Illegal tree cutting draws zero prosecution from BMC

While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is all set for the one lakh tree plantation drive scheduled to kick start from August 15, tab against the illegal cutting down of trees and subsequent prosecution against the guilty remains inconspicuous.

According to the latest report from the BMC’s garden department, less than one percent of the registered cases were prosecuted in the court. Out of the 153 cases, BMC took cognizance of only 145 cases. Only four cases of chopping down trees by advertisers were summoned in court.

“While FIRs are being lodged but lack of evidence in court and absence of an eyewitness weakens the case,” says Chandrashekhar Rokde, deputy municipal commissioner (markets and gardens). According to him, even though 80 per cent cases of unauthorised tree cutting get registered but stern action is rarely pronounced. Even if any hoarder is found guilty under the Tree Act, he can only be held up for six months or a fine of Rs 20,000 levied.

Last year, maximum cases of illegal rooting down of trees were registered in the western suburbs. Jyoti Bhosle, a corporator, said, “It takes years for a twig to mature into branches but the advertisers chop them off mercilessly to put up hoardings.”

Despite the civic body having pooled in Rs 2.5 crores this year for its tree plantation drive, the accountability of the survival rate of trees planted leaves much to be desired. Amongst the 5,925 trees planted last year, only 50% had survived.