workshop on “green chennai city” · 2014-08-19 · chennai, familiar to most people by its...

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1State Planning Commission

Workshop on

“GReeN CheNNai CiTy”

– SCope foR GReeNiNG & BeaUTifiCaTioN

– LoCaTioN of LaNdS, WaTeR ReSoURCeS & appRopRiaTe SpeCieS aNd

– foLLoW Up aCTioN

Sponsored by

State planning CommissionTamil Nadu State Land Use Research Board

Chepauk – Chennai

Printed under the funds of

Tamil Nadu State Land Use Research BoardState planning CommissionChepauk, Chennai- 600005

Workshop series : 1 / LU (2013)

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2 State Planning CommissionTNSLURB

Tamil Nadu State planning Commission The State Planning Commission was constituted in Tamil Nadu on 25th May 1971 under the Chairmanship of the Hon’ble Chief Minister as an Advisory body to make recommendations to the Government on various matters pertaining to the development of the State. The Chairman of the Commission is assisted by a team of Members, Consisting of Vice Chairman, Full Time Member & Part Time Members who are experts in various fields. The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Planning, Development and Special Initiatives and the Principal Secretary to Government, Finance Department are the ex-officio members. The Member Secretary is responsible for administration in the Commission.

The Commission has the following technical divisions:1. Agricultural Policy and Planning

2. Industries, Power and Transport

3. Land Use

4. Education and Employment

5. Health and Social Welfare

6. District Planning and Rural Development

7. Plan Co-ordination.

Main activities of SpC:The Major Functions of the State Planning Commission are as follows:

1. Preparation of Five Year and Annual Plans based on the policies and priorities of the Government;

2. Undertake Mid Term review of the Five Year Plan, other special reviews on the Economy and advise the Government on appropriate modification and restructuring of the schemes;

3. Monitor development indicators that influence the Human Development Index, Gender Development Index, etc., at a disaggregated level and suggest correctional measures;

4. Undertake special studies as required for formulation and implementation of plan projects and programmes;

5. Tamil Nadu State Land Use Research Board (TNSLURB) is functioning under the chairmanship of Vice Chairman, State Planning Commission as a permanent body in the State Planning Commission. This Board is intended to promote interaction and study in the vital areas of land use. The State Planning Commission organizes seminars/workshops and undertake studies.

6. Human Development Reports (HDRs) were prepared for Dindigul, Sivagangai, Tiruvannamalai, Cuddalore, Nagapattinam, the Nilgiris, Kanyakumari and Dharmapuri districts. The concept of Human Development has been disseminated to all districts through workshops organized in the concerned districts. Proposal for preparation of District Human Development Reports (DHDR) for the remaining districts is under process.

7. State Balanced Growth Fund (SBGF) is operated to bridge the regional imbalances among the districts.

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CoNTeNTS

Sections page No.

Workshop Team 4

Workshop Sessions 5

Executive Summary 6

Session – i

Tree Cover in Chennai City 8

Session – ii

Bio-remediation and Restoration of the Perungudi Solid Waste Dump 33

Session – iii

Urban Forestry 42

Summary of Discussions 60

Summary of Recommendations 63

List of Participants 65

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1. Tmt. Santha Sheela Nair, i.a.S. (Retd.),Vice Chairperson

2. Thiru. M.Balaji, i.a.S.,Member Secretary

3. Thiru. Sugato dutt, i.f.S.,Head of Division (Land Use)

4. Md. Kaleemullah,Senior Planning Officer (Land Use)

5. Thiru. p. Suresh Kumar,Senior Research Fellow,Tamil Nadu State Land Use Research Board.

6. Tmt. S. Rajalakshmi,Technical Assistant (Land Use)

7. Thiru. M.Thirumavalavan,Technical Assistant (Land Use)

8. Tmt. R. V. Meenakshi,Planning Assistant (Land Use)

institutions / departments / NGos

9. dr. R. pauline, Assistant Professor, Women’s Christian College, Chennai

10. dr. Jayashree Vencatesan, Managing Trustee, Care Earth, Chennai

11. dr. Koyel Mandal, Programme Head, IFMR, Chennai

12 dr. Vivek Venkataramani, IFMR, Chennai

WoRKShop TeaMSTaTe pLaNNiNG CoMMiSSioN

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WoRKShop SeSSioNS

Welcome addressThiru. M. Balaji, i.a.S., Member Secretary, State Planning Commission, Chennai

presidential addressTmt. Santha Sheela Nair, i.a.S., (Retd.) Vice Chairperson, State Planning Commission, Chennai

Session – i

Tree Cover in Chennai Citydr. R. pauline, Assistant Professor, Women’s Christian College, Chennai

Session – ii

pallikaranai Marsh- Bio-Remediation of perungudi dumpsite including Tree planting

dr. Jayashree Vencatesan, Managing Trustee, Care Earth, Chennai

Session – iii

Urban forestry :

i. abatement of environmental pollution

dr. Koyel Mandal, Programme Head, IFMR, Chennai

ii. Stakeholder involvement in post plantation after care and maintenance

dr. Vivek Venkataramani, IFMR, Chennai

Vote of ThanksThiru. Sugato dutt, i.f.S., Head of Division (Land Use), State Planning Commission, Chennai

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exeCUTiVe SUMMaRy

Tamil Nadu State Land Use Research Board, State Planning Commission recently conducted a workshop on “Green Chennai City” at State Planning Commission (SPC) under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman, SPC. The key objective of this workshop is to remark the population growth in the State, rapid urbanization and industrialization and the need for greening the Chennai city to cope up with the environmental pollution due to urban growth and industrialization. The workshop also emphasis the need for protecting wetlands and water bodies for sustainable management of land and water resources.The resource person has made their presentation on ‘Tree Cover in Chennai City’, ‘Urban Forestry’, and ‘Pallikaranai Marsh - Bio-remediation of Perungudi dumpsite including tree planting’.

Women’s Christian College, Chennai has presented their study on the tree diversity of Chennai metropolitan city. They explained the importance of trees in urban landscapes in terms of diversity, distribution and density. Use of GIS technology to map the tree-rich sites and very rare trees, this would be useful in the future analysis. Preparation of list of new species reports for the city and identification of heritage trees in the city. Historical changes of tree diversity in Chennai over two centuries and coining of local names for exotic species. They also suggest suitable species for planting in various niches in Chennai.

Care Earth Trust, Chennai shared their enhanced view about the Pallikaranai Marsh Land located along the Coramandel Coast south of the Adyar Estuary. The Perungudi dump yard, spans over 75.22 ha. on the north-eastern part of the Pallikaranai Marsh. The area of the dump yard has doubled over the last decade with an increase from 32 ha. in 2002-03 to the current expanse of about 75 ha. In addition to the sheer location of the dump yard within the wetland, the fact that the edge effect of the dump yard has been increasing from 2.34 ha. in 2002 leading to a loss of 51 percent of the wetland. Restoration of the Pallikaranai Marsh Land is to restore highly degraded but localized sites, to improve production capability in degraded but localized production lands, and to enhance conservation values in protected/productive landscapes. According to the biological view point restoration can be applied to ecosystems, habitats, communities, species, water or soil quality or some other characteristic of the degraded area.

