BMC Plants 7,662 Saplings Around Kanjurmarg Dumping Ground for Green Buffer
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has planted 7,662 saplings around the Kanjurmarg dumping ground in Mumbai to establish a green buffer zone aimed at mitigating odour and pollution. The plantation drive, which commenced on June 5 to mark World Environment Day, was inaugurated by Mayor Ritu Tawde following criticism from the Bombay High Court in May regarding public health concerns.
The initiative is part of the first phase of a larger plantation project, which aims to plant approximately 15,000 trees across an area of about 1 lakh square meters of land. The green transition zone is designed to address ongoing odour and environmental issues emanating from the dump yard.
To ensure the buffer zone is effective, the BMC is implementing a specific three-tier plantation strategy. The outer zone will feature tall trees, the middle zone will contain medium-height trees, and the inner zone will be populated with dense shrubs. The civic body is using native, pollution-tolerant species that require low maintenance and are ecologically compatible with landfill areas. The planted species include Neem, Bamboo, Arjun, Karanj, Gulmohar, Chinch, Jambhool, Ashoka, Wad, Peepal, Nilgiri, and Chafa.
The environmental drive follows a ruling by the Bombay High Court in May. The court slammed the BMC for its inaction and lackadaisical attitude in addressing odour and pollution levels at the Kanjurmarg dumping ground, noting that the situation was seriously affecting public health in Mumbai.
In response to the court's intervention, the BMC announced several immediate environmental mitigation and odour management measures. Alongside the green buffer zone, these steps include a scientific odour mitigation strategy, a real-time monitoring and response mechanism, and the rationalisation of processing facilities. Under this rationalisation plan, recycling facilities currently operating within the buffer zone will be relocated.
According to directions from the High Court monitoring committee, the buffer zone separating the dumping ground from residential areas should be at least 500 meters. Currently, the buffer zone stands at only about 200 meters.
