Mumbai: In a significant step towards sustainable urban development, Mumbai welcomed its first eco-friendly urban forest at Marol, inaugurated on Sunday by Maharashtra’s IT and Cultural Affairs Minister and Mumbai Suburban District Guardian Minister, Ashish Shelar.
Named after the revered Jain monk, the Mahatapasvi Acharya Shri Mahashramanji Urban Garden spans 3.5 acres and represents a model of collaborative development. Speaking at the inauguration, Shelar emphasized the need for more citizen-driven urban forests across Mumbai. “With more initiatives like this, we can bring down temperatures in dense urban areas like Mumbai by 3 to 4 degrees Celsius over the next five years,” he stated.
The park was developed jointly by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and Marol Industrial Estate, and is equipped with a state-of-the-art, eco-friendly sewage treatment plant (Eco STP). Treated water from this plant is used for nurturing the 10,000 native trees planted in the garden, including species like bamboo, bakul, and mango. According to a study, tree plantations has already contributed to a 2°C drop in local temperatures within a year.
The event saw the presence of several dignitaries, including local MLA Murji Patel, BMC’s Deputy Commissioner of Education and Director of Planning Dr. Prachi Jambhekar, and Assistant Commissioner of K-East Ward Nitin Shukla.
Developed using funds from the Mumbai Suburban District Planning Committee, the garden also features a children’s play area, recreation spaces, clean toilets, and exhibition zones. Partner institutions such as the World Resources Institute played a key role in conceptualizing and executing innovative elements within the garden.
Officials noted that the BMC’s Planning Department, along with various organizations, worked diligently to bring the vision for Marol’s urban forest to life.
Mumbai Gets Its First Eco-Friendly Urban Forest at Marol, How Does it Reduce City Heat by 4°C with this green milestone, Mumbai sets a precedent for climate-conscious city planning, aiming to inspire more such green lungs across the metropolis.
