Esther David Lately, since we have been reading and seeing changes in the river Sabarmati in the context of the riverfront development project, rivers are very much on the mind. So, while going to Vadodara, it was interesting to study the scenery between both cities. As soon as the bus left Ahmedabad, we saw a hoarding about New Maninagar and we were worried whether they were going to chop down all the old trees to make new housing societies. Yet, it was a pleasure to see the landscape along the expressway, with its expanse of lush green fields, lined with trees, dotted with tiled huts, women in colourful saris, a tractor, a rabari riding a bike, farmers tilling the land, canals, ponds with buffaloes soaking in the water and herds of cows walking along the cactus-lined fields. The post monsoon sky changed colour, as we spotted egrets, herons, dabchicks, drongos, shrikes and peafowl. Around Anand, it was a pleasure to see the greenery with an Emu farm near Bhalej. And, when the bus sped along rivers, like Meshvo, Vatrak and Mahi kotar, seductively curving through mango grooves and banana plantations, we ached in memory of river Sabarmati of the past. Closer to Vadodara, ancient banyan trees were seen along with chimneys of brick making units on the highway as we reached the Banyan city. P.S. - Last week