The content reflects the transition of rural and 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.
Table of contents
Key Takeaways
- Urbanisation significantly deteriorates environmental quality, impacting flora and fauna.
- The article highlights the transition from rural harmony with nature to urban pollution and degradation.
- Increased population pressures lead to environmental challenges such as polluted water bodies and declining green spaces.
- Sustainable urban planning is crucial to mitigate the negative effects of urbanisation and improve living conditions.
- Community engagement and meticulous planning are essential for creating eco-friendly urban spaces.
Season of Summer
(1) 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 has started. The balmy sun would soon become a fireball.
Photograph by author
(2) Summer night
The nights in summer used to be comparatively less hot. It was a one summer night. 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.
(3) Night in villages
Electricity was scarce even in urban areas. People used kerosene for lighting. Food 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. Menfolks would sleep in the open.
(4) 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.
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
(A) Clean Environment
The unpolluted atmosphere kept the ambience green and clean. The wide countryside was vast and campestral. Crops 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.
(B) 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.
(C) Village wild animals
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.
Photograph by author
City Of “Nawabs” – Lucknow
(A) Changing Scenario
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).
(B) 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 is primarily due to government offices, rapid development, and enhanced infrastructure in the city. To cater for the increasing housing demands, city boundaries were increased. The urbanisation resulted in a deteriorated environment.
(C) Rivers turned to Nallah
With increased city boundaries, peri-urban areas are disappearing. This leads to fruiting tree fellings. The ill effect of urbanisation on the environment is widely seen. 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 subsidiary of Gomati into a mere lifeless drain. Thankfully, the government has cleared the illegal encroachment. The area is now used for extensive plantation and restoring the Kukrail River.
Photo by Author
(D) 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 snarls. 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. There are 110 wards.
(E) 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 Nawabs have gone into oblivion, leaving a trail of dilapidated brick-mortar structures. Tikait Rai ka Talab, Buxi ka Talab are but a few to name. Once teeming with life, the water bodies succumbed to the fast urbanisation and resulting in increased degradation of the environment.
(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 the local water requirements. The clearing of vegetation and the development of new localities have given rise to subsidiary problems. The negative impact of urbanisation on the environment has increased the mosquito population and garbage production.
Development and Extension
(A) 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 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)
(B) Changing and Dying Water Bodies
Similarly, Moti Jheel of the city in the Aishbagh area was a romantic place. Now, it has lost its existence. Only the locality of the same name remains as a residue. The added effect of urbanisation and its adverse effect on the environment is the 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.
(C) Parks and Gardens
Infrastructure development is good for the quality of living, but its side effects are more dangerous. It is heartening that authorities have kept their tradition. They have tried to develop 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 honour of being the largest one in Asia. Recently, some new attractions have also been added to the park; the notable one is Jurassic Park. Besides serving as green lungs, the artificial parks add amusement. They act as a knowledge base for kids and children. Creating green patches and parks significantly mitigates the adverse effects of urbanisation and the environment.
Photograph by author
(D)Developing “Khand” (Blocks)
(1) Scenario Before
The extension of newly developed residential areas led to the creation of new blocks (“Khand”). Before converting these areas into residential blocks, the area was barren. It was full of mounds with sporadic patches of trees. Somewhere alongside the railway line, the “Sheeham” (Dalbergia sissoo) plantation was found. With time, the plantations and mounds vanished, replacing them with modern-looking row houses.
(2) 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.
Photograph by author
(3) 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.
(E) Increasing USE of AC
(1) Increased Temperature
The receding green cover in the congested colonies causes multiple problems. Besides hindering fresh air circulation, they produce volumes of Carbon Dioxide Oxide. This heat dissipates in the surroundings. It causes a local rise in temperature of about a degree or two. When added to the overall temperature, it becomes scorching. Hot air is a byproduct of Air Conditioners, which are progressively increasing in number. ACs, though, give relief from hot weather but cause sultry conditions and increased electricity consumption.
(2) Harmful to Health
Besides, the persistent use of ACs has been reported to be harmful to health. During the last summer months, it was reported that the peak demand for electricity in the U.P. was about 29 MW. This is very high. It puts undue pressure on electricity production and distribution. Additionally, it leaves large carbon footprints when produced.
Decreasing Local Flora and Fauna
The increasing pigeonholes like 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, Drongo, and Kesrtals were found. Little Green Bee Eaters are becoming a rare sight with time. Fast receding number of birds leading to increasing mosquito and vector insect populations. The local flora and fauna have greatly changed; some have vanished from the locality while some have become rare.
(A) 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 like Owl, is not included in the list.
| 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 |
Photograph by author
Photograph by author
(B) Insects and Bird Population
Covering every inch of open spaces with cement tiles was nonsensical. This led to the disappearance of local vegetation. It also caused the loss of a variety of insects. A glaring example is of the grasshopper Poiclocerous pictus, which disappeared from the area two or three years ago. Many insect varieties have disappeared. These insects were food for birds. This has contributed to the cause of the disappearance of birds from the area.
Photograph by author
Photograph by author
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
Unprofessional planning for rapid urbanization without considering the environmental impacts 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, a rise in energy consumption further exacerbates the situation.
(A) Increasing Vehicles
As of June 2023, the number of registered vehicles in Lucknow was 28 lakhs. The number of old private vehicles is (more than 20 years old) well above three lakhs. The old vehicles need money for their maintenance and add GHG to the atmosphere.
Photograph by author
(B) GHG and Lifestyle
An increase in atmospheric temperature must not only be attributed to the GHG (Greenhouse Gases). The lifestyles are equally responsible. The increasing number of row houses adds pressure on city planning. Progressively increasing storeys of private dwellings affects development and proper management. It is a burden on resources, progressive garbage generation and disposal. The situation is worsened by small-sized housing plots in newly developed government colonies. Small dwellings with narrow roads add another woe. An increasing number of private vehicles makes parking difficult. In the absence of parking spaces, residents park their cars on the road. This reduces space for regular traffic. As a result, there is congestion and increased vehicular pollution around residential areas. This aggravates when a school, college or business organisation is run in an already congested colony.
Perennial Problem
Every year, heatwave and cold wave conditions or deluges have become recurrent problems. Additionally, waterlogging occurs because of the apathy and lackadaisical attitude of officials. They are responsible for keeping the drains and nallahs clear. This situation adds to the already existing problem.
In the End
A welfare state is duty-bound to provide a healthy environment and a clean atmosphere. Government departments act as caregivers to the citizens. They should not act as private players who are eyeing profit. City planning and designing need proper care and meticulous planning keeping future projections in mind. It is heartening that the government is doing well, but still, there are grey areas that need to be addressed. We should focus on eco-friendly and cost-effective housing. Proper planning of garbage disposal and cleaning is essential. This approach is better than converting cities into a haphazard conglomerate of concrete structures. Cost-cutting needs to be done without compromising quality and the eco-friendly nature of houses. Small dwellings with low ceilings and inadequate air circulation are not good for health.
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