Mumbai's Barren Land Transformed into a 3.5 Acre Urban Forest
A formerly barren industrial plot in Mumbai’s Marol has been transformed into a 3.5-acre urban forest, reducing the local temperature by up to 4°C and offering a blueprint for climate-resilient urban planning. The Mahatapasvi Acharya Shri Mahashramanji Garden, inaugurated on 11 May by suburban guardian minister Ashish Shelar, stands as a striking example of collaborative climate action in one of Mumbai’s most heat-affected zones.
The project is the result of a joint effort by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), Marol Cooperative Industrial Estate, and the District Planning and Development Committee, with ecological design from Studio Pipeelikaput and technical support from the World Resources Institute (WRI). Marol, located in Andheri East, has long been identified in the Mumbai Climate Action Plan as an urban heat island — a densely built-up area with significantly higher temperatures than surrounding regions. The transformation of this industrial site was aimed at reversing that trend.
Planting began in March 2024, using over 100 native species from nearby green areas like Aarey Forest and Sanjay Gandhi National Park. The forest includes fruit-bearing trees such as mango, jackfruit, papaya, and banana, along with six varieties of bamboo, medicinal herbs, and several layers of foliage. Existing banyan and peepal trees were retained and integrated into the new design.
In just one year, WRI’s thermal imaging and field assessments recorded a measurable cooling of up to 4°C in densely vegetated parts of the garden compared to adjacent built-up areas. The drop is considered significant in a neighbourhood like Marol, where concrete structures and limited green cover have long amplified heat stress. “This garden is a model of how collaborative efforts can transform urban spaces into climate-resilient zones,” said Minister Shelar at the inauguration. Beyond temperature control, the garden has already begun attracting bird species, improving air quality, and providing a much-needed recreational space for local residents. Its ecological diversity and layered plant structure are designed not only to endure but thrive in Mumbai’s monsoon-dominated climate.
The Mahashramanji Garden is being hailed as a successful demonstration of how even industrial and heat-vulnerable pockets of cities can be transformed into cooling green corridors. As urban India grapples with rising temperatures and shrinking green cover, such models serve as practical templates for sustainable development. By repurposing unused or underutilised land through scientific planning and community participation, Marol’s new forest marks a hopeful step in India’s climate adaptation journey.
