Book review: Rediscovering Delhi’s green lungs

In an age of rapid urban expansion, The Greenzones of Delhi stands as a tribute to the city’s endangered green spaces. Created by environmentalist and photographer Verhaen Khanna, this coffee table book is more than a collection of beautiful photographs; it’s a powerful invitation to explore, cherish, and protect Delhi’s natural areas. Khanna’s work celebrates the essence of the city’s parks, jungles, and hidden nooks, intending to instil a sense of stewardship in readers—a reminder of the need to preserve these ecological sanctuaries before they vanish under the weight of development.

Through his organisation, the New Delhi Nature Society, Khanna has mapped out 26 green zones in Delhi, documenting each with detailed maps, short notes, and QR codes that link to immersive multimedia content. This layering of digital and physical media gives readers an interactive experience that encourages exploration beyond the book itself, drawing them to venture into Delhi’s green spaces firsthand. Every page exudes a sense of urgency as Khanna’s evocative images prompt readers to savour these locations now, while they still endure.

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Visual storytelling

Khanna’s photographs capture both the beauty and vulnerability of spaces such as Buddha Jayanti Park, Deer Park, Okhla Bird Sanctuary, and Sunder Nursery. Through a blend of rich photography and thoughtful narrative, he invites readers to engage with these scenes as living legacies of natural beauty. A particularly moving aspect of the book is its inclusion of ‘before’ and ‘after’ images—visual narratives documenting the transformation of these areas over recent years. Buddha Park appears serene in the morning mist, while Deer Park’s quiet pathways wind through sunlit trees, evoking a delicate balance of peace within the urban landscape. Okhla Bird Sanctuary teems with migratory birds, a timeless rhythm increasingly threatened by encroachment.

One of the book’s most poignant lines reads, “The young plants didn’t know they would grow into a forest one day. If you find this spot, compare it to this picture and you’ll see what I mean.” This sentiment embodies Khanna’s core message, underscoring the importance of young people in the future of environmental advocacy: “Children who experience nature firsthand are the ones who will fight to protect it.” Through the book, Khanna calls on a new generation to join the movement for environmental preservation, reminding us that these green spaces hold not only the essence of Delhi but also hope for its future.

Nature and nostalgia

A lifelong resident of Delhi, Khanna, at 35, is not only an environmentalist but also a commercial pilot, wildlife photographer, musician, and artist. The idea for The Greenzones of Delhi began in 2015, when he observed the city’s relentless loss of green cover. In the book’s preface, he reflects, “For each Greenzone, there’s a satellite image of the area with a specific date. Compare it with the latest satellite image to understand the urgency behind this book. Remember, Delhi has held the ignominious title of the world’s most polluted city for years now, and more than five trees are felled every hour for one reason or another.” With these words, Khanna highlights the critical role of these spaces in maintaining the city’s ecological balance.

Through his photography, Khanna illustrates the tension between natural beauty and urban encroachment. Sanjay Van, a forest once open and inviting, is now encased by fences that disrupt its connection to the surrounding community. “Earlier, there were benches without fences. Now, a fence obscures the bench,” Khanna notes, lamenting how these barriers symbolise a gradual disconnection between people and nature. Yet, he still admires Sanjay Van’s trails and dense foliage, which make it an ideal retreat for nature lovers seeking a break from the city’s noise.

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On October 12, 2024, The Greenzones of Delhi launched at the scenic Sunder Nursery, coinciding with the 10th anniversary of the New Delhi Nature Society. The event was attended by prominent environmental figures, including Maneka Gandhi, who unveiled the book, Ambika Shukla of People for Animals, and Ramveer Tanwar, widely celebrated as India’s ‘Pondman.’

Through workshops, nature walks, and unique experiences organised by the New Delhi Nature Society, Khanna seeks to reconnect people with nature. He recalls young adults returning years after their first experiences with nature to share how those early encounters inspired a lifelong appreciation for the environment. Khanna’s reflections resonate with his commitment to guiding new generations toward environmental stewardship: “Once, an 18-year-old told me he’d never touched a tree before. He asked if it would hurt to touch it. Soon, he was swinging from branches. His parents said, ‘No more video games—you’re spending more time outdoors now.’ There’s so much to rediscover out here.”

Through his book, Khanna reminds us that Delhi’s green spaces are not only essential to the city’s identity but also vital to its future.