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Realty firm lists 249 trees on plot, officials count just 87

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Members of the tree authority on Friday raised concerns on two separate issues, one involving a private developer's application to cut trees and the other on delegation of powers.

The matters came up at a meeting of the panel, during which members drew attention of the civic administration to a statement submitted by a renowned private realty firm which mentioned a total 249 trees to be cut and transplanted on its plot in Chembur.

According to BJP corporator Ameet Satam, who is a member of the panel, it was pointed out that when officials of the garden department visited the plot they found there were only 87 trees. "There was a clear discrepancy between the information in the company's statement and the ground reality," said Satam.

The members asked additional municipal commissioner Rajiv Jalota to visit the plot and check the reason for the discrepancy. "But he refused to do so, saying the issue should be decided by the municipal commissioner and it can wait till he returns," said Satam.

Municipal commissioner Sitaram Kunte, who is chairman of the tree authority, is out of the city and Jalota is officiating in his absence.

The BJP corporator criticized the attitude and hinted that there may be a vested interest in the matter.

The tree authority functions under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Preservation of Trees Act, 1975.

The members also raised a point of order over a proposal to authorize the assistant superintendent of gardens in every zone, to permit changes in affidavits submitted by housing societies or developers.
The affidavit describes the period in which a tree is to be cut and transplanted and is required to be submitted after the tree authority has given its nod for cutting the tree.

"The administration is trying to give away the powers of the tree

authority to a subordinate officer. The powers of the tree authority

have been described in the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, and cannot be changed," said Niranjan Shetty, also a member of the tree authority.
Jalota agreed to send the proposal back to the legal department for verification.
 

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