The state of the city’s environment, infrastructure, roads, and schools has emerged as a key point of contention in the days leading up to the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election. Highlighting the importance of environmental conservation, Mumbai’s Watchdog Foundation has released a 12-point manifesto with tree plantation and riverfront projects among its key asks.

“Every year, the government comes out with circulars that call for tree plantation, but we seldom see them followed through, especially when it comes to the maintenance of trees. This is why I have asked for ward-wise plantation of at least 1,00,000 trees every year, to save our green cover and air quality,” said Nicholas Almeida, a member of the Watchdog Foundation.