The Bombay high court on Thursday asked the BMC to inform the court about steps taken to save rain trees that were dying due to mealy bug infection and whether it had conducted a census of trees witho
The Bombay high court on Thursday asked the BMC to inform the court about steps taken to save rain trees that were dying due to mealy bug infection and whether it had conducted a census of trees without which it was difficult to assess the magnitude of the problem. Mealy bugs are known to suck cell sap from leaves and inject poisonous saliva into them, thereby killing trees. Eventually, leaves and branches start falling off and trees dry up.
The court also directed petitioner, Zoru Bhathena, to include Maharashtra State Road Transport Corporation (MSRTC), MMRDA (Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) and Public Works Department (PWD) in the list of respondents as there were several trees under their jurisdiction.
The petitioner had claimed that 2010 onward, the bug infected trees between Khar and Borivali and BMC had not been able to identify the cause or cure, following which, over 100 trees had died. The PIL said that the tree authority and BMC had failed to preserve and protect Mumbai’s tree cover, and also failed to replant and replace dead trees and improve tree cover in the city, thus failing in their statutory obligations. It further alleged that concerned authorities were doing nothing to address the problem. The petitioner also stated that if they did not have the necessary technology, they should take help to find technology to contain the mealy bug epidemic.
In the past, however, the BMC had informed another bench of the high court that the civic body and tree authority were regulating, reviewing and executing every possible measure to preserve and protect existing green cover. The affidavit filed by the BMC had stated Ladybird Beatle (natural predator of mealy bugs) was applied on infected trees. Authorities were also applying bio-pesticides, neem liquid and other chemicals to prevent further damage to trees. However, there were limitations in terms of applying chemicals on roadside rain trees and trees surrounded by residential and floating population lest any harm should be done to them.
