Cities Expanding at Cost of Green Cover, No Recent Urban Tree Census in Gujarat

Gujarat Has No Recent Urban Tree Census as Cities Expand at the Cost of Green Cover

Gujarat’s rapidly expanding cities are losing green cover without a recent, comprehensive tree census, raising concerns about the environmental cost of urbanisation and the state’s ability to monitor its urban forests.

Tree Census Data Remains Outdated

According to a report published in 2011, titled ‘Status of Tree Cover in Urban Areas of Gujarat’, authorities had undertaken an assessment of trees in urban areas and examined ways to preserve the state’s green cover.

However, the report alleges that no comparable tree census has been conducted in cities over the past 15 years, leaving a gap in information about the number of trees, their distribution and the changes in urban green cover.

The lack of updated data makes it difficult to assess how much tree cover cities have lost as construction and infrastructure projects expand.

Urbanisation Puts Pressure on Green Spaces

Gujarat is one of India’s major industrial states, but its growing urban population and expanding infrastructure are putting increasing pressure on the environment.

Ahmedabad, Surat, Vadodara and Rajkot have witnessed significant construction activity. As cities spread, agricultural land and open spaces are increasingly converted for residential, commercial and infrastructure projects.

Trees are often removed to accommodate roads, buildings and other developments. The report also points to concerns about construction activity reducing the availability of permeable land, affecting the natural absorption of rainwater and contributing to urban environmental problems.

Why a Tree Census Matters

A comprehensive tree census can help authorities identify existing green cover, document different tree species and monitor changes over time.

The 2011 study had sought to assess urban trees, identify species and provide guidance for their conservation. Regular assessments would allow civic bodies to determine where green cover is declining and where additional plantation drives are needed.

Without updated figures, authorities may struggle to measure the actual impact of development projects on urban greenery or evaluate whether tree-planting initiatives are compensating for trees lost during construction.

Pollution and the Loss of Natural Green Cover

Air pollution and carbon emissions remain concerns in Gujarat’s major cities. Trees can help absorb carbon dioxide, trap some airborne particles, provide shade and reduce local temperatures.

The loss of green spaces can also affect soil quality and rainwater absorption. When open land is covered with concrete and other impermeable surfaces, rainwater runoff can increase, adding pressure to urban drainage systems.

Experts and environmental advocates have repeatedly called for development planning that accounts for ecological concerns alongside infrastructure requirements.

Need for Regular Monitoring

The report raises questions about whether Gujarat’s urban authorities have maintained systematic records of trees since the 2011 assessment.

A fresh census could establish a baseline for measuring tree cover, tracking the removal of trees and assessing plantation programmes across the state’s cities.

Regular monitoring, publicly accessible data and stronger coordination between civic bodies and forest authorities could help ensure that urban development does not come at the expense of green spaces.