GREEN COVER  AND BIODIVERSITY 
FOR QUALITY OF LIFE.

India's green space per person varies significantly across cities. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), urban areas should have at least *9 square meters of green space per person*. However, most Indian cities fall short of this standard.

Green Space per Person in Some Indian Cities
*Delhi*: Approximately *12 square meters per person* (3 acres per 1,000 people), which is still below WHO recommendations.
*Mumbai*: A meager 0.12 square meters per person (0.03 acres per 1,000 people), which is 75 times less than the WHO recommendation.
*Chennai*: About 0.81 square meters per capita.
*Pune*: Roughly 1.4 square meters per capita.

Kolkata's green space situation isn't looking too great. According to the India State of Forest Report 2021, Kolkata has seen a *30% decline in forest-tree cover* between 2011 and 2021. Here's what we know about Kolkata's green cover:

Green Space Details
*Total Green Cover in Kolkata*: 
Less than 1sq meter per capita .

 Kolkata's Green Space per Person.

Considering the low percentage of green cover, it's likely far below the World Health Organization's (WHO) recommendation of *9 square meters per person*.

Concerns and Efforts
Environmentalists  feel that the loss of green cover is making summers in Kolkata unbearable.
Experts suggest that preserving existing green spaces, conducting environment audits, and tree censuses can help counter the degradation .

Guidelines and Initiatives for Green Spaces in India
 *Urban and Regional Development Plans Formulation and Implementation (URDPFI) Guidelines, 2014*, recommend a minimum of *12-18% green cover* in urban areas.

 *ClimateSmart Cities Assessment Framework (CSCAF)* assesses cities on green cover and biodiversity, among other parameters .

The per-person green cover requirement isn't a fixed global standard, as it varies based on factors like location, climate, and urban planning goals. 
However, some guidelines and targets for green spaces per person exist:

*World Health Organization (WHO)*: Recommends at least 9 square meters of green space per person for urban areas.

*Urban Planning Goals*: 
Some cities in the world aim for higher targets, like 20-30 square meters per person, to enhance livability and environmental benefits.

Importance of Green Cover per Person

*Health and Well-being*:
 Access to green spaces improves physical and mental health.

*Environmental Benefits*: 
Green spaces help mitigate urban heat islands, manage stormwater, and support biodiversity.

*Urban Livability*:
 Adequate green cover enhances the quality of life in cities.

Sign the petition below :

https://www.change.org/forestdevelopmentpetitionbysmg

Think Tank :
Somendra mohan ghosh environmentalist