Ahmedabad: The Amdavad Municipal Corporation has decided to form an Environment Cell. In response to the challenges arising from global warming, this cell will work across all three areas—water, air, and land. It will promote renewable energy and undertake efforts to reduce carbon dioxide levels while increasing oxygen levels, said Standing Committee Chairman Devangbhai Dani.

The new unit, to be called the ‘Net Zero Cell’, will function under the Energy Savings and Conservation department formed in 2023. A budget allocation of ₹10 crore has been made for the initiative in the current financial year.

Ahmedabad will become the second Indian city, after Mumbai, to establish such a dedicated Environment Cell. The cell will be staffed with senior-level officers and include engineers from various AMC departments to enable multi-level coordination on environmental initiatives.

The newly formed cell will be responsible for monitoring and approving environmentally sustainable projects. Dani stated that the cell will streamline and strengthen Environmental Audit and Impact Assessment (EIA) processes for a range of initiatives—such as the e-bus scheme, Mission Million Trees, river and lake rejuvenation, and major infrastructure projects including roads, bridges, and large-scale buildings. DeshGujarat