Mumbai, May 4 (PTI) Maharashtra minister Ashish Shelar on Monday directed officials to draw up a plan to undertake tree plantation on 65 acres of land in Aarey Colony in the north-west part of Mumbai during the coming monsoon.
Shelar, guardian minister of the Mumbai suburban district, also asked them to prepare a comprehensive action plan to increase forest density in the area.
He issued the directions to Mumbai Suburban District Collector Saurabh Katiyar during an inspection visit to Aarey Colony, where he reviewed land parcels under various government authorities and assessed their potential for afforestation.
Shelar said the exercise was in line with Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis’ announcement of a statewide drive to plant 300 crore trees.
He stressed the need to enhance participation from the Mumbai suburban district in view of rising temperatures in the city.
During the visit, Shelar inspected multiple government establishments and asked officials to identify vacant land available with departments and estimate the number and type of trees that could be planted.
He also sought inputs on whether Miyawaki-style dense forests could be developed at select locations.
Officials from Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and MMRDA, among others, were present during the visit.
The minister reviewed the Goregaon veterinary hospital, Mahanand Dairy headquarters, State Reserve Police Force Group 8 and Force One offices, the Agro Industries Development Corporation office, animal husbandry quality control laboratory, Central Poultry Development Organisation and the Modern Bakery campus, an official said.
“Preliminary assessments suggest that nearly 65 acres of land across these establishments could be made available for plantation, though Shelar asked the district administration to submit a detailed report after further study,” the official said.
He also directed officials to examine whether tree plantation could be undertaken on a vacant plot earlier proposed for a Metro building, and to enhance the density of existing plantations at the Aarey Metro car shed.
Incidentally, the Aarey car shed project for metro rail line 3 had drawn criticism in the past over tree felling and its environmental impact. PTI ND BNM
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