Organization:Atal Indian
Atal Indian is a social movement, focused on providing practical solutions to the challenges faced by the rapidly urbanizing India. It is dedicated to the 10th Prime Minister of India Atal Bihari Vajpayee, and nurtures his legacy in its mission statement. Atal Indian's primary activities include ecocentric projects like Atal Vatika, aimed at betterment of the quality of life of the Indian citizens, in sync with the available natural resources around them.[1]
Objectives
Atal Indian's stated aim is to be a catalyst for the holistic development of Indian urban and rural regions, inclusive of all demographics. It strives for the creation of 'Green' smart cities, and modifying the existing Indian population centers, with nature being being the core and the unifying essence. A sustainable city which is in sync with its natural resources, provides an ideal foundation for comprehensive growth of its denizens.[2]
History
Atal Indian was conceived by Nitin Sahrawat in 2016. Sahrawat stated that a celebrity's social responsibilities should not be limited to the customary social media posts supporting causes, and that real change can only be brought about by their personal involvement.[3]
In 2016, Sahrawat started a pilot project to create an urban forest, and Avenue (landscape) tree plantation in Dehradun, when he personally dug out fifty pits, and planted Gulmohar and Saraca asoca trees, protecting them with tree guards which had been granted by the city council. In two years time, this pilot project proved to be successful enough for Sahrawat to decide on replicating this project in other Indian cities. He has collaborated with the administration of the Indian state of Uttarakhand, and has pledged his support for the Rispana Rejuvenation project of the Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat.[4]
Projects
Atal Vatika
The Atal Vatika project aims at creation of multiple urban forest in Indian cities and villages, by the participation of the local populace. Native Indian trees like the Elaeocarpus ganitrus, Neem, Indian Laburnum, Amla, Terminalia arjuna, Neolamarckia cadamba etc. would be planted, and the resultant grove would give rise to a dynamic eco-system.
The Atal Vatikas would play an important role in ecology of the human habitats around which they would be created. They would help rejuvenate the environment by filtering air, water and sunlight; and would act as a wind breaker to help protect the population centers from the direct impact of the ever increasing dust storms. They would also act as a channel for storm-water, and provide shelter to animals and recreational area for people.
One of the most important benefits would be their ability to moderate local climate by lowering the temperature of the neighborhoods, and cooling the urban heat island effect. This would help homes and businesses conserve energy, thus reducing the number of unhealthful ozone days that plague major cities in peak summer months because of use of air-conditioning which results in release of CFC and greenhouse gases.
Atal Urban Rejuvination Project
Atal Urban Rejuvination Project aims at inculcating landscape architecture at the local resident welfare association level in the cities and villages of India, through the participation of the local population. It aims at better coordination between the RWAs and the administrative bodies, for providing a uniform look to the entire city, brought about by colour coordinated Avenue tree plantation drives, covering the entire city.
An integral part of this project is the waterfront development of the Urban riverside, and creation of greenways. Nature can be used to provide important services for communities by protecting them against flooding or excessive heat, or helping to improve air, soil and water quality. More green space around one's house is associated with better mental health.[5] Also, an availability of green space in neighbourhoods helps the senior citizen segment of the population by encouraging increased physical activity, which results in healthier and longer lifespans.[6]
References
- ↑ "TV actor’s campaign to bring colour to Doon localities". Times of India. 2018-08-09. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/tv-actors-campaign-to-bring-colour-to-doon-localities/articleshow/65328399.cms.
- ↑ "Letting go of the glamour of Mumbai, he created a heaven of trees". Amar Ujala. 2018-10-05. https://epaper.amarujala.com/dl/20181005/12.html?format=img&ed_code=dl.
- ↑ "This Man Left Mumbai for a Drive & Ended up Making a Mini-Forest in Dehradun". The Better India. 2018-10-01. https://www.thebetterindia.com/160591/mumbai-nitin-sahrawat-dehradun-mini-forest.
- ↑ "TV actor to plant trees in Dehradun". Amar Ujala. 2018-08-11. http://epaper.amarujala.com/dc/20180811/08.html?format=img&ed_code=dc.
- ↑ Bos, E.H.; van der Meulen, L.; Wichers, M.; Jeronimus, B.F. (2016). "A Primrose Path? Moderating Effects of Age and Gender in the Association between Green Space and Mental Health". International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 13 (5): 492. doi:10.3390/ijerph13050492. https://dx.doi.org/10.3390/ijerph13050492.
- ↑ Gong, Y., Gallacher, J., Palmer, S. Fone, D.(2014)Neighbourhood green space, physical function and participation in physical activities among elderly men: the Caerphilly Prospective study The international journal of behavioral nutrition and physical activity 11(1):40.
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