Why India needs stable urban forests, Pg12

Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli, a critical urban forest, faced threat from industrial development—later halted by the Supreme Court.

• Urban forests play a vital role in pollution control, climate mitigation, and mental health in India’s rapidly expanding cities.
• The Nagar Van Yojana aims to establish 1,000 urban forests by 2027.

Why Urban Forests Matter:

• Urban forests such as:

• Kancha Gachibowli (Hyderabad)

• Aarey (Mumbai)

• Turahalli (Bengaluru)

• Neela Hauz (Delhi)

• Ridge & Pol Ka Baadli (Jaipur) are essential for:

• Cooling microclimates

• Absorbing air pollutants (PM 2.5, PM 10)

• Carbon sequestration

• Noise reduction and recreation

• Support biodiversity, provide mental health spaces, and act as public commons in overbuilt cities.

• Example: US Department of Agriculture found urban forests can remove 1.2 million tonnes of air pollutants annually.

Environmental & Legal Challenges:

• Governments often attempt to repurpose forest land for real estate, industry or infrastructure under the guise of public purpose.

• Judicial interventions (like the Delhi Ridge case or Gachibowli ruling) invoke:

• Article 21 – Right to Life (which includes clean air and healthy environment)

• Article 48A & 51A(g) – Protection of natural environment

• Courts have mandated all states to identify and conserve urban forests (2006 SC judgment).

Nagar Van Yojana (Urban Forest Scheme):

• Launched in 2020 by MoEFCC.

• Aims to develop 1,000 urban forests by 2027.

• As per 2023 status:

• Over 145.81 km² of tree and forest cover created.

• Encourages community and municipal collaboration in greening.

Threats & Structural Issues:

• Urbanisation vs Sustainability:

• Infrastructure expansion often trumps ecological concerns.

• Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT lack strict ecological safeguards.

• Policy neglect & weak implementation:

• Projects often bypass environmental impact assessments in city planning.

Why Judiciary Matters:

• Judiciary is becoming a crucial check on executive overreach in forest diversion.

• Notable rulings:

• Bombay HC – on Aarey as a “forest”

• NCLT – penal action on indiscriminate tree felling in Prayagraj

• SC on Gachibowli – reaffirms urban forests as public goods

Key Concepts:

• Urban Forests: Forest patches located within city limits or peri-urban zones providing ecosystem services.

• Nagar Van Yojana: Scheme to establish green lungs in urban areas by 2027.

• Article 21 + Article 48A: Legal anchors for environmental justice.

Significance:

• Urban forests are not just ecological assets but constitutional entitlements tied to the right to a healthy life.

• Vital for addressing SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).

• Need for integrated urban planning that blends ecology with infrastructure.

Mains Mock Question:

Discuss the importance of urban forests in India’s cities from the lens of environmental sustainability and public health. What role has the judiciary played in protecting these green spaces?