PM Mitra Parks

PM Mitra Parks: Reviving Urban Green Spaces

Table of Contents

Introduction-

Ministry of Textiles (MoT) has launched PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel Parks (MITRAs) Scheme to strengthen the Indian textile industry by way of enabling scale of operations, reduce logistics cost by housing entire value chain at one location, attract investment, generate employment and augment export potential.

The scheme will develop integrated large scale and modern industrial infrastructure facility for total value-chain of the textile industry for example, spinning, weaving, processing, garmenting, textile manufacturing, processing & printing machinery industry. T

These parks are envisaged to be located at sites which have inherent strengths for the textile industry to flourish and have the necessary linkages to succeed. The scheme envisages to leverage Public Private Partnership model for fast-paced implementation in a time-bound manner.

As urbanization continues to rapidly expand, there has been a significant decline in green spaces. This has led to numerous environmental and health issues, including the loss of biodiversity, air and noise, pollution, and mental health problems.

In response, the Indian government launched the PM Mitra Parks initiative in 2021, with the aim of creating new parks and reviving existing ones across the country. This article will explore the PM Mitra Parks initiative and its impact on the environment and people’s lives.

The PM Mitra Parks Initiative

The PM Mitra Parks initiative was launched in January 2021 by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The aim of the initiative is to create new parks and revive existing ones in urban areas across the country. The government has set a target of creating 10,000 new parks and reviving 20,000 existing parks by 2023

Key Features of PM Mitra Parks

The PM MITRA scheme is Inspired by the 5F vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister – Farm to Fiber to Factory to Fashion to Foreign. It aspires to fulfill the vision of building an Aatmanirbhar Bharat and to position India strongly on the Global textiles map.

PM MITRA Parks will offer an opportunity to create an integrated textiles value chain right from spinning, weaving, processing/dyeing and printing to garment manufacturing at 1 location
Integrated Textile Value chain at 1 location will reduce logistics cost for Industry
Intended to generate ~1 lakh direct and 2 lakh indirect employment per park
Sites for PM MITRA Parks will be selected by a Challenge Method based on objective criteria
Proposals of State Governments having ready availability of contiguous and encumbrance-free land parcel of 1,000+ acres along with other textiles-related facilities & ecosystem are welcome

Several states such as Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Odisha, Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Assam, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh and Telangana have expressed interest.

Community Participation: The initiative involves active participation from local communities, who are encouraged to provide feedback and suggestions for the design and maintenance of the parks.
Technology-driven: The initiative uses technology to monitor and maintain the parks, with the installation of sensors to monitor soil moisture, temperature, and other environmental parameters.
Biodiversity Conservation: The initiative focuses on promoting biodiversity by planting native species and creating habitats for wildlife.
Accessibility: The initiative aims to make the parks accessible to everyone, including people with disabilities, by providing facilities such as ramps and accessible toilets. Read in details- PIB

Seven PM MITRA Park sites announced

The Government of India today announced the sites for setting up of 7 PM Mega Integrated Textile Regions and Apparel (PM MITRA) Parks for the Textile industry. The parks will come up in Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra. Read also- SWAGAT initiative

Inspired by the 5F vision of the Hon’ble Prime Minister (i.e. Farm to Fiber to Factory to Fashion to Foreign), the PM MITRA Parks are a major step forward in realizing the Government’s vision of making India a global hub for textile manufacturing and exports.

It is expected that these parks will enhance the competitiveness of the textiles industry by helping it achieve economies of scale as well as attract global players to manufacture in India.

These 7 sites were chosen out of 18 proposals for PM MITRA parks which were received from 13 States. Eligible States and sites were evaluated using a transparent Challenge Method based on objective criteria taking into account a variety of factors such as connectivity, existing ecosystem, textile/industry policy, infrastructure, utility services etc. PM Gati Shakti- National Master Plan for Multi-modal Connectivity was also used for validation.

PM MITRA Parks will help in creating world-class industrial infrastructure that would attract large scale investment including foreign direct investment (FDI) and encourage innovation and job creation within the sector.

Impact of PM Mitra Parks

The PM Mitra Parks initiative has had a significant impact on the environment and people’s lives. Some of the key benefits of the initiative include:

Environmental Benefits

Increased green cover: The initiative has led to the creation of new green spaces in urban areas, which has helped to increase the overall green cover in the country.
Biodiversity conservation: The initiative focuses on promoting biodiversity by planting native species and creating habitats for wildlife.
Improved air and water quality: The parks help to absorb pollutants from the air and reduce the urban heat island effect, which helps to improve air and water quality in the surrounding areas.

Social Benefits

Improved mental health: The parks provide a space for people to relax and unwind, which can help to improve mental health.
Increased physical activity: The parks provide a safe and accessible space for people to engage in physical activities such as jogging, cycling, and yoga.
Community engagement: The initiative involves active participation from local communities, which helps to foster a sense of community and ownership.

Challenges and Future Prospects

While the PM Mitra Parks initiative has had a significant impact on the environment and people’s lives, there are still some challenges that need to be addressed. These include:

Maintenance and Sustainability

The long-term maintenance and sustainability of the parks are crucial to ensure their continued success. The government needs to ensure that adequate resources are allocated for the maintenance of the parks, and local communities need to be actively involved in their upkeep.

Equity and Access

There is a need to ensure that the benefits of the PM Mitra Parks initiative are accessible to all, including people from low-income communities and marginalized groups. The government needs to ensure that parks are located in areas that are easily accessible to everyone.

Conclusion

PM MITRA Parks represent a unique model where the Centre and State Governments will work together to increase investment. promote innovation, create job opportunities, and ultimately make India a global hub for textile manufacturing and exports. Nearly Rs 70,000 crores of investment and 20 lakhs of employment generation is envisaged through these parks.

The PM Mitra Parks initiative has been a significant step towards reviving urban green spaces in India. The initiative has had a positive impact on the environment and people’s lives, and has the potential to create more sustainable and livable cities in the future.

However, there are still challenges that need to be addressed, including maintenance and sustainability, equity and access, and community engagement. By addressing these challenges, the PM Mitra Parks initiative can continue to be a success and create a positive impact for years to come.

FAQs

What is the PM Mitra Parks initiative?

The PM Mitra Parks initiative is a government initiative launched in 2021 with the aim of creating new parks and reviving existing ones in urban areas across India.

What are the key features of the PM Mitra Parks initiative?

The key features of the PM Mitra Parks initiative include community participation, technology-driven monitoring and maintenance, biodiversity conservation, and accessibility for all.

What are the benefits of the PM Mitra Parks initiative?

The PM Mitra Parks initiative has numerous benefits, including increased green cover, improved air and water quality, improved mental health, increased physical activity, and community engagement.

What are the challenges faced by the PM Mitra Parks initiative?

The main challenges faced by the PM Mitra Parks initiative include maintenance and sustainability, equity and access, and community engagement.

What can individuals do to support the PM Mitra Parks initiative?

Individuals can support the PM Mitra Parks initiative by volunteering in park maintenance, participating in community events, and providing feedback and suggestions to local government officials.

Source- BIP