IFMR, Chennai shared their idea about – A Planned Approach for Urban Forestry. The perceived need is to increasing green cover/spaces in urban centers to improve environmental quality in general and mitigate air pollution in particular – direct, tangible benefit. Planned Approach is to Utilizing credible data, visual, geo-referenced tools to analyze and present information on urban vegetation and air pollution to

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policymakers to guide action on urban forestry and providing information for citizens. And analysis using utilization of GIS-based analysis to determine policy action and implement management plans (back end). Add value may be an interactive tool that will generate instant insights into the issue while presenting data as pictorial map visuals (front end).

A stepping stone to Urban Sustainability. The pollution levels in the various wards or areas within the city where the green spaces can be established. The availability of land, feasibility of growing plants in the selected plots, etc. would be find using appropriate scientific methods and stakeholder consultations. The species that are chosen for plantation can be resistant to floods, droughts, soil erosion, etc. The local

community participation in the maintenance of the green space (irrigation, watering saplings, clean up, garbage disposal, etc.) is a prerequisite for setting them up. A secondary analysis of the Carbon Sequestration potential of the TOF(trees outside of forests)/green spaces created would help us understand the prospective carbon storage capacity and to act as climate mitigation tool. Energy efficiency could be achieved through usage of renewable lighting and energy generation through sustainable waste management technology installed in the parks. This can be the first step to promote the inclusion of urban forestry as a part of the city development plan which currently focuses mainly on the provision of basic services that does not include environment.

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SeSSioN – iTRee CoVeR iN CheNNai CiTy

Tree diversity of Chennai Metropolitan City

highlights of the Study

• ComprehensivedocumentationofChennai’sgreenhistory

• Mappingoftree-richsitesandveryraretreesusingGISTechnology

• Newspeciesreportsforthecity

• Identificationofheritagetrees

• HistoricalchangesoftreediversityinChennaiovertwocenturies

• SuggestionofsuitablespeciesforplantinginvariousnichesinChennai

• Coiningoflocalnamesforexoticspecies

CheNNai:

Chennai, familiar to most people by its previous name Madras, is the fourth largest metropolitan city in India with a population of 4.68 million. Chennai city has grown laterally and the municipality along with its peri-urban fringe, including Thiruvallur and Kancheepuram districts, is now known as Chennai Metropolitan Area. The urban agglomerate covers a total area of 1189 sq. km including the city’s 176 sq. km. The green cover of Chennai city is 6.25%, which includes 5 sq. km of moderately dense forest and 4 sq. km of open forest (Forest Survey of India, 2009).

Tree planting in the past had been carried out by the Forest department, Public Works Department and Corporation of Madras. Also many G.Os indicate the nature of trees to be planted in avenues and as fuel trees in Madras.

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expoNeNTiaL GRoWTh of CheNNai

expansion of the City

population Status

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The objectives of the study

• Tostudythediversityanddistributionoftrees in the urban landscape of Chennai city

• Tomapthewood-richsitesinChennai

• ToprepareaSpatialDistributionMapforthe rare trees of Chennai

• To identify heritage trees that possessreligious, cultural and historical significance

• Toinvestigatethechangesintreediversityof Chennai in the past two centuries

• Toanalyzethecompositionofindigenousand exotic elements in the city

• Toprovideatreechartforpolicy-makersand facilitate the right choice of species for planting in various places in the city.

Methodology

An extensive field work was undertaken to document the diversity and distribution of trees in Chennai city comprising of 10 corporation zones. These field visits were helpful to comprehensively cover the study area spanning an urban core of 176 sq. km. GIS (Geographic Information System) based Spatial Distribution of Trees of Chennai (SDTOC) was built in this study incorporating field data collected through GPS (Global Positioning System) and Remote Sensing.

findings

• The city of Chennai provides a heterogeneous niche for tree diversity.

• Thenaturalpocketsof vegetationareatthe Guindy Reserve Forest and Adyar Estuary.

• The Agri - Horticultural Society, Semmozhi Poonga and Theosophical Society act as good conservatories for both exotic and native species.

• Academic institutions, avenues, homegardens, public parks and sea coast showcase human efforts to plant and preserve the tree diversity in Chennai.

Mapping of tree-rich sites and very rare trees using GiS Technology

The extremely rare trees in these sites were mapped using GPS technology and the Spatial Distribution of Trees of Chennai (SDTOC) was generated. The spatial database revealed dense clusters in 5 major tree-rich sites in Chennai: Theosophical Society, Adyar Eco Park, Agri-Horticultural Society, Botanical Garden on Cathedral Road and Guindy National Park.

The newly designed botanical garden on Cathedral road, Theosophical Society, public parks and few academic institutions showcased diverse and exotic palms which are first reports for the state and the city.

Loss of Tree Cover

The city is rapidly losing its tree cover because of various infrastructure development projects. The commencement of metro rail work in many areas of the city has resulted in the closure of parks like May Day Park at Chintadripet, Nehru Park on Poonamallee High Road and Thiru-vi-ka Park at Shenoy Nagar. Many rare trees for Chennai like Barringtonia acutangula and Berrya cordifolia inside Thiru-vi-kapark and Cassia javanica subsp. nodosa, in Nehru Park have been axed.

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Trees in Urban LandscapesResidential Areas, Avenues, Public Parks & Remnant Natural Vegetation

ecosystem Services• Pollutionabatement• Noisereduction• Floodcontrol• Microclimateamelioration• Reduceenergyconsumption• Carbonsequestration• Increasesurbanbiodiversity

Urban green spaces are important elements to urban sustainability and green infrastructure’ in cities.

Major Metropolitan Cities of india

Metropolitan – A region consisting of a densely populated urban core and its less-populated surrounding territories

India – 1.2 billion people, 53 urban agglomerates & about 100 metros.

Citypopulation

(2011)area (Sq.km.)

population density / km2

GreenCover (%)

Delhi 16,753,235 1,483 11,297 11.91

Mumbai 3,145,966 157 20,038 1.27

Kolkata 4,486,679 185 24,252 0

Chennai 4,681,087 176 26,903 6.25

Hyderabad 4,010,238 172 23,315 5.07

Source: www.censusindia.gov.in; Forest Survey of India, 2011

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eaRLy effoRTS of TRee pLaNTiNG iN CheNNai

Tree planting by forest department

7th August 1860Ficus amplissima, Polyalthia longifolia & Tamarindus indica

Robert Brown

Adenanthera pavonina, Azadirachta indica, Bombax ceiba, Casuarina equisetifolia, Delonix regia, Ficus amplissima, F. benghalensis, F.nitida, F.religiosa, Millingtonia hortensis, Polyalthia longifolia, Parkia biglandulosa, Sterculia foetida, Tamarindus indica & Thespesia populnea

Tree planting by public Works department

G.O. No 1350 W., dt 18th November 1909 – Trees along Marina

amount sanctioned: Rs 16,330 (1909)

Azadirachta indica, Acacia auriculiformis, Areca catechu, Calophyllum inophyllum, Cassia fistula, Casuarina equisetifolia, Kigelia pinnata, Parkia biglandulosa, Samanea saman, Terminalia catappa, Thespesia populnea

