Mumbai-based Nahar Group has inaugurated an expansive urban forest at its flagship township, Nahar’s Amrit Shakti in Chandivali.
The green initiative, known as Nahar Amrit Shakti Udyan, has been developed on a sprawling area of nearly 34,000 square metres in collaboration with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). It adopts the globally acclaimed Miyawaki method to revitalise Mumbai’s shrinking green spaces. The Miyawaki technique, named after Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki, is renowned for fostering dense forests within limited spaces by planting native species close together. Unlike traditional afforestation efforts that often take decades, forests developed through this method can mature in a fraction of the time, restoring natural ecosystems up to 10 times faster. Nahar Amrit Shakti Udyan is now home to over 41,000 indigenous trees representing 79 different species, supplemented by shrubs, flowering plants, and medicinal herbs—all carefully selected to boost biodiversity, purify the urban air, and mitigate the city’s increasingly critical urban heat island effect.
This initiative comes at a critical time when Mumbai is grappling with rapid urbanisation, leading to the loss of natural habitats and declining air quality. Projects like the Nahar Amrit Shakti Udyan align with India’s commitments under the Paris Agreement, which urge nations to enhance their green cover and adopt climate-resilient urban models. Environmental experts point out that the Miyawaki forest will act as a carbon sink, absorbing pollutants, providing habitat to diverse flora and fauna, and offering the local community a much-needed ecological sanctuary amid the city’s concrete sprawl. Already, the forest has started attracting a rich variety of birds, bees, butterflies, and other insects, indicating a rapid ecological revival. Residents and urban planners alike are applauding the project for demonstrating how sustainable urban living can coexist with high-density development. Experts from the BMC have praised the project as a model for future public-private partnerships aimed at restoring Mumbai’s green heritage without compromising on urban development goals.
The Nahar Group’s approach also responds to a growing public demand for wellness-centric residential environments that prioritise nature, air quality, and mental well-being. With urban dwellers becoming increasingly conscious about the importance of green spaces in reducing stress and promoting healthier lifestyles, the presence of such a forest within a residential township is expected to greatly enhance the quality of life for its inhabitants. Moreover, this urban forest initiative stands as a beacon for real estate developers across India, urging them to incorporate eco-sensitive planning into their projects. By choosing the Miyawaki method, Nahar Group not only underscores its commitment to environmental sustainability but also sets a benchmark for future-ready, climate-resilient urban living.
