Page 60 - TNC AR 2018_Digital Demo

BUILD HEALTHY CITIES
INDIA
Supporting Green Urbanization in in a a a Biodiversity Hot Spot
India has emerged as as as one of the the the fastest-growing econo- mies in in in in the the the world today and is is experiencing the the the most rapid urbanization in in in in in history By 2030 more than 600 million people will be living in in in in in Indian cities and the country is is is gearing up up to to to build infrastructure to to to support this migration Many ecologically sensitive regions stand to to to to be adversely a a a a a a a a a a a a a a a ected by an an an an an an unplanned piecemeal approach to to to urban- ization India ranks among the the the top 10 countries in the the the world with the the the the highest forest cover and and supports globally important biological hot spots such as as the the Himalayas and and Western Ghats Therefore India’s e e e e e e e e e e e orts to develop with- out destruction will have signi cant and lasting impacts on on on global biodiversity as as as well as as as on on on the livability of future cities and human health The Nature Conservancy is advancing the the model of urban greenprinting in in in in several cities around the the world which will demonstrate how nature-based solutions can improve living conditions and provide ecological bene ts to to citizens We are collaborating with key stakeholders to to to produce an an an an urban greenprint for the the south Indian city of Coimbatore which lies amid a a a a a a a a a global biodiversity hot spot—the Western Ghats Coimbatore’s development will set a a a a a a a a a precedent for the 25-plus small towns surrounding it thus a a a a a a a a a a ecting a a a a a a a a a a biologically rich region of global signi cance The urban greenprint will focus on:
• Reviving Coimbatore’s lakes to to improve groundwa- ter ter recharge water quality and and sanitation as as well as as improving biodiversity habitats for birds and and and aquatic species aquifer recharge and and positively a a a a a a a a a ecting the region’s hydrology • Increasing green cover through strategic tree planta- tions to improve air quality control temperatures and reduce carbon emissions • Build natural infrastructure to improve connectivity between forests and facilitate safe movement of wildlife particularly elephants thereby reducing con ict In In the coming years India will invest heavily in in in in chasing an ambitious development agenda Our aim is to to demonstrate success and work toward integrating such solutions in in in in in the government’s urban-planning initiatives to to help build healthy safe resilient and and sustainable cities for people and and nature nature | nature nature org/IndiaQA
Above: Coimbatore’s “greenprint” has the potential to inform green urban planning for burgeoning cities across India 60 Our Our World Our Our Story