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City sees rampant felling despite scanty green cover

Stalin D, Director, Projects, Vanashakti (NGO), said that, on Wednesday, while travelling from Govindram Jolly Marg at Kanjurmarg he saw trees being trimmed haphazardly.

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Indiscriminate and unsupervised pruning may pose a threat to the city’s already scant greenery
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Mumbai has been witnessing rampant tree trimming in the face of an ever-reducing green cover and environmentalists claim a lack of on-ground supervision by Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) officials to be the reason behind it. BMC, however, not only refuted the claims but also said that the work was being carried out in a proper, scientific manner by trained staff.

Stalin D, Director, Projects, Vanashakti (NGO), said that, on Wednesday, while travelling from Govindram Jolly Marg at Kanjurmarg he saw trees being trimmed haphazardly. "I was furious seeing the way the trees were being pruned. When I asked a person standing at the site if he had any guidelines on how to carry out the work, he declined and said that they do it on the basis of experience," he said.

"On making a few phone calls, an official arrived at the site, who, when asked about guidelines and permissions, said he shall take up the matter later."

Harish Pandey, President, New Link Road Residents Forum, said that they try to supervise the trimming in their area but it isn't possible to be present always. "We know that the contractors eye the wood that is felled. Given Mumbai's rising temperatures, it is necessary to value every tree with a lush canopy. Also, while pruning one must ensure that the canopy isn't removed in a way that the tree is unable to maintain its balance during rains," said Pandey.

Zoru Bhathena, a resident of Khar said, "I have filed three complaints with the BMC in the last three weeks about the way trimming is carried out in areas including the Mantralaya."

Jitendra Pardeshi, Superintendent of gardens, refuted all the allegations and said, "We have 24 junior tree officers who inspect trees and then issue trimming orders and specifications, apart from supervising the work. People with vested interests and lack of knowledge are commenting on the work. Will they take responsibility if an untrimmed tree falls on someone," he said.

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