LIVING WALLS

For the past three years,Lalwani has been propagating the ‘green wall’ or ‘living wall’ concept,which he says is an urgent need in a backyard-starved city like Mumbai,which has enough vertical space left.

This landscaping has been there for long in many other countries and is now catching up in India,says Lalwani,who has done a horticulture course from the university of Dhapoli in Maharashtra and Landscape Management masters from the University of Sheffield,UK.

He feels a city like Mumbai,where space for plants in houses is limited to balconies as spacious backyards are a dream,the vertical garden is a solace.

Vertical gardens can be grown on just about any kind of wall,with or without use of soil. They can grow both on outdoor and indoor walls and inside normal households or balconies. As long as there is no water shortage,no soil is required for the living wall,he says.

Lalwani says there are other nurseries promoting the concept but his nursery has the USP of producing and supplying everything needed,right from the frames and panelling to the irrigation system and plants with the rooting media.

“I’m not saying I’m the only one doing this. Others are importing frames from countries like China,but we manufacture them here from recycled plastic,” Lalwani says,adding his prices are lower too. While the market charges around Rs 2,000 to 2,500 per sq ft,we give it for Rs 1,200 to Rs 1,400,with a year’s package in case anything goes wrong,says Lalwani. He reveals his clients include Reliance and Hindujas.

Many celebrities have embraced the green wall. “I can’t reveal their names. We have a confidentiality agreement when purchases are made,” Lalwani says.

His father had established Vriksha Nursery around 30 years back. Lalwani infused new ideas picked up during his training abroad. “This is the next level in gardening,” says Lalwani.

The idea often referred to as urban gardening,is suited to an urban environment where ground space is limited but vertical space is plenty,he explains.

He feels good to have created nurseries,two in Vile Parle and Irla and one in Santacruz,along with a dedicated,hardworking team.

Lalwani concludes green walls are an out-of-the box solution to make households a little more greener. The response has been great so far,says Lalwani.