Mumbai: The recommendations emerging from the brainstorming sessions of the upcoming International Arboriculture Conference will be formally submitted to the Central and State Governments for policy formulation, organisers said on Thursday.
Addressing a press conference in Mumbai, Sanjay Pandey, President of Nanaji Deshmukh Pratishthan, and Vaibhav Raje, Director of the Amenity Tree Care Association (ATCA), stated that the conference aims to introduce scientific methods of urban tree conservation into mainstream policy and governance frameworks.
The Second International Arboriculture Conference will be held from 6 March to 8 March 2026 at the Sahara Star Hotel, Vile Parle (East), Mumbai.
The conference will take place in the presence of Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and State Environment Minister Pankaja Munde.
Tree Conservation Is the Need of the Hour
Speaking at the press interaction, Pandey emphasised that conserving existing urban trees is as important as planting new ones.
“Along with planting new trees in cities, conserving existing trees is the need of the hour. Through this conference, the scientific technology of arboriculture will reach the level of policy-making, giving a green edge to urban development,” he said.
Pandey informed that Environment Minister Pankaja Munde will inaugurate the conference, while Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis will preside over the closing ceremony.
Also present at the press conference were Aryan Pandey, CEO of Nanaji Deshmukh Pratishthan, and Nakul Sawani, Director of ATCA.
Global Experts to Participate
The conference will see participation from international and national experts in arboriculture and urban planning. Representatives from municipal corporations across Maharashtra and other states, airport developers, and real estate stakeholders are also expected to attend.
International speakers include:
- Carl Dalla Riva, Director, Board of Arboriculture, Australia
- Dan Lambe, CEO, Arbor Day Foundation, USA
- Jessica Sanders, Executive Director, Sacramento Tree Foundation, USA
National experts include:
- Dr. Sangram Chavan, Senior Scientist, National Institute of Abiotic Stress Management, Baramati
- Dr. Prachi Gupta, Professor, Azim Premji University, Bengaluru
- Vyom Bhatt, Co-founder, Shroomsabha
- Architect Shilpa Gavane, Founder, Trees of Ahmedabad
Call for Arboriculture Impact Surveys
Vaibhav Raje highlighted the need for institutionalising Arboriculture Impact Surveys for development projects.
“While development projects routinely include environmental and social impact assessments, an Arboriculture Impact Survey is necessary to ensure conservation of existing trees. In many Western countries, no project proceeds without such a survey. Major policy-level changes are required if Indian cities are to green their development trajectory,” he said.
Three-Day Conference Programme
6 March 2026 – Pre-Conference Workshops
- Construction and Tree Preservation Workshop
- Trees Around Us Workshop
- Urban Tree Foundation Round Table Conference
(Limited seats; advance registration required)
7 March 2026 – Inauguration
- Inauguration by Environment Minister Pankaja Munde
- Keynote by Architect Alan Abraham
- Technical Sessions by global and national experts
- Panel Discussion: “Growing Cities – Greener Canopies”
- Networking Dinner
8 March 2026 – Closing Ceremony
- Keynote Address by Dia Mirza, UN Environment Goodwill Ambassador
- Poster Presentations by students and researchers
- Award Distribution (Top 3 Poster Awards)
- Closing Ceremony by Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis
- Distribution of Participation Certificates
Trees and Climate Action
Organisers emphasised that tree plantation and conservation are critical in addressing climate change and reducing carbon emissions. They expressed confidence that the conference would help integrate arboriculture into urban planning and sustainable development frameworks at both state and national levels.
Registrations are open at:
www.arbindia.com/events
For information:
Email: info@arbindia.com
Contact: +91 9920486396
Organised by:
Amenity Tree Care Association (ATCA) in collaboration with Nanaji Deshmukh Pratishthan
