Why Does India Need Stable Urban Forests?

Significance: GS III; Environment;

 

Why in the News?

 

Recently, the Kancha Gachibowli (one of Hyderabad’s last urban forests) was at risk when the Telangana government decided to give 400 acres of the forest area for industrial development.

• This was heavily protested by the student community. However, according to the government the students were misled by real estate interests.
• The Supreme Court took cognisance of the felling of 100 acres of trees, signaling the need to protect urban green spaces.
• It stopped further cutting, and questioned the state government about the urgent need for such destruction before proper procedures were followed.

 

What role do urban forests play in combating air pollution and climate change?

• Climate Change Adaptation: Urban forests absorb the toxic pollutants like PM 2.5 and PM 10, helping to reduce air pollution.
  • Eg: One hectare of tree cover has helped to remove around one ton of air pollutants annually which helps to reduce Delhi’s Air Quality Index (AQI).
  • Southern cities like Chennai and Bangalore with more green cover experiences less extreme heat effect.
  • They reduce the Urban Heat Island Effect and act as a ‘natural cooler’. It also helps to control flooding by managing stormwater runoff.
• Socio-Economic Opportunities: Urban forests offer places for relaxation, exercise, and community events, bringing people together and improving mental health.
  • Urban forestry creates employment opportunities in the sustainable sector (tree planting, care, landscaping architecture), while also enhancing property values and attracting investment.
• Sustainable Urban Development: Integrating trees and green spaces into urban planning promotes sustainable development by improving livability, reducing energy consumption, and enhancing the aesthetic appeal of cities. (e.g. Bhopal, Indore)
• Ecotourism and Cultural Heritage: These green spaces provide habitats for birds, insects, and small animals, helping preserve urban biodiversity.
  • This serves as a the destination for tourist attractions and offers the opportunities for nature-based tourism, cultural events, and heritage conservation.
  • For example the famous urban gardens of Mysore.

 

Where does the Judiciary stand?

• The case focused on the interpretation and application of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 (FCA) and the Forest (Conservation) Rules, 1981, particularly regarding the definition of "forest".
  • While redefining it, the court ruled that any area that satisfies the dictionary meaning of a ‘forest’, regardless of its official classification, is considered a forest.
  • Therefore, after this judgement, the SC expanded its scope beyond officially notified areas to include any area that meets the dictionary meaning of a forest.

Feature	Forest (Conservation) Act 1980	Forest (Conservation) Amendment Bill, 2023
Definition of Forest	Applies broadly to all areas legally classified as “forest”. It includes even “deemed forests” (areas with forest-like characteristics, even if not officially notified).	It limits the definition of “forest” to only those lands that are officially notified as forests (on or after October 25, 1980). “Deemed forests” (notified by the Supreme Court in the Godavarman case) are excluded unless officially recorded.
Approval for Non-Forest Use	Central Government approval is mandatory.	Certain activities like building security-related infrastructure near borders, zoos, safaris, and eco-tourism facilities are exempted from needing Central Government approval.
Scope of Protection	Wide, covers all forest-like areas.	Limited to notified/recorded forests. By narrowing the definition “forest,” some ecologically important areas (“deemed forests”) may lose legal protection.
Development Flexibility	Strict, only few exemptions	More flexible, esp. for border/security projects
Impact on Conservation	Strong protection	Potentially weaker for some forest areas

 

GOVERNMENT INITIATIVES: About the Nagar Van Yojana Launched: in 2020. Aim: To significantly enhance the tree outside forests and green cover, enhancement of biodiversity and ecological benefits to the urban and peri-urban areas apart from improving quality of life of city dwellers. It envisages developing 400 Nagar Vans and 200 Nagar Vatikas in the country during the period of 2020-21 to 2024-25. Structural Implementation: Nodal Ministry: Minister of State for Environment, Forest & Climate Change The program implementation is done under the National Funds under Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA).  The total estimated cost of Nagar Van Yojana is Rs.895 crore for the period of 2020-21 to 2024-25 (in 26 States).   Forest Advisory Committee: It is a statutory body established under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. It is a key player in the approval process for diverting forest land for non-forestry uses like mining, industrial projects, and townships. The FAC's recommendations are crucial for granting forest clearances, impacting future land users. Condition for approval: If the FAC approves a proposal, it may impose conditions, such as compensatory afforestation. It means the land user must replant trees on an equivalent area outside the forest.

How is this present case significant?

• In the present case, the SC took suo motu (on its own) action after seeing the deforestation on large-scale in Kancha Gachibowli for IT development, showing the judiciary’s proactive role in protecting urban forests (judicial intervention) .
• This case was setting National precedent which reinforced that urban forests are legally protected.
  • Governments must balance development with environmental conservation, setting a strong precedent for other cities facing similar threats

• The Indian government needs to enact clear legal protections for urban forests like by integrating them into city planning and forest laws to prevent diversion for non-forest use.
  • Further, it also needs to empower local communities and civic bodies to co-manage and monitor urban forests through citizen-led initiatives, ensuring long-term conservation and accountability.

 

PYQ Relevance: Mumbai, Delhi and Kolkata are the three megacities of the country but the air pollution is a much more serious problem in Delhi as compared to the other two. Why is this so? (UPSC CSE 2015)

 

 

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