Kanjurmarg waste facility to add 15,000 trees under urban forest initiative

One of India's largest waste-processing facilities is set to become the site of a major urban ecological restoration project, as 15,000 native trees are planted at the Kanjurmarg waste-processing facility in Mumbai.

The initiative, called ReRoot, was launched on 6 June by Antony Lara Enviro Solutions, the operator of the Kanjurmarg facility, which handles approximately 7,500 tonnes of municipal waste daily. The project aims to convert a section of the operational waste-management site into a dense native forest, adding to the 12,800 plants already established on the premises.

The move comes as Indian cities increasingly look at nature-based solutions to address challenges ranging from urban heat islands and air pollution to biodiversity loss and climate resilience. Mumbai, where green cover remains under pressure from urban expansion, has witnessed rising temperatures and deteriorating air quality over the past two decades.
Speaking on the occasion, Shiju Antony, Chief Sustainability Officer of Antony Waste Group, said: "Waste management is often judged by what we remove. This forest shows what we can create. By planting 15,000 native trees we are transforming part of our own waste-processing site into a thriving ecosystem that will benefit the environment, biodiversity, and local communities for decades to come."
The Kanjurmarg facility has been in the news recently. Residents of areas around Mulund, Kanjurmarg, Vikhroli and Bhandup have repeatedly complained of stench, fumes and the health risks associated with living near the facility. In March 2026, an expert panel bringing together specialists from IIT Bombay, the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board, NEERI and senior civil servants submitted a detailed assessment. Its recommendations were structured in phases. In the near term: bio-enzyme spraying to suppress odour, misting systems, green buffer zones and improved soil cover. In the medium term: bio-filters and continuous air-quality monitoring. Over the longer horizon: a fundamental restructuring of waste treatment under a change-of-technology clause in the existing concession, combining waste-to-energy for dry fractions, bio-methanation or compressed biogas for organic wet waste, and controlled composting. The panel estimated this integrated model could reduce dependence on landfilling by up to 80%, while substantially cutting the emissions and odour that have defined the site's relationship with surrounding communities.
According to Antony Lara, the plantation is expected to absorb around 330 tonnes of carbon dioxide annually once mature and sequester between 9,000 and 12,000 tonnes of CO₂ over the next 30 years. While carbon sequestration is a key objective, the company says the project is equally focused on improving local environmental conditions through temperature moderation, dust reduction and habitat creation.

The forest will comprise native and climate-resilient species including neem, arjun, jamun, banyan, peepal, karanj and bamboo. These species have been selected to create layered vegetation that supports pollinators, birds and other urban wildlife while improving soil quality and water retention.

The launch was attended by Mumbai Mayor Ritu Rajesh Tawde, senior officials from the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation and environmental scientists, underscoring the growing role that waste-management infrastructure can play in broader sustainability efforts.