Pathways to Clean Green and Serene Government Localities

Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

A book by Lt Gen R K Rana, SM, VSM

Contents

I

Page 3

Introduction

III

Comprehensive

II

Page 7

Call For Unity and Commitment - Long Term Perspective - Synergy of Effort - Community Participation - Holistic Approach - ‘The Symbiocity’

Development Strategy - Habitat - Essential Services - Amenities and Facilities - Arboriculture - Stray Animals - Cattle Pounds - Waste Disposal - Aesthetics

IV

The Brass Tacks

V

The Manual for Upkeep

VI

- Creation of Durable Facilities

- Coordinated Maintenance

- Command & Control

- Preservation of Old Buildings & Assets

- Mechanical Means of Maintenance

- Area of Responsibility

- Uniform Colour Combination

- Safe Environment

- Resources Available

- Signs Posting

- Communication

- Monitoring

Bringing Home the Bacon

- Recreation Facilities

- Communication

- Environment

- Security

- Plantation

VII

- Parking - Open Spaces

Conclusion

2

Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

Chapter I

Introduction

The current enthusiasm about the environment suggests our innate predisposition to protect the natural environment.

Unfortunately our historic tendency reflects the unsustainable, adversarial and destructive nature of development. The conflict between preserving the environment and providing housing for the masses is age old. Whether it is an urban sprawl or a concrete megalopolis, many of us are pained at the onslaught on greenery and our natural resources. We pay the price with our health, our lifestyle and our culture.

Does development indeed have to be detrimental to our surroundings?

Are there alternatives that can provide affordable housing and yet allow us to be surrounded by trees?

What about cantonments and housing colonies like those of government quarters? Sylvan, simple and ideal, most of these

4

townships have the

with residential layouts,

potential to grow into self-

shopping arcades, schools,

sufficient townships with

playgrounds, clubs and

verdant campuses. Indian

hospitals.

armed forces, Indian Railways and a host of

The government

public sector undertakings

organizations and their

including Indian Oil,

residential areas occupy

Hindustan Machine Tools

some of the prime locations

(HMT), Bharat Electronics

in various cities and towns

Limited (BEL), Indian

all over the country. Our

Telephone Industries (ITI)

garrisons and cantonments

and Hindustan Aeronautics

have been celebrated

Limited (HAL) which

for their aesthetics and

were established on the

upkeep. The uniformed

outskirts of cities on vast

forces have a proven track

tract of lands have evolved

record in developing the

into oases of peace

cantonments into minimalist

Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

facilities, comfortable houses, adequate sports, recreational avenues and a healthy social life in secure environment resulting in motivated and happy government employees and their families.

The glimpse of such townships can be had in the layout of the cantonments and civil lines.

The cantonments and civil lines both were generally but elegant townships with

great - thriving haven for

indigenous and limited

the flora and fauna facing

resources.

extinction. These value additions by the armed

Cantonment towns

forces have the potential

like, Ranikhet, Kasauli,

to inspire the creation of

Chakrata, Landour,

clean, green and serene

Pachmarhi, Shillong

communities in general and

Jabalpur and numerous

“government stations” in

other tourist spots owe

particular.

their panoramic beauty and pristine serenity to

This book intends to

the consistent efforts of our

suggest a relatively

uniformed men. Some of

low cost model for

these cantonments have

the development of

developed not only into

verdant, pollution-free

world class residential

government stations,

areas but what is a truly

equipped with essential

laid out as gridiron planned communities with central thoroughfares (the famous ‘Mall Roads’), with treelined streets, regularly divided building plots and bungalows as the main housing type. In due course of time, churches and cemeteries, clubs, race and golf courses were added.

Some of these places have cautiously and consciously resisted the prevalent degenerative influences and continue to be islands of tranquility and peace.

