BMC issues 14th notice for tree removal
In 2018 the BMC had proposed to remove around 8,775 trees for various infrastructure works.
Mumbai: The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has recently issued its 14th notice since January 1, 2019 for removal of trees in Mumbai for various works. This has taken total number of trees proposed to be removed to 3,958 in last four months.
In 2018 the BMC had proposed to remove around 8,775 trees for various infrastructure works.
However, many of them could not be sanctioned as Bombay high court has restrained the civic tree authority to take up proposals until experts are appointed.
“Although the new tree authority is not formally constituted, some of the proposals were sanctioned under Municipal Commissioner’s power. The commissioner is allowed to sanction proposals to remove trees if it includes up to 25 trees,” said activist Zoru Bathena who is fighting against the government for excessive removal of trees on the grab of development.
“There is no actual data on how many proposal are sanctioned by the BMC commissioner,” Mr Bathena added.
While, activists claim that maximum of trees transplanted by authorities do not survive. The recent notice published on April 23 includes 230 trees taking total removal of trees proposed in last four months to 3,958.
Meanwhile, the high court had ordered the BMC to appoint tree experts in its tree authority. But BMC is yet to make an application to the high court despite finalising four experts. The proposals of 2018 for removal of 8,775 trees also include removal of 2,772 trees for metro car shed in Aarey.