|
Finally, 18-acre Juhu ‘city forest’ project to take off….Linah Baliga
MUMBAI: After 25 years , the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) will go back to its original plan of providing Mumbai a “city forest ” in Juhu and create a vital green lung in the neighbourhood . The plot is adjacent to Vidyanidhi High School at JVPD scheme .
Last week, the BMC improvements ‘ committee gave its approval to take possession of an 18-acre plot by cancelling Ronson Foundation’s lease . The civic body now plans to develop it as a city forest . This concept was former municipal commissioner S S Tinaikar’s vision in 1986.
TOI has consistently reported since January 19, 2011, on how citizens made a last-ditch effort to save the plot , after they noticed that only 438 trees remained in the belt out of 1,300 .
Juhu citizens recently made a presentation to Aseem Gupta , additional municipal commissioner , by submitting a design plan on how the city forest should be developed .
“We liked the proposal submitted by the citizens and it’s feasible . At present , the patch between Amol Palekar Road and the turning at Irla pumping station will be converted to a 36-metre road . Our officials have done a survey and work is in progress . An SRA scheme is coming up on the stretch . There are mangroves there , so we will map them ,” said Gupta . Ramesh Pawar , assistant commissioner , K (West ) Ward , said the BMC will develop this plot with the help of Juhu citizens .
The design plan includes growing a forest alongside the Irla nullah , building walking and cycling tracks , introducing cultural spaces such as a small amphitheatre , an art exhibition centre , children’s play area and a garden .
|