Summary
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), India's richest civic body, has spent over Rs 200 crore on tree-related projects in the last five years. Despite this large investment, a new report reveals that the city's tree cover is shrinking and many planted trees are not surviving. The findings raise serious questions about how the money is being used and whether the city's green goals are being met.
Main Impact
The report, released by a local environmental group, shows that Mumbai lost nearly 10% of its tree cover between 2019 and 2025. This loss comes even as the BMC claims to have planted lakhs of new trees. The main impact is that citizens are breathing more polluted air and facing higher temperatures in many parts of the city. The failure to maintain trees also means that the civic body's spending has not delivered the promised environmental benefits.
Key Details
What Happened
The BMC spent Rs 200 crore on tree planting, transplantation, and maintenance from 2021 to 2026. However, a ground survey by the NGO "Save Mumbai Green" found that over 40% of the trees planted in the last three years have died. Many of the surviving trees are in poor health due to lack of watering and care. The report also found that trees are being cut down for road widening and infrastructure projects without proper replacement.
Important Numbers and Facts
Key figures from the report include:
- Rs 200 crore spent by BMC on tree-related work (2021-2026).
- 10% decline in Mumbai's total tree cover since 2019.
- Over 40% of newly planted trees did not survive.
- Only 30% of transplanted trees survived after two years.
- Mumbai's green cover now stands at just 12% of its total area.
Background and Context
Trees are important for any big city. They help cool the air, absorb pollution, and provide shade. Mumbai, being a coastal city, also relies on trees to prevent soil erosion and flooding during heavy rains. The BMC has a legal duty to maintain at least 33% green cover as per the city's development plan. The current 12% is far below that target. The spending of Rs 200 crore was meant to close this gap, but the results show the opposite.
Public or Industry Reaction
Environmental activists have strongly criticized the BMC. "This is a clear case of wasted public money," said Rohan Desai, head of Save Mumbai Green. "The corporation spends crores on planting trees but does not spend even a fraction on watering them." Local residents in areas like Andheri and Powai have also complained that trees planted in their neighborhoods have died within months. The BMC, in its defense, said that many trees die due to extreme weather and vandalism, but activists reject this as an excuse.
What This Means Going Forward
The report puts pressure on the BMC to change its approach. Experts suggest that instead of planting new trees in large numbers, the civic body should focus on protecting existing trees and ensuring better survival rates. There are also calls for an independent audit of the Rs 200 crore spending. If the trend continues, Mumbai could face worse air quality and higher heat levels in the coming years. The state government may also step in to review the BMC's tree policy.
Final Take
Spending Rs 200 crore on trees sounds like a good thing, but without proper care and monitoring, it becomes a waste of money and effort. Mumbai's shrinking tree cover is a warning for other Indian cities that are also spending heavily on green projects. The real measure of success is not how many trees are planted, but how many survive and grow.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did so many trees die despite the BMC spending Rs 200 crore?
Most trees died because of lack of regular watering, poor soil quality, and no follow-up care after planting. The BMC did not set aside enough money for maintenance.
How much tree cover does Mumbai actually need?
As per the city's development plan, Mumbai should have at least 33% green cover. Currently, it has only about 12%, which is far below the required level.
What can citizens do to help improve Mumbai's tree cover?
Citizens can report dying trees to the BMC, join local tree care groups, and demand better accountability from the corporation. They can also plant native trees in their own neighborhoods with proper care.
