Bengaluru-based environmentalist Vijay Nishanth, who is also called Tree Doctor, was recently in for a rude shock. On July 6, Vijay, alongwith his friend Jnanesh was travelling through the Kanakapura-Halguru route. They had traversed the same route just a week before when it was filled with huge trees on either side. However, in just a week, at least 100 trees were cleared, says Vijay Nishanth, presumably for a road extension project.
“It was extremely disheartening to see that trees in such a large number were cut off. It was hard to even digest the fact that it was the same road which we travelled on just a week before when it was surrounded by sprawling greenery. The villagers staying along the route often used spots under these huge trees for waiting for buses in the scorching heat.”
Vijay further said, “We are a nation where saving trees is a part of our tradition. King Ashoka, after his transformation post the bloody Kalinga war, started working towards a prosperous kingdom. One of the major steps he took was planting trees along the roads. He knew the value of trees even then. Even today, there are people like Saalumarada Thimmakka, who has spent her whole life planting and caring for trees. But here we are, where, in the name of development, we clear scores of trees without giving a split second of thought. I understand development is important, but at what cost.”
Tree’s use to give shade for bus commuter.. When king #Ashoka wanted to develop he planted tree all along road side so it helps traveller. But today modern world has no clue about it… What a sad state.
Vijay Nishanth ಅವರಿಂದ ಈ ದಿನದಂದು ಪೋಸ್ಟ್ ಮಾಡಲಾಗಿದೆ ಶುಕ್ರವಾರ, ಜುಲೈ 5, 2019
Vijay Nishanth has been on the forefront when it comes to tree conservation. He has documented around 8000 trees through a GPS technology and searched for decaying trees under his flagship project Vruksha.com. This environment conservationist and animal activist believe that “a tree should be treated the same way as humans are”.
He opines that trees, along with roots can be transported from its original location in situations where clearing of a landscape is absolutely necessary. “But cutting trees which are as old as a century or more is absolutely uncalled for,” he says.
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