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6

Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

Chapter II

Call for Unity and Commitment

- Long Term Perspective - Synergy of Effort - Community Participation - Holistic Approach - ‘The Symbiocity’

8

Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

Call for Unity and Commitment

Long Term Perspective The need of the hour is to have a long term perspective. It’s time we started asking – What do you want India to look like in 2025 ? Development should be planned with a long term perspective of minimum 10 -15 years and should encompass all facets. It may incorporate short, medium and long term reviews but we need

to have a long range

physical development plan

of sustainable goals

for the campus, including

regardless of political shelf

land use and development,

life.

transportation and parking, open space

Each township/community

and landscape, and

should have a concept

utilities and infrastructure

which may be peculiar to

signed by the Station

it and should be reviewed

Commander which gives

periodically at least when

out the layout of academic

change of governing

buildings, housing, roads

body takes place. In the

and parking, recreational

context of armed forces in

facilities, and open-space

general and Assam Rifles

areas which have to be in

in particular, it is a practice

sync with the factors which

to issue instructions every

contribute towards an ideal

year which outlines the

Assam Rifles station.

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Synergy of Effort This campaign calls for a symbiotic relationship among the scientiďŹ c, educational, and information technology communities. In fact, a striking characteristic of the past decade has been an increased collaboration among scientists, teachers, technicians, and information specialists to make key information easily 10

and widely accessible. Also function in accordance involved in this mix have

with time tested operating

been the policymakers

procedures which clearly

who fund the programs

lay down the norms of

for bringing all these

coordination between the

resources to bear on the

civic bodies — municipal

challenging human and

corporations, cantonment

environmental issues

boards, municipal councils

of the day. By working

and nagar panchayats.

together, people from these diverse backgrounds have

It is mandatory to synergize

worked hand in hand with

the efforts between the

councilors, professionals

users, engineer component,

and local participative

estate managers, health

groups.

and sanitation personnel and the law enforcement

The military cantonments

agencies.

Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

social awareness and

pride in the locality.

enhancing participation

Responsibility should

in their own development

clearly be delegated

programmes so as to

to the democratically

help them participate

elected representatives

in prioritizing and

of the area. A

implementation of

transparent mechanism

programs. Broad-based

should be put in place

end-user involvement is

with regard to the funds

especially useful during

and their utilization.

the needs assessment

Users should be aware

(goal definition) phase,

of the availability of

both to identify the

funds and their purpose.

diverse expectations of

Creation of new assets

the end-user community

and upgrading of

and to develop a sense

infrastructure facility

of system ownership

should be planned in

by these users.

a judicious manner by

Cantonments accord a

the end users in view of

wide space to end user

design, supply, demand

perspective. The user is

and management and

The success of the SBA is

the major stake holder

every such decision

closely linked to the ‘can

and joint participatory

should be subjected to a

do’ attitude - essential

activity and not a

monitoring mechanism.

for empowerment and

watch guard approach

Dialogic action

social transformation of

should be followed. It

challenges mediating

communities. It calls for a

is imperative to involve

social realities by posing

methodological approach

residents as participants

them as problems

to help the process of

and not someone who

that can be analyzed

human development

are only utilizing the

critically by those who

through ‘concientization’

resources. All residents

have direct experience

so as to change the

should be motivated

of them.

‘fatalistic attitude’ which

to identify themselves

in turn entails creating

and have a sense of

Community Participation

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Holistic Approach ‘The Symbiocity’ All this adds up to improving the quality of life through a community based integrated holistic approach which addresses the multiple inter-related needs of the community to help the communities to develop, govern and manage their lives autonomously with sustainable means. The 12

Swedish Government has

comprehensive system

formulated what it calls

of processes for creating

‘The Symbiocity Approach’,

pleasant, safe and green

to promote sustainable

built environment, and a

urban development

diverse and stimulating

internationally. It begins

social, cultural and

on the premise that

intellectual life. Integrated

“urbanisation and urban

system solutions, together

development are complex

with improved management

and dynamic processes,

of municipal infrastructure

and the challenge is to

and environments, are

develop more equitable,

essential to address

environmentally sustainable

these challenges. While

and economically viable

the primary focus of

cities, in order to alleviate

‘Symbiocity’ is on middle

poverty.” It lays down a

or low income groups,

Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

it ultimately promotes a

regulatory frameworks,

and articulate different

holistic, integrated and

policies and guidelines.

needs, perspectives, and

multidisciplinary approach

The Symbiocity is by

intentions. How, and to

to sustainable urban

far the most modern

what extent the approach

development, which

blueprint aimed to

is applied should depend

includes environmental,

provide methodological

on the local context and

social, economic and

and process-oriented

available economic,

spatial dimensions. It

support to sustainable

technical and human

should complement rather

urban development

resources.

