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Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has made it mandatory for all future town planning schemes to reserve at least 5% of land for green spaces, with 1% specifically for Miyawaki forests. The initiative aims to boost biodiversity and align with WHO's recommended green cover of 9 sqm per person. Tree-cutting now requires planting 10 saplings per tree, with survival conditions and a refundable deposit of INR 5,000. New guidelines call for tree-lined footpaths, green road dividers, rain gardens, and rooftop parks. An Urban Greening Advisory Committee and ward-level Green Committees will oversee implementation. The policy tackles rising pollution and heat levels through sustainable urban afforestation.
To promote environmental sustainability, the Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has made it mandatory for all future town planning schemes to dedicate at least 5% of their total area to green spaces. Out of this, a minimum of 1% must be allocated exclusively for the Miyawaki afforestation method known for its rapid growth and high-density biodiversity benefits. The move also seeks to inch Ahmedabad closer to meeting the World Health Organization's recommended per capita green cover of 9 square metres. Advertisement
To ensure compliance, the AMC has introduced stringent tree-cutting regulations. Any individual or developer found cutting down trees must now plant ten saplings as compensation. These replacements must survive for at least three years, failing which penalties will apply. A refundable deposit of INR 5,000 per tree has also been mandated to deter unlawful felling.
The policy mandates that green infrastructure be thoughtfully integrated into the city's layout. Roads wider than 24 metres will now require green central dividers with soil-filled tree pits, while footpaths will feature trees every five metres. Provisions have also been introduced for the development of rain gardens, oxygen parks, biodiversity parks, rooftop gardens, and ecological landscapes within urban spaces.
The civic body has formed an Urban Greening Advisory Committee comprising representatives from AMC, the Ahmedabad Urban Development Authority (AUDA), non-governmental organisations, urban planners, real estate developers under CREDAI, educational institutions, and civil society experts. In addition, ward-level "Green Committees" are being set up to monitor grassroots-level implementation and community engagement.
Ahmedabad's focus on increasing greenery also ties into larger environmental challenges. The city has witnessed a rise in temperature levels and air pollution due to shrinking green cover and growing concrete expansion. Experts believe that consistent urban afforestation can not only help mitigate the heat island effect but also improve biodiversity, reduce stormwater runoff, and elevate the overall quality of urban life.
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