PrashantNews
Dehradun recorded its highest temperature of 43 degree C during last summer. With the temperature accelerating, environmentalists immediately rang alarm bells demanding an accelerated action on the part of the government.
UN General Secretary Antonio Guterres has already warned that such hottest days have heralded a new era of global boiling. The days of global warming are over now, the UN chief said.
But in Uttarakhand, such warnings are literally falling on the deaf ears on the powers that be. In the name of development, one keeps hearing sad story of rampant trees felling in Dehradun and other parts of the hill state regularly. In Dehradun alone, thousands of trees are ready to be cut again in the name of development, a move that has angered the citizens of Dehradun.
Last year also, a large number of people under the banner of the Citizens for Green Doon had organized a protest march forcing Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami to shelve the widening of the CM’s residence road in Garhi Cant area.
The anger is simmering again. This time, a campaign is already on to take out protest marches and organize dharnas against the proposed rampant tree felling across the Doon valley. Thousands of trees are set to be cut in the coming months.
As part of the save environment campaign, the Doonites are coming together to organize a protest march on Sunday (March 2) starting from Dilaram Chowk to Centrio Mall in the city.
“Approximately 25000 to 30000 trees are proposed to be cut for the development purpose. Let’s join for this noble cause to save our Dehradun,” said Anup Nautiyal, a prominent social activist.
Doon valley once famous for its greenery and climate is now rampant tree cutting for unplanned development. All citizens of Doon valley must protest for such tree cutting. There is no need of widening of Garhi cantonment road as there is less traffic and existing road is enough wide to tolerate rising traffic.
At present need is to remove electricity poles which are becoming dangerous for rising traffic. There’s already budget is allotted for underground electricity lines.
Road widening is required where there is bottle necks such example is entry point of Balbir road from EC road. Army store house road can be shifted five feet inside. There is no issue of land acquisition and compensation.
If electrical poles are removed there will be enough scope for tolerating rising traffic.
Doon valley should adopt Singapore model for controlling rising vehicular traffic.