Mumbai's first desalination plant may impact 967 trees, proposal awaits Tree Authority approval

The desalination plant at Manori; activists have stated that providing additional water to Mumbai cannot justify avoidable environmental destruction. Pic/Atul Kamble

A total of 967 trees might be affected in the ongoing phase of the city's first desalination plant at Manori, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials told mid-day.

Officials say the proposal for the same by the department concerned was moving through administrative process. They added that the proposal had reached the office of BMC's superintendent of garden and tree officer for a due hearing.

[popcorn number="967" desc="No of trees affected in ongoing phase" class="Default"]

According to officials, under the current requirements, across 12 hectares (ha), 28 trees, including large old ones, will have to be cut, while 939 (97 per cent), mostly younger palms and ferns, will have to be transplanted.

"The 939 trees will be transplanted within the perimeter of the project land, avoiding change of land and weather, thus increasing chances of survival," said a civic official privy to the matter. Compensatory tree plantation may be ordered by the Tree Authority. "This matter should be tabled in the authority's December meeting," said a civic official.

What next?

The proposal can receive suggestions, objections, and recommendations during the hearing by the superintendent of garden and tree officer. It will then be sent to the municipal secretary, followed by the Tree Authority chaired by the civic chief and comprising 25 members. The panel can suggest changes, instructions, approve, and disapprove of the proposal.

‘Scenic land will be ruined'

Godfrey Pimenta, trustee, Watchdog Foundation
‘The objective of providing additional water to Mumbai cannot justify avoidable environmental destruction. The project proponent must demonstrate that alternative sites and alternative designs have been properly examined and that the proposed loss of trees is unavoidable. The same details should be available for public scrutiny'

Stalin D, director, Vanashakti
‘Trees are doomed in Mumbai. We have seen this countless times before; they commit to all these things on paper, and then they don't reflect on the ground. Tree transplantation is an expensive and tedious process. I don't think BMC can do it right. That beautiful and scenic piece of public land will be ruined for this project'

Desalination project at a glance

Location: Manori village, Borivli taluka
Land: Around 29 hectares (First phase: 12 hectares)
Commencement date: December 15, 2025
Date of achievement of initial capacity of
200 MLD (ongoing phase): December 2029
Date of completion of 400-MLD expansion:
Latter half of 2030
Current status: Larger CRZ and MoEFCC nods granted; tree-related permissions awaited from Tree Authority

Trees to be retained 4
Trees to be affected 967
Trees that will be cut 28
Trees present on phase 1's 12 ha 971
Trees to be transplanted 939