Vertical Green Belts in the Context of Indian Environmental Laws' Consents & Guidelines.[Thinking ‘OUT OF BOX’ – ORIGINAL IDEA from YAGAY & SUN][Expected Results: Mitigation in Pollution and less usage of Industrial Land]

Vertical green belts, which involve growing plants or trees in urban settings on walls, buildings, and other vertical surfaces, have been recognized as a sustainable urban design approach to address air pollution, mitigate heat islands, and improve biodiversity in cities. However, their feasibility in the context of the existing Indian Environmental Consents & Guidelines for setting up industries in industrial areas requires an evaluation of several factors, including legal, technical, and practical aspects.

1. Environmental Consents Guidelines in India for Setting Up Industries

The Environmental Consents Guidelines in India, mainly governed by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and enforced through various regulatory bodies like the State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs), require industries to comply with environmental standards to prevent pollution and ensure sustainable practices. Key elements of the consent process for setting up industries in industrial areas include:

• Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA): Required for industries that may have significant environmental impacts. This includes air, water, noise pollution, and waste management.
• Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO): These consents are issued based on compliance with norms and environmental standards set by the MoEF&CC.
• Air Quality Standards: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has laid down air quality standards, and industries must ensure that emissions do not exceed prescribed limits.
• Green Belt Development: Traditionally, industries are required to develop green belts to mitigate air pollution, noise, and dust, usually with horizontally planted trees around the periphery of industrial premises.

2. Feasibility of Vertical Green Belts in Industrial Areas

In the context of industrial areas in India, where the existing guidelines primarily focus on horizontal green belts (i.e., the planting of trees and shrubs on the ground), the implementation of vertical green belts could be both a challenge and an opportunity. Below are the key considerations:

A. Regulatory Framework and Guidelines

• Current Regulations: The existing environmental regulations, particularly concerning green belt development, typically emphasize the need for a minimum percentage of land area to be dedicated to green cover, and this cover is usually described in terms of horizontally planted trees and shrubs.
  • In industrial zones, a standard green belt of at least 33% of the area is often mandated. However, vertical green belts (e.g., green walls or facades) are not explicitly mentioned in the current regulatory guidelines. This leaves room for interpretation and innovation but also could cause confusion or delays in obtaining approvals, as vertical green spaces are not commonly addressed.
  • Clarification: For vertical green belts to be feasible, there would need to be a revision or update of the guidelines to clearly include these practices as part of a sustainable environmental strategy. Regulatory bodies may need to assess and recognize vertical gardens or green walls as effective substitutes or complements to traditional green belts.

B. Environmental Impact

• Air Quality Improvement: Vertical green belts can help improve air quality by absorbing carbon dioxide and filtering pollutants like nitrogen oxides and particulate matter, which is particularly beneficial in industrial areas where pollution levels are high. This aligns with the goals of environmental consent to ensure industries do not exceed pollution thresholds.
• Noise Reduction: Vertical gardens can help reduce noise pollution, especially in congested industrial areas, providing an additional environmental benefit.
• Microclimate Regulation: By reducing the urban heat island effect and improving the aesthetic quality of industrial zones, vertical green belts can contribute to more sustainable industrial areas.

C. Technical Feasibility

• Infrastructure and Space Constraints: In many industrial areas, especially in congested urban regions, there may not be sufficient land for horizontal green belts. Vertical green belts can be an innovative solution for such space constraints. They can be incorporated into existing industrial buildings, factory walls, and surrounding infrastructure, potentially turning underutilized spaces into green zones.
• Maintenance and Sustainability: Vertical gardens require specialized infrastructure such as irrigation systems, support structures, and maintenance staff. Industries would need to ensure the ongoing sustainability of these systems, which could increase operational costs unless cost-effective systems (e.g., rainwater harvesting, solar-powered irrigation) are integrated.
• Design and Integration: To meet environmental guidelines, vertical green walls would need to be designed with careful consideration of both aesthetic and functional aspects. The design would need to ensure that it contributes to reducing emissions, improving air quality, and meeting noise reduction goals as outlined in the EIA.

D. Economic Considerations

• Cost Implications: While the initial installation of vertical green belts may be more expensive compared to traditional horizontal green belts, the long-term benefits, such as improved employee well-being, energy savings (by reducing the heat island effect), and enhanced property value, could make the investment worthwhile.
• Incentives: Government policies promoting sustainable urbanization and green building certifications (e.g., LEED India, Griha) could incentivize industries to adopt vertical green belts, providing financial support or recognition through certifications.

3. Challenges

• Lack of Awareness: Many industries and regulatory bodies may not be fully aware of the benefits and practicalities of vertical green belts. This could slow down their adoption.
• Compliance with Standard Green Belt Norms: Industries might be reluctant to replace or supplement horizontal green belts with vertical solutions without clear guidelines or approvals from environmental authorities.
• Maintenance Issues: Regular upkeep of vertical green belts requires specialized skills and knowledge, and there may be concerns about the long-term viability of such installations in industrial settings where environmental conditions may be harsh.

4. Conclusion and Recommendations

While vertical green belts are not currently explicitly included in India's existing Environmental Consents Guidelines for industries, they could play a significant role in improving environmental quality and sustainability in industrial areas. The adoption of vertical green belts could enhance compliance with air and noise pollution reduction requirements, improve the aesthetic quality of industrial zones, and promote the efficient use of space in densely populated urban areas.

For vertical green belts to be fully feasible within the existing framework, the following actions are recommended:

• Regulatory Update: Authorities should update the Environmental Consents Guidelines to explicitly include vertical green belts as an acceptable alternative to or complement for horizontal green belts, with clearly defined standards for their design, installation, and maintenance.
• Pilot Projects: Industries could consider setting up pilot vertical green belt projects to demonstrate their feasibility and environmental benefits, which could pave the way for broader adoption.
• Incentives for Innovation: Encouraging industries to adopt vertical green solutions through financial incentives, tax rebates, or integration into sustainable building certification programs could drive interest and investment.

In the long run, vertical green belts could become a key component of industrial sustainability, aligning with both environmental regulations and the need for more resilient urban landscapes.