Maintenance of Loanes Square Park, Napier’s Park, People’s Park & Robinson’s Park – Rs 24,258 (1907 – 08)

– Rs 26,007 (1908 – 09)

Tree planting by Corporation of Madras

Avenue Plantation - Primarily to provide shade for Pedestrians 1500 tree saplings (1949 – 50)

ReSULTS aNd diSCUSSioN

Total Number of Species 306Total Number of Genera 206Total Number of Families 64

City Number

1 Trees of Chennai – Current Study (2012)

306

2 Trees of Delhi by Krishen, P. (2006)

242

3 The Trees of Calcutta by Benthall, A. P. (1933)

240

4 Trees of Mumbai by Almeida, M. & N. Chaturvedi (2006)

118

NaTURaL poCKeTS

Guindy National park

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adyaR

CoNSeRVaToRieSTheosophical Society agri-horticultural Society

Botanical Garden

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eCo-ReSToRed SiTeS

Tholkaapia poonga, adyar

herbal park, otteri

\

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oTheR aReaSReligious places

avenues

Corporation parks

• ColonialEstablishments

• AcademicInstitutions

• Corporate

• Offices

• CoastalAreas

• HomeGardens

• Hospitals

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haBiTaT foR BiRdS aNd oTheR WiLdLife

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TRee-RiCh SiTeS iN CheNNai oVeRLaid oN MULTiSpeCTRaL iMaGe CapTURed By iRS 1C – LiSS iii SaTeLLiTe

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SpaTiaL diSTRiBUTioN of TReeS of CheNNai (SdToC)

w.r.t VeRy RaRe SpeCieS found as a solitary tree or in a single location

frequency of distribution

• VeryRare–1or2individuals/locations

• Rare–3to10individuals

• LessCommon–11to50individuals

• Common–51to100individuals

• VeryCommon->100individuals

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examples : Very Common Species

• RattlePod• Neem• CurryLeaf• Papaya• IndianLaburnum• Casuarina• WhiteSilkCotton• Coconut• Gulmohr• Banyan

Spacious houses

• Bael-Vilvam• Neem• IndianLaburnum–Sarakonrai• Coconut• WoodApple• Mango• RainTree• Tamarind

apartments

• Lipstick Tree• MadagascarPalm• WhiteIxora• TreeLettuce• WhiteFrangipani• PagodaTree• YellowBells

plumeriaobtusa

• Mast• CopperPod• IndianCorkTree• PongamTree• RoyalPalm• PagodaTree• JavaPlum• RainTree• PortiaTree• IndianAlmond

hoMe GaRdeNS

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dypSiS LUTeSCeNS

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heRiTaGe TReeSHeritage trees were identified and assessed based on their age, size, appearance and most importantly their cultural and historical significance.

fiCUS BeNGhaLeNSiS C. 450 yeaRS oLd

fiCUSReLiGioSa

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adaNSoNia diGiTaTa – BaoBaB

Adansoniadigitata is the most widespread of the Adansonia species on the African continent, found in the hot, dry savannahs of sub-Saharan Africa. It also grows, having spread secondary to cultivation, in populated areas.

Madras Medical College Theosophical Society

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GoVeRNMeNT MUSeUM

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yMCa, NaNdaNaM

NUMBeR of TRee SpeCieS ReCoRded iN CheNNai SiNCe CoLoNiaL TiMeS

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ThReaTS

• ChangeinLandUse– Spacious garden houses replaced by apartments

• DegradationofHabitats

• Vandalism

• InfrastructuralDevelopment

ThiRU-Vi-Ka paRK aT SheNoy NaGaR

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• RedBeadTree(Adenantherapavonina)

• Neem(Azadirachtaindica)

• TriconmaleeTeak(Berryacordifolia)

• BastardRoseWood(Dalbargialanceolaria)

• Rosewood(Dalbergiasissoo)

• CeylonTea(Elaeodendronglaucum)

• HelicopterTree(Gyrocarpusamericanus)

• IndianElm(Holopteleaintegrifolia)

• Bulletwood(Mimusopselengi)

• Cadamba(Mitragynaparvifolia)

• Putranjiva(Putranjivaroxburghii)

• ArjunTree(Terminaliaarjuna)

• LacTree(Schleicheraoleosa)

TReeS SUiTaBLe foR pLaNTiNG iN BRoad aVeNUeS (> 30 M WidTh)

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• Aathi(Bauhiniaracemosa)

• WildLime(Atalantiamonophylla)

• Ebony(Diospyrosebenum)

• TorchTree(Ixorapavetta)

• KamalaTree(Mallotusphilippensis)

• OrangeJasmine(Murrayapaniculata)

• CarnivalBush(Ochnaobtusata)

• Pamburus(Pamburusmissionis)

• Polyalthiakorinti

TReeS SUiTaBLe foR pLaNTiNG iN NaRRoW aVeNUeS (< 30 M WidTh)

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TReeS SUiTaBLe foR CoaSTaL aReaS

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oRNaMeNTaL TReeS

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aCTioN pLaN foR The CiTy of CheNNai

The study provides detailed information on the tree diversity of Chennai and a key to their identification, which will be a useful source of reference for students, nature lovers, landscape architects, foresters, horticulturists, tourists and NGOs. A list of native and selected exotic species suitable for diverse horticultural uses and habitats are suggested for the improvement of tree diversity in Chennai. Tamil names have been coined for exotic species, to facilitate easy identification and usage of nomenclature by the locals. This study will also be a valuable resource for urban greening and for future management of green cover in Chennai.

The following suggestions are recommended for sustainable greening of Chennai city:

1. Potential sites may be identified for planting indigenous plants (Places like Academic Institutions, Barren hillocks, Corporation Parks, Lake Bunds, River banks and Sea Coast).

2. Choosing the right species for the right habitat is highly important while planting trees;

2.1. Large trees with a spreading canopy are suitable for wide roads

2.2. Small trees with a compact canopy are suitable for narrow avenues

2.3. Trees planted along the coast must be wind and salt-resistant and

2.4. Bird-friendly trees must have copious nectar in flowers or produce brightly coloured fleshy fruits or have boles for suitable habitation.

2.5. A Tree Regulatory Authority may be formed with representatives from the Corporation of Chennai, Urban Forestry Division, Public Works Department, Plant Specialists and NGOs.

2.6. Tree Registers may be maintained with details of several tree planting events in Chennai. Tree Registers can also be maintained with information about rare species and the details can be made available in public domain for protection and education.

