Mumbai’s Watchdog Foundation releases 12-point manifesto for BMC elections, urging annual plantation of 1 lakh trees per ward and riverfront development to improve the city’s environment.
Watchdog Foundation Proposes Environmental Initiatives Ahead of BMC Election
The state of Mumbai’s environment, infrastructure, roads, and schools is a key issue before the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) election. Mumbai’s Watchdog Foundation has released a 12-point manifesto focusing on tree plantation and riverfront projects.
“Every year, the government issues circulars for tree plantation, but we seldom see them followed through, especially regarding tree maintenance. This is why I have asked for ward-wise plantation of at least 1,00,000 trees every year, to save our green cover and air quality,” said Nicholas Almeida, a member of the Watchdog Foundation.
The group also suggested incentivizing public transport, creating public spaces like sports complexes, providing tax waivers for residents of Koliwadas and Adivasi Padas, installing nets to prevent nullahs from choking with waste, and limiting commercial vehicle movement during peak hours for a cleaner, more efficient Mumbai.
Emphasizing the pollution-ridden water bodies, the group compared Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati riverfront to Mumbai’s Mithi river. “If other cities can, why can’t Mumbai? The Ahmedabad riverfront has doubled as a way of keeping the river clean while creating a common space for the public. We can model Mumbai’s four rivers after this, too. How long will we call Mithi the ‘black river’?” Almeida added.
The 12-point manifesto will be shared with all candidates. Almeida will also run as an independent candidate from the K East ward in the civic poll.
| Proposal | Description |
|---|---|
| Tree Plantation | Plant 1,00,000 trees per ward annually. |
| Public Transport | Incentivize public transport usage. |
| Public Spaces | Create sports complexes and other public areas. |
| Tax Waivers | Provide tax waivers for Koliwadas and Adivasi Padas residents. |
| Waste Management | Install nets to prevent nullahs from choking. |
| Traffic Management | Limit commercial vehicle movement during peak hours. |
| Riverfront Development | Model Mumbai’s rivers after Ahmedabad’s Sabarmati riverfront. |
