Page 67 - Shashwat - Restoring Green Economy
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environmentally, and economically. value added), which manifests
It is reasonable to believe that cities through improvements to a region’s
can only become smart when they are image, helping to attract and hold
sustainable too. high-value industry, entrepreneurs,
and workers. For instance, in 2008,
While there are several tangible the northwest region of the UK
benefits of having blue and green supported 109,000 jobs worth £2.6
spaces, these areas are vital for billion in GVA through GI.
the health and well-being of GI seems to have been creating both
local communities. With indoor tangible and intangible values that
recreational facilities including increase the scope for leveraging
gym/swimming pools being shut private sector investment, thereby
for a long time to contain the spread minimizing unemployment risks and
of the coronavirus, communities increasing GVA. Several cities of the
9
across many countries used urban world such as, Singapore, Stockholm,
spaces for (while maintaining social Boston, and Vancouver have invested
distancing norms) activities such successfully towards GI development
as hiking, biking, camping, fishing, by engaging in GI-related activities.
birdwatching, and nature walks. 8
Additionally, while the COVID-19 By promoting the application of GI in
pandemic has left many mentally cities, the decentralized conservation
disturbed by its overwhelming approach too can be strengthened
impact on life and livelihood, these because there is a need to shift the
spaces helped us find solace, calm, focus of conservation activities
and tranquillity. outside the protected area network to
conserve biodiversity wherever they
Recently, India announced a funding
of INR 60 billion (about US$ 790 are even at a micro level. Now, with
million) under the Compensatory the emergence of the OECM (Other
Afforestation Fund Management Effective (area-based) Conservation
and Planning Authority (CAMPA) to Measures) concept, which was » Figure 6: Constructed Wetland, East Delhi
generate employment opportunities adopted during the 14th Conference
through afforestation and forest of Parties of the Convention on values of ecologically important
10 11
restoration activities in urban, semi- Biological Diversity in 2018, , the areas/green pockets towards
8
urban, and rural areas. Initiatives achieving positive and sustained
such as this will only enhance our 9 NS+ 2008. ‘The Economic Value of Green long-term outcomes for the in-situ
ability to fight the adverse effects of Infrastructure.’ Details available at http:// conservation of biodiversity have
climate change and create further www.greeninfrastructurenw.co.uk/ become even more critical.
resources/The_Economic_Value_of_
scope for economic growth through Green_Infrastructure.pdf
investments, environmental 10 Biodiversity Information System for Europe. The idea of GI can be promoted as a
entrepreneurship development, and n.d. Other effective area-based conservation sure-shot formula to bring ease to
measures. Details available at https://
green job creation. biodiversity.europa.eu/protected-areas/ overused and over-stressed urban
other-effective-area-based-conservation-
Western countries consider GI to be measures spaces besides improving ecosystem
a major contributor to GVA (gross services provision – a benefit that has
11 IUCN (International Union for
Conservation of Nature). n.d. World been proven in multiple research-
12
Commission on Protected Areas. Details backed studies.
8 UN (United Nations). 2020. ‘UN/DESA available at https://www.iucn.org/
Policy Brief #80: Forests at the heart of commissions/world-commission-protected-
a green recovery from the COVID-19 areas/our-work/oecms Science and Engineering:245. Details
pandemic.’ Details available at https://www. available at https://www.researchgate.
un.org/development/desa/dpad/publication/ 12 Teodoro, S., R. Aretano, and A. Pomes. net/publication/320859980_Green_
un-desa-policy-brief-80-forests-at-the- 2017. ‘Green Infrastructure to Improve Infrastructure_to_Improve_Ecosystem_
heart-of-a-green-recovery-from-the-covid- Ecosystem Services in the Landscape Urban Services_in_the_Landscape_Urban_
19-pandemic/ Regeneration;’ IOP Conf. Series: Materials Regeneration