Mumbai Citizens Propose Green Spaces Amid BMC's Assertion of Space scarcity

In the bustling city of Mumbai, concerns over the loss of green spaces have been rising. Residents and environmental activists have been voicing their concerns, pointing towards specific localities such as Bandra, Khar, Santacruz, and Juhu, where land parcels earmarked for potential green spaces have been given to builders.

Natasha Perreira, a resident of Bandra, has identified barren land parcels that could have been turned into green pockets but are now being developed. Similarly, Kevin Pinto, a resident of Andheri (E), has been sharing suggestions for tree plantation locations on the BMC's online complaint portal for several years.

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) claims it has planted 20,044 trees in the city and suburbs in the year concerned. However, this claim is being debated due to doubts raised by environmental activists. Some allege that the BMC may be recycling old figures, while others claim that the total number of trees in the city hasn't increased from 29.75 lakhs since the Environmental Status Report (ESR) 2021-22.

Recent years have seen numerous trees being felled, adding to these concerns. A civic official stated that there isn't much space left for new tree plantations, a statement that has not been met without scepticism.

In a bid to address this issue, the municipal commissioner proposed using the BMC's online complaint status portal as an unconventional channel to identify locations for more tree planting. Citizens and activists are actively sharing suggestions for barren land that can turn into potential green pockets.

Kay Nair, a resident of Kandivali (E), has shared suggestions for more tree covers but hasn't received a response from the BMC yet. However, Pinto claims that the BMC has acted upon some of his suggestions, including addressing issues related to garbage burning.

Environmental activists have raised concerns over the veracity of the plantation drive. They believe that the effectiveness of sharing suggestions with the BMC depends on the proactivity of officials at the ward level.

As Mumbai continues to grow, the need for green spaces becomes even more crucial. The ongoing dialogue between residents, activists, and the BMC is a step towards ensuring a greener and more sustainable future for the city.