There has been a rather high frequency in the formulation of legal enactments and judicial hearings since the past three decades in lieu of the dilapidating conditions of blue and green spaces in Mumbai. The article therefore strives to understand the variances in the intentions and outcomes for blue and green spaces, as part of statutory urban plans and approaches, which are guided by a body of specific legal and institutional mandates. Through detailed spatial examinations, it shares broad planning principles and a set of practical recommendations for guiding the concerned competent authorities.
Historical 17th and 18th century excerpts indicate that the purpose of defined, artificial blue spaces such as ‘tanks’ and ‘lakes’ (Tulsi, Vihar and Powai) was fixated on arresting the flow of rains and freshwater storage, facilitated by colonial and domestic philanthropic interests. A review of statutory reports showed that the regional plans of ’67 (4,068 sq.km.) and ’91 (4,238 sq.km.) did not account for major measures related to B/G spaces, noting a loss of 13% area to development in Green Zone II between the plans. Although physical B/G networking and water body preservation are sealed in the strategies of the ’16-’36 draft plan, they are critiqued as restitution measures in lieu of 2,918 sq.km. of land (67% of total MMR) released for development. At the meso level, the SDP 2034 envisions an ‘environmentally sustainable’ global city (458 sq. km.) which apart from proposing the preservation of natural areas, focuses on the requirement of a storm water drainage plan as a means of mitigating climate change, thereby demonstrating an impetus towards infrastructural solutions. Concurrently, there is a dilution of ‘natural’ value given the lack of terminological uniformity as part of the proposed land use plans between DP tenures.
A detailed case study of an area covering the DP extents (SRDP’91 and SDP’34) of Sanjay Gandhi National Park, containing the river sources (Dahisar, Poisar, Oshiwara-Walbhat and Mithi) and lake (Tulsi Vihar and Powai) catchment areas as well as Aarey Colony, revealed losses to development in what was a pre-existing contiguity of natural, virgin land.
This was on account of varying ownerships, zoning regulation relaxations for an erstwhile ‘No Development Zone’, with further judicial disputes over the present status of forest land and associated transfers. Furthermore, the recent floating of tenders for the rejuvenation of Poisar and Oshiwara rivers, were devoid of nature-based solution considerations.
For Mumbai Matters:
Name: Berjis Driver
Organization: Centre for Environmental Planning and Technology (CEPT), Ahmedabad
Berjis Driver is an Architect and Urban Planner. His passion for wetlands, reforming the water regimes and natural environment conditions in Indian cities has been reflected through the body of his academic efforts and brief professional experiences.
Waatavaran Climate Environment & Sustainability Foundation is a not-for-profit company incorporated and registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013. All donations made to Waatavaran are eligible for income tax deduction under Section 80G of the Income Tax Act.
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