‘Gurugram’s rapid development comes at the cost of environment’

Chetna Joshi, a Gurugram activist, highlights the city's rapid urbanization's negative impact on animals and the environment, urging for better governance.

When Chetna Joshi, 35, moved to Gurugram from Delhi in 2009, she never imagined that the city would transform so rapidly.

Chetna Joshi (Parveen Kumar)

Joshi, a native of Uttarakhand, a resident of Kendriya Vihar, Sector 56. She is an animal rights and environmental activist. Joshi said that witnessing Gurugram’s urbanisation and its impact on the environment inspired her to work for the development of the city’s animals and its green spaces.

She said, “At first, the city’s rapid growth seemed impressive and it was exciting to see development everywhere. But over time, it became clear that this growth was not beneficial for the residents. The last seven to eight years have been particularly challenging for the city.”

Joshi said that before becoming an activist, she worked as a fashion stylist. “By 2011, I realized that people needed to raise their voices and create awareness about what was wrong in the city,” she said, adding that she decided to study law afterwards.

“Gurugram has turned into a concrete jungle, with high-rises and civic concerns swallowing up the city’s identity. The biggest challenge here is governance which failed to keep up with the city’s growth,” she said.

Joshi said, “People have forgotten the values of compassion and empathy towards animals. Stray dogs cannot be neglected, and with the right policies and proper implementation, they can be cared for effectively.”

“Residents of Gurugram are active and consistently raising their concerns. What’s needed now is effective governance and the right officials. Good decisions and proper execution can truly change the city,” she said.

Despite the challenges, Joshi said she remains committed to her cause, believing that change is possible with awareness, empathy, and responsible governance. Through her work in her NGO, Kaali Foundation, she said she continues to advocate for the rights of stray dogs.

For her, Gurugram’s story is not just about rapid development, it is about reclaiming compassion, ensuring sustainability, and building a city where humans and animals can co-exist.