Urban forest with indigenous trees, shrubs inaugurated at Marol Industrial Estate to tackle urban heat
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) on Sunday inaugurated an urban forest, comprising indigenous trees, shrubs, and bushes along the streets and utility corridors, at the Marol Industrial Estate.
Calling the forest a step towards tackling the increasing urban heat in Mumbai, civic authorities maintained that the increase in green cover has led to a decline in temperature by at least two degrees Celsius over the past few months.
The 3.5-acre land parcel where the forest has been developed was selected after a study carried out under the Mumbai Climate Action Plan (MCAP) stated that the Marol industrial estate in the K East Ward had the lowest tree cover in the city with high mean land surface temperature.
The study also indicated an increase in land surface temperature over a decade, before and after the Metro Line 1 was built.
The observed land surface temperature along the Metro stretch before the construction between 2005 and 2010 was 29.27 degrees Celsius to 33.64 degrees Celsius. However, after Metro construction, it increased from 32.65 to 38.83 degrees Celsius, officials said.
Civic officials said the average temperature recorded around the land parcel is 35-36 degrees, indicating a two-degree decline.
'This is the first eco-sewerage project in Mumbai. This means the planting of the trees and shrubs has been done using recycled sewage water. Our study has shown that the temperature has declined by two degrees. In the next five years, we project that the temperature in this area will decline further by a minimum of five degrees,' said a civic official.
The officials also stated that the civic body has spent Rs 6 crore for making this urban forest, and it took the authorities one year to finish the construction work.
The plot also runs along the Mithi River, which the BMC aims to develop as a buffer zone and water retention zone. The forest comprises a children's play area alongside dedicated recreation zones, walkways, amphitheaters, and sitting arenas.
Officials from BMC's planning department said the funds for the project came from the District Planning Committee to revitalise suburban Mumbai through tactical urban interventions.
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