Greening Mumbai: DAF’s Tree Plantation & Beach Cleanup Drives

Trees and oceans are the heart and soul of Mumbai, but as the city has raced towards high skylines, the ground beneath has suffered the consequences. Mumbai is the financial hub of the country, but it is also paying the cost of urbanization with a changing climate because of environmental degradation.

The environmental toll has been palpable in the recent years. Debabrata Auro Foundation has taken the much-needed initiative to relieve the green spaces and choked coastlines and is scripting the story of hope, one tree and one shoreline at a time. Top NGO in India, DAF has taken the initiatives with their flagship Tree Plantation and Beach Clean Up Drives across Mumbai for ecological revival.

The transformative force of these drives is fuelled by volunteerism and backed by purpose-driven partnerships helping restore balance and revive the green lungs of the bustling city of Mumbai. Ranked among the top 10 genuine NGOs in Mumbai 2025, DAF is not just cleaning up the mangroves and beaches; it is inviting volunteers and eco-conscious corporates and donors and CSR-driven partners to collaborate, contribute and co-create a sustainable future. All activities involve communities and students to reclaim the beaches, rejuvenate mangroves, and spread a strong message of environmental consciousness.

Environmental Urgency in Mumbai: Why it needs attention?

The intensifying heatwave, urban flooding every year and the shrinking biodiversity is a waring of a multi-pronged ecological crisis.

• The urban tree cover had declined by over 200% in the last ten years
• Marine waste such as plastic is choking the marine life and polluting the beaches
• Mumbai of today is 4–6°C warner than it was before

DAF’s tree plantation drive: Rooting for the future

Aimed at reclaiming the green cover, DAF’s tree plantation drive in and around Mumbai, and its schools, slums, and tribal belts are the perfect blend of afforestation, education, and awareness with the aim of cultivating environmental ownership.

Key projects

1. Green Aarey Drive (January 5, 2024)

Joint effort with Shri MMP Shah College NSS and Jai Hindi College Rotaract Club with 40 volunteers planting trees at Aarey Colony.

The urban plantation drives offer measurable ESG outcomes aligning with SDG goals and brand sustainability.

2. Tree Plantation with Biodiversity Focus (December 16, 2023)

28 saplings were planted to increase the green canopy cover. They consisted of a diverse tree species including Tulsi, Guava, Custard Apple, Neem, Kokam, and Amla. The event also included training the participants for post-plantation tree care. The event aimed to ensure long-term ecological balance and carbon sequestration.

3. Sustainable Plantation with Organic Practices (November 24, 2023)

Plantation of 21 trees, including Jamun, Ashoka, Jackfruit, and Guava, promoting biodiversity in the area. DAF adopted organic manure made from cow dung and wood ash to promote regenerative practices.

Beach and Mangrove cleanup drives

With the aim to restore the natural beauty of Mumbai’s iconic beaches- DAF’s beach cleanup drive was partnered with Project Mumbai, United Way Mumbai, Local Schools, Taj SATS, TCS, SNDT College, Kiriti College, Bhavna Trust Junior College, and other volunteers to restore Mumbai’s beautiful shoreline.

1. Jallosh Mahotsav at Dadar Beach (March 16, 2024)

82 volunteers – 52 from Taj SATS and 30 from other NGOs cleaned 550 meters of Dadar Beach. The waste was sorted into degradable and non-degradable waste. The community awareness program was conducted about beach pollution and marine ecosystem preservation.

2. Dadar Mahim Beach Clean-Up (February 22, 2024)

In collaboration with United Way Mumbai and Kirti College NSS in which 36 student volunteers participated and raised awareness about coastal conservation.

3. Post-Ganpati Visarjan Juhu Beach Clean-Up (September 30, 2023)

Taj Sats, TCS, and SNDT College NSS Unity Leo Club joined hands with DAF and collected large quantities of religious waste along with plastics and cigarette butts, etc.

4. Chimbri Beach Mangroves Clean-Up (March 14, 2024)

21 NSS students from Bhavna Trust Junior and Degree College participated in the DAF-led targeted mangrove conservation effort and cleaned 200 meters of mangrove forests. A large amount of waste, including slippers, shoes, bags, and plastic was collected and segregated for disposal.

5. Dadar Beach Clean-Up Drive (December 14, 2023)

DAF led a coordinated and comprehensive clean-up covering 300 meters of Dadar beach with United Way Mumbai, SNDT College LEO and also conducted educational sessions on recycling and conservation with the local community.

DAF impact

As the top NGO in Mumbai, DAF’s environmental conservation efforts have demonstrated the power of community volunteerism and participation. With numerous clean up drives on Mumbai’s popular beaches and hundreds of kilograms of waste removed- DAF continues to lead from the front, advocating ecological preservation, community engagement and sustainable practices, which have never been more important.

• Over 250 volunteers engaged in the initiatives
• More than 1.3km of coastline cleaned
• Over 75 trees planted
• Awareness sessions conducted to spread the need of biodiversity, sustainability, and waste management

Aligning with global and national goals

Top NGO in Mumbai, DAF’s goals align with

• UN SDG 13 (Climate Action)
• UN SDG 14 (Life Below Water)
• UN SDG 15 (Life on Land)
• India’s National Green Mission
• Maharashtra’s Clean Coast Campaign

DAF’s environmental campaign has had a ripple effect in the community. Mangrove clean up saves a coastal village during the monsoons, and a tree planted today in Aarey builds an oxygen bank for tomorrow.

Partnering with Purpose: CSR, Community & Climate

DAF’s model of green action is community centred and aligns with corporate CSR mandates under Schedule VII of the Companies Act, 2013 offering

• Full transparency
• Regular monitoring and reporting
• Joint branding opportunities
• Custom campaigns

Let’s make Mumbai green together

Mumbai is facing a serious environmental crisis, and it is only through collective action that we can construct a better future for tomorrow. DAF has led the way and shown that cleaner beaches, thriving mangroves and greener cities are not dreams of the future but well within reach.

Join Debabrata Auro Foundation, one of the top NGOs in India 2025, is inviting eco-conscious donors, CSR heads, foundations, and climate advocates to join hands in greening Mumbai- one tree, one beach and one community at a time- leading to a greener, healthier future for all.