To make India a richer nation, ensure more green and blue spaces

Green trees and plants are vital for human health. In villages and farmlands, the uppermost parts of the tree provide a canopy, with roof-like branches, offering people a cooler and healthier environment. And the rivers, canals, ponds and pools offer people there a bluer environment.

Such rural areas thus offer their residents healthier environs. But when private enterprises and commercial agencies take away many acres of land in towns, suburban, and rural areas to build large multi-storied buildings and housing complexes, it results in further canopy loss. The State of Telangana has about 48% of the people living in urban areas, with more trees sacrificed, while farmlands and villages are left with fewer trees and less water for agriculture. This is also true of several other southern States.