A coconut grove, a builder's sign, and no outrage

For over a decade, I've been seeing a huge stretch of land filled with hundreds of #Coconut trees.
Today, I noticed a prominent builder's signage announcing a new project there.

Another green space is about to become a #ConcreteJungle.

And it got me thinking.

When a government project requires cutting trees, we see protests, public debates, newspaper coverage, and questions about environmental impact.

But when a private developer clears a green space to build apartments, malls, or tech parks?
Where is the same level of outrage?

Apparently, the value of a tree depends on who's cutting it and why.
Does a tree become less valuable when its removal generates private wealth instead of serving a public project?

A tree doesn't care who owns the land.
It provides shade, absorbs carbon, supports biodiversity, and helps make a city more liveable.
Wish it provided free Wi-Fi too; we might see at least a few people protest!

So, what can we do?
Actually, not much.

Private developers rarely take Environmental accountability; they just look at profits!
Even if there are some norms to be followed, they know well how to get past those!

Civic authorities are struggling to provide even basic facilities like pothole-free roads, electricity, and water; expecting them to acquire such lands and convert them into public breathing spaces would be too much!
Though we might see Air Purifiers being installed at major junctions, they look cool and follow a 'tender process'!

Common public protesting; those are only reserved for the trees being cut for public projects, causing delays in execution, and when cost overruns happen, protest again!

My only hope lies with the city billionaires and wealthy individuals.
And mind you, there are many of them, thanks to the IT and the Startup boom!
They need to step up to acquire and protect ecologically valuable spaces.
Think of the legacy created by such initiatives, say a NRN Park, Premji Mini Forest, and Bansal's Tree Park.
Future generations would praise them for keeping the city breathable for decades to come!

Will they? I doubt!

We may keep growing our bank balances and property portfolios.
But what good is wealth if the city we live in becomes increasingly unbearable?

On a personal front, I have bought a small piece of land and am preserving it as green space for future generations.
https://lnkd.in/gSXsqZBj