Unplanned Urbanization and Canopy Losses in Punjab, India: A Theoretical Approach

Urbanization, or the expansion of concrete areas in cities, has resulted in a shift in land use patterns around the world. The canopy cover in the regions has been mostly damaged by the expansion of concrete regions in cities. Those parts of the ground that used to be covered in trees have now become the concrete floors of cities. Despite the notion that forested area is essential for a healthy ecology, trees are being taken down with little thought or care. Punjab, an Indian state, is experiencing a high rate of unplanned urbanisation, which has resulted in significant canopy loss. It would not have necessitated substantial attention if the state had been rich in forested land. Punjab, on the other hand, is no longer recognised for its dense canopy cover. It is the state with the least amount of forest cover in the country, accounting for around 3.67 percent of its 50362 square kilometres or even less due to continuing deforestation in the name of development. Between 2011 and 2017, the state lost 9 lakh trees, with regeneration and afforestation taking a back seat during this time. As the state's tree-cutting programme continues, this percentage is shrinking with each passing day. With such a low canopy cover and a population of 28 million people to maintain, the state has already begun to see some of the negative impacts of unplanned urbanisation and canopy loss, such as depletion of the water table, changes in weather patterns, bad air, and water scarcity. The objective of this study is to document an increase in canopy losses in various parts of the state of Punjab in India using the published data and discuss the prevailing consequences observed due to urbanization at the massive scale in the state. This article reviews alarming canopy losses in the state in the past recent a few years and the impacts of unsustainable development in the state of Punjab, India.