The Mumbai Tree Project
The Mumbai Tree Project
The Mumbai Tree Project aims to document the trees of Mumbai and the stories they tell.
Using research papers, interviews with naturalists, field guides, and newspaper articles, we have created in-depth profiles for trees across the city, both by area and by species.
We realised that, while there was information on Mumbai's trees, it was scattered across resources and difficult to access. Our aim is to create a comprehensive website that can introduce Mumbaikars to the trees of the city.
All photographs used have been taken by us (unless stated otherwise), and have been taken in 2023.
The Mumbai Tree Project was created by Naima and Nisha Ramakrishnan as an outcome of their internship with the Forests of Life program run by Azim Premji University. Special thanks to our mentor, Kunal Sharma.
The project
The Past and Present of Mumbai's Trees
In ‘The Gazetteer of Bombay City and Islands’ (1909), M.S Edwards described the “palm-groves and tamarind-trees”, the “groves and orchards of ack-trees, brabs, ber-trees and plantains”, the “creek of the fig trees”, and the “grove of bhendi” that made up such a large part of the city.
The historical importance of trees is mirrored in the names of areas in Mumbai: Babulnath is named after its babul (Vachellia nilotica) trees, Wadala is named after the wad (banyan/ Ficus benghalensis) trees, Bhendi Bazaar derives its name from its bhendi (portia/ Thespesia populnea) trees, and Tadeo from the tad (palmyra palm/ Borassus flabellifer) trees.
Clearly, Mumbai was once a “land of trees”, as Edwards remarked in ‘The Rise of Bombay: A Retrospect.’
But today, Mumbai’s trees are in danger.
The Coastal Road, the Mumbai Metro, road widening projects, and infrastructure projects involve the cutting down of large numbers of trees. Urban trees face further threats in the form of concretisation and excessive trimming. It is no wonder that in 2017 it was found that Mumbai’s green cover had reduced by 60% in 40 years. More and more, it is imperative to appreciate and protect the trees that do so much to cool, clean, and shelter the city.
Bringing Change
Trees connect us with our past, our memories, and with distant lands. They bring beauty into the bleakest concrete jungle and serve as a focus for social and spiritual activities.
We hope to create appreciation, awareness and a determination to protect our often unnoticed friends.
From Azim Premji University's website about the Forests of Life internship and festival: “Besides featuring visual stories of forests throughout the country, the festival is a coming together of diverse stakeholders, unique cultural traditions, distinct geographies, and extensive documentation of the key role forests play in enriching our planet.”
We are grateful for the assistance of the National Society of the Friends of the Trees, especially Dr. Arun D. Sawant, Dr. Sweedle Shivkar, and Ms. Doreen D’Sa.
Organisation
Iconic Species, in which we describe the scientific, historical, medical, cultural, and religious value of key Mumbai tree species.
Trees by Area, in which we explore the trees of Mumbai area-wise, with a focus on botanical gardens and historical regions.
Baobabs, in which we delve into baobabs- their stories, ecological importance, cultural significance, medicinal value, and the Mumbai baobab trail.
Tree Stories, in which we interview experts and tree-lovers, and relay the fascinating stories of specific Mumbai trees.