Progress by wysiwig
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Description
In my last post, "Mountain Monastery", I stated that Kathmandu, the capital of Nepal, had grown in twenty years from a small town to one of the most polluted and crowded cities in the world. I will be posting more from Bhutan and Nepal in the future but I didn't want to leave without showing you the visual impact over twenty years. As they say, a picture is worth a thousand words.
On December 8, 1980 I read in a Nepalese English language newspaper of the death of John Lennon. Feeling the need to get away from the vendors in Durbar Square, I took a walk into the countryside. After a few miles I came to Swayambyu hill. Climbing to the top I stood on the ramparts of the great Swayambyu Stupa looking out over the Kathmandu Valley. Twenty years later I stood on the same spot and once again looked out over the valley.
Increased population and over farming of the land combined with international agricultural policies of the developed world has led to more farmers leaving the land and moving to the cities. This trend has happened all over the world. With a large and desperate mass of city dwellers, cheap labor becomes plentiful. Of course, these people need to be housed and, over time, more and more farmland was paved over. You know, Progress.
Sometimes, however, the establishment overreaches. The situation in Nepal led to a revolt which eventually overthrew the monarchy. Today Nepal has a sort of rough democracy with members of the Nepalese Communist Party playing a major role in the government. You know, Progress.
Comments (16)
Faemike55
There are a few words I could say right now, but they would get me banned for life on this site. Suffice to say, progress sucks big time unfortunately you have shown a great comparison of then and now, for which I am very saddened Great pictures, Mark
vaggabondd
wow what a difference, this is crazy. great prespective
blondeblurr
This is, what I was afraid of - by viewing pic #2 ... in short we call that: 'GREED', not only coming from developers - and secondly, there should be an education in 'BIRTH-CONTROL' introduced! (see China) Naturally, I prefer pic #1 - which is now only a memory. It's devastating having to experience this, thank heavens, there are still other places in this world untouched, for us to see - as you mentioned in yesterdays pic, from Bhutan. BB
Richardphotos
big difference and superb comparison.population is causing it every where not only third world countries
hipps13
back and forth eyes look and scroll so much has changed every around sad, I would agree warm hugs, Linda
netot
The world we knew as childs no longer exist. These photos could have been taken in my country.
fallen21
Awesome shots.
durleybeachbum
SO sad.
JuliSonne
Hard to believe .... the people are deprived of their identity and why? The greed of the rich, new markets open up, making you even more money make with the mineral resources, tourism. This spot earth is no longer untouched. And if you have sucked the country you go to the next. Thanks for the pictorial evidence
flavia49
impressive
mariogiannecchini
Impressive images , Mark !
bobrgallegos
What a stark difference between these photo. I agree with Netot that the world we grew up in no longer exists. Every thing gives way to progress even at the expense of progress. Great capture and narrative!!
sandra46
INTERESTING CONTRAST
0rest4wicked
Now that's a wake up call!!!
psyoshida
That is alarming and unfortunately not at all surprising. As you say, it is happening everywhere. Scary. Wonderful comparisons.
myrrhluz
Excellent comparison shots. Very depressing change. In my neck of the woods, every bit of land that has trees and wildflowers (in the spring) is being gobbled up for high occupancy housing.