Gurugram (erstwhile Gurgaon), a satellite town in the National Capital Region (NCR)
and referred to as a ‘Millennium City’, is one of Haryana’s largest urban centres.
It has experienced phenomenal growth – from a small population of 870,539 in 2001
to 1,514,085 in 2011. The current population of Gurugram is estimated to be close
to 2.5 million and is expected to grow to4.3 million by 2020. As the industrial
and financial centre of Haryana, this city has witnessed the third largest increase
in per capita incomes in India (after Chandigarh and Mumbai). Almost 45-48 percent
of Haryana’s revenue accrues from Gurugram by way of excise duty, sales tax, stamp
duty and registration. This is the hub of the prolific and massive real estate development
that is happening in the state today.
Naturally enough, this explosive growth has brought in its wake concerns around
sustainability. The question being asked is how can economic and social development
be achieved without harming the environment, while improving the overall quality
of life and well-being of urban dwellers. This Guidance Framework – prepared by
Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) and Gurgaon First under the aegis of the
Municipal Corporation of Gurugram – attempts to answer this: We believe it is possible
to protect our air, water, soil, biodiversity and forests; promote sustainable mobility;
and improve the living conditions of the poor even while meeting the needs of development,
growth and poverty reduction. Effective intervention at the early stages of growth
can be preventive, precautionary and cost-effective.
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