Staff Reporter
Panaji
In a bid to combat climate change and the rising urban temperatures, green lungs will be created within city landscapes to improve the quality of air and to provide a better environment to citizens.
Urban Development Minister Vishwajit Rane said the forest department, in collaboration with the department of urban development, will launch a transformative urban forestry initiative across municipalities in Goa.
“This green mission aims to create vital green lungs within city landscapes that are green spaces that will improve air quality, support biodiversity and offer shaded, healthy public environment to citizens,” Rane said. He said the 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,” Rane said.
The minister chaired a meeting with officials from the urban development department, forest department and municipal heads to take forward the initiative. The meeting discussed the relevance of urban forestry in the context of climate resilience and urban heat mitigation.
The session featured detailed presentations and discussions on steps to take the initiative forward. Emphasis was placed on the forest department’s role in identifying and supporting feasible sites within municipal areas for pilot projects.
Exchange of ideas, suggestions and aligned visions among stakeholders set the foundation for coordinated and sustainable implementation of this green initiative.
