Is The Maharashtra Government Really Making Mumbai Green?
With Mumbai accounting for approximately ten per cent of the 20,621 green buildings across the country registered with the Indian Green Buildings Council (IGBC), as per its latest report, the claim is that the city leads India’s transition towards sustainable urban development. On the face of it, this seems an easy buy-in; the Maharashtra government and the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation…
The Maharashtra government and Mumbai's municipal corporation prance around as the leaders of India's green building movement, but there's more to the story. Mumbai holds ten percent of all the registered green buildings in the country, according to the Indian Green Buildings Council (IGBC). However, this accolade only tells part of the tale.
The IGBC is controlled by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII), an organization that views construction as its most vital sector. Furthermore, Mumbai and Maharashtra top the charts for green buildings because they have the most registered projects due to the abundance of ongoing construction. Karnataka comes in second place.
It's worth noting that only about four percent of India's construction stock consists of certified green or sustainable buildings. While the IGBC and the more autonomous GRIHA (Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) have sought to promote the idea of green buildings, lack of awareness and a voluntary approach have slowed progress. The rating standards fall short compared to global frameworks for green building certification.
Yet, the focus on green buildings is a microcosm of a larger issue. The Maharashtra government and BMC have actively reduced the city's green spaces. Aarey Colony has seen thousands of trees removed, nearly 46,000 mangroves slated for destruction for a coastal road extension, and over 250 acres of salt pans converted to construction - all for the sake of progress.
Moreover, the eco-sensitive zone of Sanjay Gandhi National Park is being reduced, among other environmentally harmful actions. Sustainability is not a luxury, but a duty towards nature and residents. Claiming Mumbai as a green city while deteriorating its natural resources is nothing short of irresponsible.
Written by urgent.news from Free Press Journal's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
