Mumbai -based environmentalists and activists have raised serious concerns over the manner in which the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is carrying out tree plantation on an uneven stretch of land in Aarey Milk Colony, questioning the very intent behind the exercise. They allege that the plantation — meant as compensatory afforestation for trees affected by the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project — is being carried out on the same plot where large quantities of mud were dumped several years ago.

Nature lovers argue that the site is unsuitable for plantation due to the uneven terrain and poor soil conditions, making the long-term survival of the newly planted trees highly uncertain. An official from the Aarey Milk Colony CEO’s office said, “Last year, our office had given an NOC to the BMC for carrying out compensatory plantation of the trees impacted by the GMLR project, on a plot in Aarey Milk Colony near the Tapeshhwar Temple.”