Does rising temperature in Bhubaneswar make any sense to anyone? Not really. Because, it is not for the first time that the city recorded 41.7℃ (April 23). In spring last year, Bhubaneswar was claimed as world’s hottest city.
I didn’t knew the temperature and was cycling on the symmetrically laid modern roads inside the city around noon. Suddenly, I realised that something was wrong as I was not sweating but feeling dryness under the scorching sun. So I went indoor and drank enough water. I felt a fall in temperature as sunray did not directly hit me but was blocked by the dense trees in the neighborhood. Perhaps, it’s the beauty of past urban planning that gave a coolant feeling.
Well, most parts of Bhubaneswar were into >40°C but under these trees, the temperature was as good as spring. This proves the value of trees that Bhubaneswar needs to emulate in all parts of the city rather than blaming the Climate Change.
The city residents have to choose between concrete grass and canopy of trees. The choice is really simple. Even AC won’t give you the coolness that you require. A luxury car can give a boiling interior which a cyclist may not feel in normal temperature.
The question is how would a person do cycling as mobility option in >40℃. Keep advocating for saving whatever trees have been left from getting butchered to make roads and concrete beds that has been continuing for the last decade.
On Earth Day, global community called for investment in the planet which is something Bhubaneswar can’t excuse itself from. It has to promise not to further bring down huge trees like Banyan and others in the name of infrastructure expansion.
Because the dream of transforming Bhubaneswar into a European city would be hypocritical or even a myth, if steps are not taken to cool down its temperature by restoring the canopy of huge trees. Bhubaneswar can’t be cooled, unless every person stands up and raises his/her voice and promises to bring back spring in two decades. Otherwise, he would be gifting an urban desert to next generation.
