Tamil Nadu Launches Urban Greening Policy Under Green TN Mission

Tamil Nadu has formally launched its Urban Greening Policy as part of the Green Tamil Nadu Mission, signalling a strategic push towards climate-resililient, liveable and people-centric urban development. Chief Minister M. K. Stalin unveiled the policy in Chennai, positioning urban ecology as a core element of governance and planning across the State.

Unified framework for urban green spaces

The policy establishes a comprehensive and unified framework for planning, creation, management and long-term maintenance of green cover across urban and peri-urban areas of Tamil Nadu. It applies to all Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), development authorities and designated peri-urban zones. The scope includes parks, roadside avenues, urban forests, wetlands, canal banks, industrial landscapes, institutional campuses and residential areas, ensuring that greenery is embedded across land-use categories.

Alignment with climate goals and SDG 11

The Urban Greening Policy aligns with Tamil Nadu’s Climate Change Vision and Sustainable Development Goal 11, which focuses on sustainable cities and communities. It supports the Green Tamil Nadu Mission’s target of increasing the State’s overall green cover from 23.7 per cent to 33 per cent. By mandating ecological considerations in urban planning, the policy integrates climate mitigation, adaptation and biodiversity conservation within city growth strategies.

Minimum green cover and institutional mechanisms

A key mandate of the policy is that every ULB must strive to maintain at least 15 per cent of its total geographical area under green cover. Dedicated Urban Forest Wings will be established within ULBs to oversee implementation. The policy also calls for dedicated financial mechanisms, allowing a proportion of urban development budgets and project costs to be earmarked specifically for greening and landscape restoration activities.

Important Facts for Exams

• Urban Greening Policy mandates a minimum 15% green cover for each ULB.
• Policy aligns with SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities.
• Green Tamil Nadu Mission targets 33% overall green cover in the State.
• Adoption of City Biodiversity Index, such as the Singapore Index, is mandated.

Data-driven planning and biodiversity integration

Implementation and monitoring will rely on scientific and spatial data, including satellite imagery, urban tree censuses, geo-tagged plantation records and digital dashboards. Cities are required to prepare Urban Biodiversity Plans and detailed greening micro-plans. All government departments must mainstream ecology into governance by allocating a proportionate share of urban projects towards greening and blue-green infrastructure such as tanks, ponds and riparian buffers.