A study ascribes monetary value to the price of unplanned urbanisation in Delhi, in terms of the decline in total value of ecosystem services from 7 natural elements.
Several thousands of trees were uprooted as Cyclone Amphan battered Kolkata. Since then tree plantation drives have been rampant. What are tree experts saying about these?
In Maharashtra’s urban forests, such as Yeoor forest in Thane district, drones are helping forest patrol teams detect and crack down on encroachment attempts.
From Miyawaki forests on the Sabarmati riverfront and various other spots, to floating gardens on the river itself, Ahmedabad is making serious attempts to build on its green cover while keeping pace with rapid urbanisation.
Government, civil society and corporate bodies have joined hands to regreen cyclone-ravaged Bhubaneswar, but what is needed is not just replantation but also proper urban forest planning.
Indian cities need serious, sustained focus on the various components that can improve and nurture their ecosystems. While a few individual and community driven projects raise hopes, a lot remains to be done.
