A crucial role for the MMRDA in environmental management of MMR has been envisaged in the Environment Management Strategy and Action Plan prepared for MMR under the UNDP-World Bank sponsored Metropolitan Environment Improvement Programme. Accordingly, the MMRDA is expected to undertake strategic environmental planning, co-ordinate development and focus attention on the environmental issues in the Region.

An important step in this regard has been taken by the MMRDA by setting up the 'Heritage Fund' and the 'Environment Fund' of Rs.50 million each. Two separate Societies are established for operating these funds. The Societies will be responsible for administration and disbursement of fund and resource mobilisation. The financial resources of these Societies would be increased by soliciting donations from individuals, corporate houses and other patrons.

Established MMR-Heritage Conservation Society (MMR-HCS) and the MMR-Environment Improvement Society (MMR-EIS) in the year 1996

The objectives of the MMR-Heritage Conservation Society are to develop a database, impact training and create awareness in Heritage Conservation, provide financial assistance to conservation projects and to promote networking of various agencies.  To achieve these objectives, the MMR-HCS has supported 40 projects, involving survey, documentation and preparation of guidelines for major heritage precincts costing Rs.39.8 million till November 2007.  Some of the important projects which are in progress are:-

• Urban & Architectural Conservation of Dadabhai Navroji Road Sub-Precincts.
• Revitalisation and management plan for the forts within MMR.
• Financing restoration of David Sassoon Library Building.
• Documentation and conservation guidelines for Heritage buildings & precincts in Vasai-Virar sub-Region.
• Conservation of Wilson College building.
• Restoration of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Vastu Sangrahalaya.
• Restoration of Matheran Municipal Councils Meeting Hall.

Main objectives of the Environment Improvement Society are to promote protection, preservation, improvement and monitoring of Environment in MMR and adopt all such means to achieve the objects incidental or ancillary to the attainment of main objects. In order to achieve the objectives, the MMR-Environment Improvement Society has so far supported  46 projects costing Rs.35.4 million till November 2007.  Some of the important projects in progress are:

• ‘Nisargruna’ – Bio-gas plant in Matheran Municipal Council area.
• Environmental Management Plan and Engineering Solution (Prevention of Repetitive water logging) for Thane City.
• Rain Water Harvesting in Kulgaon-Badlapur Municipal Council area.
• Ecology Conservation Programme in Nhava through the Marine Museum, Nhava.
• Environment Management Plan of the Geothermal Zone of the Tansa River Basin.
• Inventorisation of Open spaces, Water Bodies, Water Courses, Coastline Features and Large Urban Greens in Greater Mumbai.