Plant saplings a fix for removal of trees?
“Tree makes one million matchsticks. But one matchstick can burn one million trees.” This is how humans are, they borrow multiple things from nature and out of greed burn everything else along the way. Recently I read about this fabulous idea, felling of trees can be compromised by planting saplings. This thought made me think if it was actually possible?
Generally, a seed to sprout and then grow into a fully functioning tree takes around1-2 years. This category is excluding the fruit-bearing ones. We are considering the most important feature of all ‘Oxygen’ production. Trees also stabilize soil, provide shelter to various creatures, give us fruits and convert carbon dioxide into oxygen etc. According to me the conversion of carbon dioxide into oxygen is the most important feature of the tree without which existence of all living creatures which intake oxygen would not thrive. Deforestation kills livelihood of communities living in forests where forest is their everything. It has been providing them with shelter and nourishment. Sometimes I presume in this digital era if trees offered wifi instead of oxygen there would be less deforestation?
How can planting sapling be a fix to deforestation? I strongly believe this idea is false. When deforestation takes place humans do not take into account which tree they are shedding from nature and when they decide to plant saplings it will be selective. This method leads to an artificial plantation which completely destroys natural vegetation present in that area. Even if they manage to reciprocate it would still be a poor substitute.
Should we compromise development for conserving environment? Urban population ( nearly 32%) contributes over 60% to GDP and is said to reach 75% in the next few years. Even globally urban population has played significant roles in economic growth. Society has taken sustainable development into consideration but in a country like India which has a superabundant population. Therefore massive migration has surfaced over recent years. Here deteriorating quality of life and lack of basic infrastructure are the main problems so sustainable development has been sidelined. We can see this considering China as an example. China has topped to economic charts but at a huge environmental cost. India too has cities which are highly polluted but not as much as China. Various proposals must be brought forward so that environment is not compromised for economic growth.
As I mentioned earlier above about substitution of trees and planting sapling would not work out, Indian government under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 has an act known as Compensatory afforestation(CA).” It refers to afforestation and regeneration activities carried out as a way of compensating for forest land diverted to non-forest purposes. Here "non-forest purpose" means the breaking up or clearing of any forest land or a portion thereof for-
the cultivation of tea, coffee, spices, rubber, palms, oil-bearing plants, horticultural crops or medicinal plants;
any purpose other than reafforestation;
but does not include any work relating or ancillary to conservation, development, and management of forests and wildlife, namely, the establishment of check-posts, fire lines, wireless communications and construction of fencing, bridges, and culverts, dams, waterholes, trench marks, boundary marks, pipelines or other like purposes. “
This is mentioned in Indian Economics Service website. It states that anybody whether private or government body has to seek clearance from Ministry of Environment and Forests before any conversions are to take place. The proposal has to include all the details such as details of specials present and to be planted, area map, cost of operation etc. If clearance is given, then compensation will be provided.
Firstly growing alternate saplings for trees being cut down is not a solution. Nature always finds a way just as pain heals with time but humans are not nature. We do not have control over the creation of nature. Therefore no matter how many precautions we take nature cannot be replicated. Natural flora cannot be substituted by these man grown plantations. Administrations do not carry out impact assessments of sites where CA is to take place. Usually, lands which are not suitable for growing trees is sanctioned. Justice delayed is justice denied. This is the reality in India and therefore funds for Compensatory afforestation is delayed. Late and poor utilization of funds has led to the failure of CA. Most people in India are not aware of CA is also one of the reasons for deforestation.
This January, Deputy Conservator of Forests granted permission for felling of 202 out of 502 trees in Padil, Mangaluru for construction of new DC Office. The current DC Office is to be shifted from Statebank to Padil including all administrations. Around 200 people submitted their opinion in a hearing. National Green Tribunal stated that no more trees shall be cut for further construction but trees which are already cut down cannot be grown back as removing them. Similar cases have taken place all over country. Not just for government buildings but even for private buildings and their development. In Delhi, more than 16,000 trees were to be cut down for redevelopment of the city. Supreme Court questioned Centre and city authorities on “How they were going to provide more space for displaced trees. How planting 10 saplings is equal to 1 fully grown tree ?”. Also, they added if two storey building was to be redeveloped into an eight-storey building was it possible to provide enough water and energy. They even took pollution into consederation.SC also asked Delhi Development Authority to place all its redevelopment schemes with them. More of such measures can only save trees. Planting a sapling can never be equal to a fully grown tree has been proved in the above case.
We can also join hands in the conservation of trees because felling of a tree and planting 10 saplings will not nullify its effect. Development in check with the environment is crucial. You can take steps to conserve natural resources such as paper in your college or school or office. Eco clubs can be started to raise awareness among the public. Make saving trees your personal commitment because change comes from you. Planting saplings is also a good measure to regrow lost vegetation but it is wise to ask your grandparents or someone well versed in forest ecology to maintain balance in nature. To conclude the time for action is now. Already so much is lost! It’s never late to make the change happen.
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