Urban Forests Under Threat From Development

Urban forests play a vital role in ensuring ecological balance in India’s cities. However, increasing pressure from infrastructure and industrial projects threatens their survival. The case of Kancha Gachibowli in Hyderabad, among others, illustrates how judicial and policy responses have become crucial in defending these green lungs.

Encroachment and Crisis in Urban Forests

The Kancha Gachibowli Conflict in Hyderabad

Kancha Gachibowli, one of Hyderabad’s few remaining urban forests, came under threat when the Telangana government allocated 400 acres of its land for industrial development. Defending its action, the government asserted its ownership and dismissed student-led protests as being instigated by real estate interests.

Supreme Court Intervention

Upon taking cognisance of the matter, the Supreme Court criticised the State government for allowing the felling of trees over 100 acres. The incident underscored the vulnerability of urban green spaces and questioned models of development that neglect ecological considerations.

Importance Of Urban Forests In Indian Cities

• Critical Green Zones across Urban India: Urban forests such as Kancha Gachibowli (Hyderabad), Aarey (Mumbai), Turahalli (Bengaluru), Neela Hauz and the Ridge (Delhi), and Dol Ka Baadh (Jaipur) are essential to ensuring environmental health in densely built environments.
• State-Level Incidents of Deforestation: Environmental concerns are not isolated. The National Green Tribunal issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government for unchecked tree cutting in Bhopal, and the High Court intervened in Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh) following indiscriminate deforestation.
• Environmental Benefits and Ecosystem Services: Urban forests help cities counterbalance emissions from vehicles and buildings. They moderate local climates by reducing the urban heat island effect, assist in stormwater management, and prevent erosion and flooding. Additionally, they help sequester carbon and filter out air pollutants.
• Urban Biodiversity and Wildlife Habitat: The density of green cover in city forests supports the existence of rare and endangered species of birds and animals, allowing biodiversity to thrive even within metropolitan boundaries.
• Air Pollution Control: According to a 2006 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service, a single hectare of trees can remove approximately one ton of air pollutants annually, demonstrating the powerful ecological function of urban forests.
• Towards Greener, Livable Cities: The sustained conservation and systematic development of urban forests can significantly enhance the environmental quality of Indian cities, making them more livable and aesthetically appealing.

Judicial And Constitutional Support For Urban Forests

Policy Framework Supporting Urban Forestry

Urban forests have found mention in several national strategies. The National Forest Policy (1988) and National Mission for a Green India (2014) emphasise afforestation and social forestry. Similarly, missions like the Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT (2015) integrate urban design with ecological sensitivity.

Legal Expansion of Forest Definition

In the 1996 Godavarman case, the Supreme Court expanded the legal definition of forests. Subsequently, in 2004, it issued interim directions to all States to identify, map, and scrutinize forest lands to build a comprehensive forest inventory.

Notable Judicial Interventions

• Delhi Ridge Protection (2015): The Delhi High Court directed the Delhi government to formally notify and conserve the Ridge area, identified as part of the Aravalli leopard wildlife corridor.
• Aarey Forest Stay (2020): Responding to citizen petitions, the Supreme Court stayed the tree felling activity in Mumbai’s Aarey Forest.
• Baran District (Rajasthan, 2024): Citizens protesting tree cutting in the biodiversity-rich areas of Baran prompted the Rajasthan High Court to take suo motu cognisance of the matter.

Constitutional Provisions For Environmental Protection

Legal efforts are reinforced by the Constitution of India:

• Article 21 guarantees the Right to Life, which includes the right to a healthy environment.
• Article 48A mandates the State to protect and improve the natural environment.
• Article 51A(g) places a fundamental duty on citizens to safeguard nature and wildlife.

Nagar Van Yojana And Urban Afforestation Goals

To increase green spaces in cities, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) launched the Nagar Van Yojana in 2020. The programme aims to promote urban forestry through citizen participation and municipal involvement.

Objectives and Targets of the Scheme

The initiative targets the development of 1,000 urban forests by 2027, with a focus on ecological restoration and biodiversity promotion. According to the India State of Forest Report 2023, this scheme has already added 1,445.81 km² of forest and tree cover.

Key Aims of Nagar Van Yojana:

• Creation of 200 City Forests, each developed within municipal jurisdictions.
• Green space development to enhance urban aesthetics and well-being.
• Biodiversity awareness through public engagement and education.
• Conservation learning focusing on local flora, fauna, and ecological threats.
• Environmental improvements such as air purification, noise control, heat mitigation, water retention, and overall ecological rejuvenation.