Nepal is recognized for its rich biodiversity. It is a paradise in terms of its blessed beauty and natural resources. But due to lack of economic development, Nepal is still a least developed country. Consequently, internal migration from villages to metropolitan cities is a widely observed trend. People migrate for better access to facilities and services, like quality health service, quality education, job opportunities, easy access to commodities etc, in urban areas. As a result, metropolitan cities have become congested and over populated, whereas villages are left abandoned.
With the infrastructural development in urban areas, greenery is vanishing in cities, which are becoming concrete jungles. Kathmandu in the past was full of large green fields and forest areas, but in the past three decades, a lot of deforestation and clearing has taken place for settlement. Trees are cut down for the construction of buildings, residential areas, parks, institutional centers, broadening of roads etc. [break]
In rural areas, we often see people gather around big shady trees or chautaris for a quick rest, chat, exchange of greetings, or simply to escape summer heat or monsoon rain. Some municipalities in the hills and terai have started planting trees on roadsides. One wonders if there is any value of greenery for city dwellers.
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Environmental issues such as climate change, ozone depletion and global warming are the results of industrialization, urbanization which often follow massive deforestation. Presence of trees and forests help maintain the ecosystem, humidity and temperature. They also help to absorb smoke, dust and air pollutants, keep the air clean and fresh. They reduce noise, as well as maintain soil and underground water storage. Tree roots absorb water during the rainy season and slowly release it during the dry season, reducing the volume of water in rivers. This reduces flooding and chances of landslides in rainy seasons. Compared to their many benefits, the cost of planting trees is negligible, the only requirement is awareness and concern. Callistemem, Grevelia, Prunus, Populous, Salix, Camphora, Araurcaria, Jacaranda, Pinus, Juniperus, Saraca indica, Mapple trees, Juniperous, Lagerostromia, Gulmohar, Eucalyptus, Albizia mollis, Salix, Nerium are the trees generally used for urban greenery.
It is a matter of shame that trees are instead being removed to make space for the construction of infrastructure. But the good thing is that the government has shown interest in addressing the issue of environment conservation during the extension of roads by planting trees species such as Nerium, Juniperous, Prunus, Camphor, Callestemum etc in the Koteshwor-Banepa road. Ashoka tree (Saraca indica) which has been planted on the main roads of Hetauda has improved the city’s look. Planting of broadleaf trees on the roads of Narayanghat is another example. Gulmohar trees with red flowers have enhanced the beauty of cities in Terai like Biratnagar, Bhairahawa, Janakpur, Butawal, and Nawalparasi. The public has been able to enjoy fresh and cool air beneath the trees, which helps them cope with the high temperatures in summer.
However, there is an urgent need of even more trees in urban areas, especially in heavily populated cities like Biratnagar, Janakpur, Birganj, Kathmandu, Pokhara, Palpa, Bhairahawa, Butwal, Surkhet, Dhangadi, Mahendranagar, etc. In urban areas, experts recommend that indigenous species which are broadleaf and have plenty of branches should be preferred to gymnosperm tree species. However, this recommendation has not always been followed in Nepal, gymnosperm trees have been planted at some places instead of evergreen angiosperm species.
Recently we celebrated the World Environment Day on June 5, 2013, when there were a lot of speeches and talks about the environment, eco-balance, and healthy life, but not many practical solutions to environmental problems. Kathmandu Metropolitan City’s recent policy requiring each household to plant at least two trees, on the other hand, is a good step in the right direction. Though it is hard to implement because of land scarcity in this congested city, it should be followed wherever possible. This step is beneficial to the house owners themselves who will gain a breath of fresh air from their trees.
The author is Associate Professor at Trichandra Multiple Campus
suman.subha@hotmail.com
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