World Environment Day 2025: Mumbai's Environmental Crisis Unveils Tokenism and Neglect
On World Environment Day, we reflect on Mumbai's deteriorating natural landscape, from deforestation and wetland reclamation to the mismanagement of waste. The city's environmental crisis exposes the superficial efforts to preserve its natural heritage.
Environmental CrisisWorld Environment DayDeforestationWaste ManagementMangrovesReal Estate MaharashtraJun 05, 2025
The British began the destruction by reclaiming the islands to form a single large landmass. But we Indians have taken it upon ourselves to outdo the British in the destruction of the environment and natural assets of Mumbai. We continue on this path even today. On World Environment Day, let us take stock of what remains.
Mumbai is the only city in India with two protected wildlife areas within its boundaries, yet it is crumbling. Deforestation, denuding of the landscape, reclamation of wetlands, choking rivers, turning rivers into drains, dumping waste wherever convenient, promoting constructions where they should not be, and creating floods due to excessive concretization are just some of the issues we face.
Every construction project today takes away trees and vegetation, and the loss is permanent. Potted decorative palm trees kept in townships are passed off as “compensatory plantation.” The Tree Preservation Authority, which is supposed to protect the trees, has only one goal: to clear proposals for the removal of trees. Sadly, this continues even after High Court-monitored committees have confirmed that the compensatory afforestation claims are hollow, and we are steadily losing our trees.
Mumbai’s trees no longer resemble trees. They stand like footballers with a tuft of hair on top and sides completely shaven off. All branches are mercilessly trimmed, even during the nesting season of birds. The little foliage left on top is to remind people that the structure they see is supposed to be called a tree. The base of every tree is concretized, and without enough soil to anchor itself, the trees are toppling over one by one.
Temperatures in the city are soaring each year, and the stifling atmosphere makes it difficult to breathe. Buildings jostle for space, preventing any kind of air circulation. To see the sky or experience the wind, one has to go to the seafront. That’s how bad it is.
Even the seafront now brings air laden with chemicals from vehicular exhaust, thanks to the roads built along it. Mangrove areas like Malwani and Dahisar have been extensively encroached upon. Citizens have fought long battles to secure mangroves and have managed to get areas transferred to the forest department. However, this success is temporary. Every project planned by the government agencies, which destroys the mangroves, is allowed by the same judiciary that protected it in the first place. The absurdity is best understood when permissions are given to remove mangroves in Mumbai, and compensatory plantation is to be done in Palghar.
Solid waste management is a sore point. The BMC operates the largest dumping ground for unsegregated municipal waste in the state on 121 hectares of salt marsh, mangrove, and mudflats at Kanjurmarg. This mismanagement of waste has been masquerading as a scientific waste management site. What is scientific or rocket science in leaving the waste in the open to rot? Lakhs of citizens breathe foul air within a 5 km radius of the site.
The Thane Creek Flamingo Sanctuary continues to receive untreated sewage and effluents. The entire coastline, including the beaches, is severely contaminated with untreated sewage, and visitors frolic in these sewage-infested waters. The helplessness of the government in implementing the Maharashtra Non-Degradable Garbage Control Act to tackle the plastic menace will soon make the city a stinky eyesore with huge health hazards for citizens.
The Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) continues to be eaten away by slums. The rivers of Mumbai—Mithi, Dahisar, Poisar, and Oshiwara—have been transformed into waste discharge channels. The riversides are not meant for leisure or even visible. Buildings have come up next to the rivers thanks to the so-called flood control measures taken by the urban development authorities. The rivers were walled in even inside forested areas. This was done exclusively to create land for real estate.
Natural areas like Aarey, Vihar Lake, and others continue to be deliberately neglected in the hope that they will eventually be handed over to real estate. Vihar Lake is a classic example of how a natural area used by thousands of families has been kept out of bounds for citizens. This deprivation has been done under the bizarre and ridiculous excuse of security concerns.
The problems are numerous. We all stand next to the bed of a seriously ill patient (the city of Mumbai). What we do next will determine whether the patient makes a full recovery or perishes. It seems like a losing battle, but no war is lost until the last battle is lost. The problem with Mumbai is that it is almost like a nulliparous city with no children of its own. Most of the population is busy feeding off it without caring for it. Until the sense of bonding and responsibility dawns upon the citizens, and the choice of leaders made out of that emotion becomes a reality, it’s downhill for Mumbai.
A one-day celebration of World Environment Day is tokenism at its best. It’s time to walk the talk. Whether Mumbaikars are willing to do that will determine whether the patient will recover or perish.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the main environmental issues facing Mumbai today?
Mumbai faces issues such as deforestation, wetland reclamation, river pollution, waste mismanagement, and encroachment on protected areas.
How has the British colonial period impacted Mumbai's environment?
The British started the destruction by reclaiming the islands to form a single large landmass, which began the degradation of Mumbai's natural landscape.
What is the role of the Tree Preservation Authority in Mumbai?
The Tree Preservation Authority is supposed to protect trees but has been criticized for only clearing proposals for the removal of trees, leading to the steady loss of green cover.
Why are mangroves important for Mumbai's ecosystem?
Mangroves are crucial for protecting coastal areas from erosion, providing habitats for wildlife, and acting as natural buffers against storms and floods.
What are the challenges in waste management in Mumbai?
Mumbai faces challenges such as unsegregated waste, lack of proper disposal facilities, and contamination of water bodies, leading to health hazards for residents.
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