Kolkata's forest cover up but city has lowest greenery among metros
Times of India | 23 December 2024
Representative Image KOLKATA: Kolkata registered a slight increase in forest cover between 2021 and 2023, but the city has the least forest cover of India's megacities, according to the just-released Indian State of Forest Report 2023 (ISFR 2023). Successive cyclonic storms caused widespread destruction of city greenery, the report adds.
Comparing ISFR 2023 with the last such report (ISFR 2021), Kolkata's forest cover has increased by 0.29sq km, having risen from 1.77sq km to 2.06sq km. This translates to, in terms of percentage, from 0.9% to 1.1%.
The rise in numbers notwithstanding, Kolkata's total forest cover - 2.06sq km - is the least of all metros, whereas Delhi's - at 195.3 sq km - is the highest. This is also in spite of Chennai, Delhi and Hyderabad marginally losing forest cover. Chennai, in fact, lost 2.64sq km in this two-year period, the most of all megacities. It's more than Kolkata's total forest cover.
Urban forests help beat stress: Experts
Urban forest cover - comprising trees in yards, along streets, in utility corridors, at green spaces, in protected areas, watersheds, and the soil beneath them - forms an essential component of a city's green infrastructure.
Forest covers in urban areas play a crucial role in adapting to, or mitigating, the effects of climate change by lowering air temperatures, managing storm water run-off, reducing storm or cyclone speeds, and improving air quality by filtering out toxic particles.
Urban forests also enhance mental and physical health by reducing residents' stress and offering them space for healthy activities, such as walking and cycling. They also boost biodiversity, especially when old, native trees are present, as they serve as critical wildlife habitats, said experts. By integrating urban forests into city planning, urban centres in India can address environmental challenges, promote healthier lifestyles and sustain rich ecosystems amidst rapid urbanisation, said a senior forest service officer of Bengal. Ahmedabad recorded the most significant increase in total forest cover, where it rose from 9.41sq km to 14.89sq km, a gain of 5.48sq km. Bengaluru saw a marginal rise of 0.59sq km, maintaining a relatively stable forest cover percentage, even as Chennai showed a reduction, with its forest cover decreasing by 2.64sq km.
Urban forests can be either privately or publicly owned and may sometimes extend beyond the city boundaries, with their management falling under the practice of urban forestry.