The details were provided to applicant Anil Galgali, who in his RTI application had sought details of the total number of trees cut, transplanted and those that were retained.
In a startling revelation, seven trees, on an average, are cut daily in the city. The details were provided under RTI by the office of superintendent of gardens of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). As per information, the BMC has planted 44 saplings on an average in the last three years.
The details were provided to applicant Anil Galgali, who in his RTI application had sought details of the total number of trees cut, transplanted and those that were retained.
As per the reply, a total of 7,482 trees were cut during 2014-16. Those transplanted in the same period were nearly double of those cut and stood at 13,070. Whereas, those retained were around 28,787 trees. The figure of total trees cut includes the ones axed by private individuals, BMC and also other government bodies.
The figures state the most number of trees were cut by private individuals followed by the government and then the BMC. The figures come after increasing criticism faced by the BMC and government authorities for not preserving fully grown up trees.
When it comes to saplings, a total of 49,060 saplings were planted in the last three years. BMC officials, however, could not state the survival ratio.
"I wanted to know the official figure of trees cut. In the name of development, a lot of trees are cut and a number of them are transplanted or new saplings are planted only on paper.
In a number of cases, builders mislead by stating that trees are being planted. To ensure transplantation happens, officials should be involved to keep a check on such things," said Galgali.
Chopping away
Total trees cut (2014-16)
7,842
Total trees transplanted
13,070
Total trees retained
28,787
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
 "Trees")
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
)
)
)
)
)
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}
){kind=small}