2.7. Protection of Heritage Trees.

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SeSSioN – iiBio-ReMediaTioN aNd ReSToRaTioN of The peRUNGUdi

SoLid WaSTe dUMp

an opportunity to enhance the ecological merit of Chennai

One of the issues that are rather complex to handle in urban conditions, and very often construed as a negative output of the urbanization process is the issue of solid waste disposal. Historically, landfills and dump yards were the only option available to the civic authorities to handle solid waste disposal. Apart from being cost effective, this option also had the merit of being easy to implement with

little or minimal intervention of technology and manpower. But as cities expanded rather rapidly, with the boundaries engulfing adjacent small towns and villages, the issue of dedicated large tracts of land as dump yards became unviable. Additionally, the notion of having a solid waste yard in one’s neighborhood was being viewed with hostility by local residents in many towns and cities.

perungudi dump yard

area : 75.22 hectare (0.7522sqkm).perimeter of the landfill:5.96 km

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Yet another aspect of urbanization, which is a dominance of human centric infrastructure and consequent anthropogenic impact over natural areas leading to permanent change in land use and land cover, is the non-availability of spaces for public utilization, or in generic terms, public space. The need of spaces that are for common/public use in recent past was fulfilled by areas that were under the category of common property resources, or by dedicated religious and spiritual spaces. As such spaces disappeared and the functionality of public spaces evolved to include aspects such as learning, amusement, gastronomic indulgence etc, the need to have dedicated public spaces within and around cities has become imperative. One such potential case that can, if addressed through a combination of scientific, technological and human centric solution paradigm, effectively address the issue of reviving a solid waste dump yard and provide a public space is the bioremediation and restoration of the Perungudi dump yard.

A large part of south Chennai was historically a flood plain as evidenced by the soil type of the region, which is described as recent alluvium and granite gneiss. Spread over 50 sq. km, it comprised of a large marsh (Pallikaranai marsh), smaller satellite wetlands, large tracts of pasture land and patches of dry forests. The composite nature of the landscape is depicted in the following diagram wherein the entire landscape is defined as a coastal plain with intermittent and overlapping habitat types of cultivation,wetlands and scrub forests.

habitat types of South Chenai flood plain

Locally known as Kazhiveli (a generic Tamil name for marshes and swamps), the Pallikaranai marsh drained about 250 sq. km, through two outlets viz the OkkiyamMadavu (channel) in Okkiyam thuraipakkam and the Kovalam.

The Pallikaranai Marsh is located along the Coramandel Coast south of the Adyar Estuary. It is surrounded by the IT-Corridor (Rajiv Gandhi Salai / Old Mahabalipuram Road) and the residential areas of Perungudi and Thoraipakkam on the East, Siruseri-Sholinganallur villages on the south, the residential areas of Pallikaranai, Madipakkam and Narayanapuram on the West and Velachery, Taramani, Kandan Chavadi, Perungudi on the North.

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The original expanse of the marsh, estimated on the basis of the Survey of India toposheets (1972) and aerial photographs (Corona) of the year 1965 was about 5500 ha. It has currently been reduced to around one-tenth of its original extent largely due to urbanisation and the consequent problem of solid waste disposal. The Marsh has survived due to its unique ecology – in being partly saline and largely freshwater. This more or less flat low-lying land has sustained an ecosystem by draining the storm water from large areas of southeast Chennai into the Bay of Bengal. The most important link – in fact the aorta of the ecosystem, is the narrow canal at Okkiyanmadavu that takes the Marsh’s water into the sea.

The vegetation abutting the wetland had in the past been popularly known as ‘Vandalur Scrub’ that extended through most

of the coastal parts of Kancheepuram and Chengelput Districts covering the Vandalur Hills as well. The forests are the Southern Tropical Thorn Forests - a vegetation type that occurs in tropical regions that receive less than 100cm of rainfall annually and the vegetation being dominated by xerophytes including cactuses. This vegetation type is dominated by thorns and drought adapted species many of which bear latex.

The Perungudi dump yard, spans over 75.22 ha. is located on the north-eastern part of the Pallikaranai Marsh. The area of the dump yard has doubled over the last decade with an increase from 32 ha. in 2002-03 to the current expanse of about 75 ha. In addition to the sheer location of the dump yard within the wetland, the fact that the edge effect of the dump yard has been increasing from 2.34 ha. in 2002 leading to a loss of 51 percent of the wetland.

Bioremediation and Restoration of the perungudi dump yard

The plan is adaptive in nature, having evolved through long term research, engagement of the stakeholders and subject

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to the process of citizen participation and monitoring. The operative principles of the Plan are as follows:

1. The Plan recognizes that the target area is located within a marsh which entails that the area is an intermediate between an aquatic and terrestrial system, prone to ecological flips.

2. The Plan is designed to accord impor-tance to hydrology, specifically drainage and flood mitigation as well as the dichotomous nature of water and the soil substrate.

3. The bioremediation component of the Plan is in situ and dependent on the hydrology of the marsh, largely allowing the natural flow of water to foster remediation.

4. The Plan accords importance to the biodiversity richness of 98 the Marsh and more importantly the character and function of the marsh i.e. it is a feeding habitat for the 122 species of birds that are known to occur in the landscape.

5. The Plan also recognizes that the landscape is a composite of wetlands of varying sizes and character interspersed with human infrastructure notably roads and residential zones and hence any effort for greening needs to factor in issues of local use for fishing, grazing etc.

6. In view of the fact that the dump yard has been in operation for over 25 years within a wetland, and has a current holding of about 200,000 metric tons of solid waste, it is important to appreciate that only relictual restoration is possible.

Guidelines and operational principles defining the restoration initiative

Restoration can be defined as “the act of restoring to a former state or position ... or to an unimpaired or perfect condition”.

Restoration is usually carried out for one of the following reasons:

a) to restore highly degraded but localized sites,

b) to improve production capability in degraded but localized production lands,

c) to enhance conservation values in protected/productive landscapes.

According to the biological viewpoint restoration can be applied to ecosystems, habitats, communities, species, water or soil quality or some other characteristic of the degraded area.

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Habitat restoration is a term that is frequently used to cover the general topic of restoring ecosystems for the specific purpose of providing habitat- either for an individual or a group of species found in an area. Habitat restoration lays more emphasis on the area where organism lives rather than ecological functions.

Habitat can be defined as the dwelling place of an organism or community containing the particular combination of resources and environmental conditions that are required by individuals of a given species or group of species to carry out life processes. Habitat is not equivalent to ‘habitat type’ which refers to the type of vegetation association in an area.

Restoration Goals

A restoration goal is a description of the desired outcome of restoration. The restoration goals identified should be specific, measurable, agreed upon, realistic and time bound, developed in consultation with the stakeholders.

The Restoration initiative

The following factors organized into clusters were utilized for defining and developing the restoration programme for the Perungudi dump yard.

1. The cluster of natural (abiotic) factors

1. Area available approx. 75 ha.

2. The candidate area is located within a marsh: average annual rainfall around 1200 mm.

3. North and Western zones are inlets for precipitation run off.

4. Wind peaks during the late hours from the Easterly direction

5. Local soil type is Recent alluvium gneiss, while availablesubstrate is solid waste requiring topsoil topping

6. Possibility of using treated or partially treated sewage to be considered

2. The cluster of operational factors

1. Human foot print of visitors

2. Irregular patch with significant edge condition

3. Presence of significant quantity of non-biodegradable waste.

3. The cluster of greening and maintenance

1. Integrity of the dump yard to be broken, smaller patches to be created with minimal or constructed connectivity

2. Multi species, gallery like planting; actual composition of species in accordance 229 with the zonation.

3. Certain species need to be restricted: for instance, leaf shedding species, wide canopy species etc.

4. Focus on shrubs, herbs and grasses to enable naturalrecruitment and improve soil quality through mulching

5. All trees recommended native to India, with few being strict natives to the landscape

6. Shrubs will have a mix of native and garden species (75:25)

7. Issues pertaining to maintenance, minimizing threats

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The Restoration design

1. Based on the existing hydrological flows in the landscape, the quantum of water holding of the marsh, the first step would be to dig trenches on a North-West, South –East gradient with in the dump yard.

