Thursday, April 23, 2009

Bangalore now and then (30 years ago)

The effects of global warming are real. In Bangalore the temperature increase is clearly felt year-on-year for the last 10 years. People who lived here for longer periods (more than 20 years), will vouch for what I am saying. This was not the climate in Bangalore. It was a cooler and comfortable place to live without the need for air-conditioners. We have acute shortage of water; people have gone in for borewell as they no more can depend on water supply board to supply water. It takes 1 hour 30 minutes to cover 25 kilometers in this so called advanced city (Time for me to commute to my office one way). Traffic jams leading to noise, pollutions, anger, frustrations, and health problems.
The local as well global don’t care attitude is still very prevalent. I would not like to say much on the global side of things as I have very little that I can contribute to improving the situation. However, I would like to come heavily upon the local situation. I would attribute the situation of climate and environment change to the careless and vision less thinking from people who run the city in the last 30 years. The local governance is pathetic. Bangalore is classic example of how we can mess up with nature.
Bangalore the garden city 20 years ago, has given way to the concrete jungles. The rapid growth of Information Technology (IT) industry in Bangalore in the last 10 years has contributed its share to the current plight. Not to mention the illegal and small scale industry producing greenhouse gas. Enforcement people where are you?
Given the choice I would have liked to have our garden city back (I have lived here now for over 40 years). Is there a possibility to transform Bangalore to garden+silicon city? Would we want a revolution or evolution approach? Thinkers, Innovators and Implementers please help.