Mumbai Launches 'Wings & Roots' To Map Biodiversity

Mumbai has launched a city-wide movement called 'Wings & Roots' to map and rebuild its biodiversity. The movement, launched by environmental NGO NatureRe and supported by the BMC, aims to create stepping stone habitats and biodiverse spaces that strengthen ecological connectivity outward from Sanjay Gandhi National Park.

The project was launched at The Nest, Malabar Hill, and will enable citizens to log the trees, birds, insects, and other species they encounter through the Wings & Roots app. The app will also help create and care for native habitats across Mumbai.

According to a green expert from NatureRe, the city's landscape was once rich with native forests, mangroves, and wetlands that sustained a wide diversity of urban wildlife. However, research estimates that Mumbai has lost nearly 40% of its green cover since 1991, while much of the greenery that remains is fragmented and often dominated by exotic species with limited ecological value.

The Nest has become the first stepping stone in the Green Corridor plan, and NatureRe is inviting all of Mumbai to join in. Through the Wings & Roots app, citizens can log species sightings and help create and care for native habitats across Mumbai. Every garden, courtyard, and rooftop that joins in becomes another stepping stone in the chain, extending the reach of SGNP, one neighbourhood at a time.

Radha Goenka, Founder of NatureRe and Director of the RPG Foundation, said that Wings & Roots is a city-wide invitation for citizens to map the wildlife around them and grow native habitats of their own. The movement addresses ecological fragmentation through two simple avenues for participation: Wings, where citizens observe, photograph, and upload biodiversity sightings, and Roots, where citizens create, nurture, and monitor native habitats.

The BMC has partnered with NatureRe to build urban forests in Mumbai, including The Nest on Malabar Hill and Captain Namdeo Lotankar Park in Mahalaxmi. The idea is to create more such habitats across Mumbai to create a Green Corridor that allows biodiversity movement across the city.

The Wings & Roots movement aims to build a richer picture of the city's biodiversity and contribute to a more connected green corridor. By participating in the movement, citizens can help strengthen the nature around them and create a more sustainable future for Mumbai.

The launch of Wings & Roots is a significant step towards rebuilding Mumbai's biodiversity and creating a more sustainable environment. With the support of the BMC and the participation of citizens, the movement has the potential to make a positive impact on the city's ecosystem.

In the long run, the Wings & Roots movement can help to restore Mumbai's lost green cover and create a more connected and sustainable environment. By working together, citizens and organizations can help to build a better future for the city and its inhabitants.

The movement is a call to action for all Mumbaikars to join in and make a difference. By participating in Wings & Roots, citizens can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly city.

Overall, the launch of Wings & Roots is a positive step towards creating a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly Mumbai. With the support of citizens and organizations, the movement has the potential to make a significant impact on the city's ecosystem and create a better future for all.

Mumbai's biodiversity is an important part of the city's ecosystem, and the Wings & Roots movement is a step in the right direction towards preserving and restoring it. By working together, citizens and organizations can help to create a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly city.

The significance of the Wings & Roots movement cannot be overstated. It has the potential to make a positive impact on the city's ecosystem and create a better future for all Mumbaikars. By participating in the movement, citizens can contribute to a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly city and help to preserve and restore Mumbai's biodiversity.

In conclusion, the launch of Wings & Roots is a significant step towards rebuilding Mumbai's biodiversity and creating a more sustainable environment. With the support of the BMC and the participation of citizens, the movement has the potential to make a positive impact on the city's ecosystem and create a better future for all.