Our intimate connection to trees isn't just about clean air, but a lot more

The recent conversations set off by the Central government’s proposal to fell nearly 17,000 trees in the capital to make room for a housing project, have catapulted trees – usually peripheral to dominant public discussions – to the centre of national discourse. Interestingly, what has sparked debate is the unusual sight of protesting citizens hugging trees in the heart of the National Capital Region, a mesh of concrete buildings and elaborate infrastructure. Confronted with the spontaneous protests, the government has put the project on hold for the time being.

The ongoing conversations about the need to preserve trees have mostly centred around the environment and pollution. Commentators have expressed consternation over how such large-scale tree felling would aggravate pollution and further damage an already hurting environment.

At a different level, the recent civil society outrage, to my mind, has opened a window and given us an opportunity to view trees and nature through a different prism – more in the context of an organic kinship existing between humans and trees; between humans and the natural landscape. It has opened a door for us to enter a different imaginary space where trees are no longer viewed as inanimate forms, but are seen as part of a natural network weaving in and out through roots, branches, leaves – alive and active, communicating with and sustaining each other. Read Complete Article