Delhi is spread over an area of 1,484 km² and it is one of the greenest capital cities in the world. Its green cover is spread over 20% of its total area, which is much larger than in any other city. The city has experienced tremendous growth in the recent times, with increased pressure on its open spaces. For planning of city’s public green spaces as per the Master Plan guidelines, the Landscape Department was created. This is the only Development Authority with a Designated Landscape Department.
DDA has played a key role in overall development and management of its green spaces with conscious efforts towards the development of open spaces as Regional parks, District parks, Green Belts and Neighborhood greens, Playfields under its jurisdiction.
Landscape Department has kept its commitment of up-gradation and maintenance of green areas, which form the lungs of the City; with its recent efforts towards development of Bio-diversity Parks, Riverfront Development, reclamation of sanitary landfill sites and rejuvenation of water bodies and lakes. As per policy, small parks (less than 3 acres) are transferred to civic agencies and Master Plan greens remain with DDA. Even as the green areas in Delhi are managed by different agencies, DDA has the larger role to play as over 5050 hectare of green falls under its jurisdiction, amounting to about 773 parcels of greens.
As a part of strategy for developing environment assets in the City, DDA has, established Biodiversity Parks in collaboration with Center for Environmental Management for Degraded Ecosystems, Delhi University. These specialized parks aim to ensure the quality of life, environmental sustainability and climate resilience. Some of the DDA’s Biodiversity Parks have become Nature Reserves and have been rendering a wide range of ecosystem services such as enriching environmental microbial biome that contribute to human health care, serving as filters for point and non-point sources of pollution. There are a total of 07 Biodiversity Parks in the present.
To improve the green areas, DDA has taken up-gradation of 10 parks of different categories to be developed as Happening Parks with the provisions of open gyms, children play area yoga area, rain shelter, toilets and multi-purpose ground etc.
Recently, DDA has introduced Policies like Renting of Parks with facilities like amphitheatre wherein entertainment with performances and other cultural and art-oriented events can be held on the availability of certain DDA Parks that are put up on booking. These policies as well as the availability of kiosks and restaurants help in generating revenues. DDA is making certain parks available for booking for. DDA has revamped its initial Policy of adoption of certain of its parks by willing agencies for development and maintenance, while the land ownership continues to rest with DDA.
This is the only Development Authority with a Designated Landscape Department.
ROLES OF LANDSCAPE Department: Designing outdoor human environments with ever changing materials through, Master Planning, Detailed Landscape Design, and a research on various aspects of Environmental Design.
Designing of all Public Greens: Regional Parks, District Parks, Neighbourhood Parks, Playfields, Children Parks, under the jurisdiction of DDA as per norms laid down by the Master Plan.
Making Policy decisions regarding development of Greens, like Environment Chapter of Master Plan.
Design of Special projects like Bio-diversity Parks, Restoration and Rejuvenation of floodplains of River Yamuna, Urban greens in public realm like, Swarnjayanti Park, Vasant Udyan, Sanjay lake, Indraprastha Park, Aastha Kunj, Prasad Nagar lake have been created and are being maintained by DDA. Also, work on Heritage projects have also been taken up by the DDA.
Interaction on environmental issues related to inter and intra departmental policies, say for Riverfront development, large scale plantations, stormwater management, etc.
- Creating green havens from the land reclaimed from polluting industry or duming ground has also been achieved.
- The concept of water harvesting and conservation of rainwater, recharging of groundwater aquifers is an integral part of planning of various Greens.
- Use of eco-friendly concepts and materials in DDA greens has been materialized by installing bamboo shelters in Reserve forests, Regional parks and protected forests.
- The concept of open gyms has been introduced in parks to provide better prospects to the users to improve their health.
- Children play equipment have been proposed with fiber glass material for the purpose of ensuring safety.
- Amenities like toilets and dustbins have been installed in the parks and playfields.
Other activities
Other activities of the department involve:
- Preparation of policy for Adoption of DDA Parks
- Co-ordination of activities as member of the Delhi Biodiversity Foundation, State Naming Authority, Ridge Management Board, etc.
- Master Plan Review Environment Chapter
- NCR Board - Environmental Policies
- Coordination with external agencies like DMRC, Delhi Govt., Forest Department, PWD, Municipal Corporations and others for infrastructure projects in and around DDA Greens.
- Dealing with RTIs/ Appeals, Public Grievances, Issues raised by Hon’ble MPs/ MLAs and court cases
- Interaction with RWAs with respect to their requirements from green spaces
- Art work and Exhibits in Open Areas / Parks
- Co-ordination for Court Cases