{"id":2818,"date":"2024-04-12T10:13:47","date_gmt":"2024-04-12T10:13:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/?p=2818"},"modified":"2024-04-12T10:54:22","modified_gmt":"2024-04-12T10:54:22","slug":"balancing-progress-and-preservation","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/balancing-progress-and-preservation\/","title":{"rendered":"Balancing progress and preservation"},"content":{"rendered":"

Amid the debate over relocating a century-old banyan tree in St. Inez for the Panaji Smart City Project, NT KURIOCITY <\/strong>asks youngsters if they see it as progress or a threat to our ecosystem and heritage<\/span><\/p>\n

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RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT KURIOCITY<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

The recent actions taken as part of the Panaji Smart City Project have caused quite a buzz in the capital city. After the controversial overnight removal of the over 100-year-old banyan tree, there was a further twist to the saga when it was discovered that the tree had been placed in the wrong spot in Campal. The tree was quickly relocated, but the situation has left many residents, nature enthusiasts, environmentalists, and people across the state, including the youth, unhappy.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cMoving a mature tree for any purpose is a foolish decision. A true nature lover would never consider such an action. Relocating a tree does not signify a love for plants. It requires heavy machinery to lift the tree, causing significant damage to its roots. The tree has thrived in its environment for years, and relocating it disrupts essential natural elements such as bacteria, fungi, specific moisture content, and soil pH.\u201d<\/em><\/span><\/p>\n

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–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Mayanka Halarnkar Sawant, Anjuna<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cTrees are an integral part of the city\u2019s heritage and should not be disturbed. Banyan trees play a crucial role in the local environment by providing shade, reducing air pollution, and helping to maintain soil health. Relocating the tree could not only harm its health and affect its longevity but could also disrupt ecosystems and lead to the loss of biodiversity in the area. Balancing development with environmental conservation requires conducting thorough environmental assessments before starting projects and implementing sustainable design principles. It also involves protecting biodiversity, engaging local communities, implementing environmental regulations, promoting public awareness, investing in green infrastructure, and practicing adaptive management.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Stacy Silveira, Taleigao<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cI believe conservation is more important than development because, without a healthy environment, we couldn\u2019t have evolved or flourished. It is our duty to protect, not just ourselves, but also other species. Some may wonder how we can live without harming any life, and that\u2019s where sustainable economic development comes in. We need to understand the difference between what\u00a0is the need of the hour\u00a0and what needs can destroy our time on this planet. For example, during the construction of roads, the government must fully plan the process, considering the pros and cons, and conducting a thorough environmental impact review. Simply doing the formality of tree plantation is not enough; we must also ensure their care and maintenance.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vaishnavi Naik, MSc Zoology graduate, Karmali<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u201c<\/em>The issue of relocating such an old banyan tree from St. Inez touches upon a broader concern: the preservation of our nature owing to rapid urbanisation and development. The condition of Panaji has deteriorated beyond our expectations due to these ongoing smart city projects. While some are necessary, the on-ground implementation has been below standard, resulting in Ponjekars suffering from dust pollution and roads resembling the surface of Mars. The best-case scenario would involve implementing these projects in an ecologically beneficial and systematic manner. This requires collaborative efforts from the government, contractors, and environmental experts to mitigate the harmful effects of these endeavours.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Rahul Kulkarni, student, Agnel Institute of Technology and Design, Assagao<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cUsing technology, relocating a tree to a more suitable location is feasible without causing harm. When urbanisation prevents on-site preservation, applying scientific methods of relocation becomes an option. The forest department can assist in this process, ensuring satisfaction among all stakeholders and resolving disputes peacefully.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Vanali Ballikar, lecturer at Government Polytechnic College, Panaji[<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u201cWhile development is vital, it must not come at the cost of our ecosystem and cultural heritage. Balancing both requires integrated planning, incorporating sustainable practices, and respecting local ecosystems and heritage. Measures such as conducting thorough environmental impact assessments, prioritising green infrastructure, promoting urban forestry, and involving local communities in decision-making can help strike a harmonious balance. It\u2019s imperative to view development through a lens that values both progress and the preservation of our natural and cultural legacies for future generations.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

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–\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Steven Fernandes, student, IGNOU<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

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\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Amid the debate over relocating a century-old banyan tree in St. Inez for the Panaji Smart City Project, NT KURIOCITY asks youngsters if they see it as progress or a threat to our ecosystem and heritage   RAMANDEEP KAUR | NT KURIOCITY \u00a0 The recent actions taken as part of the Panaji Smart City Project […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2826,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[15],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2818","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-aspire-inspire","et-has-post-format-content","et_post_format-et-post-format-standard"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2818","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2818"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2818\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":2825,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2818\/revisions\/2825"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/2826"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2818"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2818"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.navhindtimes.in\/kuriocity\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2818"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}