Opinion: Integrating nature within cities
The success of Nagar Vans will depend on active collaboration of forest department, municipal bodies, NGOs, corporate houses and citizens
By PK Joshi
‘Nagar Van’ or Urban Forest, represents the integration of nature within cities, a concept that has historical significance across the globe. In ancient India, the Vedas revered forests (Vanas) as sacred spaces — known as devrais— central to both spiritual and physical well-being. Tapovanas and Mahavanas, often situated near human settlements, were celebrated for their biodiversity and believed to bring peace, health, and prosperity.
Across Civilisations
Similar examples abound across civilisations. The Mesopotamians, for instance, constructed urban gardens essential for food production and cooling their cities. The Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World, exemplifies the importance placed on urban greenery. In ancient Egypt, temple gardens were sacred, symbolising fertility and divine connection, while in Greece and Rome, green spaces like the ‘Hortus’ are integral to urban life. Later, Islamic urban planners, inspired by the Quranic vision of paradise, designed lush gardens in cities such as those in Persia and Al-Andalus (modern-day Spain).
The follow-up can be seen in Europe, in cities like Florence and Paris, where royal and public gardens were developed, reflecting both wealth and a growing appreciation for nature. By the 18th and 19th centuries, these were transformed into public parks, such as London’s Hyde Park and Paris’ Bois de Boulogne, making urban forests accessible to the masses, and providing a retreat from industrial urban expansion. North America was no exception, with Central Park in New York City, which was prompted by rapid urbanisation and overcrowded and polluted cities.
In colonised India, however, the British prioritised infrastructure over ecological balance in urban planning, causing the degradation of many ancient forests and green spaces in cities. Yet, some attempts can be seen as botanical gardens, such as the ones in Kolkata and Bengaluru.
The post-independent India saw a renewed emphasis on urban green spaces, particularly with the growing concerns over environmental degradation and air quality in cities.
Urban Forest
In recent decades, the Government of India launched several initiatives to revive the urban forest. The Nagar Van Scheme, launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change on World Environment Day, 2020, sought to create 200 urban forests across the country over five years (2020-2025), promoting green spaces to improve air quality, enhance biodiversity, offer recreational spaces and elevate the quality of life for urban dwellers. This modern interpretation resonates with ancient values of coexistence with nature, making it a vital aspect of contemporary environmental conservation in Indian cities. The Warje Urban Forest in Pune is a model of such successful implementation.
By promoting the establishment of urban forests, the Nagar Van Scheme will contribute to enhancing green cover in cities, create more sustainable urban environments and increase ecological awareness among citizens. The scheme specifically aims to enhance tree cover outside traditional forests, support biodiversity, and provide ecological and environmental benefits, contributing to the overall well-being of city residents. It reflects India’s commitment to addressing both biodiversity concerns and the growing need for sustainable urban planning. The initiative will protect urban forest land from degradation and encroachment, mitigate air pollution, and promote floral and faunal richness which provides habitat to a wide range of lifeforms. The programme supports planting native, fruit-bearing and medicinal species to attract wildlife and promote ecological balance.
The scheme has made notable progress. In a remarkable achievement, the ministry surpassed its 100-day target of approving 100 Nagar Vans, with 111 Nagar Vans sanctioned across six States and one union Territory. The scheme is part of a broader goal to develop 1,000 Nagar Vans by 2027, supported by the Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF), governed by the CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) Act, 2016. This fund is generated from compensatory afforestation payments made when forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes. According to the CAF Act, 90% of the funds are allocated to State governments, while 10% is retained by the Centre.
The scheme aims to create urban forests ranging from 10 to 50 hectares in cities with Municipal Corporations, Municipalities and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs). It emphasises community involvement, with active participation from citizens, students, NGOs and local governments. Public engagement is promoted through tree-planting drives, educational programmes and specific mission statements. Financial assistance of Rs 4 lakh ($4,800) per hectare is provided for the creation and maintenance of these urban forests. Each Nagar Van will feature biodiversity-focused areas such as Biodiversity Parks, Smriti Vans, Butterfly Conservatories and Herbal Gardens. Thus these will serve as vital spaces for recreation and relaxation, environmental education, and climate change adaptation and mitigation by sequestering carbon and making cities more resilient to extreme weather events like heatwaves and floods.
Environmental Push
A new initiative, ‘Matri Van’, was introduced under the national tree plantation campaign ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’, in June 2024. This initiative honours maternal figures by encouraging tree planting as a tribute to mothers, symbolising both environmental care and personal gratitude. As part of the larger environmental push, the campaign aims to plant 80 crore trees by September 2024 and 140 crore trees by March 2025. Over 75 crore saplings have already been planted as per the details tracked through the MeriLiFE portal. This citizen-driven effort contributes to halting land degradation, building climate friendliness, and preventing desertification. The Nagar Van Scheme, along with the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative, marks a significant step in transforming India’s urban spaces into eco-friendly, resilient environments that prioritise sustainability, biodiversity and community bonding.
The 20th and 21st centuries demand the role of urban forests to address global environmental concerns in line with India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change, National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change, and Nationally Determined Commitments. Cities worldwide — from Singapore’s vertical gardens and green belts to Tokyo’s urban forest projects — are embracing the concept of sustainable urban planning where urban development coexists harmoniously with the natural environment. The scheme proposed by India is a push for international movement towards urban forestry and recognises the ecological, social, and health benefits of green spaces in cities.
Similarly, the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and initiatives like the ‘Tree Cities of the World’ promote the protection and expansion of urban forests and inspire cities and towns to care for and celebrate their urban tree canopy. These efforts highlight the increasing recognition that urban forests are vital for sustainable urban living, contributing to the resilience, restoration and recovery of lost terrestrial ecosystems across the world. Here, the Nagar Van is not merely a modern policy initiative but a historical concept deeply embedded in India’s cultural and ecological consciousness. The success of such initiatives counts on the active collaboration of the forest department, municipal bodies, NGOs, corporate houses and local citizens that ensure proactive participation and lasting impact. The resulting beautiful and abundant Nagar Van will offer blissful rewards to us and future generations.
(The author is Professor with School of Environmental Sciences, Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. Comments here are personal opinion)