than replace existing

initiatives, to integrate 13

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Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

Chapter III

Comprehensive Development Strategy

- Habitat - Essential Services - Amenities and Facilities - Arboriculture - Stray Animals - Cattle Pounds - Waste Disposal - Aesthetics

Comprehensive Development Strategy Financial, social and environmental sustainability are the cornerstones of urban strategic planning. Urban strategic planning helps enable cities to meet their needs and improve the quality of life. In order to build sustainable environmental services and infrastructure, local governments must have tools of management, financing and control over these services. To achieve this, a systematic and uniform approach is required. And the beginning can be made in the government’s own backyard.

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Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

Habitat ‘The home should be the treasure chest of living’, said Le Corbusier.

Idiomatically speaking a home means the centre of stability and comfort in a person’s life. All other places may hold some measure of uncertainty, but the home, ideally, is a place where someone does not have to worry about such outside pressures.

It taps into the notion of the home as a sanctuary from problems. Our morale depends crucially on safety, security and comfort of homes. Nobody knows this better than a soldier.

Morale of men lies in how well their civil facilities like married accommodation and common areas are looked after. Military cantonments are a good model in terms of self contained campuses with proper gates, complaint

redressal centres, play areas, community centre, canteen facilities etc.

Uninterrupted essential services from maintenance setup and effective upkeep of accommodation by way of regular maintenance, special repairs and continuous addition/ improvement in internal amenities too can be emulated.

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Essential Services Electricity, water supply and sewage system constitute the most critical and essential services.

Without an effective and foolproof infrastructure for them, other accomplishments may appear meaningless. The following aspects should be considered in this regard :Electricity Supply

(iv) Trees which are a major contributory

whether billed or unbilled

(i) The power infrastructure

factor towards faults and

should have a meter

should be capable of

line losses should be

and no pilferages should

handling both peak

periodically pruned to avoid

be allowed. Policy on

winters as well as summer

their touching the power

overnight lighting may be

loads. Suitable capacity

lines.

reviewed and lights may be switched off after 2300

enhancement by up-

20

not required. Every user

gradation in phases should

(v) Electricity fault

be implemented.

rectification teams

hours.

especially during heavy

(vii) Alternative sources

(ii) Transformer capacities

monsoons should be

of energy should be

should also be suitably

responsive and equipped

encouraged, wherever

enhanced to avoid

to ensure minimum down

possible.

overheating.

time in case of failures.

(iii) Conversion of verhead

(vi) Austerity measures

lines to underground

and power saving should

cables where feasible

be strictly enforced. Street

may be considered to

and security lights should

reduce fault rates.

be switched off when

Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

Water Supply

GI pipe lines should be

In addition, adequate and

replaced in phases.

clean drinking water to common areas using Aqua

(i) Water supply infrastructure should cater

(iv) Projects for recycling

Guard/ Reverse Osmosis

for uninterrupted water

and rain harvesting of water

should be provisioned.

supply during all seasons.

should be encouraged.

Adequate pressure of water

Awareness and measures

needs to be ensured.

on water conservation should be implemented.

(ii) Water being a major carrier of diseases,

(v) Wastage of water

chlorination system should

needs to be curbed. For

be effective. Modern

gardening/watering plants,

granule based chlorination

water supply should not

should be adopted.

be burdened and use of recycled/ underground

(iii) Sources of leakage

water through bore wells

of water through pipes/

should be encouraged.

tanks should be arrested, for which regular checks

(vi) Periodic cleaning of

are essential. Old vintage

overhead tanks is essential.

