The rapid growth of major cities and state capitals in India has led to an increased demand for housing, commercial spaces, and infrastructure.
Urban expansion repeatedly comes into conflict with the city’s lungs. The first areas targeted are the green spaces, parks, and natural areas within the city due to their location and high land prices. This urban sprawl leads to the loss of natural habitats, reduced biodiversity, and increased pollution, thereby significantly impacting the natural environment and the well-being of urban residents. Next, the agricultural fields and forest patches become the target. These can override the existing wildlife corridors, leading to wild animals entering the cities. The annual movement of tigers in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, and of rhinos and elephants in Tezpur, Assam, clearly indicates the extent to which cities are encroaching on wild spaces. While urban growth is essential for economic development, it also poses risks such as urban sprawl, loss of critical habitats, and environmental degradation.
The recent events at the University of Hyderabad highlight a growing awareness among citizens regarding the importance of green cover and biodiversity. In April 2025, students protested the Telangana government’s decision to clear trees on a 400-acre tract for an IT-park auction, emphasizing the ecological significance of the scrubland and dry-deciduous patches, which provide habitat for deer, migratory birds, and native flora, and called for a comprehensive environmental impact assessment. The Supreme Court’s interim stay on tree-felling and land-auction activities, mandating clearances and a restoration plan, was celebrated as a judicial precedent for urban forest protection. This ruling not only halted immediate deforestation but also reinforced the necessity of ecological assessments in urban development. Such actions reflect a broader societal shift toward recognizing and advocating for the preservation of natural habitats amidst urban expansion.
Not long ago, Mumbai’s 2019 ‘Save Aarey’ movement saw students, tribal groups, NGOs, and residents unite to oppose the Metro Rail Corporation’s plan to fell over 1,800 acres of the Aarey urban forest for a car shed.[1] Although the project was later redesigned to reduce ecological impact, the campaign demonstrated how sustained civic pressure can compel authorities to rethink infrastructure plans and integrate green considerations into urban and infrastructure expansion projects.
Why Urban Green Cover Matters
Urban green spaces deliver a spectrum of ecosystem services vital for sustainable city life. Green infrastructure, defined as a strategically planned network of natural and semi-natural areas, helps filter air pollutants, such as particulate matter, nitrogen dioxide, etc., thereby reducing respiratory illnesses among urban dwellers. Tree canopies and vegetated corridors cool cities through shading and evapotranspiration: studies show that a 16% increase in tree cover can lower local temperatures by over 1°C, mitigating urban heat island effects and reducing energy demand. During heavy rains, parks and permeable green corridors intercept stormwater, cutting runoff by up to 65%, and easing flood burdens on drainage systems. A recent modelling study by Monash University researchers estimates that a 30% increase in urban vegetation could have prevented over one-third of global heat-related deaths between 2000 and 2019—potentially saving 1.16 million lives worldwide. Urban green spaces are crucial for enhancing biodiversity as they provide habitats for various species, support ecological networks, facilitate pollination, and contribute to the overall health and resilience of urban ecosystems. Beyond these “regulating” services, parks and street-tree avenues boost mental health and foster social cohesion by providing recreational spaces. Interestingly, green spaces often enhance property values, offering economic and cultural returns alongside environmental benefits.
Pathways for Sustainable Urban Development
To achieve a sustainable balance between urban expansion and green cover, a comprehensive approach is required that integrates sustainable urban planning and environmental conservation.
Regulatory Framework: Implementing and enforcing strict regulatory frameworks are essential to control urban sprawl and protect green spaces and agricultural lands. These include zoning regulations, building codes, and environmental impact assessments to guide urban development.
Preservation of Natural Habitats: Protecting and enhancing natural habitats within urban areas are essential for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance. The development of urban forest parks and the rejuvenation of natural waterbodies are crucial steps in this direction.
Integrated Urban Planning: Integrated urban planning adopts a holistic approach that balances environmental sustainability with economic growth to create sustainable, livable, and resilient urban environments. This includes efficient land use, environmental and transportation planning, social equity, and climate resilience. Promoting policies for green infrastructure such as parks, green roofs, and urban forests, and other natural elements like lakes, ponds, and rivers within city planning frameworks can significantly enhance urban resilience, improve air and water quality, and provide recreational spaces for residents.
Valuing ecosystem services in urban landscapes is essential, as these services offer urban planners and decision-makers critical insights into the environmental and economic costs associated with diverting land from natural spaces to urban areas. It can justify investments in green infrastructure, such as parks and green roofs, which contribute to healthier urban environments and, in turn, can reduce healthcare costs and improve the overall quality of life for urban residents. It can reveal significant cost savings; for example, natural floodplains and wetlands can provide cost-effective flood protection compared to engineered solutions. Similarly, trees and vegetation can reduce energy costs by providing natural cooling and insulation. Such economic insights can drive investments in green infrastructure that offer long-term financial benefits.
Additionally, drawing lessons from case studies and adopting proven best practices can greatly enhance urban planning. Singapore’s biophilic[2] ‘City in a Garden’ vision, guided by the City Biodiversity Index (CBI), exemplifies this approach. The Index, with 28 indicators covering biodiversity, ecosystem services, and governance, helps cities set baselines and track trends. For instance, Singapore’s score, derived from the CBI indicators provides a quantitative gap analysis, highlighting strong governance performance while pinpointing the need to enhance the measurement of ecosystem services. A tailored version of this Index could track tree-cover ratios, urban wildlife sightings, green infrastructure performance, and community engagement metrics, informing data-driven policies, budget allocations, and adaptive management. Such approaches, if implemented effectively and at regular intervals, can provide valuable frameworks for measuring and improving biodiversity within cities, ensuring that urban development is both sustainable and ecologically sound.
Collaborative Effort: Achieving transformative urban greening requires a coordinated effort across various sectors. Government bodies must enforce supportive policies, municipalities should integrate green infrastructure, and NGOs must drive community engagement. Multilateral institutions can provide funding and expertise, while academia could contribute to research and innovative solutions. The industry must consciously adopt sustainable practices, and citizens need to actively participate in realizing the development goals. By aligning actions across these stakeholders, cities can create a unified approach to urban greening, thereby ensuring long-term sustainability and resilience.
Conclusion
The path to sustainable urban development in any growing city in India lies in the harmonious integration of urban expansion and green cover. From the non-violent tree-hugging of the 1970s’ Chipko Movement, which created pressure on the Indira Gandhi government to enact the Forest Conservation Act of 1980 to today’s digital-era mobilizations, community awareness remains the bedrock of forest protection. Hyderabad’s Kancha Gachibowli and Mumbai’s Save Aarey campaigns demonstrate that informed, organized citizens can drive judicial and policy outcomes. To build on this momentum, urban planners and policymakers must take actions for balancing development with environmental conservation, by implementing strict regulatory frameworks, preserving natural habitats, and adopting integrated urban planning. Valuing ecosystem services and learning from global best practices can guide data-driven policies and investments in green infrastructure. The integration of these strategies supports a balanced approach to urban expansion that safeguards environmental health while promoting long-term sustainability.
[1] The ‘Save Aarey’ movement, which gained prominence in Mumbai in 2019, emerged in response to the proposed construction of a Metro car shed in the Aarey Milk Colony—a forested area often referred to as Mumbai’s ‘green lung’. The movement sought to protect the region’s forest cover and biodiversity from destruction caused by the infrastructure project.
[2] Biophilic design integrates natural elements into built environments to enhance well-being and foster a connection with nature.