Mumbai to recount its trees after 8 years; civic body eyes rise in green cover

Mumbai: Nearly eight years after its last tree census, BMC is set to begin a fresh enumeration of trees across the city from next week.The last census, conducted in 2018, recorded 29.75 lakh trees within Mumbai's city limits, with the figure rising to around 33.7 lakh when Aarey was included. Civic officials now expect the numbers to rise, citing an increase in urban plantations, particularly the Miyawaki forests developed across the city in recent years.Introducing Miywaki plantation was a brainchild of former municipal commissioner Praveen Pardeshi, who had asked ward-level officials to identify plots in the city where urban forests could be created. The Miyawaki method was pioneered by Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, but can be adapted to use indigenous species for local conditions."Over the last few years, Miyawaki plantations have picked up significantly in Mumbai. We expect an increase in the number of trees this time," said garden superintendent Jitendra Pardeshi, adding that the exercise is likely to take around 1.5 years to complete.The census, mandated every five years, has been implemented irregularly, with the previous counts conducted in 2008 and 2018. Officials attributed the current delay to the pandemic and subsequent logistical challenges.A decision on whether to include Aarey Colony is yet to be finalised. "Last time, we included Aarey after receiving a request from the dairy department," an official said. Authorities are yet to decide the starting point of the exercise; the previous census had commenced from Raj Bhavan.Data from the 2018 census showed coconut trees as the most common species (2.11 lakh), followed by Ashoka, mango, Peltophorum, and species such as peepal (Ficus religiosa), cluster fig (Ficus racemosa), gulmohar, and jamun.Meanwhile, as part of its pre-monsoon preparedness, the BMC has also intensified its annual tree-pruning drive. Of the 46,336 trees identified for trimming, around 12,561 have already been pruned, with the work slated to be completed by May 31.To streamline both pruning and enumeration, the civic body on Wednesday held a training workshop at the Veermata Jijabai Bhosale Botanical Garden and Zoo in Byculla. Officials and experts were trained in scientific pruning techniques, tree health assessment, and the use of modern tools, including drones, for accurate data collection.Civic officials said the combined exercise is aimed at minimising monsoon-related risks while generating updated data to guide Mumbai's urban planning and green cover conservation.
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