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Feature
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the world’s population – 4.2 billion
inhabitants – lives in cities and given
the existing pace and trend, by 2050,
it is predicted that urban population
will become twice its current size
with nearly 7 out of 10 people in the
world living in cities. 6
Presently, cities are struggling to
handle the increasing population load
and the related demands for goods
and services. If this is to continue
unabated, soon, we will be facing
serious socio-economic, political,
and cultural ramifications due to
lack of water resources and forest
cover (Figure 5). The early signs are » Figure 4: Shrinking Urban Freshwater Body, Ghitorni, Delhi
already visible in the form of shortage Besides destroying the only source centres are to continue with these
of drinking water, internal water of livelihood for many, such a crisis sought-after offerings, we will have
conflicts, erosion and landslides, can further dampen the already to, rather quickly, build a shield of GI
increased waterborne diseases, struggling tourism industry owing to
crop failure, urban flash floods, the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. around us.
soil pollution, depleting air quality With the Smart Cities Programme
induced by water pollution, and so on. This aggravating situation calls running in full swing, there’s
for both new interventions and a scope and an opportunity to
The damage caused in terms of loss reinforcements to support the failing
of ecosystem services is beyond GI. Cities and towns are considered integrate sustainability factors
comprehension – waterbodies and the epicentre of economic activities, more holistically into city planning.
green cover are home to a variety of technological advancements, Mainstreaming environmental
flora and fauna; they are the most innovations, investments, and consideration in developmental
potent carbon sinks and our best employments, and if our urban projects is the need of the hour;
7
bet to build climate resilience. The by conserving, developing (even
recreational, educational, and health constructing), and restoring the
7 Mukherjee, M. 2013. ‘Urban India:
benefits that the communities reap Challenges for Green Infrastructure.’ green cover and waterbodies,
from the blue and green spaces For Central Europe towards Sustainable including constructed wetlands
Building. Details available at http://
are numerous, and in the cultural www.cesb.cz/cesb13/proceedings/8_ (Figure 6), we can pave the way for
context too, waterbodies are integral infrastructure/CESB13_1222.pdf creation of greater dividend socially,
to many festivals and religious
practices celebrated and observed
in India.
The economic losses arising from
the depletion of green cover and
waterbodies can hit us severely.
– city of Pune). International Journal of
Geology, Earth and Environmental Sciences
2(2):148–156
6 World Bank. 2020. ‘Urban Development:
Overview.’ Details available at https://www.
worldbank.org/en/topic/urbandevelopment/
overview » Figure 5: Disappearing City Forests, Vasant Kunj, Delhi