Article | Urban forests are the smart solution : To slowing climate change | Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh | Central Chronicle
🌷Hearty thanks Central Chronicle🙏
-------------------------------------
Article
Urban forests are the smart solution : To slowing climate change
- Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh
Writer, Author & Social Activist
Blogger - "Climate Diary Of Dr (Ms) Sharad Singh"
Population census always shows the population of humans in the city but what is the number of trees in the city? No one asks about this and no one wants to know. Trees are cut to widen roads, trees are cut to build residential and commercial buildings. In return, how many trees are planted inside the city? Don't know the figure. Whereas one can save from the loss of wildly carbon emissions and rising temperatures, then only trees. That is why the government made the plan of 'Urban Forest'. But where are those urban forests?
Before discussing the need for an 'urban forest', recall the incident in October 2019 when the Aarey Milk Colony in suburban Mumbai, known as the 'Green Lung' of the city, fell victim to urban development. In fact, the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation cut 3,000 trees in the area to pave the way for the train depot. According to a scientific report, this place is home to 86 species of butterflies, 90 species of spiders, 46 species of reptiles, 34 species of wild flowers and nine leopards. There was public outcry about this. The Supreme Court asked the Maharashtra government to intervene. But by then the Mumbai Metro had cut enough trees to clear the required land. Ironically, the forest department, which has this understanding, has a lower status than the town planning departments of states and cities. Even so, the forest area is shrinking due to the expansion of cities.
What is almost not known to common citizens is that the Government of India is emphasizing on promoting 'smart solutions' based on state-of-the-art technology for the development of cities. It is realizing the need for coordinated efforts of all sections of the society, organizations and government institutions to tackle the challenge of environmental management and climate change. The entire focus of the Central Government is on promoting those schemes which are environment friendly. So that cities can be adapted to the possible consequences of climate change. For this, the government is promoting 'smart solutions' based on state-of-the-art technology.
If seen, urban forest planning is a very effective plan to slow down the pace of climate change and reduce urban pollution. Urban forests can improve the climate of cities. Trees help the most in reducing the temperature in cities. The heat from concrete buildings and streets in cities makes them hotter than the surrounding countryside. They also reduce ozone, sulfur dioxide and particulate matter levels. Apart from this, removing a large amount of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere gives oxygen. Trees work to increase oxygen by absorbing this carbon dioxide. These trees can become an integral part of Yahar's life in the form of urban forest. Urban forests can also compensate for the loss that is being caused by the reduction of forest areas. These types of urban forests are being developed very rapidly in large cities all over the world. Seoul, Singapore and Bangkok have created green corridors that provide space for nature and wildlife while improving the lives of their city residents.
Now if we talk about the cities of Madhya Pradesh, the city is currently away from the intense industrial pollution, but for economic development one cannot always stay away from the industries. This city has lost many of its trees in building construction, widening of roads etc. The cities of Madhya Pradesh also have less number of trees in comparison to population and vehicles. Ever since the Smart City scheme has been implemented, immediate attention has been paid towards waste management. Awareness has also come about pollution caused by vehicles. But this is not enough. The percentage of pollution we are facing globally is not enough. Keeping in view the future development, urban forest planning needs to be implemented rapidly as a smart solution. Trees do not grow enough in a day to be ready to deal with pollution. We cannot cut the level of air pollution and temperature by making some amusement parks or planting flowers on the road dividers. For this, it is necessary to identify the area for urban forest and plant trees which are dense and can help in reducing the amount of air and global warming. It is also necessary to run a public awareness campaign in this direction so that the citizens do not damage the urban forest plan due to ignorance. In fact, urban forests are essential for all types of cities, big or small. It should always be remembered that if there are trees, there is oxygen and if there is oxygen, then there are breaths. Urban forests can also play an important role in maintaining the ecosystem of the city.
-----------------------------------
(MP Chronicle, 16.01.2021)
#ClimateCahnge #MyClimateDiary
#KnowYourClimate
#KnowYourEnvironment
#unclimatechange #Weather
#nature #Environment #ClimateCrisis #thinkaboutit #talkaboutit #urbanforests
Comments
Post a Comment