GDA to emulate global norms for green spaces

The proposed Gurgaon Development Authority (GDA) intends to follow standards of World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 37120 to create and maintain green spaces in the city.

The proposed Gurgaon Development Authority (GDA) intends to follow standards of World Health Organisation (WHO) and International Organisation for Standardisation (ISO) 37120 to create and maintain green spaces in the city.

The decision has been taken keeping in mind the pollution level that has reached dangerous levels, sources said. (Parveen Kumar/HT Photo)

The decision has been taken keeping in mind the pollution level that has reached dangerous levels, sources said.

“WHO prescribes a requirement of nine-square metre green space per person and ISO 37120 lays down standard indicators for liveable cities. These will form the GDA’s benchmarks for urban environment management,” IAS officer V Umashankar, GDA officer on special duty, said, in a statement.

“Once enacted, the GDA will be the first such authority mandated under law to do so, requiring it to attain international standards on green spaces,” he said.

In environment, factors such as fine particulate matter, greenhouse gas emissions, noise pollution, and other factors would be regularly monitored.

In its draft legislation, the GDA lays emphasis on creating right urban environment by working with forest department, district administration, and the Municipal Corporation of Gurgaon (MCG). The authority would prepare and implement a plan for sustainable management, including increase of green cover, provision of open spaces and city parks, water conservation, waste water treatment, water recycling, rainwater harvesting, energy conservation and adoption of renewable resources of energy.

There are, however, several challenges in realising the objective as a number of parks and green spaces in the city have been encroached upon or turned into garbage dumps. The MCG has more than 1,400 parks in four zones. Main parks in the city include Leisure Valley in Sector 29, Tau Devi Lal park in Sector 22, Botanical garden in Sector 53, Netaji Subhash Park in Sector 14, and Citizen Park in Sector 15.

“There are large open spaces in the city but they lack maintenance. There is a need to improve primary civic deficiencies, develop right infrastructure, garbage dumping and waste management so that international standards are met,” Ruchika Sethi, a green activist, said.

Draft law of GDA

Bureaucrats will hold a consultation session for the draft law of the GDA on November 18.

The meeting is being held to get feedback from the citizens and incorporate changes (if necessary) prior to finalising the legislation by December 10.

The draft of GDA bill can be viewed on www.gdauthority.org and www.haryana.gov.in .