Over 100 Suru trees on Vasai beach poisoned

In a disturbing trend which may have adverse ramifications on the environment, over hundred trees along the serene beach of Suruchi baugh at Vasai have been poisoned and destroyed in the past three days.

The local mafia is allegedly cutting these Suru or Casuarina trees and supplying them to people who build tents and repair fishing boats. These trees help prevent soil erosion and flooding during high tides.

According to environment activist Pratik Thakur, the mafia pours kerosene and pesticide on the roots of these trees and damage their strength. The trees eventually die and get uprooted. This makes it easy for the mafia to avoid coming under the lens of the government authorities as they don't have to axe the trees.

"They poison the trees indiscriminately. There were hundreds of Suru trees along this beach which helped the nearby villages by preventing floods," said Thakur.

He added that three days back a group of youth was axing the trees that fell down due to poisoning. They took away the logs in the tempo. "We have complained to the forest department several times, but nothing has been done," added Thakur.

Vasai Tehsildar Rajendra Chavan said that they have asked the department concerned to keep a watch on illegal felling of trees. "Action will be taken if such incidents are noticed," said Chavan.