It was shocking to hear
That MMRDA of Mumbai city
Has taken a decision to cut down
Two thousand seven hundred and two -
I repeat - 2702 Trees of Aarey, situated
In the cool, green forest belt of western suburbs.
The Bombay Municipal Corporation
Approved
The cutting of the trees,
Without a question,
Without a murmur,
Without a debate!
This atrocious plan of
Cutting trees to meet man's selfish ends,
Injuring and poisoning the environment,
Axing the trees carelessly and mercilessly,
Without any sense or sensitivity towards nature
Is so pathetic and disturbing!
All this is being done
To make way for a card shed for Metro,
Another mode of transport for the public.
Mumbai is already so crowded with vehicles that
That there is hardly any space for a man to walk.
Besides its fumes and gas that percolate around.
By destroying city's natural holding ponds,
The floods, every monsoon will be on the rise.
The nature will kick back and destroy the city.
In spite of protests and opposition from the citizens,
If the orders are carried out to cut trees
Then, as remarked by a famed scribe " they are out
To engage in a state sponsored environmental vandalism."
You have really taken up a very noble cause which needs a powerful campaign to stop authorities from cutting moth than 2700 fully grown trees. I have heard arguments from officials which have no substance. They are driven more by their convenience....
Hi Geeta, I am so happy and proud that today Supreme Court of India has intervened to halt cutting of trees in Aarey. But the damage has already been done. A large number of trees have already been cut. Much before the court intervened. Let us hope sanity prevails and the court orders to replant trees in the area where the forest was destroyed. And takes action against everyone including the Chief Minister for this highhanded action violating the environment.
Destroying the trees! Lack of wisdom; We need the trees! ! Bees to teach us along the line. Thanks for sharing this poem with us.
Trees are guards of a healthy environment and should not be cut. A nice message, appealing not for Indians only nut appealing for the whole world.
This atrocious plan of Cutting trees to meet man's selfish ends, Injuring and poisoning the environment, Axing the trees carelessly and mercilessly, Without any sense or sensitivity towards nature Is so pathetic and disturbing! ........so touching ant true, really pathetic.You have insightfully delineated this poem. Thanks for sharing.
(2) ....than by the long term adverse impact that it will have on environment in and around Mumbai metropolis which is already reeling under problems caused by environmental degradation. Thanks, Geeta ji. We hope the Mumbaikar's vociferous call will force govt. to reverse their decision.
This poem has not been translated into any other language yet.
I would like to translate this poem
Dr. Geeta- Thank you for sharing this tragic information with us. Although there is nothing we can do to assist in a 'revolution' against this drastically wrong action, our need to feel like we 'know' what's going on as poets has been quenched. Near term answer/long term devastation!