A new urban forest covering 3.5 acres was officially opened in Marol, Mumbai, on Monday, May 12. The forest, called Mahatapasvi Acharya Shri Mahashramanji Garden, was inaugurated by Ashish Shelar, the guardian minister for Mumbai's suburbs.
It has been developed on land that had almost no trees two years ago. As per reports, this green space was created to help reduce the city’s rising heat. The greenery has already lowered temperatures by at least two degrees Celsius in the last few months.
The site was selected based on a study under the Mumbai Climate Action Plan. The study showed that the Marol industrial estate of the K East Ward had the lowest tree cover and the highest land surface temperature in the city. The area was also identified as an urban heat island.
Before the construction of Metro Line 1, the land surface temperature in this area ranged from 29.27°C to 33.64°C between 2005 and 2010. After the Metro line was built, the temperature increased to a range of 32.65°C to 38.83°C.
Two months ago, researchers from the World Resources Institute (WRI) used ambient air thermometers to measure temperatures at different spots in the area. They found that tree-covered areas had an average temperature of 32.7°C. In comparison, spots with no trees recorded 36.6°C.
The District Planning and Development Committee funded the project. Officials said the BMC spent INR 6 crore on the project. The forest was completed in one year. The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) worked together with the Marol Cooperative Industrial Estate to carry out the project.
Half of the plot has been developed as a garden, while the other half remains part of the industrial estate. The land is located next to the Mithi River.
To attract birds, the team planted over 100 species of trees. These included fruit-bearing trees such as papaya, banana, jackfruit, and mango. They also planted six types of bamboo, grasses, shrubs, medicinal herbs, and some existing banyan and peepal trees.
Studio Pipeelikaput was the main consultant for design and landscaping. WRI acted as the knowledge partner. Native plant species were selected from nearby green areas like the Aarey Forest, Sanjay Gandhi National Park, and Ranibagh.
Local MLA Murji Patel and Assistant Commissioner Nitin Shukla of K East Ward were present at the event.