2. The concern that contaminants and pollutants from the dump yard would percolate into the southern segment of the marsh, which is a Reserve Forest is quite erroneous for the following reasons: a) the draining of water is an ongoing process since the dump yard is located within the wetland, and there are dedicated culverts to facilitate the drainage of water b) the natural flow of water would over a period of time, flush the contamination and pollutants c) there would be continued presence of some organic pollutants given the fact that the marsh drains 250 sq.km of the south Chennai.

3. Once the dump yard is trenched, the patches could be studied for their contour and restoration activities such as strengthening of bunds through the use of plants, enriching the top soil etc.

4. The restoration initiative does not recommend for a complete cessation of the solid waste management activities, but emphasizes on the need to have a sanitary landfill within a small patch wherein activities that foster recycling and reuse could be taken up.

5. The intervention for each of the patches would be as follows; it is to be noted that

the area of restoration exceeds the 75 ha. to include peripheral areas such as weigh bridge area of the dump yard, existing mud roads etc.

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Intervention Area

Sanitary landfill 33 Ha

Breeding/ feeding habitat for birds 22 Ha

Restoration Plot 49 Ha

Interpretation Area 12 Ha

Public facilities 6 Ha

6. The location of the each of the aforestated patches is depicted in the following diagram

The following series of diagrams detail the design for greening initiative within the patches dedicated for restoration and breeding. They also provide a cross section view of the proposed design.

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aqUa ZoNe

ReSToRaTioN ZoNe

Checklist for the possible contents of a Restoration plan The effectiveness of the restoration initiative for the Perungudi dump yard could be monitored using the following checklist:

• Background to the project, stakeholders involved

• Restorationgoals,targetsandmilestones• Sitelocationandprojectboundaries• Rainfallandotherclimaticconsiderations• Physical properties of the soil and

landforms over the site• Physicalfeatures(includinginfrastructure)

and their location

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• Landusehistoryandpriordisturbanceatand adjacent to the site

• Current location, state and‘trajectory’ ofnative vegetation (if present)

• Condition and distribution of otherrelevant habitat features currently present

• Proximity to other habitat/remnantvegetation

• Currentandpotential futurethreats thatneed to be addressed in order to reach the restoration goal (include site threats and project risks)

• Management unit locations and theirmanagement context (maintain, improve, reconstruct or works exclusion zone)

• Desiredhabitatgoalstate(e.g.vegetationcomposition and structure)

• Management actions, with animplementation schedule prioritized

over time and space (with flexibility for adjustment according to adaptive management as the project progresses)

• Standard operating procedures andaccess to the site

• Indicativeresourcerequirements

• Monitoring and evaluation goals,indicators and schedule

• Locationofreferencesites(ifapplicable)

• Theprocessofreportingandreview

• Contacts and references (includingprevious reports)

In conclusion, the bioremediation and restoration of the Perungudi dump yard is based on a comprehensive study of the landscape, its character and ecosystem functions. It takes a balanced view of the urbanization process and is designed to convert a problem into a desired output that fulfills the need of the citizens of Chennai for a green public space.

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SeSSioN - iiiURBaN foReSTRy

– a stepping stone to Urban Sustainability

introduction:

Chennai urban agglomeration which is home to a resident population of 8.9 million according to the 2011 census is the fourth most populous metropolitan area in the country. Chennai’s economy has a broad industrial base in the automobile sector which houses 30% of India’s automobile industry. A recent news article on Asian Age claimed that the vehicular population in Chennai as in April 2012 was 37 lakh in number. This ever growing population and rising industrial development topped by the additional vehicular population has resulted in an alarming increase in the pollution levels in the city.

A recent study undertaken on different cities to compare their green cover stated that Chennai was one of the least green metropolitan cities with a meager 9.5% of its geographical area under green cover. With the ever increasing vehicular pollution, it is very important to increase green cover particularly in the urban spaces.

Urban forests, whether public or private, offer a multitude of benefits. Research indicates that healthy trees can decrease negative impacts of urbanization while improving human health. Trees and plants buffer wind and noise, and generally are recognized as positive influences on health and well-being. Trees can reduce energy costs, cool “heat islands” by providing shade, sequester carbon, trap pollutants, and

slow storm runoff. The right tree in the right place can provide beauty, a shady place to shelter from the sun, food, soil stabilization, increase property values, conservation and cultural benefits. Amidst the bustling city life, they provide a safe natural environment for residents to exercise and children to play.

Urban forestry projects are also used to advance the understanding of urban forestry resource, improve urban forest policies, planning and management, provide data to support the potential inclusion of trees within environmental regulations, and determine how trees affect the environment and consequently enhance human health and environmental quality in urban areas.

Alterations in the environment as a consequence of climate change are inevitable in a person’s day-to-day life.

Hence it is important to integrate measures to mitigate climate change with daily lifestyle of the communities. Consequently, green initiatives by themselves aren’t sufficient to increase the city’s green cover, but them being supplemented by community partici-pation is what makes the difference.

project Summary

The pollution levels in the various wards or areas within the city will be studied in consultation with the State Pollution Control

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Board officials and experts in the field to select four sites where the green spaces can be established.

In the selected localities with high pollution levels, government owned or institutional lands which could be used for this purpose will have to be selected. The availability of land, feasibility of growing plants in the selected plots, etc. will be studied using appropriate scientific methods and stakeholder consultations.

The past trends of meteorological data of rainfall can be studied to analyse the water table in different areas.

The species that are chosen for plantation can be resistant to floods, droughts, soil erosion, etc. Such climate resistant species will be carefully selected with suggestions from experts in the field.

The local community participation in the maintenance of the green space (irrigation, watering saplings, clean up, garbage disposal, etc.) is a prerequisite for setting them up. Seminars and workshops will be conducted in the schools to target children of different age groups and also residents of the locality. Thiswould encourage them to appreciate their local neighborhood as part of the greater environment and participate in the green space management of their locality. It would also induce them to assess their landscape and think pro-actively about ways to improve it, both for themselves and also in terms of the entire city and the global environment.

A baseline survey amongst different strata of the community will be undertaken to understand their willingness to preserve the environment and maintain green spaces in their locality.

Next step would involve a systematic plantation of saplings in their designated spaces with adequate volunteers. Sustained maintenance with community participation can be assured only by providing monetary/non-monetary incentives. Revenue can begenerated through user/registration charges by setting up a small club or sports/recreational facilities within the premises of the green space.

