Institute axes 8 trees, BMC files complaint

The tree authority of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has filed a complaint against an educational institute for felling eight giant mango trees that were allegedly obstructing its construction activities in Borivali. As the school authorities, on a plot leased by BMC for educational institutes, allegedly fell the trees without consent of the officials, officials from R North Ward, acting on residents’ complaints, filed the complaint at MHB police station.

The plot, city survey number 2397, 2401/A and 2400 (Pt), housed about 25-30 giant mango trees. The plot was leased out to Witty Group of Institutions for construction of an educational institute. However, it was noticed by certain activists that as around seven to eight giant trees dried up within a span of two to three days on the plot, the activists and residents, complained to the BMC tree authorities about the same. It later came to light that the trees were killed with the use of chemicals, allegedly in order to chop them down and make space for construction material.

Hemant Patil, tree officer from R North Ward, confirmed that the action was taken under the Maharashtra (Urban Area) Tree Conservation and Preservation Act. “We found out that about 8-10 trees had dried up in the span of two to three days. It is highly unlikely for such a large amount of trees to dry up within such short span and we realised that chemicals were used. We have already filed a complaint at the MHB police station for the same,” said Mr Patil.

Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (environment section) president Dhananjay Junnarkar claimed BMC officials were trying to shield developers as only an NC, not an FIR, was filed.