New Delhi: BJP’s nominated Rajya Sabha member Ujjwal Nikam on Monday sought protection of urban forests to improve air quality in cities.
Participating in a discussion on the working of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the Upper House, he suggested setting up a National Urban Forest Conservation and Management Authority.
“I would like to draw attention to an emerging issue that is the protection of the urban forest. India is urbanising rapidly. Our cities are no doubt expanding. Infrastructure is growing, and population densities are increasing. In this context, urban forests are no longer just recreational green spaces. They perform critical ecological functions,” Nikam said.
Nikam highlighted the rapid urbanization in India, stressing that urban forests must transform from being mere recreational spaces to playing a vital ecological role. These green expanses are critical in reducing the urban heat island effect, enhancing air quality, and preserving biodiversity.
The establishment of a national authority, as suggested by Nikam, would develop guidelines, manage inventories, and coordinate efforts across state forest departments and local bodies to ensure sustainable urban biodiversity. This vision aligns with PM Narendra Modi’s ‘Viksit Bharat 2047’ initiative, where ecological sustainability is core to development. Other parliamentarians echoed these sentiments, linking air pollution to various environmental and health challenges, including its acute impact on densely populated cities like Delhi.
