I well understand your deep disappointment. It seems that humans everywhere prefer short term gains to long term protection of Nature's assets. In New Zealand, in the headlong chase for 'growth', I have witnessed similar destruction of native vegetation, wilful pollution of waterways, and developments that cause permanent loss of soil and natural capital. The current government is indifferent to the threats of climate change and ecological disaster. I no longer have any hope that leaders have the will or the capacity to change our headlong race to mass destruction.
It is such shame that the needless destruction of nature is a tragically common story across continents. As Malay has pointed in an earlier comment, the destruction is so needless and thoughtless in the Himalayas, often termed the third pole for their massive ice store. The 'development' as such brings huge problems to the various corners of the world but the kind of wanton destruction that I describe here is happening in addition to them. Basic education, common sense a minimum presence of empathy towards fellow human beings and fellow species of living beings could go a long way towards keeping our planet livable yet we seem to lack all three here in Nepal. It is just infuriating yet there is no scope for resignation of escapism even though I have talked about my escapist fantasies after the latest visit to my village.
This is a huge problem in the Uttarakhand Himalaya too. The hill flora was altered in the colonial period in favor of pines, and its consequences have been disastrous. It is flammable and does not allow for much undergrowth. This, coupled with local greed and environmental factors, leads to a lot of forest fires.
Phasing pine out in favor of oaks and cedars can be a solution. They allow other flora to thrive too. I sincerely believe that increasing forest cover on an industrial scale can benefit all Himalayan people, and not just environmentally. Done sustainably, we're looking at easily available timber that can be used for building traditional, earthquake-proof Himalayan houses, usually built in layers of timber and stone, and so much more beautiful than the soul-sapping concrete nightmares that have spread across our mountains like a rash. This also gives incentive to local woodwork artisans who have been leaving the craft (understandably) for greener pastures. Himalayan woodwork craft can be a very potent international brand if the right investments are made, quite like Japanese arts and crafts that are famous all over the world.
We can learn a lot from Japan, which like the Himalaya, is earthquake-prone and is known for its anti-earthquake architecture. The Japanese technique of Daisugi should be particularly looked into. It involves harvesting shoots of straight grain from a single cedar trunk. They can be harvested every twenty years, and the root cedar trunk can live on for centuries.
But alas, the sluggish attitude of our administrations will continue to be the bane of this subcontinent. One can only hope good sense prevails.
I well understand your deep disappointment. It seems that humans everywhere prefer short term gains to long term protection of Nature's assets. In New Zealand, in the headlong chase for 'growth', I have witnessed similar destruction of native vegetation, wilful pollution of waterways, and developments that cause permanent loss of soil and natural capital. The current government is indifferent to the threats of climate change and ecological disaster. I no longer have any hope that leaders have the will or the capacity to change our headlong race to mass destruction.
It is such shame that the needless destruction of nature is a tragically common story across continents. As Malay has pointed in an earlier comment, the destruction is so needless and thoughtless in the Himalayas, often termed the third pole for their massive ice store. The 'development' as such brings huge problems to the various corners of the world but the kind of wanton destruction that I describe here is happening in addition to them. Basic education, common sense a minimum presence of empathy towards fellow human beings and fellow species of living beings could go a long way towards keeping our planet livable yet we seem to lack all three here in Nepal. It is just infuriating yet there is no scope for resignation of escapism even though I have talked about my escapist fantasies after the latest visit to my village.
This is a huge problem in the Uttarakhand Himalaya too. The hill flora was altered in the colonial period in favor of pines, and its consequences have been disastrous. It is flammable and does not allow for much undergrowth. This, coupled with local greed and environmental factors, leads to a lot of forest fires.
Phasing pine out in favor of oaks and cedars can be a solution. They allow other flora to thrive too. I sincerely believe that increasing forest cover on an industrial scale can benefit all Himalayan people, and not just environmentally. Done sustainably, we're looking at easily available timber that can be used for building traditional, earthquake-proof Himalayan houses, usually built in layers of timber and stone, and so much more beautiful than the soul-sapping concrete nightmares that have spread across our mountains like a rash. This also gives incentive to local woodwork artisans who have been leaving the craft (understandably) for greener pastures. Himalayan woodwork craft can be a very potent international brand if the right investments are made, quite like Japanese arts and crafts that are famous all over the world.
We can learn a lot from Japan, which like the Himalaya, is earthquake-prone and is known for its anti-earthquake architecture. The Japanese technique of Daisugi should be particularly looked into. It involves harvesting shoots of straight grain from a single cedar trunk. They can be harvested every twenty years, and the root cedar trunk can live on for centuries.
But alas, the sluggish attitude of our administrations will continue to be the bane of this subcontinent. One can only hope good sense prevails.
Insightful.