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The Growing Threat to Urban Forests in India
Why India needs stable urban forests
Context: One of Hyderabad’s last remaining urban forests, Kancha Gachibowli, recently faced an existential threat when the Telangana government decided to allocate 400 acres of this ecologically rich land for industrial development.
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- The government justified this move by claiming ownership of the forest and alleged that student protesters were influenced by real estate interests. However, the Supreme Court intervened, taking cognisance of the felling of 100 acres of trees and issued a reprimand to the State government.
- This incident underscores the vulnerability of urban forests and the environmentally insensitive models of urban development that are increasingly common in India.
Why do Urban Forests Matter?
- Urban forests such as Kancha Gachibowli in Hyderabad, Aarey in Mumbai, Turahalli in Bengaluru, Neela Hauz and the Ridge in Delhi, and Dol Ka Baadh in Jaipur are crucial to healthy urban living. These green spaces are more than aesthetic additions—they are vital ecological buffers.
- Across India, environmental degradation in urban areas is drawing legal scrutiny.
- For instance, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government over rampant tree felling in Bhopal, and the High Court had to intervene in Allahabad for similar reasons.
- Such incidents highlight the public importance of urban forests and the necessity of preserving them.
- For instance, the National Green Tribunal (NGT) issued a notice to the Madhya Pradesh government over rampant tree felling in Bhopal, and the High Court had to intervene in Allahabad for similar reasons.
Environmental and Health Benefits
- Urban forests help mitigate climate change, reduce urban heat islands, control stormwater runoff, and prevent erosion and flooding.
- They also help in carbon sequestration and pollution absorption.
- A 2006 study by the U.S. Department of Agriculture Forest Service noted that one hectare of trees can remove around one ton of air pollutants annually—making urban forests a potent remedy for toxic urban air.
- They serve as sanctuaries for endangered birds and animals, contributing to biodiversity conservation.
Urban Forests and Social Well-being
- Beyond ecological benefits, urban forests enrich urban social and cultural life by offering places for recreation, relaxation, and spiritual rejuvenation in otherwise high-paced city environments.
- They are essential for mental health, social cohesion, and quality of life in cities. Preserving and expanding urban forests is essential to making Indian cities both breathable and livable.
Air Pollution and Public Health
- The deteriorating state of air quality in Indian metros illustrates the dire need for these urban green spaces. In November 2024, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) reported a shocking AQI of 494 in Delhi, while other cities like Chennai, Hyderabad, and Bengaluru recorded AQI levels above 100.
- The primary pollutants—PM 2.5 and PM 10—stem largely from vehicle emissions and construction dust.
Judicial and Policy Support for Urban Forests
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- National Forest Policy (1988) and National Mission for Green India (2014) support afforestation and social forestry.
- Urban-focused missions like the Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT (2015) aimed at integrating ecological goals with urban planning.
- Key Judicial Interventions:
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- Godavarman Case (1996): Expanded the definition of forests.
- 2004 Supreme Court Order: Directed all states to map and identify forest areas.
- Delhi High Court (2015): Directed the notification and protection of the Delhi Ridge.
- Supreme Court Stay (2020): Prevented tree felling in Aarey, Mumbai.
- Rajasthan High Court (2024): Took suo motu cognisance of deforestation in Baran district.
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- Constitutional Backing:
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- Article 21: Right to life, including a healthy environment.
- Article 48A: Duty of the State to protect the environment.
- Article 51A(g): Fundamental duty of citizens to safeguard natural surroundings.
The Nagar Van Yojana Initiative
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) launched the Nagar Van Yojana in 2020.
- The scheme aims to develop 1,000 urban forests by 2027, promoting ecological growth in urban zones.
- According to the India State of Forest Report 2023, the scheme has already added 1,445.81 km² of tree and forest cover—marking a significant step toward reforesting India’s cities.
- On World Wildlife Day (March 3, 2025), Prime Minister Narendra Modi reiterated the importance of wildlife and biodiversity conservation, reinforcing the government’s commitment to protecting urban forests.
Why the Threat to Urban Forests is Alarming?
- India’s rapid urbanisation is coming at the expense of its ecological health. The threat to urban forests represents not just environmental degradation, but a direct assault on our biomedical, social, and cultural well-being.
- The forests we lose today are the clean air, biodiversity, and mental peace we deny to future generations. Civil society and citizens must actively engage in environmental protection and hold authorities accountable.
- Judicial vigilance, like the Supreme Court’s reprimand of the Telangana government, is essential.
- Civil society and citizen participation—through protests, petitions, and activism—remain vital. Urban development must be ecologically sensitive, integrating green spaces rather than eliminating them.
