In Mexico City, a group of vigilante citizens known as ‘The Tree Army’ is taking matters into their own hands to protect the city’s urban forest. Led by community activist Arturo Hernández, the group confronts illegal tree cutting, concrete suffocating roots, and improper tree care, relying on humor and community involvement to make a difference.
As global temperatures soar, experts are emphasizing the crucial role of trees in mitigating heat and improving urban living conditions. A symposium in California highlighted the importance of planting more trees to combat rising temperatures and heatwaves.
India’s environment ministry is promoting urban forests under the Nagar Van Yojana (NVY) scheme to combat climate change and rising temperatures. This initiative aims to create 1,000 urban forests across the country, focusing on biodiversity, pollution mitigation, and water conservation. While environmentalists acknowledge the importance of urban forestry, they emphasize the need for a comprehensive heat and cooling action plan to address the rising heat stress.
The Pune Municipal Corporation has successfully transformed two encroachment-prone lands into thriving urban forests, demonstrating the power of green initiatives to revitalize neglected areas. Despite facing challenges like waste dumping and encroachment, the corporation’s determination and community involvement led to the creation of these vibrant green spaces.
