While various government agencies and private organisations are working to increase the green cover in Aarey Milk Colony by planting trees, free-roaming buffaloes continue to pose a serious threat to the newly planted saplings. To safeguard over 5000 young trees, authorities have begun installing 4-to 6-foot-high chain-link fencing around plantation sites.

Aarey, along with the Sanjay Gandhi National Park, is one of Mumbai’s last green lungs and has rich biodiversity. Most of its land falls under the jurisdiction of the Aarey CEO’s office, which oversees 812 acres. Over the past few years, plantation drives using native species have been carried out by various government departments and private bodies. However, illegal grazing by buffaloes and cows in certain parts of Aarey has been damaging these plantations.

The fence installed by authorities to protect the saplings.