Mumbai: Where is the space for a banyan, asks environmentalist

Youngsters have a swinging time thanks to a banyan tree near the Gateway of India. Pic/Atul Kamble

Mission Green Mumbai, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) headquartered in the city, with an aim to increase Mumbai's green cover, has a big, bountiful banyan tree in its sights. Mission Green has started the Banyan Tree Project this year. In a nutshell, this project aims to increase the number of banyan trees in the city.

Revival plans

Subhajit Mukherjee, founder, Mission Green Mumbai, said, "There has been a sharp decline in banyan trees in Mumbai. We have to now actually look for these trees in the city. Our national tree is near extinction and we have to try and revive it. We have an initiative where we have pledged to plant 5,000 banyan trees throughout Mumbai this year."

Mukherjee added, "We want citizens to sponsor the plantation of well-grown two-year-old banyan trees as part of individual or corporate social responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This sponsorship also includes compost, soil, tree guard and stacking."

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Banyan saplings, which have been sourced from Pune, that are ready for planting

Yet, when it comes to the massive banyan, it is all about space, and in Mumbai, where every inch is so precious, just where do you fit a mammoth banyan? Mukherjee laughed as he said, "Space is a challenge, I admit. At least a 30-by-30-foot space is required for this vishaal (gigantic) tree, which also has a lifespan of over 100 years. We, at Mission Green, are getting some calls from those who are interested in sponsorship, though. In fact, we will be planting Banyan saplings near Chembur on January 11."

Green democracy

Mukherjee added, "It may sound ambitious, but we are going to find the space. Everyone wants to plant a banyan tree. It has great mythological significance too. I like to think of the banyan as a symbol of a robust democracy. Nearly 400 species of living beings, from big fruit bats to the smallest insects, call the banyan their home."

Currently, Mukherjee claimed, the organisation was getting banyan saplings from Pune, approximately 10 to 12 feet in height. "The BMC is also with us in this campaign. People and housing societies are identifying certain spaces and calling volunteers to check whether the space they have is enough to plant a banyan sapling. I think each family should adopt a banyan. One individual should not plant 10 trees; it would be better if one family owns or sponsors one banyan tree. In these days of division, the banyan can represent the family as one strong unit, standing together for years to come," he said.

Jitendra Pardesi, superintendent of gardens and tree officer, BMC, said, "The Banyan Tree Project is a good initiative. We have at least 1,100 plots across Mumbai, open spaces within gardens where trees can be planted. While we welcome more banyans here, all indigenous trees, like the pimpal, tamhan, Arjun, Sittaashok, karanj and umbar, besides others, will flourish in the city with dedicated maintenance. The BMC will be striving to increase the numbers of all indigenous trees."

The mission

To know how you can be a part of the Banyan Tree Project, call Mission Green Mumbai at 9323942388.