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By:

Quaid Najmi

4 January 2025 at 3:26:24 pm

Thackerays’ ‘Taandav’ for trees, tigers

AI generated image Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the government for the systematic degradation of the state’s environment under the garb of development, even as the climate change poses a direct threat to the environment, economy, agriculture, public health and the future of both rural and urban centres. Questioning the state government’s claims of having planted millions of trees, he rued how the World Environment Day has been...

Thackerays’ ‘Taandav’ for trees, tigers

AI generated image Mumbai: Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) President Raj Thackeray launched a sharp attack on the government for the systematic degradation of the state’s environment under the garb of development, even as the climate change poses a direct threat to the environment, economy, agriculture, public health and the future of both rural and urban centres. Questioning the state government’s claims of having planted millions of trees, he rued how the World Environment Day has been reduced to an annual ritual of tree-planting drives and clicking selfies for social media, though 90 pc of the saplings don’t survive even a day. “Only the government knows where those trees really are,” said Raj sternly. He recalled a "Blueprint of Maharashtra’s Development" he had proposed in 2015, in which he advocated how development without environmental sensitivity is hollow. Justifying, he said that the consequences are visible where roads, bridges and infrastructure projects are hailed as achievements, but even a short spell of rainfall can paralyze entire cities. Referring to recent reports on farmers returning from the fields after 10 am due to the scorching heat, Raj said that the worsening climate crisis has become an everyday reality. Citing official statistics, Raj claimed that extreme heat has caused productivity losses of nearly USD 159 billion and slashing of 160 billion work-hours annually in recent years. He mentioned the World Bank estimates that India’s GDP could plummet by 2.5-4.5 pc while 57 pc of the country’s districts sheltering 76 pc of the population stare at serious climate-related crises. Taking a swipe, he said while the governments boast about growth figures and economical rankings, they are silent on the staggering costs of environmental destruction. He questioned the development model “whether flooded cities, washed-away crops and unbearable summers” genuinely indicate progress. Claiming that Maharashtra was increasingly becoming unliveable for upto 8 months in a year, he said excessive monsoon rains disrupt rural life and urban floods cripple cities, while extreme heat make normal life a torture in summers in both urban-rural areas. Targeting the Centre, Raj alleged that nearly 173,984 hectares of forest lands were diverted in the past 11 years for mining and infrastructure projects to benefit the PM’s single favourite Adani Group. He said that these lands amount to 1,730 sqkm, or equivalent to the area of 16 Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) that is spread over barely 104 sqkm. Dissolve state wildlife board: Aaditya Shiv Sena (UBT) leader Aditya Thackeray has accused the Maharashtra government for issuing a permit to carry out mining activity in the sensitive tiger corridor between the Tadoba-Andhari and Indravati sanctuaries housing the big striped cats. In a strongly-worded letter to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Member-Secretary Sanjay Kumar, Thackeray sought his immediate personal intervention, sacking the Maharashtra State Board for Wild-Life (SBWL), revoking the permit, and probe against the Chief Wildlife Warden & Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) M. Srinivasa Reddy for the alleged lacunae. Aditya’s two-pager says the permit has been granted for “scientific exploration and excavation/systematic recovery of low-grade iron ore in existing mines in villages Hedri, Bande, Parsalgondi and Round Parsalgondi, in the Etapalli taluka of Gadchiroli district”. Last January, Aditya – MLA from Worli – had first raised the issue saying that the proposed mine would create only 120 jobs, including 32 permanent, and the estimated output is pegged at 1.1 million tons in a year. Referring to two letters of Reddy – on April 28 and May 21 – the SS (UBT) leader claimed that in communications to the state government, the PCCF had changed his stance on the issue. Aditya said that in the first letter, Reddy had effectively opposed the government plans for mining activity but in the second letter, he took a somersault, ostensibly due to government pressures or some commercial interests, “the U-turn is disgraceful and detrimental to India’s national interest” – and this abrupt shift in stance must be investigated thoroughly. In view of the contrary stance of the PCCF Reddy, entrusted with protecting the wildlife but failing to defend the NTCA and NBWL, point to serious malfunctioning of the SBWL, and hence it must be dissolved, besides reviewing all its decisions in the past three years, particularly those pertaining to hazardous activities in sensitive areas, demanded Aditya. 444 tigers roam in 11,000 sq.km As per the Status of Tiger Report (2002), and the Maharashtra Economic Survey 2025-2026, the state boasts of 444 tigers prowling in the wild along with other menacing creatures. The state’s total protected wildlife network of 88 Notified Areas of National Parks, Sanctuaries, and Conservation Reserves - including 6 dedicated to the striped big cats – is spread over 11,092 sq. kms as per current data.

Mangoes and Wealth Creation

Every summer, as crates of golden mangoes make their way into our homes and hearts, they remind us of a simple truth - good things take time. The sweetness of a mango is earned, not rushed. And in that lies one of the most underrated lessons of investing.


The Mango Tree Lesson

Imagine planting a mango tree. You water it regularly, protect it from pests, and make sure it gets enough sunlight. But no matter how eager you are, you cannot force it to bear fruit immediately. The tree grows at its own pace. Yet when the right season arrives, and it has received enough patience and care, it gives back generously.


Investing Works the Same Way

Investing works in a very similar way. We start SIPs in mutual funds, buy stocks, or allocate money to gold and then, like anxious gardeners, keep checking every few weeks. Has it grown? Should I book profits? Should I shift my money somewhere else if investments are not growing? The urge to pluck returns before they are ready is difficult to resist.


Do Not Pull Out Too Early

But withdrawing too early can cost you the magic of compounding that only time can create. It is like biting into an unripe mango - sour, disappointing, and completely avoidable.


Markets Have Seasons Too

The markets, too, have their seasons. There will be sunshine and storms. There will be volatility, corrections, and dry spells. But if you have planted your financial tree in good soil - diversified, goal-aligned, and thoughtfully selected investments - then your role is to nurture it and allow it to grow.


Activity Is Not Always Progress

Do not mistake activity for progress. Constantly switching funds, trying to time entries and exits, or chasing short-term trends may feel productive, but often does more harm than good. In investing, as in nature, time is the best fund manager.


The Real Reward of Waiting

So the next time you feel tempted to judge your portfolio too quickly, remember the mango. Let it ripen. Let it mature. The real rewards are not always visible immediately. They are built quietly, steadily, and patiently over time. In both mangoes and money, the sweetest outcomes are reserved for those who wait.


The Practical Takeaway

The practical takeaway is equally important. For short-term goals, especially those within the next three years, it is better to use bank RDs, FDs, or debt mutual funds. For long-term goals, hybrid funds, equity mutual funds, direct equities, and gold can play a meaningful role. The right mix ensures your money is working efficiently for your future.


Four Simple Actions

For the above-mentioned long-term assets, focus on four simple actions - start sufficient SIPs, increase them every 12 months, add lumpsum investments alongside SIPs whenever possible, and most importantly, stay invested.


The Value of Guidance

Finally, do not underestimate the value of a trusted financial advisor. Their education, wisdom, expertise, and experience can help you nurture your financial tree with confidence and turn it into a fruitful legacy.


(The writer is a Chartered Accountant and CFA (USA). Financial Advisor. Views personal. He could be reached on 9833133605.)

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