Tree Committee member Nandu Vichare said, "Saplings are planted and then forgotten. They are not nurtured, resulting in weak growth."
Just a few days after the monsoon set in, Mumbai streets have been littered with struck-down trees. According to the Disaster Management Cell of the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), as many as 19 trees collapsed on Friday alone. Even as concretisation remains the primary reason behind tree collapse, activists believe repeated digging of roads and immature tree plantation were equally responsible.
According to a detailed rain report by the BMC, approximately 8,367 trees collapsed between 2010 and 2015. "The numbers are high because the BMC does not have a concrete plan to save trees while working on roads. Frequent digging of roads for different projects has also hampered the growth of roots. Due to this, the trees grow weak and fall down during heavy showers," said Abbas Kapasi, member of the Tree Committee.
Environmental activist Abba Ranware said, "The BMC needs to identify infected or damaged trees and trim their branches to reduce the load on them. At present, trimming and cutting of trees is done in a haphazard manner." Activists also suggested spreading awareness among citizens regarding the issue.
Meanwhile, even as the Tree Committee members claim to have brought up the issue in their meetings several times, such mishaps continue to happen. "We have discussed planned cutting and trimming, along with sensitising people on contacting the BMC when they locate a weak tree. The plan has not been completely implemented," said Tree Committee member Nandu Vichare.
He added, "Saplings are planted and then forgotten. They are not nurtured, resulting in weak growth. It is not the responsibility of the BMC alone. Citizens can participate by using the free manure distributed by the BMC and by planting local species."
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