Ahmedabad Mandates Five Percent Green Cover in New Town Planning Schemes
The Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has formally implemented comprehensive greening measures, requiring all new town planning schemes to allocate a mandatory 5% of total land for green cover. Unveiled today, this pivotal policy includes a dedicated 1% reservation for urban forests utilising the rapid-growth Miyawaki method, signalling Ahmedabad’s unwavering commitment to fostering a greener, healthier, and more resilient metropolitan environment for its citizens.
This ambitious ‘Greening Policy Measures for a Greener Ahmedabad’ elevates previous state mandates, making the allocation of land for gardens and parks compulsory, rather than merely permissible. The strategic integration of the Miyawaki method, known for its ability to create dense, biodiverse forests in accelerated timeframes, underscores a forward-thinking approach to combating urban heat islands and enhancing air quality. This ensures that environmental benefits are not just theoretical but tangibly woven into the city’s burgeoning urban fabric, promoting a zero-net carbon future.
Complementing the greening initiative, the AMC also launched a ‘Policy for Good Construction Practices’, both of which take effect immediately. To facilitate robust implementation, an urban greening advisory committee comprising senior officers, urban planners, environmental experts, community leaders, and industry stakeholders has been established. This collaborative framework extends to ward-level committees, addressing local challenges and actively encouraging participation from both public and private property owners in city-wide tree planting drives. The policy rigorously prohibits any future change in the designated purpose of green plots within Town Planning schemes, ensuring their long-term preservation.
The enhanced commitment to green infrastructure will manifest in the development of oxygen parks, rain gardens, rooftop gardens, and biodiversity parks across the city, transforming Ahmedabad into a mosaic of vibrant ecological spaces. Furthermore, stringent penalties for illegal tree cutting have been introduced, mandating the planting of ten new trees within three years for every tree cut, along with a significant deposit and additional fines for environmental damage. New road projects are also subject to specific greening requirements, including mandatory 1.50-metre-wide dividers for planting on roads wider than 24 metres, alongside dedicated tree planting spaces on footpaths.
In a day of significant civic advancements, the city also inaugurated its first BRTS (Bus Rapid Transit System) on-route charging station, marking a step towards cleaner public transportation and reduced emissions. This aligns with the city’s broader agenda of sustainable mobility. Concurrently, the AMC’s Solid Waste Management Department received national recognition, being honoured for achieving the first rank in the Swachh Survekshan 2024-25 in the one million-plus population category, affirming Ahmedabad’s holistic approach to creating truly equitable, sustainable, and eco-conscious urban living.
