BMC explores bamboo as green shield to tackle air pollution
According to officials, the plan is to utilise open lands with no future development plans and small pockets along ongoing road projects.
Meanwhile, the BMC has deployed ward-level squads to inspect construction sites for adherence to its 28-point guidelines to regulate air pollution
(File Photo) Amid the city grappling with rising air pollution, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is exploring the feasibility of large-scale bamboo plantations on open land parcels as well as small pockets along roads. On Monday, Additional Municipal Commissioner (Eastern Suburbs) Avinash Dhakne convened a meeting with officials of the Gardens and Tree Office, directing them to identify possible locations for bamboo plantations as a measure to tackle the rising Air Quality Index (AQI).
According to officials, the plan is to utilise open lands with no future development plans and small pockets along ongoing road projects. “We had a preliminary discussion to explore options to counter the air pollution woes. As a part of our initiatives, we are looking into the plans of planting bamboo where there is space as bamboo, which is grass and has a very good economy. It conserves and holds down soil and it doesn’t fall. Bamboo also has very good foliage as against other plantations,” Dhakne said on Monday, adding that watering will be undertaken through drip irrigation.
“Post the discussion, we have asked the department to propose locations wherein bamboo can be planted. Before the initiative is implemented, we will study the type of bamboo which will be practiced for plantation in the city,” he added.
The proposal for bamboo plantations forms part of the civic body’s ongoing efforts to curb rising air pollution.
Meanwhile, the BMC has deployed ward-level squads to inspect construction sites for adherence to its 28-point guidelines to regulate air pollution. These norms, introduced in 2023, include stricter rules for construction sites, a complete ban on open garbage burning, and ward-level enforcement squads for monitoring.
Between December 2 and December 5, the BMC issued show-cause notices to 191 work sites for flouting norms, while 78 were served stop-work notices.
Officials said a penalty of Rs 10,000 is being imposed on construction sites found violating the 28-point guidelines. On Monday, senior civic officials said higher penalties will be levied if sites fail to rectify violations.
“The message is loud and clear. Everyone has to follow the 28 point guidelines and if someone is found flouting the norms, these construction sites will be penalised. If AQI breaches a certain accepted level, we will be shutting down all construction sites in the ward and the measures will be implemented uniformly,” a senior official said.
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