Mumbai: Of 3,000 trees planted at Aarey in a year, 55% survive

Of a batch of 3,000 trees planted by the Save Aarey Foundation last year, 55% have survived. The foundation also planted 5,000 more trees in the first half of this year.

“Planting saplings is a continuous process. We have been working continuously on alternate Saturdays to plant, water and look after the saplings at Aarey,” said Subhash Rane of the foundation. According to him, most saplings planted are either spoiled or destroyed by miscreants.

“We get calls that the trees we planted are being uprooted by locals to free space for their animal sheds. We have complained to the Aarey authorities in this regard. Their prompt response in the past has helped us reduce such problems,” said Rane. He added, “It is rare to find trees older than 60-70 years of age because they are cut for firewood.”

The foundation is also working with the local nursery to plant more trees of species such as Peepal and Banyan, which are considered holy and thus locals stay away from them. Aarey, one of the largest green spaces in the city, is being protected by many environmental action groups in the city. Save Aarey Foundation has been working on the cleanliness and increasing forest cover in the area for years now.