It takes a human lifespan for a tree to completely grow, just a few minutes to cut it down. Along with the tree, birds and animals dependent on it vanish too.
My byline
Sumaira Abdulali
Apparently, chopping down a hundred-odd trees will be necessary to beautify the Gateway of India. This tree-cutting is in accordance with plans drawn up by the Indian National Trust for Arts and Cultural Heritage (INTACH). The Tree Authority has issued a notice to cut the trees for the Gateway Beautification Plan. It took several years to get approval and was discussed in detail. Elite heritage groups and architects have battled over the final design of the plan.
I want to ask:
- Does cutting trees make a city more beautiful?
- What about the fast-dwindling tree cover of Mumbai?
- Should there be a conflict between heritage and nature?
It takes a human lifespan for a tree to completely grow, just a few minutes to cut it down. Along with the tree, birds and animals dependent on it vanish too. Mumbai is fortunate to have an abundance of man-made heritage and a strong movement to preserve it. I support this movement and believe that historic monuments require protection.
However, when man-made heritage preservation is prioritised over natural heritage, we need to re-think our value system. Trees are at risk in present day Mumbai and need to be protected by citizens.
Several leading environmentalists, who have opposed mangrove cutting for development of housing and infrastructure projects (both arguably imperative for the growth of the city), are committee members of INTACH. I support the environmentalists' opposing unnecessary tree cutting for development projects and hope they stand up against tree cutting for 'beautification' projects as well.
Elite environmentalists and heritage conservationists of Mumbai, who have simultaneously cared for both its natural and man-made heritage, have rendered a valuable service to us. Nevertheless, the city no longer wants to leave decision-making only to a few. Our weather, quality of life and health depend on protecting the remaining trees.
I call upon citizens concerned with the cutting of trees for 'beautification' projects to oppose tree cutting at the Gateway by writing letters of objection to the Tree Authority and requesting them to reject the proposal.
The Gateway is an important monument that requires protection, whereas trees are valuable to the well being of Mumbai residents. Do we have to make a choice between these two? Why can’t they co-exist?
(Abdulali is a member of the Awaaz Foundation)
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