Commonwealth Games Delhi 2010 - A Threat to Common Wealth

For the first time in the history of sports, India is going to host Common Wealth Games in the year 2010.

New Delhi, capital of India, has grabbed the opportunity to host this multisports prestigious events from 3rd October to 14th October.

Delhi government has constructed and renovated the sporting venues all over the city and has also spent loads of money to beautify the city. A game village is under construction which will provide accommodation to elite athletes and sports authorities of 85 participating nations.

Common Wealth Games 2010 which is a matter of pride for our country, has immense potential to effect the tourism industry of India. Even the Delhi government's Department of Environment, Forest and Wildlife has asked their concerned authorities to highlight the Delhi's policy of preserving the nature in a big way through their latest masterpieces. But the ground reality is different.

To renovate various buildings and to strengthen the transport system and roadways, a large number of deforestation has already being taken place. Many “heritage” trees of Delhi are either axed down or shifted to some other places. Transplantation of such big trees are not at all fruitful. Due to such heavy construction works, Delhi has lost all its green covering and green spacing.

Another major impact of 2010's Common Wealth Games on Delhi's environment will be permanent. The Games Village is being constructed on the floodplains of river Yamuna and thereby would be having adverse affect on Delhi's ecosystem.

Already due to excessive water pollution Yamuna river has lost all its glory and turned into a dirty drain. And it is for sure that with the construction of this Games Village on the river bank, right opposite to the Akshardham Temple would increase the probability of floods in Delhi. Its construction has reduced the floodplain area which is responsible for controlling the floods of river Yamuna.

Also Delhi Development Authority (DDA) is trying to build some new buildings on the occasion of Common Wealth Games 2010 based on the concept of the “Green building”. That is utilizing the techniques of energy and water harvesting, without realizing the fact that these construction works would imbalance the ecosystem and create threat for very existence of Delhi city.