The second tree is currently meeting the same fate as I write this down. This afternoon, its branches were felled and a few minutes ago, a JCB was tearing out its roots. The ASEP pasted this little note on the tree.
Granted, it was located at a very awkward place, half-in, half-off the road. But as to the claim that it caused accidents... I just don't buy that. There have been so many drivers who manage to navigate the tree successfully. As for the tragic few who were unable to... how could you not see that big tree looming before you? And even if you had somehow not seen it at first, how slowed down were your reflexes that you were unable to brake or swerve? Or how fast were you going that you were unable to stop?
This might be painful to hear for those who have lost relatives and friends in road accidents, even those not necessarily connected to this tree. But blaming a tree for an accident is tantamount to blaming mother nature for the mistakes you make.
I have always loved those Bung trees, with their branches spread majestically over the road, their grand, old knotted trunks withstanding time and the follies of men. Here our forefathers rendezvoused before political meetings with the government and lovers of old met under its shade. This noble tree witnessed us Mizos as we took our tenuous path towards progress, and now it is going to be sacrificed at the altar of that same progress.
One less tree, one less accident? I dont know. There still are people stupid enough to drive even when they are seriously inebriated, those who think overtaking everyone and taking fast corners is the epitome of coolness, those who think they are reliable drivers just because they have obtained Driver's Licenses through illegal means. What then, do we line our streets and sharp corners with cushions so that no one will get hurt in accidents?
The PWD claims that they have had a lot of complaints regarding this tree. But the press have said that as far as they know, the only accidents have been one of human negligence- over-speeding and drunk driving. According to a source, the media is planning to raise a huge outcry against this, it being Green Mizoram week too in the bargain. Fast forward to a few months and those complaining about this tree will be the most outspoken about poverty-stricken farmers burning their fields for cultivation and how those "stupid villagers" are destroying the environment. I have written about this in a previous post so I will not repeat myself.
I dont know now if the media's plans to intervene are successful or not. Will update this tomorrow.
Meantime I sit here thinking of a younger me boasting to friends from other states about the greenery of Mizoram and the clean, pristine air we enjoy there.
Sigh. They paved Paradise- and its not even good paving at that too! Bleh
19 comments:
made me want to cry reading this.literally. and im not a nature lover par se'.'they paved paradise and its not even good paving.'
nail on the head.
I have to disagree with you on this one. I've often gone past this tree and after the road was widened and it stood out all on its own in what's now literally bang smack in the (more or less) middle of the road, I've always thought it an extremely dangerous hindrance. Don't get me wrong, I do know how precious trees and greenery are but let's have them in their appropriate places. Also I'm often irritated at the way the local media sucks up issues played up by the western world presumably to seem knowledgeable and with-it. Let's get real puleeze. In this case for instance, I sincerely doubt one tree being cut down for public convenience will cause that much destruction to world environment.
i dont think that tree was a hazard for no one, how could people have been soo stupid to not even see that big tree right in front of them, or how about slowin down a bit if they are afraid of hittin that tree, geez..i drove past that tree 2,3 times everyday, and it havent cause me any trouble in any sort of way, not one bit. no offence calliopia, but wasnt that tree in an appropriate place after all these years, or we just make it unappropirate..the problem with most of us is that we dont care about the little things...what if a tree is cut down everyday..cheng 1 hlir 10 in cheng 10 a siam..akeke :P
thingkung ngaina a
I feel like if we ALL think about it and try doing something to save the tree.. That and our govt needs to be much much more supportive of these things (and will actually admit there is a problem- that the problem is with ppl and not harmless trees) we can make a difference.
'They took all the trees and put them in a tree museum.
And they charged all the people
A dollar and a half just to see 'em.
Don't it always seem to go
That you don't know what you've got till it's gone?
They paved paradise and put up a parking lot.'
Unless we have a sensitive Govt, our children's children will only see them in museums.
Anonymous, perhaps if your English wasn't so fractured I might be able to understand what you mean by but wasnt that tree in an appropriate place after all these years, or we just make it unappropirate.. As I specifically mentioned, the road was widened fairly recently which brought the tree right onto the main thoroughfare. Earlier it had been standing quite appropriately on the edge of the road. But then perhaps you think a tree encroaching two feet onto the main road of a state capital isn't inconvenient and everyone should just manoeuvre by it all the time.
im so sorry me is verrrry bad in english,zirna a kekawr bul a ka lo tawp hi chu a pawi ani!!me is suck in englihs and grammre..big trime!!omg..even my sipelings..a na i ti deuh maithei, mahse thudik chu mo..our environment is being damaged because of persons like you who attach more importance to english and grammer..
saptong bahlah-a, aka, thingkunga ngaina a
He thingkung hi kan thianpa (albeit tipsy i must admit) in a su tawh a tun thleng in a nghawng chin hnuai lam a zeng phah.
