๐ณ With the monsoons approaching rapidly, tree trimming activity across Mumbai is in full swing.
Every year, large-scale pruning is carried out to reduce the risk of trees and branches falling during heavy rains and winds. But tree management is far more complex than simply cutting branches.
There is an entire field called Arboriculture โ the scientific management and care of trees in urban environments. Arborists study the structure, health, balance, and long-term growth of individual trees to ensure they remain safe, resilient, and healthy while continuing to provide shade, biodiversity, and ecological benefits to the city.
One of our volunteers, Kevin, has been taking the lead in Chakala to advocate for more scientific pruning practices in his area. With support from Sriganesh in setting up meetings with key individuals, he has been working to ensure that trees are assessed individually and pruned in a way that maintains their balance, preserves long-term health, and retains adequate shade during Mumbaiโs intense summer months.
Their efforts have included:
๐ฑ Engaging local citizens on the importance of scientific pruning
๐ฑ Bringing in the cityโs only practicing arborist and team to recommend tree-specific pruning methods
๐ฑ Coordinating with the Gardens Department to encourage implementation of more scientific approaches to pruning
The process comes with its own complexities, but Kevin and Sriganesh have continued to navigate them patiently and persistently in the hopes for citywide adoption.
We felt their efforts deserved a shoutout ๐ฟ
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