Is concrete jungle a real way to development in India?

Profile of the author : Antish Rathore is a third year student of B.A. LL. B. (Hons.) from Alliance University, Bengaluru. Her areas of interest include Public Administration and International Law.

In this world where development is the only way to stand on the world stage with pride that the sacrifice people are making is way worse than realized yet that is in order to expand industries, developing infrastructure, what people are getting rid of is the real jungles and replacing it with concrete jungle.

Transportation is the basic need of every sector of economy and transport by road is the most common, in order to connect the seventh largest country in the world through roads the massive amount of deforestation is the only way. In Uttarakhand ‘Char Dham Mahamarg road project’ as per estimation it will cost 25,000 trees across 373 hectares of forest land. Bhartmala Pariyojana highway will solely cost India 1.18 lakh trees which are spread over at least seven protected forests.

This list can go on with every small or big project. Nature always has some damage as if without hurting nature there can be no development.

There are whole streams of law that deal with protection of the environment, that is Environment Law but is it still capable to answer this question that ‘is it worth it?’ but still is it concerned about only illegal deforestation or is quiet on the argument of economic growth and urbanization.

Concrete forest in India bore another rapid problem other than deforestation; it also results in noise pollution, air pollution, water pollution, which is directly affecting one of the fundamental right Article 21 Right to life which ensures a person ‘right to a healthy environment’. Apex court in case of Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar [1] held that the right to life also includes the right to have air and water free from pollution as to have a person a freedom to enjoy life. So people living in these skyscrapers are not entitled to have this safe and healthy environment because the place where they are residing right now is termed as concrete forest for a reason.

The Sole government cannot be blamed for this turning of green jungles into concrete jungles as it is one of the short sighted ways towards development for a country. The people of the nation are also to be blamed as in the glamorous light of development they are sacrificing their own healthy life and the breach of their right to have a healthy environment. People can also turn a concrete jungle into a healthy habitat. It is not solely the government's responsibility to look after the environment of the country it is a two way road between the people and people representatives. A small step is always the beginning of a long journey. All that is needed is some awareness, proper law implementation and a little cooperation from citizens of the country.

The question now arises is development at the expanse of forest life is the only way for a nation because it is not as many other nations have proved that destroying nature is not the only way by setting up the example one of such these nations is Russia; largest country (as per area cover) the country which is considered as one of the developed nation has also the largest forest cover and all the credit goes to its government. Because of the Russian government’s far sight, Russia is home to twenty percent of the world’s untouched forests.

It cannot be said that Indian government is not doing anything and it is just a mute spectator to this rapid transaction of green breathing jungle into noisy unhealthy concrete jungle because the Delhi government has announced to build twelve city forests in the capital city. In a statement Delhi’s environment minister Gopal Rai stated that the Delhi government is working hand in hand with Centre and neighboring states in order to find a solution to the environment problem.

First things first, ‘Let’s stop pretending that there is no concept of concrete jungle in India because there is and it needs attention’.

[1] Subhash Kumar v. State of Bihar 1991 AIR 420, 1991 SCR (1) 5

Disclaimer : This article is an original submission of the author. Niti Manthan does not hold any liability arising out of the article. Kindly refer to our terms of use or write to us in case of concerns.