Colaba residents hire arborist to help access health of trees – Times of India

MUMBAI: Colaba residents on Friday began their initiative to access the health of large trees in the area through an arborist whom they had hired privately.
The BMC presently has no policy in place to check the health of trees internally and a physical inspection is undertaken by the tree department staff of every ward.
Vaibhav Raje-the arborist hired used a resistograph, an instrument designed to detect decay and cavities in trees and timber.
Residents who have the support of former Colaba corporator Makrand Narwekar said that this effort could serve as a model for similar initiatives across the wards in the city.
Bella Shah from the citizen’s group –My Dream Colaba said that it is imperative to check tree health periodically. “If this is not done it could lead to casualties too in case of the tree crashing,” said Shah.
Another resident Joanette Remedios said that trees that may look healthy from the outside could also be infected or have decayed from within and therefore it is essential to conduct such health inspections.
Narwekar who was present during Friday’s tree assessment said that the device being used would generate a report giving out complete details on the health of the tree.
“Today, the BMC has made fire audits and structural audits compulsory but there is no proper tree audit done by experts. Earlier, the arborist had come and tagged the trees after a visual inspection and those found to be infected or dangerous are being assessed further through the inspection,” he said.
When asked if he thought about tying up with the BMC for the initiative Narwekar said that the civic body does not have the funds for such an initiative.
When TOI used the resistograph, it was found that the machine inserted a needle into the tree and provided a health assessment.
Raje said that the data can then guide decisions on whether the tree requires trimming, crown reduction, or complete removal.
The trees being assessed on Friday included Gulmohar, Sommohar and rain trees. Raje said that the reports on the condition of the trees should be out in a fortnight.
Harshita Narwekar a former corporator from Cuffe Parade said that while the survey is currently being done of trees along Colaba Post Office, Captain Prakash Pethe Marg, Wodehouse road but there are plans to extend it to trees along other roads too.