The Need for EcoCities

The urban areas in India today have several challenges to face. There is overcrowding and haphazard growth of our cities and towns. The major challenges are related to land use conflicts, deteriorating environmental quality, pollution problems, pressure on natural resources, socio-economic issues including industry, trade & commerce, sanitation, health, slums and livelihood, issues related to water and energy, and issues related to finances and revenues of the municipalities.
The socio-economic, living and sanitary conditions of the bulk of the urban populace are deplorable. The urban services are poor. Drainage and sewerage are inadequate and often faulty with sewage finding its way into the storm water drains or leaking into water lines. The landfills are becoming potential hubs of disease and infection.

The need of the hour is sustainable management of our resources and planned growth of our cities. There is a need to plan, design and implement measures that are cost-effective, easy to maintain and suit to the local character. There is dire need for capacity building of the municipalities and citizen’s involvement in making our urban centres clean and green.

Imagine walking in Tirupati on clean streets with no overflowing drains or garbage strewn around but instead blossoming with flowers, having amenities in reach and signage leading your way.

Or think of Vrindavan, where the waste management system and sewerage system are in order. A place where pilgrims have a friendly environment with pedestrian pathways, shady trees and clean drinking water within easy reach.

Or think of Ujjain, where sewage does not stagnate in the religious tanks and in its place is freshwater, free from pollution. Or think of Puri, where the temple surroundings are clean and as serene as the temple itself.

This could become reality of the future due to the EcoCity Project initiative. The EcoCity Project is about vision, a paradigm shift making the urban local bodies as partners in environmental improvement. It is a vision for bringing in substantial change in the perception of environmental management in the urban areas integrating socio, economic and environmental considerations in a sustainable and holistic manner.