Price of development - the tree at Damalcheruvu

Aparna Krishnan

12 May at 14:40

On bus to Damalcheruvu from Chittoor. Many buses, many bus tops, long waits. Familiar roads, a sense of homecoming.

En route. Ancient roadside trees. Tamarind, banyan. Lie fallen. Their roots as massive as houses forlornly facing skyward. Road widening. Of the Chennai Bangalore Highway.

The erstwhile shaded roads now melt away under the unforgiving summer sun.

An ancient banyan at Damalcheruvu which sheltered many vendors has made way for a 'statue'

The price of modernity, development. A tree, many trees, many communities, many lives. Human and non human.

To cry for a tree, or a dam, or a community. No point. Past that stage. The battle is vaster.

We either face ourselves, the ravages our lives and lifestyles cause. And turn back on the long path to simplicity, austerity.

Or accept collateral damage. Dry eyed and stony hearted.