Mumbai: 14,518 trees put to its mercy by BMC

Mumbai: 14,518 trees put to its mercy by BMC

Shiv Sena has been in the forefront of Aarey campaign and none other than Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray

Sweety AdimulamUpdated: Monday, December 30, 2019, 10:57 AM IST
article-image
Workers cut-down trees for the Metro car shed project in the Aarey colony of Mumbai. | PTI Photo

Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), which is ruled by Shiv Sena, has issued as many as 906 notices for removal of 14,518 trees (both felling & transplantation) in 2019 alone, claims Mumbai-based activist Zoru Bhathena.

Shiv Sena has been in the forefront of Aarey campaign and none other than Chief Minister Uddhav Thackeray had declared that no single tree will be allowed to be touched under his regime.

As per the findings, on an average, 1,210 trees per month or 40 trees per day were proposed to be removed, says Bhathena, who is all armed with the data gathered from notices issued by the civic body in newspapers, web portals etc as part of the procedures.

As a standard rule, whenever a tree removal or transplantation proposal is approved by the BMC Tree Authority committee, it has to issue a public notice to hear objections, if any, from quarters concerned. "The figures are shocking.

Why can't the authority do its work for the very purpose it has been set-up. The job of a tree authority is to see how to protect the existing trees, not destroying it," he said.

"The BMC claims in lieu of one tree, two new trees are planted. But, have you seen 28,000 new trees being planted?," he asked.

Yashwant Jadhav, Shiv Sena group leader and Tree Authority member, told FPJ: "We always raised objections in tree cutting proposals. Only for projects which are of people's benefits we supported."

He went on to claim that most of the proposals are approved in tree authority due to the support from BJP and other parties.

According to Zoru findings, the 14,518-odd trees proposed to be removed are mostly for nullah widening, road widening work, and a private building construction for which the developer has sought permission.

Interestingly, BMC has also proposed about 300 trees to be removed at different places for the ongoing green cycle track project.

Bhathena said it is sad that for a 'green' cycle track project, trees need to be felled. "Why should a track be straight after all. Trees on cycling path will only add to fun and enthusiam."

Abhijit Samant, BJP Andheri West corporator and a tree authority member, raised doubts about the numbers claimed by Zoru. "It's a known fact that due to the Bombay High Court stay no proposal could be passed by the tree authority until the appointment of experts and tree authority meetings were postponed for a long time. A

lso, every month, only one meeting of tree authority is held. That means 14 meetings, and in every meeting only five to seven proposals were there, not even ten. So how 906 ads been issued in one year is not clear.

Also, BMC Commission has a discretionary power to allow removal of trees less then 25 but I do not feel the commissioner too have allowed or approved so many tree removal proposals under special powers," he said.

Activist and advocate Godfrey Pimenta said, "Under the Green Army initiative of State Government there is resolve to plant 33 crores in 5 years. But sadly the BMC has only planted only 5000 odd trees in last 5 years."

BMC Commissioner Pravin Pardeshi, when asked by FPJ, said he will verify the claims made by the activist. He also stated that in last six months after he took charge, except metro and Hindustan storm water drain, no additional trees removal proposals were permitted.

RECENT STORIES

Mumbai-Pune Expressway: Massive Traffic Congestion, Intense Heat Pose Challenges To Motorists...

Mumbai-Pune Expressway: Massive Traffic Congestion, Intense Heat Pose Challenges To Motorists...

Maharashtra Lok Sabha Elections 2024: 6 Seats Of NCP In Mahayuti Alliance Come With 'Terms &...

Maharashtra Lok Sabha Elections 2024: 6 Seats Of NCP In Mahayuti Alliance Come With 'Terms &...

Mumbai News: MSRDC Announces Toll Hike On Bandra-Worli Sea Link From April 1; Check New Rates Here

Mumbai News: MSRDC Announces Toll Hike On Bandra-Worli Sea Link From April 1; Check New Rates Here

Attention Mumbaikars! Fares Of Shared Cabs To Pune, Nashik & Shirdi Hiked; Check Details Here

Attention Mumbaikars! Fares Of Shared Cabs To Pune, Nashik & Shirdi Hiked; Check Details Here

Mumbai: Sena UBT Lok Sabha Candidate Amol Kirtikar Receives 2nd ED Summon In Khichdi Scam Case; Told...

Mumbai: Sena UBT Lok Sabha Candidate Amol Kirtikar Receives 2nd ED Summon In Khichdi Scam Case; Told...