New Delhi, May 20 -- Uttarakhand's capital Dehradun is no longer the paragon of a touristy city nestled within the Doon valley. Instead, long traffic jams, air pollution and rising heat have annoyed the residents as they helplessly witness the decline of their once-cherished homeland.

Megha Pant is one such resident.

She covers herself from head to toe with cotton scarf, sunglasses, long gloves and a face mask before she ventures out for her commute in the oppressive May heat and air pollution levels that have little resemblance to the ambience of a Himalayan valley.

Before switching on the power button on her scooter, she prays for a safe journey and then begins her daily struggle to reach her destination, navigating through conge...