MUMBAI: A green
tree was fully cut from its trunk by civic workers at Powai’s Rambaug Lane on Saturday after one of its branches had fallen on the road. While the local tree lovers have expressed shock at why the tree was extremely chopped, the municipal tree official has informed that the local MLA (Dilip Lande) had pointed out that it was a “dangerous tree”.
A tree lover from Rambaug Lane, countered: “The tree was green and looked healthy. During the recent rains, one branch from the top end had fallen down. If this branch had been removed, along with regular pruning, this tree could have survived. It took 20 years for the tree to grow this tall and beautiful, and just two minutes to reduce it to a stump.”
When TOI reached the spot, some of the civic workers said, “There were orders from the MLA (Lande) to cut this tree and prune a few others. After inspecting it, we had to cut it from the trunk.” The BMC ‘S’ ward (gardens department) official, S Mohite, replied back in a text message, “Dead subabul tree was cut. I ordered to cut at safer height. Local MLA pointed out that (it was) dangerous tree.”
When TOI contacted the local Chandivali constituency MLA, Lande, his aide, Virag Padalkar, who took the call responded, “A big branch of the tree had fallen on the road. Hence, we had contacted the municipal body to act on this issue.”
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Mumbai: Tree fully chopped from trunk by civic workers in Powai; activists express concern
A green tree in Powai’s Rambaug Lane was fully cut down by civic workers after a branch fell on the road. Local tree lovers expressed shock at the extreme chopping, while the municipal tree official claimed it was a dangerous tree. The workers stated they had orders from the local MLA to cut the tree. Tree activists are concerned about the excessive pruning of trees in Mumbai and the lack of supervision during such operations. They argue that a healthy green canopy is essential to combat climate change.
Delhi: PWD to prune trees affecting traffic
The Public Works Department (PWD) in New Delhi will be running a campaign to prune trees that are obstructing traffic and pedestrian movement on roads. Heads of road maintenance divisions have been instructed to apply for permission from the forest department and carry out the necessary pruning. The PWD has given a deadline of September 30 for the completion of the work, after which inspections will be conducted. Additionally, the PWD will also be fixing potholes and leveling manholes and drain covers during this time.
Sandalwood tree chopped, stolen from Kamatibaug
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