BMC launches urban afforestation project in Bandra with planting 200 trees

The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and its Tree Authority along with Make Earth Green Again (MEGA) Foundation are collaborating to plant 200 Bahava trees along the Western Express Highway (WEH) in Mumbai. The goal is to increase the city's green spaces and restore environmental balance.

The planting took place this morning, June 24, at 9 am in Kherwadi, Bandra. Municipal Commissioner-Administrator Bhushan Gagrani and Bollywood actor Akshay Kumar inaugurated the event by planting 200 Bahawa trees.

🌳🎥बृहन्मुंबई महानगरपालिका वृक्ष प्राधिकरण आणि मेक अर्थ ग्रीन अगेन (MEGA) फाउंडेशनच्या सहकार्याने खेरवाडी (वांद्रे) येथे पश्चिम द्रुतगती महामार्गालगत बृहन्मुंबई महानगरपालिका आयुक्त तथा प्रशासक श्री. भूषण गगराणी आणि अभिनेता श्री.अक्षय कुमार यांच्या हस्ते आज बहावाच्या रोपांची… pic.twitter.com/B5rVkOo32k

— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) June 24, 2024

Kumar's participation is a tribute to his late parents, Hariom and Aruna Bhatia. Deputy Commissioner Vishwas Mote, Dr. Anusha Srinivasan Iyer of the MEGA Foundation, and other notable officials from the Municipal Park Department were also present at the ceremony.

🌳बृहन्मुंबई महानगरपालिका वृक्ष प्राधिकरण आणि मेक अर्थ ग्रीन अगेन (MEGA) फाउंडेशनच्या सहकार्याने खेरवाडी (वांद्रे) येथे पश्चिम द्रुतगती महामार्गालगत बृहन्मुंबई महानगरपालिका आयुक्त तथा प्रशासक श्री. भूषण गगराणी आणि अभिनेता श्री.अक्षय कुमार यांच्या हस्ते आज बहावाच्या रोपांची… pic.twitter.com/Vjxc0Ds4df

— माझी Mumbai, आपली BMC (@mybmc) June 24, 2024

Bahava trees were chosen for their environmental benefits and to address the damage caused by Cyclone Tauktae, which resulted in the loss of many trees in the city. The project is known as "Accept the Pit of Trees and Become a Guardian of Nature."

Prominent people such as Anil Kapoor, Abhishek Bachchan, Shatrughan Sinha, Anupam Kher, Ajay Devgn, and Bappi Lahiri Sonu Nigam, Sangram Singh, Ranveer Shourie and his son Haroon Shourie, Rohit Shetty, Hema Malini, Sonakshi Sinha, and Ayesha Jhulka have all expressed great support for the "Accept the Pit of Trees and Become Parents of Nature" campaign over the years.

Bahava trees have bright yellow petals and naturally indicate the arrival of the monsoon. There are already over 4,500 Bahava trees in Mumbai, and the addition of 200 more will increase this number. 

These trees can grow up to 40 feet tall, providing ample shade and improving air quality. Moreover, their presence along the Western Expressway will also beautify the area.