KASEZ: first green industrial city
Context
- Gujarat’s Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ) becomes ‘first green industrial city’ in India.
- In KASEZ, 1000-odd acres has 3.5 lakh trees. Most of these trees have been planted post 2019, using the Miyawaki forestation method.
- KASEZ, is the oldest export zone in the country, has received a platinum rating under IGBC Green Cities Rating for existing cities in the industrial cities category.
- The planting of trees halted the growth of salt pan beyond Kandla , helped reducing salinity and improved the quality of top soil.
- To prevent salinity of land from coming into contact with the planted trees, torn clothes are placed in land as first layer before seeding of trees.
- After seeding, that part of plantation is surrounded by torn clothes, which ensures maximum water retention.
- KASEZ also used plastic waste to line the artificial water bodies created inside the area to prevent water seepage and mix with the saline water.
- The SEZ initiatives with solar energy and LED lighting was also among the factors that contributed to the IGBC rating.
About Miyawaki forestation method
About KASEZ:
- The Port of Kandla Special Economic Zone (KASEZ) was the first special economic zone to be established in India and in Asia.
- Established in 1965, the Port of Kandla SEZ is the biggest multiple-product SEZ in the country.
- Kandla is the first Export Processing Zone in India.
- Covering over 310 hectares, the special economic zone is just nine kilometers from the Port of Kandla.
- Port of Kandla is India's hub for exporting grains and importing oil and one of the highest-earning ports in the country.
- Major imports entering the Port of Kandla are petroleum, chemicals, and iron and steel and iron machinery, but it also handles salt, textiles, and grain.
About IGBC Green Cities rating system:
- Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) rating system is a voluntary and consensus based programme.
- The rating system has been developed with the support of IGBC Green Cities Committee.
- IGBC Green Cities rating system is the first of its kind rating in India to address environmental sustainability in emerging cities.
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