Nets to save Marine Drive plants from salt spray effect
Mumbai: In a bid to save decorative plants at Marine Drive from ‘salt spray’ effect the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has put up green house nets around these plants. Sprinkles from seawater were affecting the growth of these plants, said civic officials.
According to civic officials, as the waves break near the coast, water sprinkles – which are called salt sprays – and flutters in the air along with the wind. These salt sprays are found to have a damaging effect on the plants, which have been planted at Marine Drive.
The salt in the salt spray gets accumulated on the leaves of plants. When it rains, the salt water gets absorbed by the leaves and roots of the tree. The salt spray has a poison-like effect on these plants affecting their growth, said a senior civic official.
“Hence, the BMC hence has put up green house nets around 120 decorative plants, which have been planted on the divider of Marine Drive. It is now showing positive results, minimising the damage on the plants,” said Jitendra Pardeshi, garden superintendent.
According to civic officials, the coastal area opposite Police Gymkhana on Marine Drive is known as salt spray area and hence more care needs to be taken of plants in this region.