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The content reflects the transition from rural to urban environments, particularly about urbanisation and its impact on the environment. It focuses on the nostalgic beauty of starry nights. These nights are now overshadowed by pollution and urbanisation. Traditional village life fostered community and harmony with nature. Nonetheless, rapid development in urban areas has led to environmental degradation. These developments have increased population pressures and caused a decline in local flora and fauna. The text emphasises the need for sustainable urban planning and preserving the ecosystem to improve living conditions for future generations.

Season of Summer

Hot days

The days used to be long and hot. The warm loo lashed the plains of northern India. It was a rustic area. The shroud of silky darkness would gradually wrap the whole village soon after crepuscule. As the seasonal cycle moves, seasons follow one after another. Harvesting of wheat had begun. The balmy sun would soon become a fireball.

Summer night

The nights in summer used to be comparatively less hot. One summer night stands out. The dark, star-studded sky looked beautiful and mesmerising. Lying on a cot and gazing skywards was soul-soothing. Watching endless sequences of stars felt calming. Shooting stars, constellations, and galaxies added to the tranquillity.

Night in villages

Electricity was scarce even in urban areas. People used kerosene for lighting. Food was cooked on an open smoky “Chulha” (Stove) burning fuelwood and dried cow-dung cakes. Tea was a rare thing. In villages, life would come to a halt. Families used to have dinner early and then retreat to their beds. Men would sleep in the open.

Before sleep

In the pitch darkness of night, people would talk to each other. Their voices reverberated and reached the recipient. The recipient would reply. It was akin to a modern telephonic conversation. Still, a mild deviation existed. Everyone at the spot could listen to the conversation. They would respond as and when required.

Urbanisation and environment: Vanishing star studded sky

In the dark sky, especially during the waning moon phase, the stars looked bright and large. Stargazing has always been a cherished routine. The atmosphere used to be clean and crisp, allowing for a clear view of constellations and the wonders above. Grandparents would share countless stories about the stars, making each night special. People never realised that stargazing with the naked eye would one day become a luxury. With fast-paced urbanisation, the environment was affected. Pollution, smog, mist, and bright lights have diminished the once-glittering beauty of the night sky. As a result, stargazing has become a daunting task. After decades of decline, the breathtaking view of a star-studded night sky has become rare.

Salubrious Rustic Atmosphere

Clean Environment

The unpolluted atmosphere kept the ambience green and clean. The wide countryside was vast and campestral. Crops were dotted with solo mango trees standing in isolation. Sometimes, an orchard of mangoes was a common sight. This enhanced the beauty of the salubrious rustic atmosphere. The growing population and shift from a minimalist approach to consumerism caused urbanisation, which in turn affected the environment.

Hard working Folks

Village women were a busy lot. The diligent women worked from dawn to dusk outside the house. They then engaged in various household tasks like cooking, cleaning utensils, and sweeping. Additionally, they would do subsidiary work. The atmosphere was congenial and amicable.

Village wild animals: Flora and fauna

The nights often seemed precarious. This was because of the many animals, like jackals, hares, foxes, Nil Gai (Blue Bulls), and snakes. Timid and already frightened, these animals never attack human settlements. They live in harmony with humans, who have also learned to coexist amicably with them. People used to keep a stout bamboo stick helpful in untoward and unforeseen situations. Fast-paced urbanisation caused habitat destruction, affecting the ecological balance and the environment.

City Of “Nawabs” – Lucknow

Urbanisation and changing Environment

The changing skyline of cities has significantly contributed to environmental deterioration. Over the last five decades, Lucknow has significantly changed. Known as the city of “Nawabs,” it is the capital city of Uttar Pradesh (India). Modern Lucknow has not only changed but also expanded. Effective development gave rise to the concept of SCR (State Capital Region). The Housing and Urban Planning Department issued a notification to start UPSCRDA (Uttar Pradesh State Capital Region Development Authority).

Increasing City Population

The increasing city population has aggravated many situations. SCR will include the districts of Lucknow, Sitapur, Hardoi, Rai Bareli, Unnao and Barabanki. The joint total area of all six districts is about 28 thousand square kilometres. The population of Lucknow was about 17 lakhs in 1981. It swelled to approximately 29 lakh in 2011. This marks an increase of 12 lakh people over the period, adding about 4 lakh people per year. The growing population of the city is primarily due to presence of government offices, rapid development, and enhanced infrastructure. To cater for the increasing housing demands, city boundaries increased. The urbanisation resulted in a deteriorated environment.

Urbanisation and environment: Rivers turned to Nallah

With increased city boundaries, peri-urban areas are disappearing. This leads to the felling of fruit-bearing trees. The ill effects of urbanisation on the environment are widely evident. It also caused the drying up of wells and ponds. The iconic river Gomati is turning into a nallah. Encroachment in the catchment area of the Kukrail River has caused severe damage. It converted what was once a tributary of Gomati into a mere lifeless drain. Thankfully, the government has cleared the illegal encroachment. The area is now used for extensive plantation and restoration of the Kukrail River.

