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.
9
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. 17
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. 24
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. 26
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. 31
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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. 33
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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