Increasing demand for space and infrastructure has exposed this once sleepy and rather peaceful town to a change in environmental factors that have affected the quality of lives of not only people residing in the town but also the birds and all wildlife endemic to the region. The recent proposal of allowing the Aravalis to be used for development purposes both residential and commercial has once again led to debates and discussions about why we need to preserve our remaining forests and wetlands. While some claim that we need more space for development purposes, others claim that the Aravalis and forests are the lungs of the NCR region and that they are the only protective barriers that would prevent the ingress of dust and sand from Rajasthan into the National Capital Region. A few Environmental experts claim that the Aravalis are a form of a natural bund or dam that help funnel rainwater runoff into the bowl that Gurgaon happens to be.
My focus, however, is not the Aravalis as such, but parts of Gurgaon that are already undergoing rapid development. In this case, the entire area along the Gurgaon-Jajhar road starting from the Basai Wetland. Ironically, the term 'Wetland' does not exist for Basai in the official lectionary although it might perhaps exist as a 'Wasteland'! When I think about Environmental degradation, I believe it is indicated in the conflict between wildlife and man. All the development taking place in the region is impacting the wildlife that exists in the region. While desertification might not be immediately visible, the flooding that takes place immediately after rains is an indication of worse to come. Extreme weather changes locally and shifts in climate might be a direct result of unplanned development taking place - a development that doesn't take into consideration its impact, thereof on the Environment and Ecology of the region. A few photographs that I take of the Basai Wetland are indicative of the Gurgaon Conundrum, an essay on the impact of development on the Ecological health of the town and its surrounding areas.
Farmlands have given way to development projects. Forests have disappeared, rainwater runoff streams, the Badhsahpur drain and the wetlands are disappearing from sight. A large number of migratory birds return to breeding grounds only to discover that they no longer exist! Siberian Cranes, Bar-headed Geese, Flamingos, Pochards, Gadwall Ducks, Painted Storks, Woolly Necked Stork, Northern Shoveller Ducks even Sarus Cranes are disappearing fast. The disappearance of these migratory birds is an indication that the ecology of the region is undergoing a huge change. While we should not rush into speculation and alarmistic predictions of an immediate Environmental Disaster, we should at least take notice of the symptoms of the ill health of the Ecology of the region. Pictures of Herons and Storks flying into the skies against the backdrop of shells of newly built structures (as yet unoccupied) with gaping windows are a poignant and foreshadowing of zombie townships, silent and brooding with the human populace missing.
The close proximity of development projects and wetlands is a symbol of the man-wildlife struggle for space. With no more space left, giant birds like storks and cranes will probably disappear forever. What most people realise today is that Environmental degradation leads directly to a degradation of the quality of life. What everyone wants today is fresh air, clean drinking water, the scent of blooming flowers, the sight of lush green fields, the sight of birds, birds soaring into clear blue skies, the calm and serenity of a world at peace with itself. But then instead of blue skies, you have a horizon of concrete structures meeting the sky, blocking the flight of birds, the very spirit flags!
The sight of birds foraging in murky waters, sewage, probably, in the backdrop of industrial waste, broken concrete slabs, debris from failed construction sites, images of birds gathered in shrinking oases, bewildered, befuddled, wondering if they have a future, these are the images that we get of the dwindling number of migratory birds that we see as the birds flash by.
What struck really hard was the sight of a Purple Heron sitting in the middle of a dry wasteland of dried up weeds, brilliantly camouflaged in the browns of the dried leaves, evocative of a burnt up world with no greenery left to break the monotony.
A rather haunting image of despair and helplessness, the emptiness of an Environment bereft of greenery or even the brilliance of a blue sky, this is what we are headed to unless we do something about protecting our wetlands, forests and mountains!
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