‘Greening Mumbai’ Initiative Launched to Enhance Greenery in the City, Citizens Views Invited

Mumbai, 19th December 2023: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has taken a significant step towards promoting greenery in the city with the launch of the ‘Greening Mumbai’ information booklet. The initiative, spearheaded by Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Ashwini Bhide, aims to involve Mumbaikars in the collective effort to make the city greener.

Addressing the audience at the Municipal Corporation Headquarters during the booklet release yesterday, she emphasized the need for the community to actively participate in greening initiatives. She encouraged Mumbaikars to suggest alternatives and take the initiative to contribute to Mumbai’s green landscape.

Developed in collaboration with ‘WRI India,’ the ‘Greening Mumbai’ guide provides practical information on planting various types of plants, trees, flowers, and fruit trees in limited spaces such as balconies, rooftops, housing association premises, and small gardens. The booklet, released on December 18, 2023, is a collaborative effort to empower citizens to play a role in enhancing the city’s green cover.

The event saw the presence of key figures, including Garden Superintendent Jitendra Pardeshi, Deputy Superintendent (Tree Authority) Gyandev Munde, Program Head of ‘WRI India’ Lubaina Rangwala, Kirti Vani of ‘Oecos for Ecological Services and Transforming,’ and Avinash Kaur of Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS).

Additional Commissioner Ashiwini highlighted BMC’s ongoing efforts to maximize the use of available space in Mumbai, given the constraints of urban living. The ‘Greening Mumbai’ booklet, she explained, contains scientific information about the environment, offering valuable insights for citizens engaging in tree planting activities. The BMC invites Mumbaikars to share their opinions on the booklet by registering their votes until February 10, 2024.

Garden Superintendent Pardeshi provided an overview of the Garden Department’s initiatives and underscored the role of BMC in crafting the ‘Greening Mumbai’ booklet. The guide presents pictorial and scientific information on planting trees in various-sized areas, offering practical tips for citizens to contribute to Mumbai’s environmental balance.

The ‘Greening Mumbai’ booklet is available for download in PDF format through the online link http://surl.li/ojnfk. Mumbaikars can share their views on the booklet by scanning the QR code on page four. An updated version, incorporating final notes and community feedback, will be released on March 8, 2024.