The preliminary data of a tree census conducted by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation is bound to give nature lovers in the city a cause for celebration. According to the data there are over 18 lakh trees in Mumbai. The civic body has said that the figure indicates an increase in the green cover over the last five years. However, the figures could also be attributed to the new parameter of measurement which categorizes a 4 feet high sapling with a diameter of 4 meter as a tree. The civic body will provide cash incentives to citizens to increase the green cover of the city. According to the tree census completed in 23 of the 24 wards in the city there are 18,38,899 trees. This figure does not include the green cover of Aarey Colony and forest land. The census to be carried once in five years is being conducted by Environment and Bio-technology foundation. Municipal Commissioner Jairaj Phatak said that the number of trees shown in the census is large mainly because 4 feet high plants are also counted as trees. "But we are taking measures to ensure that more trees are planted and those which were removed for developmental projects are re-planted,' he said. The awards will be on the lines of the state Government's Sant Gadge Maharaj Abhiyan. "We will distribute Rs 10 lakh in each ward for awards to the residential society, school and hospital with the maximum number of trees,' he said. The proposal will be discussed in the Tree Authority committee by next month for final approval.