Urban planning and environment watershed management surface hydrology and planning principles case study of Lonavla Khandala

Abstract

Rapid urbanization has had several negative impacts on the environment and particularly the water resources of our regions .This concern has been addressed worldwide since the 1970s. There has been a growing awareness of the need to bring environmental values to the development of land and the management of natural resources. Traditional storm water management in urban areas aims at removing runoff as quickly as possible. There is substantial research towards the benefits of low impact design and green infrastructure which integrate the surface hydrology of regions for the environmental benefits. But our planning processes do not integrate these vital principles in the urbanization process. The water resource rich region of Lonavala Khandala has been undergoing tremendous stress due to this haphazard trend of urbanization. Not only does it face regular flooding during the monsoons but is starved of pure drinking water all round the year. Watershed management, Spatial planning and Lake /River conservation are dealt with in isolation when it comes to development. Planning is essentially a tool used for balanced sustainable development .As urbanization was not a major concern till the 1990s,MRTP Act of 1966 does not address the current Urban environmental problems. Though the environmental issues are being widely addressed through various policy reforms, they have not been included in the planning process. The review of the planning and water policies in India indicates well formulated water policies and Acts on one hand very comprehensive planning process on the other. At the same time integration of the two is not seen at any point in terms of either regulation or governance as in the case of the water rich region of Lonavala. Most of the policies address larger issues and do not focus on the micro level scale of the planning unit and nor do they place the responsibility of management and integration on any one department directly. Inclusion of all the environmental concerns in the planning process will require re