BMC Adopts New Policy to Only Plant or Replant Trees That Are Native to Mumbai

On Tuesday, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) approved a new policy that would see the planting of tree species that are native or indigenous to Mumbai. Officials said that the decision was taken given the nature of the soil in the city. 

The civic body has released a list containing 41 trees that can be planted in the metropolitan city. This comes as activists and experts have long asked to implement such a move in the region. 

Some of the species included in the list are Banyan, Pipal, Mahogany, Cassia, Teakwood, Sita Asoka (Saraca Asoca), Taman, Coconut, Amla, Mango, Parijat (Nyctanthes arbor-tristis), Sandalwood, Jackfruit, and Chafa/Temple Tree (Plumeria Alba), to name a few. 

The policy which has now been approved by the Tree Authority says that native tree species will be prioritized on BMC premises. BMC Commissioner and Chairperson of the Tree Authority, Iqbal Singh Chahal encouraged citizens to adopt the same policy in their housing societies while planting trees. 

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“While planting trees, it is necessary to take into account the local species and the soil characteristics of the area. People should plant trees that will take root firmly and thrive in the soil of Mumbai,” Tree Authority Secretary and Garden Superintendent Jitendra Pardeshi said.

“If non-native species are planted, they do not take root [firmly], and that increases the risk of tree falling,” Pardeshi added.

The agency has also approved a standard procedure for replanting trees that were felled or uprooted. Data shows that the city lost around 3,500 trees over the past four years with 1,360 of them lost during the previous monsoon alone. Under the new policy, the agency will use only native trees to replace the ones that have been felled.

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The policy also mentions the need to ensure the safety of the trees while digging under or around them. Further, any replacement of an uprooted tree is to be conducted on the very same spot or nearby. 

If a tree that has been uprooted isn’t in a condition to be replanted elsewhere, it can be replaced with another tree, even if it’s of the same species, as per the policy. Further, authorities will also have to take steps to supply manure to the trees every three months while also creating tree basins wherever possible.

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