Saturday, 01 JUNE 2024 | MANSI BHAMBRI | DEHRADUN
Experts state that large-scale plantation and establishing green parks throughout the State can help mitigate the rise in temperatures during the summer season. This recommendation comes at a time when the maximum temperatures in the plains have broken past records and are hovering in the vicinity of 40 degrees Celsius and above in the plains. Dehradun experienced over 10 days with temperatures above 40 degrees Celsius in the month of May.
Notably, the average temperature has risen by three to five degrees Celsius this year.
Asia representative at International Society Ethno Biology Govind Singh Rajwar said that this year, residents of Dehradun have faced more frequent heat waves compared to past years, with temperatures soaring above 40 degrees Celsius. The substantial increase in temperatures in Dehradun is attributed to deforestation, as the green cover in the region has been significantly reduced to make way for urban expansions, particularly evident in the Sahastradhara and Haridwar Road areas of Dehradun. Apart from the seasonal shifts of summer, monsoon, winter and autumn, they also contribute to the rise in temperature, he added.
“In order to prevent the State, particularly Dehradun, from experiencing a further rise in temperature, it is imperative for the public, government and NGOs to collaborate on implementing a large-scale tree plantation programme. It is recommended to plant native species throughout the city and the State, as they are better suited to the local environment and can help preserve the ecosystem,”said Rajwar.
He further added that creating green parks in urban hotspots would aid in mitigating the temperature increase which has been observed this year in comparison to previous years.
The founder of the Social Development for Communities (SDC) Foundation Anoop Nautiyal also expressed concerns about the unexpected increase in temperature this year, which is significantly higher compared to past years. He said that the State is being heavily impacted by the current heat wave. The urban heat effect has emerged due to excessive concretisation, extensive loss of green cover and overloading of carrying capacity in cities and towns. In light of this, it is crucial for the government and authorities to proactively address climate issues like forest fires and the ongoing heatwave, which are proving to be disastrous. To prevent further temperature rises in the near future, he added that the government should undertake large-scale plantation efforts starting this year. Additionally, there should be a ban on projects that involve the removal or cutting of plants in the state. He further emphasised that the government should not only initiate large-scale plantations as a mere formality but also monitor and ensure the maintenance of the planted areas.