A secondary analysis of the Carbon Sequestration potential of the TOF (trees outside of forests)/green spaces created would help us understand the prospective carbon storage capacity and to act as climate mitigation tool.

project evaluation and impact assessment

Any assignment related to environment conservation has two types of benefits; those which are derived in the short run and others which can only be measured in the long run.

The benefits of this study in the short run can be measured using the following methodology:

Baseline study: A baseline survey would be undertaken targeting local residents and school children across different age groups to ascertain the knowledge, behavior and attitude towards environment conservation. This would help us design workshops accordingly. This would provide information on the “Before”scenario.

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Impact Evaluation study: A similar study would be conducted after the completion of the study to measure the impact of assignment on different strata of the resident population.This would gauge the effectiveness of the study and highlight the “After” scenario.

The long term gains of this study with regard to ecosystem benefits and climate change resilience can be measured as follows:

After an appropriate period of time, a scientific analysis of the carbon sequestered by the green spaces created needs to be undertaken to signify the success of the project in the long run.

For each of the monitoring variables some milestones or targets would be fixed. After the project duration the performance of the variables would be measured and compared to the targets to arrive at positive or negative deviations. Corrective actions would be taken for improvements in the future.

Tools for Urban Sustainability

outline

• Whyisurbangreeningnecessary?

• Howcanitbedone?

• Howdoweensureitslongtermsustainabilityonceimplemented?

• Howcanthemodelbeevaluated?

Why is urban greening necessary?

The rationale Are cities important in the light of Climate Change?

1) Global City population:• 2008–3.4billion• 2050->70%oftheworldpopulation

2) Cities constitute 3% of the global terres-trial surface but are the world consumers of :

• 75%oftheenergy

• 75%ofthegreenhousegasemissions

• 60%oftheresidentialwateruse

• 75% of the wood consumption forindustrial purposes

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Urban green spaces have their own benefits

• Reducespollutionlevels(Coolerandcleanair)

• Increaseswaterqualityandquantity

• Biodiversityconservation

• Preventslanddegradation

• Provide Incomes and Jobs generation (orchards, ecotourism, maintenance of the urbanforests, nurseries, recycling waste from maintenance

• Citizens’wellbeingandbetterhealth

The Chennai case

• Thepossibleeffectsofclimatechangeonthecity:

• Insufficientrainfallanddrought

• Groundwaterdepletion

• Salinityintrusion

• Coastalfloodingduetosealevelrise

• Riseintemperatures

• Chennaiamongstcitieswithleastgreencover:(9.5%oftotalgeographicalarea)

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Urban Greening – deciding criteria

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MappiNG poLLUTioN hoTSpoTS–a pReReqUiSiTe To GReeNiNG

Urban forestry – a planned approach

The perceived need : Increasing green cover/spaces in urban centres to improve environmental quality in general and mitigate air pollution in particular – direct, tangible benefit

planned approach : By Utilising credible data, visual, geo-referenced tools to analyse and the present information on urban vegetation and air pollution to policymakers to guide action on urban forestry and providing information for citizens.

analysis : Utilisation of GIS-based analysis to determine policy action and implement management plans (back end)

add Value : An interactive tool that will generate instant insights into the issue while presenting data as pictorial map visuals (front end).

GiS-based analysis

Example showing classification of landuse through sat imagery - this is an example of sat imagery that has been classified as high and mild vegetation, built up area, bare soil and water.

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analysis for Urban forestry initiatives

More advanced spatial modeling can also help planning for something like urban forestry - this is a map that shows catchment areas that have been modeled along with stream paths.

Other data can be overlaid for more analysis- for instance we can take ward boundaries and generate statistics on how much built up etc., exists for each ward- it can then be used for developing suitable strategies.

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Value addition for policy makers and citizens

All this data can be used to create a web mapping platform that citizens can and policy makers can interact with to generateinsights (as well as upload information that can help in the planning process), display results of ongoing work, provide updates for reports to Secretaries, Ministers etc.

a snapshot of pollution monitoring – pictorial representation to understand geography of sensor locations

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human settlement & the monitoring regime – Population demographics and air monitors – Low per-capita / per locality air quality monitoring

Risks & Vulnerabilities — High agri-input with least monitoring increasing risk of low knowledge on contamination scenarios

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overview of Chennai air quality Monitoring infrastructure

a bird’s eye view of all air quality monitoring stations of Chennai

Attributes of one such station showing location, type of monitor and pollutants monitored

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Type and Locations of Monitors

Nox concentrations (industrial areas)

• NOxconcentrationsnearindustrialareaswithinstandards.• Recordedlevelsdidnotexceed30µg/m3.• Levelsshowuniformlysimilarpatterns.• Minorincreaseinlevelsisseenduringthemonsoonmonths.• All3monitoringstationslocatedclosetothecoast• ManaliIndustrialareacomprisingofdenseclusterofpetrochemicalindustries• MonitoringofVOCscriticalforthearea

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Nox Concentrations (Traffic intersections)• NOxlevelswithinlimitsatallstations?• Averageconcentrationsdonotexceed50µg/m3• Uniformityinconcentrations

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Suspended particulate Matter

Irrespective of type of location, season, or activity pattern most monitoring stations have recorded levels of SPM above standard

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CaaqM - Gaps in geographical coverage

CaaqM programme & city development• Cityrapidlyexpanding,aimingtobedecongested.• Monitoringprogrammeneedstoextendtourbanperipherytocoverunmonitoredareas• Emissionsourceslikebrickkilnsanddumpsitesneedtobemonitoredtobetterunderstand

pollution loads and impacts.• LanduseplanningandAQmonitoringneedtobeconstantlyinsync

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Top Left:

Map showing projected population growth rates in areas where city expansion is taking place or is proposed.

Source : www.transparentchennai.com

Top Right:

Map showing current location of air quality monitoring stations restricted to city core.

Source : www.indiapollutionmap.org

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MoBiLe eNViRoNMeNTaL SeNSoR TeChNoLoGy* foR aiR poLLUTioN MoNiToRiNG

• Technology Collaboration – Prof.RichFletcher, MIT Media Lab

existing Monitors

Concerns:

• Cost

• Largesize

• Insufficientnumber

• Limiteddataavailability

• Insufficientdatafordeterminingpolicyactions

proposed approach

• Portable monitor that can be carriedby hand or on a bicycle or vehicle for environmental studies

• Low-costmonitorforeasydatacollection

• Complements existing monitoringprogramme of SPCB and bolsters the quality of air quality information

portable Monitor Station

features:

• Portable

• Highqualityreliabledata(ppblevel)

• NO2,SO2,O3,CO

• GPSdata

• Temperature,humidity

• 3-axisaccelerometer

• Battery-powered

• Datacanbeeasilydownloadedtomobilephone

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Measuring air pollution to guide urban forestry planning and implementation

• Conduct a brief air quality survey forChennai (for starters) and ascertain the air quality profile and hotspots identification.

• Couple the air quality data with GISprocessed information on water sheds, water pollution and vegetation cover.

