The Economic Survey 2024-25, shared in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, highlights the importance of vertical gardens in India’s plan for a more sustainable urban future. These green walls, also called living walls, are not just pretty but help fight city issues like heat and pollution. They soak up carbon dioxide and encourage wildlife while making cities look better.
Singapore is shown as a great example of using greenery in cities. The country has successfully turned crowded urban areas into vibrant ecosystems. A standout feature is Changi Airport’s Jewel, which opened in 2019. It features a six-acre indoor rainforest around the world’s largest indoor waterfall, a stunning 130-foot high drop of rainwater. This space has over 2,000 trees and 100,000 plants, helping to clean the air and reduce noise, while also giving travelers a peaceful retreat.
Another beautiful spot is Gardens by the Bay, where tall “Supertrees” do more than look good. They help collect rainwater and generate solar energy, proving Singapore’s dedication to being eco-friendly.
Why Does India Need Vertical Gardens? With cities growing rapidly, India faces issues like congestion, pollution, and rising temperatures. The Economic Survey suggests adding vertical gardens to Indian cities to change dull buildings into helpful, eco-friendly spaces that clean the air and cool the environment.
A great example already happening in India is the Income Tax Department’s work, using over seven lakh recycled plastic bottles to create vertical gardens in 17 states. This project shows how waste can be reused to beautify cities and help the environment.
Vertical gardens are not just good for looks; they clean the air by soaking up pollution. They also help keep buildings cool, cutting energy costs. Plus, having greenery around is great for mental health. Studies show that being around plants reduces stress and boosts mood and productivity.
The Policy Support: ECSBC 2024 and Smart Cities The new Energy Conservation and Sustainable Building Code (ECSBC) 2024 is a step towards greener building in cities. The Economic Survey suggests adding specific rules for vertical gardens in this code to make a bigger impact.
The Smart City Mission is also working to make cities better places to live and work while ensuring they are eco-friendly. The Urban River Management Plan (URMP) and River Cities Alliance (RCA)—a project by the Ministry of Jal Shakti and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs—are helping create urban planning that respects rivers. Bringing vertical gardens into these plans would make cities even better.
Learning from Singapore India’s laws are changing to support better building practices with the ECSBC 2024, but more can be done to include rules for vertical gardens, making India’s cities greener like those in Singapore, Japan, and the European Union. It is important to make vertical gardens standard features in our cities to promote cleaner and healthier environments.
For India to follow Singapore’s successful example, it is important to:
– Require green facades in building laws
– Provide financial support to builders for green features
– Increase research in sustainable building
– Encourage partnerships between public and private sectors to expand green projects
As India continues its urban development, vertical gardens can turn concrete jungles into beautiful green spaces. With the right support and awareness, a cooler and healthier India could be a reality sooner than we think.
Leave a Reply