Supriya Sahu, the Additional Chief Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forests, recently highlighted an important shift in urban greening policy. The focus is now on creating sustainable green spaces that benefit cities long-term, rather than just aiming for a certain number of planted trees.
“Our aim is to develop green infrastructure that cools our cities and improves air quality. It’s about enhancing biodiversity too,” she mentioned. This approach shifts the goal from just counting saplings to measuring actual outcomes in urban ecology.
The new policy encourages cities to adopt international standards, like the 3-30-300 Urban Green Liveability Guideline. This guideline highlights how important it is for trees to be visible from homes, promotes neighborhood canopy cover, and ensures easy access to public green spaces.
Urban local bodies (ULBs) are also urged to keep track of their ecological health using tools like the Singapore Index. This index helps cities improve their biodiversity scores, which is crucial for assessing the effectiveness of greening programs.
Funding will come from existing schemes such as AMRUT and the Smart Cities Mission. There’s also discussion about introducing a green fee linked to building permits, which could further support urban greening initiatives.
I Anwardeen, the Principal Chief Conservator of Forests, emphasized that urban greening goes beyond looks. “It’s vital for public health and climate adaptation,” he explained. By integrating trees and water systems into city designs, we can notably reduce heat and flooding risks.
Recent studies underline the importance of urban green spaces. For instance, a 2022 survey revealed that cities with better green areas showed a 30% decrease in heat-related health issues during summer months. This data reflects how essential it is for city planning to include nature.
Overall, the new greening policy aims to weave nature into the urban fabric. With rising temperatures and growing urban populations, it’s a necessary step for building healthier, more resilient cities.
For more on urban greening and its benefits, visit The World Health Organization.
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Tamil Nadu government,Urban Greening Policy 2026
