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  Metros   Mumbai  30 Jun 2019  BMC careless, tree falls could be avoided: Activists

BMC careless, tree falls could be avoided: Activists

THE ASIAN AGE.
Published : Jun 30, 2019, 7:55 am IST
Updated : Jun 30, 2019, 7:55 am IST

In Sion’s Punjab Camp area, three cars were damaged after a tree fell on the road. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.

Tree collapses damaging cars in Sion-Koliwada on Saturday. (Photo: RAJESH JADHAV)
 Tree collapses damaging cars in Sion-Koliwada on Saturday. (Photo: RAJESH JADHAV)

Rain continued to lash the city on the second consecutive day Saturday. Till 6pm, the eastern suburbs recorded 39mm, western suburbs 36mm, and the city area 33mm rainfall.

Although, the downpour did not affect city life much and train services were also not impacted, there were several incidents of tree fall. A total 104 tree falls were recorded from Friday 8am to Saturday 8 am owing to the heavy rain. From Friday 8 am to 6 pm on Saturday, a total 215 trees collapsed.

So much so that environmental activists in the city are now saying that the BMC is careless about pre-monsoon tree felling due to which many trees are falling and causing damage to property which could have been prevented otherwise. In Sion’s Punjab Camp area, three cars were damaged after a tree fell on the road. Fortunately, no one was injured in the incident.

A big gulmohar tree collapsed early morning Saturday at Pali Hill, Bandra, damaging a four-wheeler and trapping four other vehicles. According to the residents, the BMC did not cut the tree despite its trunk being infected.

Tree activist Zoru Bathena said, “It is right that we want to preserve greenery in Mumbai but that does not mean that dangerous trees should not be cut. The gulmohar tree at Pali Hill was declared dangerous March end and we did not oppose the proposal to cut it. But the garden department did not get the sanction. Now, the tree has fallen damaging the cars.”

“Earlier, only the ward’s tree officer used to visually inspect and order cutting of tree/s but now they need proposals sanctioned. The BMC misuses its power more than using it,” said Mr Bathena who is fighting in court against the civic body depleting green cover in the city under the guise of development. While, Matunga-based activist Nikhil Desai said that despite repeated complaints, the BMC did not trim infected trees.

Tags: bmc, tree falls