A Matter of Change
A recent visit to Middle Rapti gave me a different perspective on socio-economic development. It provided an interesting observation on the virtual presence of the government and the consequences of haphazard urbanization. Often, we argue that the construction of infrastructure (especially road infrastructure) is necessary for the development of economies. While there is no denying that developing infrastructure is a must for development, it is equally important to consider the environmental consequences of development. For this reason, the convoluted relationship between urbanization and the environment must be well understood. For instance, unplanned construction of roads can have adverse effects on river watersheds, aquatic habitats and ecological biodiversity.
