What is an Urban Forest?
- An urban forest refers to trees, vegetation, and wooded areas located within and around cities and towns.
- Includes parks, avenues, gardens, institutional greens, wooded public land, and natural forest patches like Kancha Gachibowli (Hyderabad), Aarey (Mumbai), and Delhi Ridge.
- Functions as the “green lungs” of urban areas, providing ecological, social, and health benefits.
Relevance : GS 3(Environment and Ecology)
Importance of Urban Forests
- Act as natural air purifiers by absorbing pollutants like PM2.5 and PM10.
- Help mitigate climate change by sequestering carbon.
- Reduce urban heat island effect, bringing down temperatures in cities.
- Control stormwater runoff, soil erosion, and flooding risks.
- Provide habitats for endangered birds and animals, sustaining urban biodiversity.
- Enhance mental health, offer recreational spaces, and improve quality of life.
- Provide a cultural and emotional connection to nature in urban settings.
Impact of Urbanisation on Forests
- Urban forests like Kancha Gachibowli in Hyderabad are threatened by industrial and real estate expansion.
- Over 100 acres of tree cover lost due to government-sanctioned development.
- Similar threats faced by other urban forests: Aarey (Mumbai), Turahalli (Bengaluru), Delhi Ridge, etc.
- Deteriorating air quality in cities like Delhi, Bengaluru, and Hyderabad worsened by deforestation.
Areas of Concern
- Lack of coordination between urban planning and environmental protection.
- Encroachments and land-use changes favoring short-term economic gain over sustainability.
- Weak implementation of existing green policies.
- Neglect of ecological value in Smart City and infrastructure projects.
- Inadequate community involvement and awareness.
Judicial Interventions & Legal Safeguards
- Supreme Court (2024) rebuked Telangana govt; ordered restoration of Kancha Gachibowli forest.
- Godavarman Case (1996): Broadened forest definition to include urban forests.
- Delhi HC (2015): Directed protection of the Delhi Ridge.
- SC Stay (2020): Halted tree felling in Aarey, Mumbai.
- Courts invoking Article 21 (Right to Life) to ensure a healthy environment.
- Support from Articles 48A & 51A(g) for environmental protection as a duty.
Nagar Van Yojana (Urban Forest Scheme)
- Launched by MoEF&CC in 2020.
- Goal: 1,000 urban forests by 2027.
- Encourages community participation in creating and maintaining green urban spaces.
- India State of Forest Report 2023 shows 1,445.81 km² increase in urban green cover due to this scheme.
Why the Threat is Alarming
- Urban forest loss equals public health crisis — rising respiratory issues and heat stress.
- Loss of green spaces diminishes social cohesion, cultural life, and mental well-being.
- Signals a broader failure in sustainable urban governance.
- Undermines India’s climate commitments and biodiversity goals.
Conclusion
India urgently needs stable urban forests not just as green patches but as critical urban infrastructure. They are indispensable for:
- Environmental balance
- Climate resilience
- Public health
- Biodiversity
- Cultural and civic identity
Policy commitment, legal protection, and citizen activism must converge to safeguard these urban lungs.
