Greenbelts

The term “greenbelt” refers to any area of undeveloped natural land that has been set aside near
urban or developed land to provide open space, offer light recreational opportunities or contain
development. The natural greenbelts along areas of Southeast Asia’s coastlines, including the
region’s mangrove forests, served as buffers and helped to prevent even greater loss of life from
the December 2004 tsunami.

The Importance of Greenbelts in Urban Areas

Urban green belts are considered the lungs of the cities as they act as a sink for some of the
harmful gases released by vehicles and industries operating in the city area. Greenbelts in and
around urban areas have probably not saved any lives, but they are important nonetheless to the
ecological health of any given region. The various plants and trees in greenbelts serve as organic
sponges for various forms of pollution, and as storehouses of carbon dioxide to help offset global
climate change.
Whether sprawling over a large area or a small belt, these green belts are found in all cities and
play a very important role.
Today, urban areas in India are faced with excessive population along with the pressure of
unplanned economic development, industrialization, and vehicular emissions. This has led to
considerable rise in urban pollution, affecting air, water, and land. Air pollution has increased
rapidly in many cities and metropolises, especially due to vehicular traffic and industrial
emissions. Over the years rising population has led to a decrease in open spaces and green belts
in the cities. These green belts serve as lungs for cities and towns. They serve as a sink for
pollutants, check the flow of dust and bring down noise pollution level. Plants provide
innumerable environmental benefits and considering the steady increase in air pollution it has
become imperative to increase the green belts in and around the cities.
“Trees are an important part of the city infrastructure. They are “ultimate urban multi-taskers.”

Urban Greenbelts Provide Links to Nature

Greenbelts are also important to help urban dwellers feel more connected to natureAll cities
should “earmark certain areas for the development of greenbelts to bring life and color to the
concrete jungle and a healthy environment to the urbanites.” While urban living may hold
important advantages over rural living, feeling disconnected from nature is a serious drawback of
city life.

Greenbelts Help to Limit Urban Sprawl

Greenbelts are also important in efforts to limit sprawl, which is the tendency for cities to spread
out and encroach on rural lands and wildlife habitat.