Mira Bhayandar: The ambitious Adopt-a-Tree project launched by the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) aimed at enhancing the green cover of the twin-city has received an overwhelming response from citizens, social organisations and commercial establishments.
With the intention of establishing an environment friendly bond between citizens and nature, the MBMC’s Tree Authority had launched the tree adoption scheme on the occasion of Independence Day (15, August, 2024).
Several spots were identified and geo-tagged for the plantation drive. In addition to 2,523 applications received by the Tree Authority, the Western Railway authorities also registered their active participation by planting 3,684 saplings, taking the total number of plantations to 6,384 in less than four months.
Under the scheme any citizen, companies and organisations had an opportunity of adopting a tree by making a one-time payment amounting Rs 7,000 towards plantation cost which includes saplings, digging, manure, two years maintenance and tree guard charges.
To maintain uniformity, suitable species of saplings (flowering and shady) had been handpicked for plantations at designated spots. “We have received an encouraging response for the Adopt-a-Tree project. While planting trees is one of the most powerful ways of saving and enhancing green cover and minimising pollution, adopting is much more intense because it not only involves planting but also nurturing the saplings into a full-grown tree.” said municipal commissioner- Sanjay Katkar.
The MBMC has also set up a special redressal mechanism to look into complaints related to the plantations. The name of the individual/ entity adopting the trees and the date of its planting is being displayed on the safety net of the adopted tree. One can also adopt a tree as a child or in remembrance of a family member who has passed away. The tree guards are being tagged with the name suggested by the adopter.
