BMC plants over 4K saplings of 43 species in city

Mumbai: In a push to the development of urban forests in Mumbai, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has started planting native saplings. Till now, more than 4,000 saplings of 43 species have been planted at Narayanpuri, Worli, covering an area of 240 square feet.

The saplings planted are of native species including taman, bahava, karanj, neem, bakul, banyan, peepal, jamun and semal and boast a height of six feet and above. The saplings are from BMC’s own nurseries at the ward level, while some have been taken from private nurseries.

The BMC came up with the idea of developing urban forests in Mumbai through the Miyawaki method - a Japanese technique of developing dense urban forests. Initially, 10 sites of 4,000 square feet and more were finalised for the urban forests. The number of sites was later increased to 60. The planting for urban forests started July 15. This initiative falls under the state government’s Rs 33 crore mega trees’ plantation drive that began July 1 in Chandrapur.

The sites identified for urban forests are in Kurla, Kandivali, Worli, Wadala and Mulund. These sites are recreational grounds/gardens/parks, which will be turned into urban forests. Recently, the BMC also floated tenders to appoint consultants and supervisors for dense afforestation for a period of three years. The objective of urban forests is to help rainwater percolate into the ground instead of into artificial storm water drains that release water into the sea.