New Delhi, Aug 21 (PTI) Urban farming could soon become a more visible part of Delhi’s landscape, with the city’s new master plan encouraging vegetable gardens, rooftop farming, vertical gardens and even hydroponics and aquaponics as part of its vision for a greener and more sustainable capital.
The Master Plan for Delhi (MPD) 2047, released on Thursday, promotes urban farming and community gardens at the building and plot level, allowing residents and communities to turn otherwise unused urban spaces into areas for growing food.
From rooftops and terraces to vacant plots and community spaces, the plan envisages a range of forms of urban agriculture, including vegetable gardens, container gardening, herb gardens, vertical farming, hydroponics and aquaponics.
The idea is significant for a densely built-up city like Delhi, where availability of land for conventional agriculture is limited.
Under the plan, vacant plots can be used for urban farming or gardening as an interim activity, while vertical farming inside buildings will be permitted subject to structural safety requirements.
Local bodies and agencies may also provide guidelines and capacity-building support to resident welfare associations, schools and other community groups interested in taking up such activities, the plan outlines.
Urban farming has also been included as part of the plan’s broader vision of promoting a “green economy”, alongside community gardens, rooftop and terrace gardens, vertical gardens, hydroponics and aquaponics.
The plan envisages these initiatives not merely as a way of growing vegetables but as part of efforts to increase greenery within Delhi’s built environment.
It encourages green features such as roof gardens, terrace gardens and green walls in buildings and plots. Local bodies and the Delhi government may also consider tax incentives for maintaining green roofs and vertical greenery in existing buildings and reconstructed plots.
The plan links greater green cover with several environmental benefits, including lower temperatures, reduced pollution, better biodiversity and greater resilience to climate change. It also says expanded green-blue infrastructure can improve living environments and quality of life.
Urban farming could also help make use of spaces that otherwise remain underutilised. The plan specifically proposes grass and shrub cover on vacant land as a measure to reduce dust and allows such plots to be used for urban farming and gardening in the interim.
For residents, the concept could mean growing vegetables, herbs and other plants closer to where they live rather than relying entirely on distant agricultural land.
The plan, however, leaves implementation largely to local bodies, agencies and communities, which will have to develop appropriate guidelines and ensure that activities such as rooftop and vertical farming meet structural and other safety requirements.
The push for urban farming comes as the master plan seeks to increase green spaces and green-blue features within Delhi’s built-up areas while addressing pollution, rising temperatures and the pressures of urbanisation. PTI AHD PRK
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