Massive tree plantation drive planned in Mumbai's Aarey Colony

Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar has now outlined a plan to implement Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s mega plantation initiative in the city.

Mumbai: As part of the Maharashtra government’s ambitious mission to plant 300 crore trees, a large-scale plantation drive is set to be undertaken in Aarey Colony, located adjacent to the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP). 

Aarey is widely regarded as part of the “green lung” of Mumbai.

The colony had earlier drawn national attention in 2019 when around 1,500 trees were felled to make way for a Metro car shed project.

Cultural Affairs Minister Ashish Shelar, who is also the Guardian Minister of Mumbai Suburban District, has now outlined a plan to implement Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’s mega plantation initiative in the city. 

He has directed Mumbai Suburban District Collector Saurabh Katiyar to prepare a comprehensive plan for tree plantation across 65 acres of land held by various authorities within Aarey Colony during the upcoming monsoon season.

Shelar also instructed the administration to draw up an action plan to increase the density of the existing forest cover in Aarey. 

During his visit, he interacted with officials from multiple government departments and offices within the colony to understand their functioning and assess whether assistance could be extended through district planning funds.

The Minister reviewed the availability of vacant plots under different authorities and assessed their potential for plantation. He directed the District Collector, along with officials from the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA), to document observations and prepare a detailed report.

The plan will include the number and species of trees to be planted, the feasibility of developing Miyawaki forests in select areas, and measures to enhance overall green cover density.

As part of the inspection, sites such as the Goregaon Veterinary Hospital, Mahananda Dairy headquarters, State Reserve Police Force Group No. 8 and Force One campus, Maharashtra Agro Industries Development Corporation office, Animal Husbandry Quality Control Laboratory, Central Poultry Development Organisation, and the Modern Bakery campus were visited.

“Preliminary observations indicate that approximately 65 acres of land across these locations may be available for plantation,” Shelar said, directing the Collector to conduct a detailed assessment and submit a comprehensive report.

He also noted that the land earlier proposed for Metro Bhavan remains vacant and should be evaluated for plantation. Additionally, directions were issued to prepare a plan to increase tree density in open spaces within the Aarey Metro car shed area.