Swelling Population and Municipal Corporation

The swelling urban population needed more housing, hospitals, schools, roads, and everything essential for a modern city. The improved roads have increased traffic congestion. Expanding new and high-tech colonies put undue pressure on roads. The number of four-wheelers adds to the cacophony of traffic. The best efforts are proving insufficient in containing air, water, and ground pollution in the city. The city’s municipal boundaries have considerably expanded, now including multiple zones within the Lucknow Metropolitan Corporation limits. According to the latest information, the Lucknow Metropolitan area is governed by the Lucknow Nagar Nigam. The LMC is divided into eight zones with 110 wards.

Insignia of The City- Lakes and Gardens

(e-1) Old-world

The city of Lucknow is known for its old buildings and gates, which are its insignia. It was also known for its lakes, water bodies, ponds, and gardens. With time, most of the old-world lakes and ponds either have dried up or are gasping for life. Large ponds constructed by the ministers of the Nawabs have gone into oblivion, leaving a trail of dilapidated brick-and-mortar structures. Tikait Rai ka Talab and Buxi ka Talab are but a few to name. Once teeming with life, the water bodies succumbed to fast urbanisation, resulting in increased environmental degradation.

(e-2) “Kathauta” lake

In the Chinhat area at the fringe of Lucknow city, there used to be a big natural “Kathauta” lake. It happened to be a place for nature lovers. The area was embellished with lush verdure. It was the home of avifauna like little green bee-eaters, water birds, other small birds and mammals like Mongoose (Paradoxurus). The area has now been drastically changed. It has an almost entirely new look with roads and modern extensions of new colonies like Gomti Nagar. Its extension is sans verdure, animals, and a clean environment.

Once a natural water body, the lake has been transformed into a water reservoir to meet local water requirements. The clearing of vegetation and the development of new localities have given rise to secondary problems. The negative impact of urbanisation on the environment has increased the mosquito population and garbage production.

Urbanisation and environment: Development and Extension

Scenario Before Development

During the early stages of development, the newly constructed Gomti Nagar area in trans-Gomti was a conglomerate of villages. Kathauta and Takhwa are but a few to name. The villages have now been reduced to records only, while the area has acquired an entirely new look. The whole area was once full of ravines and mounds of soil. It housed thousands of birds like little green bee-eaters and swallows. The clearing of mounds for housing and infrastructure development has given the area a modern look. Nonetheless, it has taken a heavy toll on local ecology. (Sociology.Institute)

Changing and Dying Water Bodies

Similarly, Moti Jheel in the Aishbagh area was a romantic place. Now, it has ceased to exist. Only the locality of the same name remains. The adverse effects of urbanisation on the environment include rapid groundwater recession. In old city areas, the situation becomes grim due to the drying up of pump sets. An estimated seventy pump sets in various parts of the city have dried up or need to be rebored.

Parks and Gardens

Infrastructure development is good for quality of living, but its side effects are more dangerous. It is heartening that authorities have maintained this tradition. They have developed parks and woodland in the city with a fair amount of verdure. The sprawling 376-acre Janeswar Mishra Park is an important garden of Lucknow. It has the distinction of being the largest in Asia. Recently, some new attractions have been added to the park, notably Jurassic Park. Besides serving as green lungs, parks add recreational value. They serve as educational spaces for children. Creating green patches and parks significantly mitigates the adverse effects of urbanisation on the environment.

Developing “Khand” (Blocks)

Scenario Before

The extension of newly developed residential areas led to the creation of new blocks (“Khand”). Before conversion into residential blocks, the area was barren. It was full of mounds with sporadic patches of trees. Alongside the railway line, the “Sheeham” (Dalbergia sissoo) plantation was found. With time, the plantations and mounds vanished, replaced by modern-looking row houses.

Row Houses and Its Ill-Effects

The comparatively low-cost row houses are still beyond the reach of ordinary people. They have many side effects. Aside from corner plots or the occasional design that provides dual openings, row houses typically lack space for air circulation. This lack of airflow leads to increased heat during the summer months. The sandwiched plots, surrounded by others from three sides, become a trap for stale air. Upward construction is the only way to have a more habitable area in the plot.

Heat Traps

Plots of about 1200 sq. ft in size going upward give an ugly look. They do not allow spaces for plants to grow. They also pose impediments for free-flowing atmospheric air. This acts as a heat trap that increases local temperature. To add to the danger, the installation of Solar panels at the top hinders sunlight. It also acts as a wind barrier. This proves fatal in case of strong winds and consequential accidents. The only space available is a small open area. This area is encroached upon and lacks green cover. It eventually becomes a garbage dump.

