Before I begin, let me recite an old Malayalam poem:
Malarani kaadukal thingivingi
Marathaka kandhiyil mungi mungi
Karayum mizhiyum kavarnju minni
Karayatturalasa graamabhangi
– Edapally Changampuzha Krishna Pillai
This was a poem which my grandparents taught me when I was a child. Okay interesting is this famous poet’s children were my grandparent’s classmates! but…What is even more interesting is that he was my great-grandmother’s pupil!
Haha, I’ll stop boasting and get to the topic.
The poet describes the Evergreen beauty of gentle rolling forests in Kakkanadu, (Ernakulam, India) (my part-hometown). The immense beauty of those once lush jungles now remains only in poems and in my grandparents’ hearts.
My grandparents tell me tales, lore and legends about this once bio-diverse rich land. They tell me about their childhood stories of how they used to run around in grassy hills, climb trees, steal birds’ eggs, collect fruits and just enjoy a wild life. (Sigh, all I had was cartoon and a small play field to run with my friends). They tell me legends about how the Pandavas from the Hindu Mythology used to hide from the Kauravas in this very same forest area. They claim that there are 5 scratches imprinted on a cave roof which was a result of the Pandavas’ crowns scratching against it while they were crawling for a hideout.
And what is the status of those forests now?
Now, all that can be found there is barren land and haunted flats with no residents. The corrupted, greedy people and government have mercilessly destroyed that place in the name of “development”.
Don’t get me wrong. I am never against development. It is a necessity in terms of how much our lifestyle depends upon it, but what we lack is sustainable development. There is a blind eye and ignorant senses when it comes to destroying nature for the sake of development. The rare ecosystems of that land is now lost forever.
Not more than 1% of people belonging to my same generation or even from the previous generation from my hometown would be aware of the forests that once stood tall with its own biome.
Thinking about this makes me sad. The forest whispers are forgotten, rewritten by the filthy human blood.
Okay, time for some positive news.
There are 5 huge flats in Maradu, Ernakulam, India which is ordered by the Supreme Court to be struck down for violating the CRZ (Coastal Regulation Zone) guidelines.
This will instil fear to all the other illegal constructions that are working forward by violating environmental laws.
If only corruption behind all this was less, we could all have enjoyed that same beauty of nature which my grandparents and parents always boast about.
I’m jealous :”)
Greetings! Very helpful advice on this article! It is the little changes that make the biggest changes. Thanks a lot for sharing!
Hey, you’re welcome!