Urban Forestry in India: Integrating Green Spaces into Urban Landscapes
Urban forestry refers to the planning, establishment, and management of trees and green spaces within urban environments. In India, this concept has gained significant traction as cities confront challenges such as rapid urbanization, pollution, and diminishing green cover.
Significance of Urban Forestry in India
Urban forests play a pivotal role in enhancing the quality of life in cities by:
- Improving Air Quality: Trees act as natural air filters, absorbing pollutants and releasing oxygen, thereby mitigating the adverse effects of air pollution.
- Climate Regulation: Urban greenery helps in reducing the urban heat island effect, leading to cooler city temperatures and reduced energy consumption for cooling.
- Biodiversity Conservation: Urban forests provide habitats for various species, supporting biodiversity within city landscapes.
- Enhancing Mental and Physical Well-being: Access to green spaces offers recreational opportunities and has been linked to improved mental health among urban residents.
Government Initiatives and Policies
Recognizing the multifaceted benefits of urban forestry, the Indian government has launched several initiatives:
- Urban Forest Program: Initiated to plant trees on designated forest lands lacking vegetation, this program aims to increase urban green cover through community participation.
- Nagar Van Yojana: Launched in 2020, this scheme envisions the creation of 1,000 urban forests across the country, promoting ecological sustainability and enhancing urban aesthetics.
Innovative Approaches
Indian cities are adopting creative methods to bolster urban forestry:
- Miyawaki Technique: This Japanese method involves planting dense, native forests that grow rapidly, enhancing urban green spaces. Cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai have implemented this technique to create mini-forests.
- Geo-Tagging of Trees: In regions like Kashmir, authorities are using geo-tagging to monitor and conserve iconic tree species, such as the Chinar, ensuring their protection amid urban development.
Challenges and Considerations
Despite the progress, urban forestry in India faces challenges:
- Land Scarcity: Rapid urbanization leads to limited availability of land for tree planting and green space development.
- Maintenance and Sustainability: Ensuring the survival and growth of urban trees requires continuous care, which can be resource-intensive.
- Policy Implementation: Coordinating between various governmental and non-governmental entities to effectively implement urban forestry initiatives can be complex.
Urban forestry stands as a crucial component in the sustainable development of Indian cities. By integrating green spaces into urban planning, cities can address environmental challenges, enhance public health, and improve the overall quality of urban life. Continued efforts, innovative approaches, and community involvement are essential to realize the full potential of urban forestry in India.
Programmes and Schemes to Encourage Tree Plantation in Urban Areas
Posted On: 24 JUL 2023 5:03PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has taken various initiatives through programmes and schemes that encourages tree plantation including urban areas in the country. The scheme, Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) has been launched during the year 2020, for creation of Nagar Vans in urban areas, which promotes urban forestry by involving local communities, NGOs, educational institutions, local bodies, etc.
Besides, the National Mission for a Green India (GIM), under which, in addition to other sub-missions, there is a specific sub-mission for enhancing tree cover in urban and peri-urban areas. Urban forestry is also a permissible activity under the provisions of Compensatory Fund Act, 2016 and the Rules made thereunder. Forestry/tree plantation activities including urban forestry, being a multi-departmental, multi-agency activity, are taken up cross-sectorally under various programmes/funding sources of other ministries/ organizations and also through State Plan budgets.
The tree outside forest (ToF) refers to all trees growing outside recorded forest areas. The patches of 1 ha and above outside the recorded forest area and Tree Cover, both constitute the ToF. As per India State of Forest Report (ISFR), 2015 published by Forest Survey of India (FSI), MoEFCC the Tree Cover is 92,572 sq. km. As per India State of Forest Report (ISFR), 2021 the Tree Cover is 95,748 sq. km. The Forest Survey of India in ISFR, 2021 have done mapping for Forest Cover in Major Mega Cities i.e. Ahmedabad, Bengaluru, Chennai, Delhi, Hyderabad, Kolkata and Mumbai. The total forest cover reported in these seven major mega cities is 509.72 sq. km. Nagar Van Yojana envisages creating a Nagar Van / Nagar Vatika in each City having Municipal Corporation/Municipal council/Municipality/Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for providing wholesome healthy living environment for the residents and thus contributing to growth of clean, green, healthy and sustainable cities. The salient features of Nagar Van Yojana are:
(i) Creating green space and aesthetic environment in an urban set up.
(ii) Creating awareness about plants and biodiversity and developing environment stewardship.
(iii) Facilitating in-situ conservation of important flora of the region.
(iv)Contributing to environmental improvement of cities by pollution mitigation, providing cleaner air, noise reduction, water harvesting and reduction of heat islands effect.
(v) Extending health benefits to residents of the city and
(vi) Helping cities become climate resilient.
