GUWAHATI, May 10 - At a time when sweltering heat and polluted air is becoming synonymous with city life in Guwahati, an environment activist�s attempt to create planned green roof and recreation centre is a future-centric approach towards the environmental concerns of the fast expanding cities.
Environ, a leading NGO working for environment management for sustainable development, is planning to promote its model rooftop gardening in the cities of Assam to increase the green cover of the cities as well as creating livelihood opportunities.
A green roof and an artificial fishery on the rooftop of Environ�s Hatigaon office is drawing a number of curious onlookers who appreciated Environ president Dr Amarjyoti Kashyap�s attempt to convert the rooftop into a green retreat.
�Rooftop gardening, also popular as green roofs, is not a new concept; but, it is yet to get its share of attention from the city dwellers. If we want to protect the environment and make the city worth living for our future generations, green roofs are necessary,� Kashyap, who is also the chief functionary of the NGO, told The Assam Tribune.
Instead of growing plants in thermocol boxes, Environ has created permanent concrete patches specifically for gardening after properly treating the roof and making it seepage-proof.
Kashyap, who has already received awards and accolades for his innovative waste assimilator that converts kitchen waste into powerful organic manure, believes that with a planned scheme, the rooftops of the entire city can be converted into mini tea gardens for organic green tea.
Environ�s 400-sq-foot garden on a 3,500-sq-foot roof also includes an artificial fishery and a well-lit seating area, apart from flower plants and kitchen garden.
�Till now, the rooftop gardening is restricted to a hobby of a handful of people. With a planned approach, we can convert it into a commercial activity. Involvement of the community is also necessary to take it up on a larger scale. With planned intervention and monitoring, every apartment can create a green roof of their own. If taken up in a methodical way, and a little support from the government, this initiative has the potential to bring positive ecological changes, which will improve the air quality and reduce the heat trapped in the concrete roofs,� Kashyap added.
