The month-long initiative coincides with World Earth Day and aims to improve the overall health and longevity of the city’s green cover
Representational Image. Pic/Pixabay
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will roll out its annual ‘Vruksha Sanjeevani’ (Tree Revival) campaign from April 1 to April 30, 2026, as part of its efforts to conserve and maintain trees across public spaces in Mumbai. The month-long initiative coincides with World Earth Day and aims to improve the overall health and longevity of the city’s green cover.
Focus on Urban Tree Health
According to the civic body, Mumbai has a total of 2,975,283 trees within the BMC’s jurisdiction, of which nearly 1,354,966 are located along roadsides, in gardens, and other public areas. These trees form a crucial part of the city’s urban ecosystem, and the campaign is expected to play a key role in their upkeep.
Under the initiative, the civic body will undertake several measures to restore tree health. These include removing layers of cement and concrete from around tree bases and replacing them with loose red soil to improve water and air absorption. Authorities will also remove nails, ropes, cables, and advertisement boards attached to tree trunks, along with pruning branches that obstruct pedestrian movement. Additionally, protective coatings of geru (red ochre) and lime will be applied to safeguard tree trunks.
Learning from Previous Efforts
The 2025 edition of the campaign saw significant action on the ground. Civic teams removed concrete from around 340 trees and took down 1,460 advertisement boards. In addition, 17.43 kilograms of nails were extracted from tree trunks—measures that helped improve tree health and reduce structural damage.
Experts have highlighted that concrete surrounding tree roots restricts water percolation and oxygen flow, weakening root systems and increasing the likelihood of trees drying out. Similarly, nails and wires can cause long-term damage to trunks, making trees more vulnerable to collapse.
Public Participation and Awareness
The campaign will also emphasise community involvement and awareness. Schools, colleges, social organisations, and citizens are expected to actively participate, alongside employees from various municipal departments.
Officials noted that raising awareness about tree conservation under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Tree Protection and Conservation Act, 1975 remains a key responsibility of the Tree Authority. The campaign is therefore seen as an important step toward fostering civic responsibility and environmental stewardship.
Garden Superintendent Jitendra Pardeshi stated that the drive will be carried out using existing municipal resources, ensuring efficient implementation without additional financial burden.
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