Tree authority being impeded

In a move that is likely to incur the environmentalists’ ire, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has proposed that 25 trees can now be removed for development works without permission from the civic tree authority. The trees can be hacked with consent from the municipal commissioner, who also heads the tree authority.

According to the civic officials, trees that are affected by projects or proving to be an obstacle in development works, are removed with permission from the tree authority. Under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Tress Protection and Conservation Act 1975, tree authority approval is necessary even if one tree is required to be removed.

Civic officials have said that the Act is proving to be deterrent in infrastructure projects where fewer number of trees are affected. These projects are delayed due to the tree obstruction, which ultimately affects the city’s development. Expressing displeasure over it, the World Bank also had asked to sort out tree-cutting proposals at the earliest, said the officials.

“If the number of trees to be affected by development works is 25, such proposals now need not be presented before the tree authority and they can be pushed through with an approval from the municipal commissioner. This will expedite development works in the city,” said a senior civic official.

However, environmentalists have reacted strongly to the move. “This is an absurd proposal, which will give a free run to developers to cut trees for construction activities. It is also aimed at downgrading the authority of tree authority. Do the commissioner has time to go through all tree-cutting proposals to ensure that they are authentic ” asked tree activist Stalin Dayanand from the environmental NGO Vanashakti.

All tree-cutting proposals should be presented before tree authority members for approval. “Instead of fast tracking the process, BMC is taking away the rights of tree authority”, said Abhijeet Chavan, a member of the tree authority.