Navi Mumbai Tree Census Reports 78% Surge, Reveals Over 15 Lakh Trees
Navi Mumbai, 20th June 2024: In Navi Mumbai, a recent tree census conducted by the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has revealed a significant increase in the city’s tree population. The census, undertaken by Ornet Technologies Pvt Ltd at a cost of approximately ₹3 crore, spanned from December 2023 to May this year. It reported a total of 15,28,779 trees, marking a notable 78% rise from the 2015 census figure of 8,57,295 trees.
The data highlights a predominance of indigenous trees, accounting for 11,43,937 species such as kaduneem, bor, amba, peepal, vad, and umber. Additionally, there are 3,84,842 non-indigenous trees including gulmohar, sonmohar, vilayati babul, foxtail palm, vilayati chinch, and royal palm. The census also identified 1,638 heritage trees across 216 species, comprising 126 native and 90 exotic species. Remarkably, 99.2% of the tree population, totaling 15,15,955 trees, are reported to be in good health.
Notable species in Navi Mumbai include Sag (Teak), Subabul (Leucaena leucocephala), Gulmohar (Delonix regia), Sonmohar (Peltophorum pterocarpum), and Asupalav (Polyalthia longifolia). Fruit-bearing trees like Bor (Ziziphus mauritiana), Naral (Coconut), and Amba (Mango) are also prevalent, along with Shevga (Drumstick) among vegetable trees.
Dilip Nerkar, NMMC’s deputy municipal commissioner (Garden), explained the census methodology, focusing on trees with a girth of 10 cm or more and height exceeding 3 meters. Utilizing GIS/GPS technology alongside manual efforts, the data was integrated with satellite imagery to create a web application for managing tree cutting, pruning activities, and a portal for data administration.
Nerkar emphasized the city’s commitment to preserving and enhancing its green cover, promoting ecological balance, and fostering a healthier urban environment. Navi Mumbai is recognized as a benchmark for urban planning that harmonizes human activities with natural ecosystems.
Tree activist Aba Ranware underscored the importance of prioritizing indigenous tree species for ecological sustainability. He raised concerns about the higher proportion of exotic species like Subabul and Gulmohar, advocating for greater biodiversity and resilience in urban landscapes. Ranware stressed the need for enhanced conservation efforts to ensure the survival and proliferation of trees, crucial amid rising pollution levels in the city.
Overall, the tree census underscores Navi Mumbai’s proactive approach to environmental stewardship and sets a precedent for sustainable urban development practices.
