Dr. Dinesh Kumar Dahare (24-28)
ABSTRACT
Urban vegetation plays a vital role in regulating microclimate of adjoining areas, also mitigating heat island effects, and improving eco-sociological resilience in rapidly urbanizing cities. In Bhopal, the Capital Project Administration (CPA) has carried out extensive plantation programs for restoring green cover and enriching urban thermal relief. This research paper appraises the role of CPA plantations in reforming vegetation patterns and upgrading microclimatic parameters such as air and surface temperature, humidity, soil moisture, and wind flow. The paper synthesizes scientific mechanisms underlying vegetation–microclimate interactions and proposes a methodological framework for microclimate assessment using field monitoring, GIS-based analytics, and remote sensing. Findings from past research studies suggest that urban plantations can reduce air temperature by 1–3°C, lower surface temperatures by 3–15°C, increased relative humidity, and strengthen human thermal reassurance. The analysis pinnacles the importance of plant species selection, multi-layered plantation patterns, and maintenance strategies for Bhopal’s sub-tropical climate. Overall, the study shows that CPA’s plantation programmes have made noticeable, positive differences in the microclimate of nearby areas and contribute meaningfully to the city’s long-term environmental sustainability.
Keywords: Microclimate, resilience, assessment, reassurance, sustainability.