Environment Ministry plans 'ecocities'

By Soma Basu

NEW DELHI, MAY 20. The Ministry of Environment & Forests (MoEF) has drawn up an ambitious plan to convert seven major cities in the country into ``ecocities''.

Delhi, Calcutta, Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore, Hyderabad and Ahmedabad figure in this exclusive list. Based on a borrowed concept of ``Green Cities'' from the West, the country's ecocities-it is aimed-would be ``economically vibrant, socially equitable and environmentally supportive''.

However, no deadline has been set for translating the famous `eco-label' slogan into reality. So far, a broad framework has been conceptualised to ensure ``environmentally compatible and energy-efficient development of ecocities providing clean, pollution free surroundings and conservation of natural resources for a higher quality of living.''

Theoretically, the plan sounds good. But those calling the shots in the Ministry are neither confident nor sure of how to conquer the causes of urban degradation in order to achieve the higher goals.

``For too long, people in fast developing cities across the country have accepted dirty water, smoggy skies, polluted air, degraded lands, congestion and loss of open space believing that a strong economy and healthy environment are incompatible goals. And now when the interconnectedness of our environment and economy is finally realised, the measure of damage is too deep and cost of investment very high,'' said an official.

Nonetheless, the Ministry's desire to build ``strong, healthy, livable cities'' - which are globally seen as an inevitable part of urban environmental solutions-is a laudable attempt at connecting the people and the State to their environment.

According to sources, it will mean ``countering a lot of things''. The MoEF has prepared a 14-point charter stating checks on the following-excessive rate of migration to large cities, the gap between supply and demand of jobs, housing and services, mushrooming of slums, inadequate public transport, haphazard growth of industries, weak implementation of laws, uncoordinated development like encroachments and growth of informal sector and lack of water supply, proper drainage, garbage disposal, recreation, public awareness and plan implementation.

With Delhi topping the list, all the seven proposed ecocities suffer from a heavy load of human and vehicluar population, noise pollution, solid wastes and sewage contamination, calling for an immediate and careful crisis management. The Union Minister for Environment & Forests, Mr. T.R. Baalu, is believed to be taking immense interest in the project and has proposed city and regional-level actions.

Promoting green belt schemes, upgrading technology inputs by looking at alternate energy sources and making piped gas supply to households mandatory, and intensifying research and development, training and capacity building are the thrust areas to be achieved through participatory planning and implementation approach.

Sources said, a parallel proposal-which is an integral part of the main ecocity scheme-to develop several other cities in addition to the identified metropolises within the metropolitan region to accommodate migrant population, provide jobs and good quality of life is in the pipeline.

Renewal of commercial, core and congested areas in these mega- cities is also aimed at for optimum resource utilisation and functional specialisation of cities.

Inspite of differences often cited as reason for inaction, the multiplicity of authorities-like health, environmental, urban development, transport, forest and district administration-will be required to work in tandem rather than independent of each other for an effective approach and desired outcome, sources added.

The actions prioritised under the MoEF's grand plan include an appropriate traffic and transportation system.

Like the Mass Rapid Transport System-for which work has finally begun in Delhi after a delay of three decades, or plying battery operated and low emission vehicles in certain zones as being done in protected heritage sites, creating bicycle ways and making clean fuel for vehicles.

Promoting eco-friendly technology and encouraging eco- friendly products, restricting the use of recycled plastics and plastic bags, streamlinging garbage collection, safe disposal of wastes, treatment of sewage and stringently adhering to `polluter pays fine' principle, constitute the environmental management plan under the scheme.

Like the ongoing global effort to grow ideas on how to ``go green'', the MoEF, is also moving towards some environmental progress. ``Abuse of the environment is not just an environmental issue.

It is a real community issue, an organisational issue and a capacity issue and no country can afford to remain isolated from becoming partners for progress,'' justified an official.

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