From towering neem trees to majestic banyans lining the streets, the neighborhood of New Alipore is privileged with lush greenery, a product of the region’s fertile growing conditions. However, when my grandmother first moved to New Alipore, she was struck by how compact and small the houses were, with no room to plant a garden. Her home's proximity between two main streets allows for easy access to goods and transportation. The neighborhood also has wildlife typical to the city from stray dogs, to cevitts (Nocturnal, cat-like creatures).

As the city has urbanized more people have moved into New Alipore. This has resulted in more traffic, business and crowds. Many traditional two-story homes previously occupied by elderly have been torn down to build bigger buildings for a younger generation. Furthermore as a result of a changing global climate, the city has survived a series of unnaturally big storms over the past decade. These storms, along with urbanization have both caused a decrease in the overall greenery of the neighborhood. Since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic my grandmother has noticed a return to better air quality and less noise pollution due to the significant decrease in traffic.

Throughout their time living in New Alipore, both my grandparents have always gone for daily walks through the neighborhood. This has allowed them to develop a deep and important relationship with the broader community. They can walk through the neighborhood and always see a familiar face, like the man that feeds stray dogs on the street corner or owner of the local corner store. When my grandmother first moved, she made an effort to plant a few potted plants. Once mere seedlings, they have now grown into flowering trees.