BMC's shady' tree-cutting irks citizens

Mumbai: Incidents of tree collapse like Chembur are waiting to happen in other parts of the city as residents are claiming that there are several danger prone trees, but the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials are turning a blind eye towards the issue. In Chembur, the death incident forced civic officials into action as they immediately started pruning of trees. However, in Juhu, residents are saying the danger is still there as despite many complaints the BMC has not taken any action.

Citizens have claimed that the storm water drains work in Juhu-Tara road has not left tree basins or space around the trees to breathe. “With buildings on one side and storm water drain construction on the other side, there is no space left for the trees. Apart from the Garden Department, other departments or developers also needs to implement the projects considering the trees in the area, it fails the civic planning then,” said Zoru Bhathena, a Mumbai based tree activist.

 Locals from Chembur contended that they have complained to the civic body about various issues pertaining as threats to the trees like weak trees, hanging branches and hunching of trees trunk due to strong cable wires being tied to it. Chembur Citizens Forum, a citizens group compiled the complaints and have sent repeated reminders to the civic body. “Our first complaint was sent on Sept and we have followed up with the issue till November, however we did not even get a response after that. A tree had fallen in the Amar Mahal area of Chembue three days ago too. We hope the BMC looks into our complaints seriously,” said Manish Gangurde, member of Chembur Citizens Forum.

 Nikhi Desai, civic activist from Matunga, said, “The BMC officials are waiting for a disaster to strike as they are turning a deaf ear to people’s complaints..”