MUMBAI: Picture this: A walk in the woods, with a dense growth of trees and varieties of birds chirping, plucking, sucking sap and honey. You could be excused for thinking this picturesque forest is in another country but it could be right here in Mumbai soon.
Welcome to the concept of a 'city forest' that will be part of developmental projects acting as buffer zones along creeks, water bodies and coastline edges.
After 25 years, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will revert to its plan of providing Mumbai a 'city forest' on a plot adjacent to Vidyanidhi High School at JVPD Scheme, Juhu, and create vital green lungs in the neighbourhood.
Work is in progress, with residents planting around 1,000 trees in the area as part of the plan conceptualized by architect P K Das.
"City forests essentially mean thick plantations of trees, creating an opportunity for bio-diversity and enrichment of environment. The presence of trees attracts birds, earthworms and insects. The trees become a buffer against abuse and misuse of eco-sensitive borders along rivers, lakes, creeks and nullahs," said Das.
On how urban forests will help Mumbai, Das said, "Forests enrich soil conditions, enable the water table to rise and increasingly forests fight and control carbon cover. They enrich air quality, and like a factory clean our air and generate healthy conditions for living."
"Residents are happy as they have finally reclaimed their city forest. It is a precious plot of land as it adjoins Kaifee Azmi Park, which means a larger area for recreation. This is what we refer to as democratization of public space," said Hansel D'Souza, president, Juhu Citizens' Welfare Group.
Ashoke Pandit, a resident of Juhu, said the 'city forest' is a necessity today.
Javed Akhtar's Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPL-ADS) funds will be utilized for the 'city forest', which will extend to Kaifi Azmi Park, Bonzai Park, go up to PVR theatre and culminate opposite Rithambara College in Juhu.
The earmarked city forest measuring 23.5 acres has an entire belt of over 1,000 trees. It will start from BMC's recreation ground plot in Juhu, where where hundreds of trees were hacked by a private agency to construct a club. Juhu residents had fought a seven-year battle to save the open space.
The BMC cancelled the lease of the private agency in 2011 to execute former municipal commissioner S S Tinaikar's 1987 plan of having a city forest in the area.
Das' plan includes walking and cycling tracks, tree plantations, cultural squares and gardens.
Controversial Past
* The earmarked 23-acre 'city forest' has an entire belt of over 1,000 trees
* It will start from BMC's recreation ground plot in Juhu, where hundreds of trees were hacked by a private agency to construct a club
* Juhu residents fought a seven-year battle to save their open space
* BMC cancelled the lease of the agency in 2011 to execute former municipal commissioner S S Tinaikar's 1987 plan for a 'city forest' in the area
The Green Plan
* Plan includes growing a forest alongside the Irla nullah, building walking and cycling tracks, introducing cultural spaces such as small amphitheatres, an art exhibition centre, a children's play area and a garden
Other City Forests
* Maharashtra Nature Park (Mahim), a hidden gem that was born on a dumping ground
* BPT Gardens, developed on a landfill area
* Land's End in Bandra (W), where residents have grown a 'forest'
Voices
Essentially, residents are happy because they have finally managed to reclaim their city forest. This is a precious piece of land because it is adjoining the Kaifee Azmi Park which means there will be a larger area for recreation. This is what we actually refer to as democratisation of public space," said Hansel D'Souza, president, Juhu Citizens' Welfare Group.
Hansel D'Souza | president, juhu citizens' welfare group
City forests essentially means thick plantations of trees creating an opportunity for bio-diversity and enrichment of environment. The various dynamics of nature begin to generate. The presence of trees attracts birds, earthworms and insects.
PK Das, architect
Welcome to the concept of a 'city forest' that will be part of developmental projects acting as buffer zones along creeks, water bodies and coastline edges.
After 25 years, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will revert to its plan of providing Mumbai a 'city forest' on a plot adjacent to Vidyanidhi High School at JVPD Scheme, Juhu, and create vital green lungs in the neighbourhood.
Work is in progress, with residents planting around 1,000 trees in the area as part of the plan conceptualized by architect P K Das.
"City forests essentially mean thick plantations of trees, creating an opportunity for bio-diversity and enrichment of environment. The presence of trees attracts birds, earthworms and insects. The trees become a buffer against abuse and misuse of eco-sensitive borders along rivers, lakes, creeks and nullahs," said Das.
On how urban forests will help Mumbai, Das said, "Forests enrich soil conditions, enable the water table to rise and increasingly forests fight and control carbon cover. They enrich air quality, and like a factory clean our air and generate healthy conditions for living."
"Residents are happy as they have finally reclaimed their city forest. It is a precious plot of land as it adjoins Kaifee Azmi Park, which means a larger area for recreation. This is what we refer to as democratization of public space," said Hansel D'Souza, president, Juhu Citizens' Welfare Group.
Ashoke Pandit, a resident of Juhu, said the 'city forest' is a necessity today.
Javed Akhtar's Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPL-ADS) funds will be utilized for the 'city forest', which will extend to Kaifi Azmi Park, Bonzai Park, go up to PVR theatre and culminate opposite Rithambara College in Juhu.
The earmarked city forest measuring 23.5 acres has an entire belt of over 1,000 trees. It will start from BMC's recreation ground plot in Juhu, where where hundreds of trees were hacked by a private agency to construct a club. Juhu residents had fought a seven-year battle to save the open space.
The BMC cancelled the lease of the private agency in 2011 to execute former municipal commissioner S S Tinaikar's 1987 plan of having a city forest in the area.
Das' plan includes walking and cycling tracks, tree plantations, cultural squares and gardens.
Controversial Past
* The earmarked 23-acre 'city forest' has an entire belt of over 1,000 trees
* It will start from BMC's recreation ground plot in Juhu, where hundreds of trees were hacked by a private agency to construct a club
* Juhu residents fought a seven-year battle to save their open space
* BMC cancelled the lease of the agency in 2011 to execute former municipal commissioner S S Tinaikar's 1987 plan for a 'city forest' in the area
The Green Plan
* Plan includes growing a forest alongside the Irla nullah, building walking and cycling tracks, introducing cultural spaces such as small amphitheatres, an art exhibition centre, a children's play area and a garden
Other City Forests
* Maharashtra Nature Park (Mahim), a hidden gem that was born on a dumping ground
* BPT Gardens, developed on a landfill area
* Land's End in Bandra (W), where residents have grown a 'forest'
Voices
Essentially, residents are happy because they have finally managed to reclaim their city forest. This is a precious piece of land because it is adjoining the Kaifee Azmi Park which means there will be a larger area for recreation. This is what we actually refer to as democratisation of public space," said Hansel D'Souza, president, Juhu Citizens' Welfare Group.
Hansel D'Souza | president, juhu citizens' welfare group
City forests essentially means thick plantations of trees creating an opportunity for bio-diversity and enrichment of environment. The various dynamics of nature begin to generate. The presence of trees attracts birds, earthworms and insects.
PK Das, architect
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