Having brought down full-grown trees in numbers of astronomical proportions, particularly in Karnataka these past few months, a dramatic resurgence in greening the land is taking place in some pockets, including Mysuru. Planting of saplings and tossing seed balls at numerous open spaces, with the administration joining hands with voluntary groups, marked by the usual photo-shoot feature have been faithfully reported upon by the alert media. We may never hear or read in the dailies about the care bestowed on the saplings and seeds and what proportion of them survived to make the environs green like before. Our ancestors who have departed should be feeling gratified for the good turn by the current generation of the land’s people. One wishes that trees shall not be chopped down in future for whatever justification.

The country’s botanists have a great opportunity to become visible among the otherwise preoccupied masses laying bare all they need to know about the plants, an unsurpassable bounty of nature. In fact, a columnist of this daily, a botanist himself, has already been enlightening the public presenting valuable information that may generate deep interest in the youth to propagate plants and experience the thrill and joy to be amidst lush green in their own lifetime.

Kodagu region provides an eminent example of first emerging as a must-visit destination for people from other regions of the land as well as countries across the world and then take the brunt of the unregulated human load, leaving behind mountains of debris, familiar to all. Increased money power and more people in travel mode like never before, reaching their destinations in comfort of air travel, communication with wide outreach and a plethora of factors all owe it to technology. Every region across the land is leaving no stone unturned in luring people to come to its attractive spots and enjoy, the initiative having come to be perceived with pride as tourism.

Technology has turned out to be a double-edged sword, resulting in making life of people more comfortable, including tourism to be more exciting and enjoyable, while exerting unprecedented pressure on resources essential to life (water and clean air). Mysuru is heading to witness later this month the twin-trouble that technology and tourism create to city’s residents.