A green-canopied locality is falling prey to redevelopment /construction projects.
As I sit overlooking my window while writing this piece, I can spot a pair of Red Pierrot butterflies frolicking outside. The crowing of a peafowl fills the air even as two kites circle the garden below. The trees of our building send a gentle breeze indoors. Suddenly, this setting of peace is marred by the deafening sounds of heavy-duty machines working on the construction sites nearby. On either side of the road we live on, there are buildings (and bungalows), which have been razed to make way for multi-storeyed towers—with many more in the offing. These 30/40-storeyed structures will forever change the face of Malabar Hill and its adjoining localities—as we know it.
The Mumbai Development Plan 2034 has led to a boom in construction activity all over Mumbai. When a structure is certified irreparable or unfit for habitation, it is crucial that it be reconstructed. Slums and cessed buildings fall under this category, too. But our city is increasingly witness to even those, in structurally-sound condition, and with a lifespan of several more years, being redeveloped for extra FSI. Not only will this law cause irreversible damage, it will also create infrastructural and environmental challenges – never before seen in Mumbai. Our natural resource lifelines, which are being compromised due to incessant construction, are reeling under severe duress. Mumbai faces a growing threat of climate-induced extreme weather, emanating from urban heat island effects and sea-level rise. A recent study by the Centre for Science and Environment states, “Mumbai will suffer record-breaking heat in the coming years due to massive concretisation.”
The biggest casualty of this flawed rule, is the destruction of existing trees on building plots, which are being cut down, to make way for new construction. We, on Malabar Hill, are blessed with old-growth trees. Over centuries, residents have enjoyed their multiple benefits. Biodiversity abounds here, including rare species. Malabar Hill is, what it is, due to its green canopy. Which is falling prey to ill-planned development. New saplings/trees planted in lieu of the hacked green cover, will take years to grow and we will be bereft of environmental wellness—for a long, long time to come. In our quest for plush high-rises, we seem to have forgotten the lessons of the pandemic. It is a scientific fact that loss of the natural environment leads to warming, and an increased risk of disease transmission between humans and wild species. Without the trees in our midst, the air quality will worsen and consequently, our well-being, too. Trees prevent soil erosion and reduce landslide risk. Malabar Hill has experienced several landslides in its history, the most recent one being in August 2020, when Ridge Road had caved in. Moreover, Malabar Hill lies on a fault line, is close to the coast, and has unique geological challenges. The locality’s narrow lanes and small roads are ill-equipped to sustain heavy construction vehicles plying on them frequently. This spate of unrestrained construction is cause for grave concern. Geology experts have warned of ramifications. Therefore, before the sanctioning of any further redevelopment projects, a geotechnical survey to ascertain the carrying capacity of the Hill—is the need of the hour. As is, a regulation on height restrictions.
Our planet belongs to not only us humans but all living beings. Let us be mindful of the consequences of our actions. To build our homes, we’re destroying the habitats of countless other species. For whom, the green cover is their home. What will they feed on? Where will they build their nests, raise their young, and take shelter in?
As Prof. Guy McPherson, a scientist once said, “If you really think that the environment is less important than the economy, try holding your breath while you count your money.”
(Contributed by Pervin Sanghvi, C4D Consultant, Environmentalist, Co-Founder ‘Save Hanging Garden’ Campaign)
