India to get 200 urban forests soon

NEW DELHI: Marking the occasion of World Environment Day, Prakash Javadekar, Union Environment Minister, announced the central government’s new scheme to develop 200 urban forests across various cities in India. Under the ‘Nagar Van’ scheme, the Forest Department will be collaborating with municipal bodies, NGOs, corporates, etc. to ensure public participation in giving cities better lungs.

These forests will be constructed on the vacant land, which would be offered to the government by the urban local bodies, or preexisting forests would be modified.

Javadekar highlighted that the Warje Hill urban forest will serve as a pioneer to the new forests that are to be constructed on the rest of the country. Built on barren land under the Maharashtra Forest Department, the forest had depleted due to many encroachments by slums and builders. However, the Maharashtra Forest Department collaborated with TERRE Policy, a local NGO; Tata Motors and Persistent Foundation, to convert the land into a forest rich in biodiversity, the minister informed. The minister also highlighted Smriti Van’s ascent in becoming an urban forest rich in biodiversity.

Javadekar said that village forests have been an integral part of our society for ages. Under the new scheme, the urban forest would be used to fill the gap in urban areas for green spaces, which can act as carbon sinks.