Mumbai's Malabar Hill; Rooting for Natural Roots

With almost five different sounds of birds chirping—not to be seen—and a surrounding full of trees, shrubs, and newer plants, we begin our walk with a young guide by our side. As contrary as it might seem to the entire city’s landscape and the daily travails of people here, this is the South of Mumbai, Malabar Hill, full of greenery.

This upmarket neighbourhood of Mumbai is undergoing changes – all aiming to call for nature. Reportedly, Malabar Hill was a forest till the end of the 18th century. There could be the first access to the area was only built in 1828. Although it became the prominent spot for elite housing by the 1870s, the following years only changed its outlook towards a more contemporary and facilities-induced settlement. 

We walk in the 1.2 acres of forest nestled in Malabar Hill, and the thoughts of history do not bother us, for we are wrapped in the presence of almost more than 8,000 plants and trees that include 350 species with more than 200 native plants – at least for some time in a city like Mumbai. These plants carry the information along with a QR code, taking one to the detailed information about the plants. The pathway is made of stone crete while some are of just mud. Almost 11 heritage trees here have been protected and stand tall of time. This is the new Shantivan, now named ‘The Nest’ by the Indian Heritage Project, and Local Samosa was present here on a special invitation. 

Local stories echo through the natural origins

An initiative by RMG Foundation, it has revamped the old and dilapidated Shantivan garden here at the secluded corner of Malabar Hill. We cross the plant of ‘Palash’ on our way, and Shruti Suresh, our guide from the RMG, narrates the significance of its name and how its origins go back to the Battle of Plassey, which was fought in the Palashi town of West Bengal over which the name was kept. “Plassey gets the name from the local name, ‘Palashi’,” Suresh shares. 

Along with the plants, curated zones like that for butterflies, birds, and medicines come our way. The ‘Urban Forest’, as it has been named, also includes an Indigenous zone and a Carbon-Sink Zone, giving space to the biodiversity. A few species are found in the well here – the pictures of which are shown by the guide - covered with the metal sheet. Crossing the cobra-spotting zone is an experience in itself, even if, thankfully, it is not spotted!

The forest makes space for sustainable architecture with two gazebos that are made of bamboo. An under-construction amphitheater here eyes hosting future events on its completion. We stop right at the topmost spot of this amphitheatre to take gaze at a tree – this one, made of all keypad mobile phones, while the mind behind the artwork clicks his work with his touch phone. “I had to create something to give a message of connecting with nature. Hence, I used almost 2,000 discarded keypad phones to create a tree of all to hint at – ‘Disconnect to Reconnect’,” says the Bengaluru resident Vishwanath Mallabadi, the founder of The Upcycle Store, showing us the signage with this phrase. 

The pathway ends at the Gum Karaya tree towards the right locally called, ‘Bhutiya’, the guide narrates owing to its falling branches and the desolated nature. “They are known to retain water. So, in the condition of draught, the villagers eat the roots of this tree, so, they can get their water requirement fulfilled,” Ms. Suresh informs. The mini stream, and a space for aquatic life here exemplify the coexistence of species. 

This forest walkway, however, is also surrounded by a few human settlements with a few residential buildings covering it from the eastern sides, a glimpse of which appears visible through filth being thrown inside the forest area. “We are aiming to sensitise people to respect the natural surroundings to prevent such actions through this initiative,” Radha Goenka, the director of RPG Foundation, says when asked about the untidy portion of the forest. She further requests people to read the appeal put up at the entrance for the same purpose. 

The project is completed along with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) and is set to open for the public on February 1, 2025, with slight modifications that are, currently, underway. However, due to the isolated nature of the Shantivan Gardens and already losing its recognition over poor maintenance, the space might remain a secluded area even after the opening. Ms. Goenka says, “We are opening it for all but are expecting more locals here who are the nearby residents.”

Towards the 'green cover'

Not just the south but the entire Metropolitan Region (MMR) has been grappling with the loss of green cover over the past many decades due to infrastructural projects. As per the Mumbai Climate Action Plan 2022, the city had lost a total of 2,028 hectares of urban tree cover between 2016 and 2021. Along in Aarey, one of the two areas in Mumbai – other than the belt of Sanjay Gandhi National Park – up to 2,141 trees fell in 2017 to make way for the Mumbai Metro to link the southern ends with the Mumbai’s western suburbs. 

As per a study published in the journal Springer Nature, back in 2020, the city’s development from the past three decades had cost Mumbai a decline of 42.5% in the urban green cover. However, just another year, it was claimed by India State of Forest Report (2021) that Mumbai recorded a 9% increase in forest cover between 2011 and 2021. 

Of all, Malabar Hill stands as a testimony to change. While the old Priyadarshini Park does count, it has also housed Kamla Nehru Park, which has seen several changes recently. Located on Siri Road, opposite Kamla Nehru Park, the first forest walkway for Mumbai designed in the style of Singapore’s walkways is another nature-induced project to be completed at a breakneck speed.  

Along with the Shantivan, the Indian Heritage Project, along with the BMC, was also working to revive the Namdev Lotankar Park that adjoins the historical Willingdon Sports Club; however, the work had to be shelved. “We had the same concept even for that park, and 90% of the work was already done. Then, we were asked to stop the work on it. The plants are dying there since we are not able to maintain it,” Ms. Goenka launched the broadside while talking about upheavals.

The Namdev Lotankar Park is comparatively larger in space and is easily accessible to people because of its connectivity. “It is accessible even more due to its proximity with the Haji Ali Circle, so, we are on the lookout to complete the project,” she adds. When asked whether she has been informed of the reason for the curb, she denies saying that the cause of the rebuttal is being ascertained. 

Given the rising number of infrastructural projects in the financial city being fait accompli, it is only the mutual coordination between the civic bodies and the individuals that can contribute towards the green cover in the city. Since Malabar Hill seems to be on the go for it, the onus lies on the government to support and contribute to consistency.