As a part of its initiative to make up for the scarcity of open inexperienced areas within the metropolis, the BMC has proposed to make it necessary for all new buildings having a plot dimension of greater than 2,000 sq. metres to plan rooftop or terrace gardens.
It additionally desires builders to have vertical gardens on development websites as an alternative of tin sheets that barricade their tasks. This is a part of the BMC’s new rooftop/terrace and vertical backyard coverage which will probably be rolled out quickly.
The draft coverage was proposed by the BMC’s Gardens Department, and municipal commissioner Iqbal Chahal has now requested the BMC’s Development Plan (DP) division which regulates buildings within the metropolis to review the proposal and provide their feedback.
“The conventional method of tree plantation requires huge space which is not possible in Mumbai. Thus, alternate solutions need to be worked out for providing the required green cover to Mumbai. Some of the methods, like vertical gardening and terrace/rooftop gardening are implemented worldwide. For increasing green cover, it is necessary to formulate policy guidelines for terrace/rooftop gardening and vertical gardens for conservation of biodiversity in Mumbai,” Jitendra Pardeshi, superintendent of Gardens, acknowledged within the draft coverage.
According to the draft coverage, the builders, whereas creating a terrace/roof high backyard, should guarantee structural security and go away sufficient working area for upkeep of the buildings/buildings. The stability of the construction shall not be compromised and neither ought to the water proofing endure. The rooftop/terrace gardening must be made with an irrigation facility.
The coverage additionally proposes to make it necessary for each builder/developer to create vertical gardens throughout the interval of development of the undertaking, at the least on the aspect going through the primary highway for discount of air/noise air pollution. “The draft policy guidelines have been given in-principal approval, and they will be finalised after consultation with stakeholders and DP department,” Pardeshi stated.
For huge tasks, the coverage will make it necessary to supply podium gardens the place native tree varieties which have shallow root system or medium dimension cover may be accommodated whereas additionally guaranteeing structural stability.