In a city known to have the lowest ratio of open spaces in the world, Mumbaikars are not getting the benefits of the remaining open spaces. Citizens of all classes are starving for clean and safe places where they can come together, play sports, exercise and enjoy.

Many of the public spaces identified by the BMC as gardens, recreational grounds and play grounds have not been developed at all. These spaces are up for adoption according to the BMC.

Most existing gardens, on the other hand, are limited and face the following problems:

• Very few plants and trees which are not well maintained
• Dirt/litter, few dustbins
• Lack of benches, sitting areas and other facilities
• Existence of hawkers
• Misuse: The youth, especially from the poorer communities, play cricket and other games, which cause danger to other park goers and destroy the garden lawns; squatters, etc.

Mumbai Helpline in cooperation with BMC encourages corporates, citizens' groups, and individuals to adopt gardens and traffic islands in Mumbai City.

The team visited Mr. P.A. Naringrekar, Superintendent of Gardens, who provided a list of MCGM Gardens & Recreational Spaces in Mumbai as well as the Terms & Conditions for the adoption of these public spaces.

We have also done the initial groundwork of visiting these gardens, taking photographs and getting quotations from landscape contractors on the approximate costs of adopting a traffic island or garden.

Adopting a garden involves refurbishing and maintenance for a minimum of 1 year.

For more information on Garden Adoption, email shakti@mumbaihelpline.org