To curb rising urban pollution, the Thane Municipal Corporation has launched a large-scale plantation drive to plant 50,000 bamboo trees along highways and road dividers across the city. The initiative has been officially included in the 2024–25 municipal budget, and work has already begun in several areas.
Bamboo has been chosen for its strong environmental benefits. Its dense foliage helps absorb harmful pollutants like PM2.5, PM10, and CO₂, significantly improving air quality. It also grows faster than most traditional trees and acts as an effective carbon sink, helping reduce pollution levels.
Apart from purifying air, bamboo plantations will also serve as natural sound barriers, reducing traffic noise by absorbing and reflecting sound. Additionally, they will provide shade and help lower the urban heat island effect, making the city cooler.
The Thane Municipal Corporation has also approved INR 2 crore for a tree census using advanced GPS and GIS technology. Alongside the bamboo project, more than 15,000 native trees are being planted in areas like Mogharpada and along development plan (DP) roads.
This initiative combines traditional planting methods with the Miyawaki technique to ensure faster and denser forest growth using local species, aiming to create a greener and healthier urban environment.
Also Read: Malabar Hill Green Belt Rezoning Proposal Under Review Due to Environmental Concerns
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