Discover How Climate-Resilient Urban Forests Can Bridge Gaps in Heat Action Plans for a Cooler Future

Bathinda is feeling the heat, and it’s more than just the weather. The Indian Meteorological Department (IMD) predicts an increase in heatwave days from April to June. This info has sparked concern about India’s current heat action plans. A report from the think tank Sustainable Futures Collaborative, which includes experts from Harvard and King’s College London, highlights a major gap: the lack of green spaces in urban areas that could cool cities naturally.

Interestingly, there’s a bright spot in one of the driest regions of India — Bikaner, Rajasthan. Shyam Sunder Jyani, an associate professor at Government Dungar College, has converted 16 acres of barren land into a vibrant urban forest since 2013. Remarkably, he funded this transformation entirely out of his own salary, with no external financial support.

Now, this forest boasts over 3,000 trees from 90 different species, including local plants that flourish in arid conditions, such as Sewan and Dhaman grasses. These plants help restore the local ecosystem and provide a haven for wildlife, including foxes and various bird species.

One of the standout features of this project is the public nursery named after an eco-spiritual leader, Dev Jasnath. Each year, this nursery gives away thousands of saplings for free. In 2023 alone, it distributed over 21,000 saplings to local schools, villages, and even the Indian Army, broadening its impact across remote areas like Barmer in western Rajasthan.

Jyani’s initiative has not gone unnoticed. The Nature Positive Universities Network, led by the University of Oxford and the UN Environment Programme, recognizes his work as a model for climate resilience. Last year, Jyani received accolades as a Staff Champion under this initiative, illustrating the international recognition of his efforts in sustainability.

This transformation is not only about trees; it’s about building a community-driven approach to climate resilience. As urban heat becomes a critical issue, the solution lies not only in technology but also in such grassroots initiatives that promote sustainable living. The future may depend on how cities learn from these models and integrate more green spaces where they are most needed.

For more on how urban forests can impact climate resilience, you can check the Institute for Climate and Sustainability for further insights.

Check out this related article: How Pope Francis Ignited a Global Movement to Combat Climate Change

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