Cities are fast growing as more and more people migrate from villages, towns and other cities to be a part of the economic metamorphosis that every city undergoes. This puts immense pressure on its resources with new development replete with new housing needs, public infrastructure, basic services, and more. And the development of cities has always been at the cost of its fragile ecosystem and its complex mechanisms. From a pristine green to a bleak grey. Even in medium-sized cities, lush greens are eventually reduced to roads, flyovers and there seems to be a complete lack of consideration and understanding that trees are important, can survive and must be integrated in the new infrastructure plan. A policy needs to be outlined and notified where trees of the city need to be first documented, their role recognized and understood and efforts made to conserve and protect them. Trees are one of Panjim’s greatest assets and it is one of the few cities in the world that has a mangrove forest.

The objective of initiating a tree policy for the city is to provide a comprehensive framework and possible ideas by which the City Corporation along with other government departments can first recognize its natural assets, the vital role they play and benefits thereof and endeavor to protect, nurture and care for its trees along avenues, hill slopes, parks, gardens, beach and mangroves. This model policy can then be adopted by other cities in India and also prove an impetus for the country to adopt one, climate security that ensures climate resilience to its cities by conserving and regenerating its natural infrastructure - TREES.