Urbanisation and environment: Increasing USE of AC

Increased Temperature

The receding green cover in the congested colonies causes multiple problems. Besides hindering fresh air circulation, buildings produce volumes of carbon dioxide. This heat dissipates into the surroundings, causing a local temperature rise of one to two degrees. When added to the overall temperature, conditions become scorching. Hot air from air conditioners, which are progressively increasing in number, exacerbates this effect. Although air conditioners provide relief from hot weather, they cause sultry conditions and increased electricity consumption.

Harmful to Health

Persistent air-conditioner use has been reported to be harmful to health. During the last summer months, peak electricity demand in Uttar Pradesh reached approximately 29 MW. This is very high and puts undue pressure on electricity production and distribution. Additionally, electricity generation leaves large carbon footprints.

Decreasing Local Flora and Fauna

The increasing number of houses and decreasing number of trees hamper the sighting of local avifauna and mammals. When new colonies were taking shape, many birds used to live there. Notably, Little Green Bee-eaters, Sparrows, Prinias, Drongos, and Kestrels were found. Little Green Bee-eaters are becoming a rare sight. The fast-receding bird population has led to increasing mosquito and vector insect populations. The local flora and fauna have greatly changed; some have vanished from the locality while others have become rare.

AVifauna of the Locality

Below is a table of birds commonly sighted in the Gomti Nagar area of Lucknow. The list is indicative and based on personal observation. Occasionally seen birds, such as owls, are not included.

S.No.	Common Name of the Bird	Scientific Name
1	Little Green Bee Eater	Merops orientalis
2	Scaly Breasted Munia	Lonchura punctulata
3	Prinia	Prinia Sp.
4	Sunbirds	Cinnyris Sp.
5	Bulbul	Pycnonotus
6	Sparrow	Passer domesticus
7	Crow	Corvus
8	Rock Pigeon	Columba
9	Dove	Columba
10	Crow Pheasant	Centropus
11	Drongo	Dicrurus
12	Kestrel	Falco
13	Magpie Robin	Copsychus saularis

Insects and Bird Population

Covering every inch of open spaces with cement tiles was counterproductive. This led to the disappearance of local vegetation and a variety of insects. A glaring example is the grasshopper Poiclocerous pictus, which disappeared from the area two or three years ago. Since these insects were food for birds, their loss has contributed to the disappearance of birds from the area.

Urbanisation and environment: Depleting Water Tables

Residential areas are increasing. The fierce competition for urban development has resulted in the paving of open spaces, like roadsides, with cement tiles. This sealing of the ground surface impedes the natural absorption of water and moisture into the earth. With the overextraction of groundwater, this trend contributes to the depletion of water tables. Mitigating the adverse effects of urbanisation and consequent damage to the environment is essential.

Triggering Chain Reaction

Inadequate planning for rapid urbanisation without considering their impact on environment triggers serious chain reactions. The increasing use of automobiles, rapid transport, and air conditioning complicates life. The installation of cement tiles on sidewalks also contributes to this complexity. Additionally, rising energy consumption further exacerbates the situation.

Urbanisation and environment: Increasing Vehicles

As of June 2023, the number of registered vehicles in Lucknow was 28 lakhs. The number of old private vehicles (more than 20 years old) was well above three lakhs. These vehicles require significant maintenance costs and emit greenhouse gases into the atmosphere.

GHG and Lifestyle

Rising atmospheric temperature cannot be attributed solely to greenhouse gases. Lifestyles are equally responsible. The increasing number of row houses adds pressure on city planning. Progressively increasing storeys of private dwellings affect development and proper management, straining resources and generating garbage. The situation is worsened by small-sized housing plots in newly developed government colonies. Small dwellings with narrow roads compound the problem. An increasing number of private vehicles makes parking difficult. In the absence of parking spaces, residents park their cars on the road, reducing space for regular traffic. As a result, congestion and increased vehicular pollution occur around residential areas, especially when schools, colleges, or businesses operate in already congested colonies.

Urbanisation and environment: Perennial Problems

Every year, heatwaves, cold waves, and deluges have become recurrent problems. Additionally, waterlogging occurs due to the apathy and negligence of officials responsible for keeping drains and nallahs clear. This situation compounds the existing challenges.

In the End

A welfare state is duty-bound to provide a healthy environment and clean atmosphere. Government departments act as caregivers to citizens. They should not act as private players seeking profit. City planning and design require proper care and meticulous attention to future projections. Although the government is making progress, grey areas remain that need to be addressed. Priorities should include eco-friendly and cost-effective housing, proper planning of garbage disposal and cleaning, and avoiding haphazard conglomerations of concrete structures. Cost-cutting must not compromise quality or the eco-friendly nature of houses. Small dwellings with low ceilings and inadequate air circulation are detrimental to health.

Other interesting reads:

• Exploring Rural Journeys: Nature and Nostalgia
• Discovering Lucknow: A Journey Through My Favorite City
• Top Cities to Visit in Uttar Pradesh: A Cultural Journey
• The Power of Blogging: Why I Write
• Top 5 Essential Grocery Items for Every Household

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