Mumbai's shrinking green spaces face new threats from BMC's rezoning plans
Mumbai’s green spaces face further reduction as the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) pushes for changes to existing reservations. Two small garden plots in Malabar Hill and a football ground in Bandra Reclamation could soon lose their current status. Critics have labelled the move an 'open loot' of the city’s dwindling open areas.
The BMC has proposed converting two garden-reserved plots in Malabar Hill into residential land. Measuring just 15.89 sq m and 41.43 sq m, their combined area falls below 1,000 sq m, making formal reservation adjustments impractical. Originally part of a residential zone under the 1991 Development Plan (DP), these plots were later reclassified as garden spaces in DP 2034. At present, they serve as an access passage and covered parking for nearby properties.
Separately, the civic body plans to redesignate a football ground at Bandra Reclamation as an exhibition centre. Owned by the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA), the site spans nearly 8,450 sq m and was previously reserved for playgrounds and sports. If approved, the conversion would remove a significant recreational area from public use. Environmental activists have strongly opposed the proposals. Zoru Bhathena called the plan an 'open loot' of Mumbai’s green spaces, while Vinod Gholap highlighted the city’s existing shortage of open areas. He argued that the BMC continues to erode the little remaining public space despite growing demand for it.
The proposed changes would remove nearly 8,450 sq m of sports ground and two small garden plots from public use. Residents and activists have raised concerns over the loss of recreational areas in an already congested city. The final decision now rests with the municipal authorities.
