10 September,2026 07:44 AM IST | Mumbai | Eeshanpriya MS
Urban forests developed by the BMC on open spaces across the city. Pics/By Special Arrangement
As part of its urban forest initiative launched in 2020, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is set to develop multiple forest pockets across the city using the Japanese Miyawaki technique. After launching its urban forest initiative, the BMC had developed urban forests at over 60 open spaces using the Miyawaki technique over two years.
However, the project was subsequently stalled until new and optimal plots could be identified for development. According to information from the civic body, plots which had existing gardens and where landscaping and horticulture were flourishing were not touched.
[popcorn number="2020" desc="Year urban forest initiative was launched" class="Default"]
The BMC's gardens department has now taken a call to revive tree plantation through this method and focus on amenity plots, apart from gardens and open spaces.
A senior civic official told mid-day, "After the initial drive to develop urban forests using the Miyawaki technique, where 64 plots were developed, no additional work was done. We have now decided to restart the project and carry it out on amenity plots. On such open spaces, large forest pockets will be developed. On others, trees will be grown using the Miyawaki method on the periphery of the plot."
About 400 amenity plots that were handed over to the BMC were considered as options for developing the urban forests. Of these, 338 plots were surveyed and studied to check their feasibility. Now, the BMC has finalised 238 plots in the city out of the 338, according to information from the BMC's garden department.
The official said, "Even with these 338 plots, our planning is at present at the preliminary stage. So we are looking at a timeline extending a few months. When actual work begins, we will find out whether the Miyawaki method is useful or apt. We will carry out routine tree plantation drives as well, as the aim is to increase tree cover."
One notable location where a forest will be developed is the 600-square-foot Belgaum Karvar Sah Samyukta Maharashtra Sangharsha Smruti Manoranjan Maidan near Bhoiwada in F South ward. About 2000 trees will be planted at this open space, all of indigenous varieties, such as ashok, bel, and jackfruit.
Forests have been planned in three other locations, including Bhakti Park and Mulund. The BMC on Wednesday also floated tenders to carry out tree plantation drives at various plots in H West and East wards (Bandra); P South, East, and West wards (Goregaon and Malad); and K West and East wards (Andheri).
This technique helps trees to grow to full height faster, and even a small space is sufficient to accommodate a large number of trees. The forest patch becomes self-sustaining on a much shorter timeline - and trees need tending and care for the first two to three years. As three or four trees can be planted on every one square metre, this method creates a dense urban forest when trees grow to full height.
>> Step garden in Lokhandwala, Kandivli East
>> Goraswadi Maidan in Kandivli West
>> Plot in Parekh Nagar, Kandivli West
