With the message “Every Tree Counts,” environmentalists have launched a campaign ahead of the International Day of Forests, focusing on increasing green cover, preventing frequent forest fires, and reassessing the flawed compensatory afforestation policy.
“It is high time we take a holistic approach to forest management, including the creation of urban forest pockets, especially in the face of climate change, which is real and inescapable,” said NatConnect Foundation, which initiated the campaign along with Kharghar Hills and Wetlands, and Save Belapur Hills forums.
Belapur Hills at Risk
Deforestation in Belapur Hills, driven by illegal temple construction on the slopes, has reached alarming levels. “The loosened soil poses a severe landslide threat,” warned Himanshu Katkar of Save Belapur Hill.
Frequent forest fires have also become a growing concern. “In the past five months, residents have reported at least 10 fire incidents to the fire brigade, police, and forest department,” Katkar added.
These fires are not accidental but appear to be deliberate acts by vested interests, claimed local activist Krishnan Potti.
Kharghar-based activist Jyoti Nadkarni echoed these concerns, stating that since November, alert residents have raised fire alarms at least 25 times. “It is deeply disturbing that while the government speaks of afforestation and improving the livelihoods of hill communities, forests continue to burn,” she said.
The Need for Policy Overhaul
Highlighting this year’s UN theme, "Forests and Food," NatConnect Foundation director B N Kumar emphasized the need to preserve forests and enhance their food-producing capacity.
Kumar urged State Forest Minister Ganesh Naik to reconsider the flawed compensatory afforestation policy, under which trees—including mangroves—are destroyed in one location but replanted miles away.
“For instance, trees cut for the Kharghar-Turbhe road project are being replanted in Uran,” noted Nadkarni. “Similarly, compensatory afforestation for mangrove destruction in Navi Mumbai is happening in Jalgaon and Gadchiroli.”
Activists insist that compensatory planting must happen in the same area where trees are lost. They also advocate for the exclusive planting of native, fruit-bearing trees in afforestation efforts and open spaces within redevelopment projects.
Call to Action
“Forests are the lungs of our planet, and every tree matters in our collective fight for a greener, healthier future,” said Rekha Sankhala of the Save Flamingos and Mangroves Forum.
The Watchdog Foundation has also called for removing concrete from tree bases to allow water seepage. “Civic officials in Andheri East have started clearing concrete after our intervention, but much more needs to be done,” said Advocate Godfrey Pimenta.
Sandeep Sareen, Navi Mumbai Environment Preservation Society (NMEPS) said that planting forests is a powerful tool for combating the climate crisis, but forests function like intricate ecosystems with countless interdependent parts. When done poorly—especially without a commitment to biodiversity—tree planting can cause ecological harm rather than benefits.
“Inspired by Darwin’s principles, there is growing recognition that the healthiest, most resilient forests are those with diverse tree species and a mix of ages. Such forests have been shown to grow two to four times more robustly, enhancing carbon capture while strengthening resistance to disease, climate fluctuations, and extreme weather,” he added.