocket to protect environment by planting and saving trees in their yard so that they will have good air and also to the public.
Though, it is difficult and also lead to corruption or misuse, it should be made mandatory to plant trees in every house / apartment complex along with soak pits for collecting the rain water to help the public and reduce stress on government resources and those who violate should be penalized heavily (GREENERY VIOLATION PENALTY). This money should be distributed to some NGOs specifically formed for ensuring and increasing greenery (not by having lawns which are costly to maintain but by planting saplings, relocating the cut trees, etc which are mostly one time affair or require attention for less time) and the accounts of these NGOs should be audited. Public can be encourage to donate to an account setup for this purpose, say "GREEN FUND" and can give tax exemption to the contributors like it is given for certain donations made for flood relief, CM/PM Relief Funds, religious donations, free food schemes of some religious institutions, etc.
