Let’s create a sustainable and green Mumbai through the brainstorming of the Arboriculture Conference: Mayor Ritu Tawde
by Prashant Kapadia/NHN
Vrikshavardhan 2026: Second International Arboriculture Conference begins in Mumbai with enthusiasm
Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis to attend the conference on March 8
Mumbai, March 7, 2026: The second International Arboriculture Conference based on the concept of ‘Growing Cities, Greener Canopies’ — Vrikshavardhan 2026 — began today with a grand inauguration ceremony at Hotel Sahara Star in Mumbai. Jointly organized by the Amenity Tree Care Association (ATCA) and Nanaji Deshmukh Pratishthan, Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde attended the inaugural session.
Director Vaibhav Raje initially spoke on the introduction to the inauguration ceremony and the journey of the ATCA organization so far. Director Nakul Sawani, CEO of Nanaji Deshmukh Pratishthan Aryan Pandey and President of Nanaji Deshmukh Pratishthan Sanjay Pandey were also present on the occasion.
Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Tawde said, “
Through the Bioculture Conference, it became clear to me that a health report for trees can be prepared just like a human health report. The development of tall buildings is not just development, but along with this development we need green cover. Mumbai is not only the economic and political capital of the country, but it is a city of coexistence between humans and nature.”
Commenting on the increasing pollution in Mumbai, Mayor Tawde gave information about the measures being taken for tree conservation through the Mumbai Municipal Corporation. She said, “Increasing the green cover in cities is the responsibility of the administration as well as the citizens. As the first citizen of Mumbai, I am committed to making Mumbai green and healthy.” While expressing her gratitude to the organizers for the successful organization of the Arboriculture Conference, she said that international experts brainstormed ideas through this conference. New ideas and ways will definitely come out of the brainstorming of this conference for Mumbai, which is in the process of development. We will definitely implement all these recommendations of the conference to fulfill the dream of a green and sustainable fragrant Mumbai.
A significant fireside chat was organized before the inauguration on the topic of ‘Cities, Governance and Trees’. The seminar was moderated by Richa Pinto, Assistant Editor of The Times of India. In this, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani presented original ideas on the topics of urban tree conservation, governance and sustainable urban planning. The seminar highlighted that keeping trees at the center of urban development is the need of the hour.
Bhushan Gagrani He said, ‘Development with a growing population is a challenge. As development works are being carried out simultaneously through government and private projects, a pure parity situation has emerged before us. There may be differences on whether roads, metro, bridges, sewage system, metro should be underground or elevated, but political will and policies are also important for this. There will be no shortage of trained and experienced arboriculturalists to maintain green cover along with development and prevent the danger of tree collapse in monsoon. Bhushan Gagrani clarified that the Municipal Corporation will be committed to extreme climate change and green development.
As the keynote speaker on the first day, Architect, Bombay Greenway and Co-founder of Love Your Parks (LYP) Mumbai, Alan Abraham, gave an inspiring speech on the topic of ‘Urban Public Space, Green Infrastructure and Citizen Participation’. He effectively explained the importance of architecture and citizen participation in tackling the climate crisis. Along with the Commissioner of the Municipal Corporation of Mumbai, he presented a model of sustainable development of the city through a comparative presentation.
In the first session of the Arboriculture Conference, Architect and Co-founder of Bombay Greenway/LYP Mumbai, Alan Abraham, delivered an inspiring keynote address on ‘Framing Urban Canopy Vision’. This was followed by Sophie Plitt of Arbor Day Foundation highlighting the urgent needs of the global urban forestry movement. Dr. Sangram Chavan, Senior Scientist, National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati, presented the topic ‘Climate-Resilient Species Selection’ based on the selection of tree species that adapt to climate change. Indrajit Mistry, Forestry Officer, FAO, gave an in-depth discussion on the concept of ‘From Trees to Transformation: Green Cities Framework’.
In the second session, Vyom Bhatt, Co-founder of ShroomSabha, gave an information on the topic of Wood Decaying Fungi in Urban Trees. Prof. Steffan Rust, University of Göttingen, Germany, presented a presentation on Tree Safety Factor, a new concept, outlined ways to reduce uncertainty in tree risk management. Greehill CEO Gabor Görtz spoke about how to manage urban trees as infrastructure. Terra Nostra Tree Ambassador Henry Kupen provided practical guidance on the process of tree establishment after planting. Arboriculture Australia Board Director Carl Dala Riva gave a presentation on the Minimum Industry Standards for Urban Tree Management in Australia.
Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will be attending the conference tomorrow, March 8, at 2:00 PM. He United Nations Environment Goodwill Ambassador and renowned actress Dia Mirza will be the keynote speaker on the day. There will be in-depth discussions on urban tree conservation, arboriculture practices and climate change, along with sessions by global experts.
Organizers: Amenity Tree Care Association (ATCA) | Nanaji Deshmukh Pratishthan | Arbor Day Foundation | FAO – Tree Cities of the World
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The second International Arboriculture Conference based on the theme ‘Growing Cities, Greener Canopies’ — Vrikshavardhan 2026 — began today with a grand opening ceremony at Hotel Sahara Star in Mumbai. The conference, jointly organized by Amenity Tree Care Association (ATCA) and Nanaji Deshmukh Pratishthan, was inaugurated by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde. On this occasion (from right)
Nanaji Deshmukh Pratishthan President Sanjay Pandey, CEO Aryan Pandey, ATCA Director Vaibhav Raje and Nakul Sawani were present.
- Mumbai’s first citizen, Mayor Ritu Tawde, inspecting the exhibition organized on the sidelines of the 2nd International Arboriculture Conference — Vrikshavardhan 2026.
- Richa Pinto, Assistant Editor of Times of India, Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani,
Nanaji Deshmukh Pratishthan Chairman Sanjay Pandey, CEO Aryan Pandey, ATCA Director Vaibhav Raje were present at the important fireside chat organized on the topic of ‘Cities, Governance and Trees’ before the inauguration of the Arboriculture Conference. - The 2nd International Arboriculture Conference based on the concept of ‘Growing Cities, Greener Canopies’ — Vrikshavardhan 2026 — is being held today at Hotel Sahara Star in Mumbai, bringing together policy makers, architects, citizens and tree lovers…
- Mumbai Municipal Corporation Commissioner Bhushan Gagrani and Love You Park co-founder Alan Abraham, who participated in the program of the 2nd International Arboriculture Conference