Chuan thil dang leh chu helai thingkung hi DC office bula bung lianpui nen khan i ngaihpawlh a va ang ve.
This noble tree witnessed us Mizos as we took our tenuous path towards progress, and now it is going to be sacrificed at the altar of that same progress.
Uar mah mah lo maw . Vai ramah te hi chuan thingkung transplant dan te hi a awm tawh asin mawle. Thingkung 5 phun la i rilru a nuam deuh ang chu.
- kalawme
In thian, Amosa.
....that tree was cut down to decrease traffic mishaps....
If so, let's widen our city road. Yea! This will decrease our daily problem of traffic jam and overcrowding on the roads by pedestrians... What about,, lets say,, cutting down (demolishing) all the buildings built in an off-side position beside the city road.
A ecological value leh sentimental value kan hmu thiam theilo ta sa sa, kawngpui zauh nan leh traffic buai zual tihziaawm nan chuan kan huaisen tluantling ngam dawn lawm ni??? A kih tirtu te ka zawt ve duh.. Tlat mai a...
Dear All!
My internet has been down these last few days, so, sorry, I have been unable to respond.
I have never been a tree-hugging, one with nature kind of person, and I dont know why I was so affected by the cutting down of this tree. Maybe I'm over-sentimentalising the whole issue but the fact remains that, as Ms.Caliopia said, our roads will need more widening, and more buildings will have to come up, thereby necessitating the removal of more trees. As our city expands, there will be more demand for space, and it is our trees, our arable lands and our wildlife that will eventually have to make way for us, unfortunately.
Some thing cobtea and the anonymous tree lover made me think about(btw, why hide? anonymity tends to rob one of credibility)is that it was unfortunate that our forefathers did not have the foresight to imagine that our city could grow this big. Hence the poorly planned drainage systems, roads, buildings etc. Now we belatedly harangue the govt. and its almost too late to do a thing about it.
My sympathies to your friend, Mosa,No matter what the circumstance. Fierce, dont cry! Lets go plane some more trees instead, eh? Dr.Feelgood, If ever I have children, Id want them to be tree-climbing scamps(like me, hehe). Would be sad indeed if all they get to see are those in museums. And Eve, you just reminded me of that Capt.Planet quote, "The power is with you"...oh wait, is that correct?
err..no, I just remembered, its "The power is yours!" Very apt :)
An thil tar chuan ka lung a ti chhe roh.
Kuku, Calliopia sawi ang deuh khian, driver chhaw deuh deuhin thingkung lianpui hmu lova nunna an chan ai chuan han sawn (or cut down) mai kha a thra zawk lo maw?
very touching, miss chipko! but for people like us who "can drive", that silver oak was a hindrance, especially after the new traffic implements were introduced in the area, treasury square is one of the few stretches of straight road that we have in the city and the tree kills speed thrills when it suddenly looms large and demands inappropriate brakes in what must otherwise be an speedy nirvana, huhuhu, in lak riderna dan hi...huhu tak2ah, its a pity to destroy one of our limited sources of oxygen but where it stood, it was awkward and was more of a hindrance than a show of beauty.
Heh, tree hugger :P
Over here at "phai" I can totally understand if people want to save trees as its bloody hot and we need the shade (and of course the greenery). In Mizoram, we cannot build flyovers like Mumbai, Delhi etc. So the population and cars keep increasing everyday in a constricted space, leading to more jams and pollution. The only solution is to clear all those trees by the roadside (and illegal offside houses by the roadside as cobtea mentioned) so that we can have wider roads. Either that or the govt should start curbing new vehicle license and put a full stop to it. We cannot have both.
Or maybe build rope-ways. Problem solved for both camps. :D
Heyyyy, what Chipko! One rider, a journalist did say that the tree was a great deterrent to speed demons, hihihi. Ah well, its gone now, the road's straight and wide and the tree's gone and I sit here in my room and picture the big fir tree in our courtyard and I swear I will never let anyone (cept Mom Natura) cut that down. Hehe, deuh tralh a.
Lost comments, including my looooong one :(
@Lucy and @Illue: Missed yours yesterday.
Ok, i know you guys have a valid point and sentimentalities have to make way for practicalities but still... :( *goes and have a very public meltdown in her blog*
Nahh... I hugely appreciate that there were dissenting voices. I still cant help wishing that there were better solutions (the ropeways!!)but needs must, and this is the only implementable step for the moment.
Thanks y'all
a post thar a lo delete leh ta.
Hihi, Aduh, nawww... ka ziah zo hmain ka lo post palha..not deleted :)
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