Social distancing and home quarantine is the new normal during this coronavirus pandemic. While many of us are strictly following the lockdown guidelines, there are many people across the world who are still venturing out for non-essential activities in spite of repeated pleas by the government. From going out for religious activities, anti lockdown protests to strolling around leisurely, people continue to gather in groups and put the lives of others at stake. The government and police are coming up with innovative punishments to make people stay at home. Japan went a bit too far recently. Around 8,00,000 tulips were mercilessly cut down in Sakura, Japan to prevent people from stepping out during the lockdown.
What’s In It?
Sakura hosts an annual festival known as the Sakura Tulip Festa. It’s dedicated to the blooming of tulips. Every year, people from all the country gather at the Sakura Furusato Square to witness the blooming of the beautiful flowers. But this year in spite of the lockdown many people in Japan gathered at the Square to see the tulips. And even though the festival had been cancelled this year, nothing stopped people from gathering in large numbers at the Square. The authorities had no other choice but to get rid of the flowers since there was no way to block the area. They cut 800,000 tulips to prevent people from going out of their house to visit this spot.
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What’s More?
Reportedly around 400 people visited the Furusato Square amid the coronavirus lockdown. This places everyone at risk of getting infected and spreading the virus. This took place only few after Prime Minister Shinzo announced a state of emergency in Chiba prefecture where Sakura is situated. With no other option to prevent people from showing up, the authorities took the heartbreaking decision of cutting down the vibrant tulips. Now that the tulips are mowed down, the square has lost its charm and looks like a barren piece of land. Asia’s Largest Tulip Garden In Kashmir Is In Full Bloom And The Pictures Are Mesmerizing
And once again nature has suffered at the hands of humans. It’s an unfair sacrifice and too harsh punishment. not for humans but for nature. Well, we hope more people across the world follow the lockdown guidelines diligently as witnessing tourist spots can wait, but health and safety cannot.