Maharashtra Rolls Out Ambitious Tree Plantation Policy for Mumbai Infrastructure Projects

On November 16, 2025, the Maharashtra government published a new policy to regulate compensatory tree plantation for public and infrastructure projects in Mumbai. This move follows a Supreme Court interim order issued on October 27, 2025, which called for a structured mechanism to safeguard the city's ecological balance while allowing essential development.

The policy mandates the use of native tree species suited to Mumbai's climate, reinforcing the importance of biodiversity and long-term ecosystem health. It requires local urban bodies to identify and maintain dedicated land banks for compensatory plantations, which may include recreational spaces and natural biomes. However, no plantation activity will be allowed in protected wildlife zones or national parks without explicit permission.

Given the severe scarcity of open space in Mumbai, the policy allows compensatory plantations for large public infrastructure projects to be done on suitable lands across the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, subject to landowner approval. It also sets strict requirements for the size of saplings, their survival rate, and the replacement of any trees that die.

To promote transparency, the policy mandates the uploading of all plantation-related information, including GPS coordinates and geotagged photographs, on official websites. Citizens will be able to report any issues, and the authorities will be required to take corrective action within 30 days. A dedicated monitoring committee will oversee the implementation of the policy.