Extreme heat conditions in State capital Bhopal has broken record of past ten years with day temperature soaring above 45 degrees Celsius while night temperature sizzling above 30 degrees mark. Environmentalists in the city have triggered debate over priority for development or environment. Talking to ‘The Hitavada’ over phone, Rajkumar, faculty and research scholar on environmental issues at prestigious MANIT, said, “Temperature have been rising steadily over the past many years and disappearing green cover is major contributor. Over the last ten years in city, trees have been cut excessively because of several road widening and other infrastructure works. We all are now paying for the tree cutting.” Entire city is raging with the blazing sun and hot air. To keep people safe from such a harsh summer, district administration and civic body has joined hand with social workers and NGO to provide shed at city squares and streets with tents, drinking water and water spray. Municipal corporation has started water spray at public places to keep the environment cold and tents are being decked at traffic signals and other places to provide shade.

 

Talking to ‘The Hitavada’, experts said that in past few years, trees have been chopped in Bhopal in bulk and city has recorded major deduction in its green cover due to which people are now facing extreme heat conditions. Around five years back, Master Plan drafting done by the Smart City mentioned the fact that from year 2009 to 2019 (ten years), city has recorded 26% reduction in its green cover. The draft also included major fact that in past three years (2017 to 2019), 13 per cent green cover has been reduced. Activists said that from year 2014 to 2019, city has recorded major destruction to the greenery. Environmentalist claimed that 60 per cent trees have been chopped in urban areas in past ten years and from year 2009 to 2013, 40 percent trees have been chopped in Bhopal. There are some green spots still existing in the city and condition is that mostly people prefer to pass through the road amid the heat wave.

 

The area from Habibganj to Kolar Rest House has dense plantation on both side of the road and people passing through the road fee relaxed. BHEL township has areas where commuters do not feel the harsh sunlight because of green and dense tree plantation on both sides. One of the major spot of city is Link Road 3 popularly known as ‘thandi galli’ has dense bushes on both side of road and commuters feel good while driving on the road during day hours. Another green road in Bhopal is from Ten Number square to Shahpura tri-way where entire road is covered with the shades of green trees on both sides.

 

Umashanker Tiwari, environment activists, said, “Putting tent at traffic signals and water sprinkle on city roads is not useful and this is just a thing of show off. Instead of doing this show off, there should be dense trees around the signals. Bhadbhada square is example for this as people waiting at the signal get green sheds. Instead of choosing the correct way of maintaining greenery, civic body is busy in show off.” Nitin Saxena, environment activist, said, “tent is being placed a city squares to provide sun shed but this is literally not useful while this is going to create traffic chaos. Major issue is that, big and dense trees have been chopped from road side on name of development. Today, there is neither there is development work in city nor green trees. ”