Release of the Mumbai Greening Handbook

18 Dec, 2023

The Garden Department of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), in collaboration with WRI India, as knowledge partner, releases a first-of-its-kind greening handbook for the city of Mumbai.

Monday, December 18, 2023: Ms. Ashwini Bhide (IAS), Additional Municipal Commissioner, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and MD Mumbai Metro Corporation, and Mr. Jeetendra Pardeshi, Superintendent, Garden Department and Tree Authority, BMC, today released the ‘Mumbai Greening Handbook', at the BMC head office, in the presence of the WRI India team and other BMC officials and representatives.

The main highlight of the ‘Mumbai Greening Handbook’ is the customised journey that each user group – homeowners, resident welfare associations (RWAs), organisations, and municipal authorities – can take to address their specific planting concerns.

BMC is inviting suggestions from citizens to further improve the Handbook. The publication will be viewed at https://tinyurl.com/BMCGreening on the BMC portal and citizens can share their inputs online starting today. The link to the feedback form is included on page 4 of the manual. It can be accessed here as well https://forms.gle/kRSVYKv4kvmCWFVu7 The formal launch of the Handbook, incorporating citizen feedback, is tentatively planned for 8 March 2024.

Keeping the needs of all community members in focus, the Handbook offers Mumbai residents end-to-end guidance on planting saplings across all scales – from balcony garden boxes to large plots. Incorporating a citizen-friendly, scientific greening approach, the focus is on ensuring the survival of the vegetation with a focus on long-term ecosystem benefits and strengthening climate resilience. The Handbook not only lists suitable indigenous plant species, aimed at enhancing local biodiversity, but also lays out the governance mechanisms that facilitate medium and large-scale plot planting.

Speaking at the release, Ms. Ashwini Bhide said, “This commendable effort by the Garden Department will encourage greening across the city. It is important to follow the scientific greening methods laid out in the Handbook. As the city rapidly expands, there is a need to add more green spaces and scaling this up will need the support of all city stakeholders from the administration to citizens, community groups, and corporates.”

Mr. Jeetendra Pardeshi further added, “This is the first time we have put together resources to help citizens reach out to their local nurseries and plant with a plan. We are following a transparent process as we are making information on native species and our methods available to the public at large.”

Ms. Lubaina Rangwala, Program Head, WRI India said, “This is an initiative aimed at building climate resilience, with citizens playing a key role. The Mumbai Greening Handbook employs a comprehensive ecosystem-based approach towards greening. This will not only improve the survival rates of the plants but will lead to many co-benefits including food security, in the case of kitchen gardens, and reduced soil erosion, and stormwater run-off, along with reduction in urban heat. This effort can be replicated across cities. WRI India looks forward to supporting BMC in furthering greening efforts across Mumbai.”

Media contacts:
Rama Thoopal | WRI India
rama.thoopal@wri.org

About Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC)
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), also called the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), established in 1888, is one of India’s oldest municipal corporations responsible for governing the city of Mumbai. The BMC is responsible for a wide range of civic services and functions, including but not limited to public health, sanitation, roads and bridges, water supply, solid waste management, education, and urban planning. It plays a crucial role in the development and maintenance of infrastructure in the city. For more information, visit: https://www.mcgm.gov.in/

About WRI India
WRI India, an independent charity legally registered as the India Resources Trust, provides objective information and practical proposals to foster environmentally sound and socially equitable development. Our work focuses on building sustainable and livable cities and working towards a low carbon economy. Through research, analysis, and recommendations, WRI India puts ideas into action to build transformative solutions to protect the earth, promote livelihoods, and enhance human well-being. We are inspired by and associated with World Resources Institute (WRI), a global research organization. For more information visit: www.wri-india.org

SoftLaunch WRIIndia BMC Release Mumbai Greening Handbook