• Potentiallyoverlayotherinformationsuch

as waterways, parks, OSR spaces etc. for a thorough analysis on land availability

• Develop a plan to identify to delineateplantation zones, appropriate species to plant, other measures to provide for sustainability of plantation efforts

• Technology architecture and Interactivemodel can be replicated by anybody and can even be integrated with State

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Planning Commission website portal or other such platforms.

availability of land, water and supporting infrastructure

• Land: Government (Corporation) orprivately owned

• Water: Ground water /irrigation facilityin the region to facilitate upkeep of the green space

• Supporting infrastructure: Waste andsewage disposal, electricity

ModeL iMpLeMeNTaTioN

Community participation

• Maintenance of green spaces involvesplantation,irrigation set up, watering plants, regular clean up, safety of plants and upkeep

• Measure local communities’ awarenessand willingness to participate in urban greening – Baseline survey

• Conduct workshop/seminars to informthem of expected benefits of the green space

Sapling plantations

• Plantation of saplings based onconsultation with experts and adequate volunteers

• Species to be chosen on a scientificbasis based on their water requirement, drought resistance, etc.

ensuring its sustainability

Current issues

• Lackofownershipamongstlocalresidents

• Inadequate incentive to maintain greenspace

• Insufficientvolunteering

• Lackoffunds

Solution

• Awarenessgenerationamongstresidentsand schools

• Developingsustainabilitymodels

• Establishsmallwalking/joggingpathways,food stalls, sports complexes to generate user based fees

• Todemarcatepartof the land forurbancultivation of organic vegetables/ fruits which can then be sold

• Develop specific areas to accommodatepublic events (school visits, social functions)

• CSRfundscouldbeapotentialsourceforsuch initiatives

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“Tree Cover in Chennai City”

• It was observed that most of the trees planted in the parks are not native species and there is a necessity of preserving local species. Hence it was suggested that Corporation of Chennai shall promote planting of indigenous species like “Palmyrah” trees and other palms too. These trees can be promoted on tank bunds also.

• ItwasobservedthatPlantingoftreesistobe documented for future references.

• It was observed that there is a need topool up resources of all departments for the planting and maintaining of trees. It was suggested that the CMDA and Corporation of Chennai, in association with other connected departments shall prepare a ‘Urban Tree Management Plan’ on a war footing manner to increase Green Cover in the Chennai City and its Suburban Areas. It was also suggested that the participation of NGOs, in plantation and its maintenance may be encouraged.

• It was suggested that planting of treescould be taken up in the large scale in temple lands.

• Itwasobservedthatinmostoftheplaces,the coastal forest was disappeared and it can be seen only in few pockets. Hence, it was suggested that intensive Greening of Eastern Coastal Areas can be taken up which will also serve as disaster mitigation measure.

SUMMaRy of diSCUSSioNS

• It was observed that in the parksmaintained by the Corporation of Chennai, landscape work has been done. However, planting of trees has not been taken up in a big way. Hence, it was suggested that the Chennai Corporation may promote planting of more trees in Parks along with the landscape development. This move will support local birds and insects that thrive on these trees. It was also suggested that high density planting should be taken up.

• Protection and maintenance of plantsis very much essential in promotion of green Chennai and Chennai Corporation may submit a proposal on this for funding under Part II Schemes to SPC.

• Planting and maintenance of Avenue trees should be emphasized in the Chennai city. Also, treated sewage water can be made use of for watering the plants.

• Trees are nature’s mechanism of RainWater Harvesting. Massive programme on tree planting should be taken up in order to promote Rain Water Harvesting. Major projects of Tree planting in the State should be evaluated and documented.

• Industrial areas in and around Chennaicity may be targeted for promotion of tree planting. The trees will Un-pollute the pollution caused by the Industries. The Timber species can be the choice of promotion in such areas, which has also economically value.

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“Bio-remediation and Restoration of the Perungudi Solid Waste Dump”

• It was suggested that Restoration ofPallikaranai Marsh could be made through trenches.

• It was suggested that Corporation ofChennai may take up a project on flood mitigation and wetland conservation in Pallikaranai marsh in association with Care Earth, Chennai.

• TheCorporationofChennaiwas reques-ted to take up all the research work pertaining to Pallikaranai Marsh. The research work will be an immense use for the preparation of Plan for the Pallikaranai Marsh.

• TheSludge fromCooumRivercouldbedumped as land fill in Pallikaranai Marsh to carry out phytoremediation in the Marsh.

• It was suggested that aValuation Studycould be conducted on Pallikaranai Marsh.

• Propermaintenanceandchannelizingof32 tanks in and around Pallikaranai marsh could be taken up by the Corporation of Chennai for the ease of water flow.

• The Managing Trustee, Care Health wasrequested to prepare and submit specific recommendations on the conservation of Pallikaranai Marsh based on their studies to Corporation of Chennai for consideration.

• CMWSSBisrequestedtostoplettingoutof raw sewage in the Marsh. SPC will help CMWSSB in finding out the resources to take up treatment of sewage water.

• The participation / involvement of theCollector of Chennai in Urban Forestry, Greening Chennai and Conservation of Pallikaranaiis vital. Hence, the Corporation of Chennai was requested to involve the Collector of Chennai in all its projects regarding Greening of Chennai.

“URBaN foReSTRy”

– abatement of environmental pollution

– Stakeholder involvement in post plantation after care and maintenance

• The services of NGOs, Resident’sAssociation can be utilized for the maintenance of existing and newly planted trees.

• The Corporation of Chennai conductawareness Campaigns for the promotion of home gardens.

• The Corporation of Chennai shall pro-mote traffic islands and its maintenances.

• Corporation of Chennai was requestedto set up an advisory body consisting of NGOs and others who are involved in the Environmental Works to formulate the projects to make the City green. People’s active participation in greening the Chennai is indispensable.

• ToPromoteGreeninginChennaiCity,theCorporation of Chennai shall formulate

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scheme of awarding cash prizes, incentives, trophies etc., for the best tree planting activities, like best maintained traffic island, best maintained Park, etc. Proper publicity shall also be give for the success of the scheme.

• TheservicesofUrbanHorticultureCenter,Chennai shall be utilized for vegetating the existing parks of Corporation of Chennai. New Parks and Avenue trees can be developed in the expanded area of Corporation of Chennai, which has very high potential for planning.

• The Collector of Chennai may take upmonitoring of the Parks, Playgrounds etc., in Chennai city, according to the Regulatory Acts.

• It was also observed that there isindiscriminate cutting of trees for taking up development Works. It was suggested that transplanting of trees could be encouraged instead of cutting the trees.

• It was suggested that all the Parks and Play grounds shall be notified for safeguarding them from conversion to other purposes.

• It was observed that there is no ‘TreeRegister’ at present and hence stressed the need for maintaining the ‘Tree Register’ at Corporation of Chennai, which will help in prevention of indis-criminate cutting of trees.

• It was suggested that the TNPCB shallinsist all Industries to have atleast 25 percent green cover area.

• Inculcating green cover in premisesof schools, colleges and Educational Institutions could be encouraged.

• The Forests Department shall develop aWorking plan for Urban Forestry as it is being done in the Reserve Forests.

• ItwasobservedthatthereisnogoodParkavailable in the Northern side of Chennai. It was pointed out that lands for greening are available in Manali belt. Hence, it was suggested that development of wooded area in Northern Chennai with location specific species could be made.

