Even in the last monsoon, two-thirds of the incidents of tree collapsing occurred on private land, where tree trimming was the responsibility of the owners
Though the tree experts and residents blame Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) for poor trimming of trees and deaths due to tree/branches, the data collected by the civic body shows more than double trees/branches which collapsed in the last two days of strong winds were in private premises. Even in the last monsoon, two-thirds of the incidents of tree collapsing occurred on private land, where tree trimming was the responsibility of the owners.
As per the latest census of trees, there are around 29 lakh trees in the city, out of which 15.63 lakhs or 54 per cent of trees are on private premises. Total 11.25 lakh trees are on government areas and 1.1 lakh trees are in the gardens. There are nearly 1.85 lakh trees are along the roadside.
BMC has sanctioned contract of Rs 45 crores per year for tree trimming. BMC charged private housing societies and institute to trim the trees. But very few housing societies come forward due to high charges, Rs 5 to 10 thousand per tree.
TREE CENSUS
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- 29 lakh – Total number of trees in the city
- 15.63 lakh – Trees in private premises
- 11.25 lakh – Trees in government areas
- 1.1 lakh – Trees in garden
- 1.85 lakh – Roadside trees
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BMC officials claim that as per the data, most of the tree falls were reported from the private premises. "We take the precaution of trimming the trees, but the residents also have to take care of trimming. Many housing societies do not take BMC's help to avoid charges. It resulted in more number of tree collapse," said an officer from the Garden Department.
"BMC promotes trees planting in the private premises due to insufficient place on the roads. So it should provide tree trimming in subsidised rates as small housing societies can't afford it," said Abhijeet Samant, corporator and member of Tree Authority. He added, "We also demanded mechanised tree cutting tool and ask to train local youth so that the trimming cost will reduce."
Last monsoon 510 trees collapsed, out of which 367 or two-thirds were from the private land such as housing societies or industrial areas. Even most of the tree branch falling incidents reported from the private premises.
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