Sometime back I remember, I had posted a picture of a beautiful tree at the outer edge of our residential complex, that I’ve silently admired during my evening walks. The tree has been around for a long time and like most other trees in this city, is a pretty sight, especially when in the summers, it is laden with beautiful flowers, the branches gently swaying in the wind and beautiful birds perched delicately on them. If you missed the picture, here it is, below:
Last Sunday, while everyone was busy enjoying a rather laid-back morning, basking in the warmth of the winter Sun, we heard strange noises coming from across the compound. Apparently, a flurry of activity was happening in the adjacent plot of land, on the other side of our wall. When a few senior residents went to inspect the spot, they noticed the ghastly sight of this beautiful tree being felled down. The tree was being hacked upon in the most ruthless manner imaginable, by a man perched up on one of the branches. As he saw the residents, he climbed down, landing within our compound wall, getting really verbose about why he was there.
When asked, he replied that another new residential apartment was due to come up in that area and the builders had asked him to “clear” the land. There was nothing left of the tree any more, except the bare trunk, by the time the residents had gathered to protest. It was shocking and sad at the same time but one that is becoming all too frequent in the city these days. Makes me wonder how vulnerable our trees have become, in the confines of our urban living spaces and how easily some people brush aside all logic and end up destroying nature instead.
When I heard about the unfortunate incident my first thought was about the home that the birds had built on the branches of that tree and those little chicks.
Where would they go now?
One wonders how long this frenzy of destruction will continue before good sense prevails? Why do we still need more warnings? Why can’t we see what we’re doing to the future of our children and the world they will inhabit?
We only have the questions; we have no answers. Except, perhaps a heavy heart and a bitter realisation that we are now on an irreversible path towards destroying our planet. The deed is done. Now, to face the consequences of our thoughtless acts.
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Joining Parul today for #thursdaytreelove which is a photo feature on her blog that brings you beautiful trees from different places every second and fourth Thursday of the month. If you would like to play along, post a picture of a tree on your blog and link it back to her post.
8 Comments
Parul Thakur
Oh no! This is so sad and a reality too. In the name of infrastructure, there is so much impact to our environment. I wish the authorities take notice of that. There is corruption in that department too. It is so tragic 🙁
Ira PT (As Time Flies)
Well, it will be us who will suffer the consequences of such acts. The climate of the place is also affected when the trees are replaced with concrete jungles.
Archana
That’s so sad! Maybe the tree stump will sprout new foliage but will not regain its earlier glory. Pune too is losing many trees to roads, new buildings, metro construction etc. But those are needed as well .. so where and how to we find a balance… Tough situation…
Esha MD
The stump was gone too, Archana. Nothing is left of the tree anymore. So sad. 🙁
Vidya Sury
Heartbreaking! I can imagine how you feel. It is like losing a friend! Sorry to hear about the tree being cut, Esha.
Esha MD
It is, Vidya. That’s exactly what I felt seeing the tree trunk standing bare as if someone had stripped every bit of dignity from her and left her with nothing. I cannot express the loss…
G Angela
so sad to hear about the trees been cut for constructions, roads, factories and all in the name of development… and there’s no end to stop this…
Esha MD
Absolutely, Angela. It is so sad to see how heartless and cruel we’ve become and how myopic our vision of tomorrow is! All downhill from hereon it seems…