In an attempt to better the air quality of Indore, the city civic body has decided upon developing city forests or ‘Ahilya Vans’ at several locations in the city. As per the proposed plan, 400 patches of land in the 85 wards of the city will be converted into city forests. Each ward will have at least five Ahilya Vans that will help in improving the air quality in the area. So far, IMC has selected 12 locations in Ward 7 and 8 for this project.
Many benefits for both people and the environment
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IMC Commissioner Pratibha Pal informed that the Ahilya Vans will include plants like Siras, Sitvan, Mohani, Mahogany, Champa, Peepal, Jamun, Kathal, Chitwan, Tabubia, etc. The forest will act as a carbon sink, reducing the overall carbon sequestration. Additionally, the move also aims at maintaining the city’s climatic conditions.
The Horticulture Department has been instructed to enclose these areas with boundary walls and saplings of the aforementioned trees. The fallen leaves from these trees will be decomposed to make usable compost. For this, compost pits will also be developed.
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Each Ahilya Van will be developed in an area of one hectare or more. These city forests will be equipped with a walking track and a rainwater harvesting system to recharge the groundwater. Depending on the feasibility, a small water pond for birds and a resting hut for people will also be made in these forests.
What exactly are Ahilya Vans?
A city forest or Ahilya Van will be a significant patch of greenery in an urban area. This kind of plantation is often protected and enclosed to avoid damage. Trees lining up walkways, trees in gardens and parks, grass covers beneath these trees, etc. are included in a city forest. Semi-natural infrastructures like these make a promising tool for environmental conservation. These city forests will contribute to the overall greenery of Indore and help establish a green infrastructure.