• The CMWSSB was requested to take upPromotion of high density planting in its well field area, by using the secondary treated sewage water.

• Itwasstressedtheneedtoraisenurseriesof local trees in Parks with the involvement of the local community.

• ItwassuggestedthattheCorporationofChennai shall prepare a Master Plan for Greening the extended Chennai area. The services of IFMR may be utilized for the preparing the Master Plan, as the IFMR has recently done a Satellite study and data are available with them.

• There is a need for valuation study forGreening Chennai. The Corporation of Chennai may develop a proposal in this regard and pose for funding under Part II schemes of Annual Plan.

• Corporation of Chennai, Chennai RiverRestoration Trust (CRRT) and Tamil Nadu Forest Department could co-ordinate together and draw up Urban Forestry schemes for greening Chennai.

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after the presentations the following observations and suggestions were made.

1. The Proceedings of the Workshop will be documented and requested the presenters to furnish a write up on their presentation for inclusion in the booklet.

2. The Corporation of Chennai, keeping in view the input of this Workshop, may prepare a proposal for improving and greening the Chennai City and posed the proposal to State Planning Commission for funding under Part II schemes of Annual Plan 2014-15.

3. Tamil Nadu Pollution Control Board (TNPCB) and Chennai Metropolitan Water Supply and Sewerage Board (CMWSSB) could take up few projects on Greening the Chennai.

4. The Corporation of Chennai and Forests Department was requested to prepare a proposal jointly, on the conservation of Pallikaranai Marsh and pose it to State Planning Commission for funding under Part II Schemes of Annual Plan 2014-15.

5. The Pallikaranai Marsh Authority was requested act as a nodal agency and to create open source facility through the web site for putting up all the information and registration of the Research Studies / Conservation works carried out on Pallikaranai Marsh so far. It should also

SUMMaRy of ReCoMMeNdaTioNS

be made mandatory, the registration of future works on the Pallikaranai Marsh to the Authority.

6. Few studies on (a) Technical requirements in Pallikaranai Marsh, (b) Management of untreated sewage letting out in marsh, and (c) Management of Rain Water Harvesting in and around Marsh could be taken up.

7. Head of Division (Land Use), SPC may be nominated as a Member of the Authority which is working for the overall development and conservation of Pallikaranai Marsh.

8. It was noted that the green area of Chennai Corporation is only 6 percent. The Corporation of Chennai was requested to prepare a Master Plan for Greening the whole Chennai City from the percent 6 percent to 15 percent. The Master Plan may go as an ‘Announcement by the CM’.

9. The Corporate Houses may be encou-raged to assist the Corporation of Chennai in Planting and maintaining the saplings. A competitive spirit may be evolved by announcing schemes of awarding prizes for maintaining best traffic island, park etc.

10. The Collector of Chennai shall conduct a tree census in association with NGOs and other suitable organizations.

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Recommendations made by Vice Chairman, SpC:

• To induce a sense of competitivenessamongst different communities and localities and promote best maintenance of parks created. This could be in the form of awards or cash incentives to be presented by relevant State dignitaries

• Todevelopamasterormanagementplanfor the Trees Outside Forests (TOF) to

facilitate well informed and objective and planned development of green spaces in the urban set up. Such green space/park development initiatives can be integrated with these master plans

• To develop more financing modelsensuring long term sustainability of green spaces from best practices and innovations around the world.

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LiST of paRTiCipaNTS

STaTe pLaNNiNG CoMMiSSioN

Tmt. Santha Sheela Nair, i.a.S., (Retd),Vice Chairman,

Thiru. M. Balaji, i.a.S., Member Secretary

Thiru. Sugato dutt, i.f.S, Head of Division (Land Use)

Thiru. p. Selvarajan,Head of Division (Rural Development & District Planning)

Thiru. T.S. Muthukumar,Head of Division (Plan Co-ordination)

dr. K.R. Jahanmohan, Head of Division (Agriculture Policy & Planning)

Selvi. Namagiri, District Planning Officer (District Planning)

Thiru. Md. Kaleemullah, Senior Planning Officer (Land Use)

Thiru. R.K. haroon, Planning Officer (Agricultural Policy & Planning)

Thiru. p. Suresh KumarSenior Research FellowTamil Nadu State Land Use Research Board

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CoLLeCToRaTe of CheNNai

Tmt. e. Sundaravalli, i.a.S.,Collector, Chennai.

CoRpoRaTioN of CheNNai

Thiru. C.N. Mahesvaran, i.a.S.,Deputy Commissioner ( Health)

Thiru R.Umapathy,Executive Engineer ( SWM)

Thiru. V. Kannan,Assistant Executive Engineer

Thiru B. Suresh Babu,Assistant Engineer,

Thiru V. Sukumar,

foReSTS depaRTMeNT

Thiru. T. S. Srinivasamurthy, i.f.S., Additional PCCF (Work Plan)

Thiru. yogesh Singh, i.f.S., Conservator of Forests

Thiru. S. Soundararajan,District Forest Officer

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depaRTMeNT of eNViRoNMeNT

dr. Jayanthi. M. i.f.S.,Additional Director

CMWSSB

Thiru. N. anbarasan,Senior Engineer

Thiru. M. Soundararajan,Hydrogeologist

TWad BoaRd

Thiru. M. M. Savarimuthu,Director, CCDU

dr. S.Vinobha,Senior Hydrogeologist

NaTioNaL hiGhWayS

Thiru. R. abisekarajavathy,Senior Engineer

hiGhWayS depaRTMeNT

Thiru. K. S. Sadandam,ACE(R), Chennai

Thiru. Senthilnathan,Deputy Engineer,City Roads

TNpCB

Thiru R.KumarACEE

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CMda

Thiru. S. paneer Selvam,Deputy Planner

MUNiCipaL adMiNiSTRaTioN depaRTMeNT

Thiru T. Natarajan,Assistant Executive Engineer

Thiru. dwarakanath Rao,Manure Officer

Tmt. R. aruna,Urban Development specialist

pWd

Thiru T. Rathinaraj,Executive Engineer ( Retd)

CheNNai RiVeR ReSToRaTioN TRUST

dr. S.Viswanathan,Environment specialist.

aNNa UNiVeRSiTy

dr. N. Vasudevan,Director, Centre for Environmental Sciences.

ViNayaKa MiSSioN UNiVeRSiTy

dr. G. Rengasami,, dean

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MadRaS ChRiSTiaN CoLLeGe, CheNNai

dr. d. Narasimhan, Associate Professor.

WoMeN’S ChRiSTiaN CoLLeGe, CheNNai

dr. R. pauline,Assistant Professor

CaRe eaRTh, CheNNai

dr. Jayshree Vencatesan,Managing Trustee

MidS, CheNNai

dr. L. Venkatachalam,Associate Professor

ifMR

Thiru Koyel Mandal,Programme Head

Thiru. Rajesh Rangarajan,Senior Researcher

Thiru. Vivek Venkataramani,Researcher

Thiru.Chayan Bandyopadhaya,Researcher

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workshop on “green chennai city” · 2014-08-19 · chennai, familiar to most people by its...

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