226 ‘dangerous’ trees need pruning in Mumbai

Mumbai has 226 dangerous trees that urgently need to be either cut down or trimmed, municipal horticulturists told the committee of tree experts appointed to create a policy for maintaining trees and preventing mishaps due to tree falls. The seven-member group was set up after a falling tree killed a 25-year-old woman and her infant daughter in Nariman Point on July 17.

The experts are now inspecting the dangerous trees so that they can suggest what should be done. In some case, they have found more trees than listed. For instance, committee members who surveyed G (North) ward, which includes Dadar, last week said there were at least 20 dangerous trees that were not included in the list. “We have identified trees that are on the verge of collapsing, especially those in crowded areas like railway stations and places of worship,” said Avinash Kubal, director of Maharashtra Nature Park and a member of the committee.

Though many activists have blamed the choice of exotic trees for city roads as the main reason for the frequents accidents, botanists say that is not true. Dr Marselin Almeida, botanist and another member of the committee said that the tree that fell in Nariman Point was a banyan tree, an Indian species. “But it is true that many exotic species like Gulmohar do not have deep roots and are prone to accidents,” said Almeida.

Mumbai has around 12 lakh trees and thousands of saplings are planted during the monsoon by the civic body and private groups. In the last few years, environmentalists have been suggesting that more indigenous trees should be planted in the city to reduce the number of tree-fall incidents.

For instance, rain trees which are natives of Central America, are among the most popular species selected for city roads. Dr Ashok Kothari, honorary secretary of Bombay Natural History Society and committee member of the National Society of the Friends of Trees, said: “Rain trees should not planted in small lanes as they grow very tall and their roots can damage drainage lines and other underground utilities.”

Kothari is in favour of planting more Indian species like bakul, putranjiva or jamun. “They are better suited for the city and have a long life and high survival rate.”

Dr Vidyadhar Ogle, botanist and member of the National Society of the Friends of Trees said, “We should understand that most of the tree falls are on the roads. When the same variety of trees are grown in gardens, they rarely collapse because the roots develop well,” said Ogle.

Kubal said, “There are various reasons for the accidents. But, there is now an awareness among municipal staff that they should be watching for trees that pose public danger.”