In a concerted effort to combat climate change and rising urban temperatures, the Forest Department, in collaboration with the Department of Urban Development, is set to launch a transformative Urban Forestry initiative across municipalities in Goa.
This green mission aims to create vital ‘green lungs’ within city landscapes that is green spaces that will improve air quality, support biodiversity and offer shaded, healthy public environments for citizens.
The meeting brought together key stakeholders, including officials from the Forest and Urban Development Departments, Municipality Heads and allied departments, to discuss the relevance of urban forestry in the context of climate resilience and urban heat mitigation. The session featured detailed presentations and interactive discussions on actionable steps to take the initiative forward.
Emphasis was placed on the Forest Department’s pivotal role in identifying and supporting feasible sites within municipal areas for pilot projects. The exchange of ideas, suggestions and aligned visions among stakeholders set the foundation for coordinated and sustainable implementation of this important green initiative.
Earlier; Minister for TCP, Forest & Urban Development Vishwajit Rane chaired a meeting with officials from the Urban Development Department, Forest Department, and municipal heads to take forward the initiative on creating green lungs across municipal areas.
“This idea stems from the vision to tackle rising temperatures and is inspired by the call of the Prime Minister Narendra Modi to adopt sustainable, nature-based solutions,” stated Rane.
“Spaces will be identified and developed into urban forests using wet waste, rainwater, and other natural resources. Sonsodo will be transformed using the Miyawaki technique, while vertical gardens will come up across select urban zones. StudioPOD will assist us in designing these spaces. The project will be jointly monitored by the UD and Forest Departments as we move towards a more sustainable Goa,” asserted the Minister.
Meanwhile, the Municipal officials across regions expressed great enthusiasm for the concept, actively sharing their opinions and suggestions on how to take the initiative forward. They emphasized the need for regular monitoring and consistent efforts to maintain momentum.
