19
In Gujarat State, India, averages of 167 urban
areas (8 municipal corporations and 159
municipalities) are: tree cover - 24,374 ha, tree
density-18.93 trees/ha, and tree cover of the
total area-7.05%. These figures are far below
the standard. The tree cover per person in the
urban area of Gujarat is 9.5 m
2
, which is also far
below the standard.
Many forests at the urban fringe such as
Victoria Park in Bhavnagar, Indroda Park in
Gandhinagar and parks and garden in Vadodara
are threatened by urbanization and they need
protection. This is possible when true value of
such forests is accounted properly to counter
the forces of urbanization. The American Forests
Urban Ecosystem Analysis (Green City) offers a
means of quantification of the environmental
benefits of urban trees. American Forest Service
has transferred Urban Ecological Analysis
methods to local communities so that they can
recognise, measure, and advocate better natural
resource policies in their communities. Benefits
include energy conservation, urban heat island
reduction, storm water runoff, air pollution
reduction, noise and glare control, carbon
sequestering and urban recreation/enjoyment.
The analysis has been developed to help local
Table-6: Tree Cover in the Urban Areas (
Mahanagar Palikas + Nagar Palikas
)
Descriptions
Total/average of
eight municipal
corporations
Total of 159
municipalities
Total/average
of Urban Area
Area (ha)
133,322
212,440
345,762
Human population
14,637,900
11,062,100 25,700,000
Tree population
3,300,980
3,244,160
6,545,130
Average tree density (trees/ha)
24.76
15.27
18.93
Tree cover (ha)
12,870
11,504
24,374
Average tree cover of total area ( % )
9.65 %
5.42 %
7.05 %
Number of trees per 100 inhabitants
22.6
29.3
25.5
Tree cover per inhabitant (m
2
/inhabitant)
8.8 m
2
10.4 m
2
9.5 m
2
people demonstrate the value of trees in their
community to its leaders, putting tools into the
hands of local people, so that they can make
community-based decisions that affect long-
term planning, management, and funding. This
method may also be tested in several countries
in the Asian region, including urban areas in
Gujarat in the background of environment
problem.
Developed countries and advance developing
countries such as China recognized value of
urban forest and they implemented plans to
increase green space in the interest of quality of
life. Allocation of budget for developing urban
forestry has increased in many countries. Seol in
South Korea normally made a provision of 2.5 %
budget of city for urban forestry. Melbourne in
Australia allocates 6.5 % per cent of its budget
for urban forestry
24
. Gujarat Government has
also issued direction to
Mahanagar Palika
and
Nagarpalika
to keep a provision of 6% of the
budget for parks and tree plantations. Gujarat
Industrial Development Corporation has also
passed similar resolution to promote tree
plantation in the industrial areas.
