Mayor Ritu Tawde sets target of planting 1 lakh trees across Mumbai

Mayor Ritu Tawde (centre) and Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi (left) at a review meeting in BMC headquarters on Tuesday. PIC/BMC

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has set a target of planting at least one lakh trees across the city in the coming days, Mayor Ritu Tawde said on Monday.

Chairing a review meeting at the BMC headquarters, the Mumbai Mayor stated that the civic body will identify suitable locations including vacant plots, roadside stretches, traffic islands, medians, and spaces beneath flyovers for large-scale plantation.

The initiative aims to enhance Mumbai's green cover while also helping in dust and pollution control, she said.

"We have resolved to plant at least one lakh trees across the city. For this, every possible space must be identified and utilised," Tawde said, adding that detailed plans should be submitted by zonal deputy municipal commissioners and concerned departments.

The mayor also stressed the need for innovative green solutions such as vertical gardens on flyovers and urban farming models, citing the example of a pilot project at Vile Parle. She said private developers and organisations willing to support the initiative through corporate or self-funded plantation efforts should also be roped in.

Deputy Mayor Sanjay Ghadi said the initiative should be implemented in mission mode, with focus on ensuring the survival of saplings and exploring plantation of fruit-bearing and medicinal trees.

Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Dr Avinash Dhakne said nearly one lakh trees could be accommodated across available civic spaces, including infrastructure projects and newly developed areas. He also suggested bamboo plantation as a suitable ecological option for the city.

Officials from multiple BMC departments, including gardens, roads, bridges and infrastructure, attended the meeting and presented their inputs.

5 lakh trees to be planted in Mumbai's Aarey Colony: Minister Ashish Shelar

Maharashtra Minister of Cultural Affairs Ashish Shelar on Friday announced a plan to plant five lakh trees across 80 acres of land in Mumbai's Aarey Colony under the state government's 'Green Maharashtra 300 Crore Tree Plantation' campaign, reported PTI.

The initiative was launched on World Environment Day 2026 and forms part of a larger afforestation drive being undertaken across Maharashtra, an official statement said.

Focus on creating a long-term green legacy

"Aarey has been recognised as a forest on paper. We now want to create a lush, thriving forest that will inspire future generations," said Shelar in a statement.

According to the statement, around 80 acres of vacant land identified across Aarey Camp, the Metro car shed area, Metro Bhavan premises, National Dairy Development Board land, Mahanand Dairy, Force One, the State Reserve Police Force campus and other government properties will be brought under afforestation.