DNA Micro Edit: Axe to fall on 2,800 trees, activists doubt transplant

The axe has now been sharpened and its a given that Mumbai will witness one of the biggest tree felling exercise in recent times. With the proposed Metro Rail work in full swing as many as over 2,800 trees are likely to be affected in the city. 

While the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation Limited (MMRCL) claims that a large amount of trees will be transplanted and new plantation work will be undertaken as well, green activists highly doubt this promise. 

Activists have cited examples such as old infrastructure project wherein MMRDA, which was required to transplant trees simply left tree trunks dug in soil to die, in the name of transplantation. Even the compensatory plantations carried out at several places by MMRDA and MMRCL including at Aarey as well as Bandra Kurla Complex was termed completely inaccurate by those with knowledge about trees.

Experts claim that while transport projects are crucial, the citizens have lost faith in every government body as project agencies tend to look at trees as mere obstacles in their way. They thus disregard the years of ecological service these trees have provided to the surrounding. 

What is further surprising is the fact that even as the city stares at a huge loss of green cover in several parts, there seems to be no sense of responsibility being taken up by the BMC, which gave permissions to chop these trees.

There needs to be a committee with citizens, botanists, and environment experts along with BMC tree authority to oversee every tree transplantation, monitor the survival rate, and impose heavy penalty on the implementing agency if proper methods are not followed.