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Sewage System

22

Sewage from the bathroom,

to handle additional load.

of refuse and periodic

toilet, kitchen and laundry

Drains should be clear,

cleaning of drains be

should enter the sewerage

obstacle free at all times

ruthlessly enforced. Most

system through a network

and where feasible,

importantly, wherever there

of underground network of

covered. These should be

is crossing of sewage and

pipes, pumps. The sewers

inspected by the highest

water pipelines extra care

should slope downwards,

municipal functionary

should be taken to ensure

so sewage can use gravity

before and after the

that no seepage/leakage

to slowly flow along to

monsoons. Necessary

takes place.

the treatment plants for

steps should be taken

processing before it can

to prevent accumulation

be supplied as recycled

of water and overflowing

water or released into the

especially during

environment. The existing

monsoons. Removal of

sewage system should

garbage from all collection

be designed/upgraded

pits, proper disposals

Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

Amenities and Facilities The links between service environments and health and the availability of services and opportunities in communities is another general pathway through which neighborhoods can influence health and wellbeing. In cities, residents need a variety of spaces to share with other known or unknown inhabitants. A typical cantonment is equitable in

terms of these amenities or

Stations should provide

“station institutes’ as they

its residents including

are called. Any military

ladies and children,

station is known by the

avenues to realize their

standard of its institutes

full potential. Stations

which are: Officers/JCOs/

should strive to develop

Sainik Institutes, messes,

multifarious facilities, so

roads, parks, shopping

that people with different

complexes/canteens,

interests can pursue their

sports facilities to include

respective hobbies. The

play grounds/indoor

interests and talent of our

courts, gymnasium and

soldiers/children should be

swimming pool. These

nurtured by providing them

institutes need to be

requisite avenues.

managed well and should try to continuously improve

The shopping complexes

their facilities to encourage

should be located at

maximum participation.

centralized places for

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ease of approach. They

They should strike a

should be properly laid out

perfect combination of

in terms of parking, entry,

greenery, ambience, fresh

exit and security. With

air and approach. Themed

growing needs and better

gardens/parks like; Herbal

buying capacity, shopping

garden, Fragrance garden

complexes need to be

and Butterfly park may

managed as an enterprise,

be developed in the

catering to the daily needs

station to enhance the

Station’s own Railway Booking Counter

of the residents and

overall aesthetic appeal.

Jabalpur

providing them a decent

Adequate parking and

shopping experience.

toilets with proper sewage system and running water

All parks should be

should be incorporated in

neat, clean and well

the overall plan.

maintained at all times.

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Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

25

Arboriculture Stations have become the lungs of any city because of the greenery available. All efforts should be directed to sustain and increase the existing green cover. This should be done in a deliberate and scientific manner. A judicious combination of forest trees, flowering and ornamental trees, shrubs, creepers and climbers should be used. Certain suggested measures for arboriculture are elucidated in the under mentioned paragraphs.

Deliberate Selection of Area for

(b) Arboriculture should be such that

Plantation

it is easily maintainable, enhances the beauty of the station and blends with the

(a) Plantation should be done in such a manner to ensure it does not pose a difficulty in future expansion plans and affects services during natural calamities.

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surroundings.

Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

Flowers, Ornamental Trees, Forest Trees

sources. Irresponsible animal ownership,

and Bio-Fencing

uncontrolled breeding and the carrying

Aim should be to combine beauty with the

considered. An effective, long-term stray

nature and ambience.

Regular Pruning (a) Tree pruning must be done regularly, specially before and after monsoons.

capacity of the environment must all be control programme will need to address three main areas: • The source of the stray animals.

• The carrying capacity of the environment.

• The current stray population.

(b) Its pattern must be standardized and should enhance aesthetic appeal.

Removal of Old and Unsafe Trees Immediate action should be taken for removal of old and unsafe trees to prevent any mishaps/accidents.

Use of Hedges and Creepers for Partition The best way to create natural partition is by means of use of hedges and creepers.

Care of Stray Animals and Cattle When tackling the issue of stray animals, it is vital that we consider where these animals come from and address these 27

Innovative Measures

28

Some owners leave their

sending their cattle in the

organising cattle patrols.

cattle and dogs in the

residential areas. Municipal Gaps in boundary walls

station, putting them at

administration will have to

and fencing prone to stray

risk of accidents and

employ modified vehicles

cattle should be closed.

illnesses. All efforts are to

and quick reaction teams

Labour may be hired

be made to restore them

to catch stray cattle should

periodically to catch stray

to their rightful owners.

be streamlined. Sentries

cattle. Sentries may be

Specially earmarked

with mobiles should call

sensitized to discourage

vehicle should carry them

the QRT with a modified

dogs from having a

comfortably to the cattle

vehicle that can transport

free run in the station.

pounds so that they do

stray cattle to cattle

Sterilization of dogs on a

not have to walk long

pounds. Adequate number

periodic basis has to be

distance. There should

of cattle pounds should

undertaken. To prevent

be provision of water and

exist in the vicinity of the

food poisoning no leftover

food in the cattle pounds.

station. Units should be

food from cook houses/

Nearby villages have to

encouraged to impound

accommodation should be

be sensitized against

and deposit cattle by

given to dogs.

Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

Waste Disposal According to a report published in the Times of India, Urban India generates about 47 million tons of solid waste (garbage) every year or about 1.3 lakh tons every day, according to a study by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). But this is only in cities and towns with a municipal body reporting. Another 30% of urban India lives outside these cities. If you add their garbage, the total would amount to about 68 million tons.

Increasing amount of garbage generation is to be expected as population and GDP grow. But here’s the thing: nearly one third of the garbage is not collected at all - it is just left to rot away in streets and alleys.

It will not be an overstatement to say that the success of the Prime Minister’s campaign

for cleanliness majorly

after they have exhausted

depends on effective

all opportunities to recycle

waste disposal. The

and reuse. Some of them

challenge of managing

are successfully using

our nation’s waste is not as

modern technology at

simple as supplying skips

these landfill sites for

and bins for commercial

electricity generation that

and household collections

powers homes.

or weekend clean ups.

It requires sophisticated engineering and technical expertise to manage the waste, recycle and reuse them in an environmentally responsible way. The western world uses the sustainable landfill technology to store the remaining residual waste 29

Aesthetics At first glance it seems that aesthetics is simply an advanced term for beauty and attractiveness, but this would ignore some important aspects of moulding a city. It also includes the feel, design, layout, and description of a city. It is a desire to create a place that is functional and productive along with being attractive, relaxing, and reflective of the city’s history and culture. It involves the planning of parks, open spaces, and other public areas along with positioning the city’s buildings and streets in such a way that are visually pleasing, easy to use, and promote healthy living. The plan should include parks, roads, pathways, landscaping, ornamental plants, fountains and sign posting.

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Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

The Station should clearly give a pleasant aspect by its ambience and dĂŠcor.The three cornerstones that represent the fundamentals of aesthetics are environment, engagement, and equity. Suggested aesthetic measures are as follows:(a) Sustained drive to

monitoring of the

(f) Construction of

improve the cleanliness

conservancy staff. Ensure

standards, layout and

everyday cleaning/

and landscaping at

façade of the Station.

sweeping in all areas.

prominent places.

(d) Periodic cutting/

(g) Flower beds should

fountains, water bodies

A detailed plan should be made and implemented.

disposal of undergrowth/

be developed by planting

noxious vegetation.

ornamental plants along

of grass. Encourage

the roads.

mechanical grass cutting

(e) All roofs and walls of

devices to reduce

buildings to be checked

employment of troop

for unwanted growth of

labour. Manual appliances

trees. Special ladders and

adequately equipped,

should be discouraged.

equipment may have to be

maintained, usable and

procured.

safe at all times.

(b) Periodic trimming

(c) Close and regular

(h) All children parks and play grounds should be

developed.

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Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

(j) Sign posting, posters

(n) Traffic sign, cat eyes

(q) Garbage bins should

and hanging plants at

(solar), blinkers and other

be installed at all common

various locations.

road safety equipment/

places.

devices should be placed (k) Benches and certain

for road safety.

equipment for physical activity in parks and along (o) Walking zones at roads.

prominent places with soft music and safe

(l) Unauthorised hoardings walking spaces should be and encroachments to be

developed.

shown zero tolerance. (p) Cast iron benches/ (m) Various inspirational,

gazebos may be installed

ecological/environment

along the pathways.

boards depicting flora and fauna may be erected.

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Pathways to Clean, Green and Serene Government Localities

Chapter IV

The Brass Tacks

- Creation of Durable Facilities - Preservation of Old Buildings & Assets - Uniform Colour Combination - Signs Posting - Recreation Facilities - Environment - Plantation - Parking - Open Spaces