MRVC Celebrates World Environment Day 2026 with Major Tree Plantation Initiative at Karanjade, Panvel
· Free Press Journal
World Environment Day is observed every year on 5 June across the globe to promote awareness and encourage collective action towards environmental protection and sustainable development.
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On the occasion of World Environment Day 2026, Mumbai Railway Vikas Corporation (MRVC) organised a tree plantation programme at Karanjade, Panvel, reaffirming its commitment towards environmental sustainability and ecological preservation alongside infrastructure development.
The programme was led by Shri Vilas S. Wadekar, Chairman & Managing Director (CMD), MRVC, along with Shri Manish Pradhan, Director Technical; Shri Abhishek Swami, Director Finance; Shri Harishankar Chaturvedi, Director Projects; Shri Avinash Tarhawadkar, Chief Vigilance Officer; Heads of Departments and senior officers of MRVC. Smt. Monal Rao, Assistant Conservator of Forests; Smt. Shaila Musmade, ACF; Shri Jadhav, RFO; and other Forest Department officials were also present on the occasion. Dr. Ganesh Thakur, Principal, Mahatma Phule College of Arts, Science and Commerce, along with faculty members and students from the college, participated in the programme.
Shri B. K. Kushwaha, CM/Bridge, welcomed the dignitaries and presented a brief note on the tree plantation project.
Addressing the gathering, Shri Vilas S. Wadekar highlighted that while MRVC is undertaking major suburban railway infrastructure projects to enhance railway capacity and passenger convenience, equal importance is being accorded to environmental conservation and sustainable growth.
He stated that for the Borivali–Virar 5th and 6th Line Project, permission had been obtained for the removal of 349 trees required for essential construction activities. However, demonstrating its strong commitment towards environmental sustainability, MRVC has undertaken plantation of 10,260 new trees through the Forest Department, ensuring extensive compensatory afforestation and ecological restoration.
Shri Wadekar further informed that the responsibility for maintenance and protection of these trees for the next seven years has also been entrusted through the Assistant Conservator of Forests, thereby ensuring long term sustainability and survival of the plantations.
He emphasised that trees play a vital role in maintaining ecological balance, improving air quality, reducing pollution, conserving biodiversity, mitigating climate change, and creating a healthier environment for future generations. He stated that development and environmental protection are not contradictory, but complementary to each other.
During the programme, dignitaries planted saplings and Shri Wadekar administered the Environment Day pledge to all present, reaffirming the collective commitment towards protecting nature, preserving natural resources, and building a greener future.
MRVC continues to integrate environmental considerations into all its infrastructure projects and remains committed to initiatives that contribute towards a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable Mumbai Metropolitan Region.