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Greens upset over Desert Palms replacing indigenous trees in NaMu

According to Stalin, the Desert Palms have little to zero contribution to the environment here.

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The Desert Palms serve only an ornamental purpose and do not contribute to the environment
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Worried over Desert Palms — which have no ecological value — replacing the native Indian trees in Navi Mumbai, environmentalists have expressed their concern in writing to the Municipal Commissioner, seeking his
intervention.

“It was over the past three weeks that we observed that the trees along the Palm beach Road at Vashi were dying in large numbers. Strangely we also found that Desert Palms that are simply ornamental trees were being planted, which is actually something that defies the logic of tree plantation,” said Stalin D, Director Projects Vanashakti who wrote to Managing Director, CIDCO as well as Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner.

In fact the letter alleges that they suspect foul play as there can only be two reasons for the dying trees on Palm beach road. First, trees are being deliberately killed so that it can be replaced with the expensive trees like the Desert Palm. Second, the regular watering of the stretch which was undertaken has been discontinued for a prolonged period.

According to Stalin, the Desert Palms have little to zero contribution to the environment here. “It is difficult for dry countries like the Gulf to grow a single Banyan tree despite having all the wealth and hence they plant these palms that serve ornamental purpose. NMMC should plant only Indian trees that help to control temperature, provide shade as well as shelter to birds,” he said. 

A tree expert working with the State Government who requested anonymity said, “In a city like Navi Mumbai where the green cover is reducing and urban heat effect is increasing due to rapid concretisation how can someone even think of giving up space of one tree by planting these useless palms instead of native varieties,” he said. 

Despite repeated attempts made Navi Mumbai Municipal Commissioner Tukaram Munde was not available to comment on the issue.

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