Mumbai: Tree fully chopped from trunk by civic workers in Powai; activists express concern – Times of India

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 down on the road.
While the local tree lovers have expressed shock at why the tree was extremely chopped like this, the municipal tree official has informed that the local MLA (Dilip Lande) had pointed out that it was a ‘dangerous tree’.
“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 this tree to grow this tall and beautiful; and just two minutes to reduce it to a stump,” countered a tree lover from Rambaug Lane.
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.”
“Dead subabul tree was cut. I ordered to cut at safer height. Local MLA pointed out that (it was) dangerous tree,” said BMC ‘S’ ward (gardens department) official, S Mohite in reply to a text message.
However, Mohite did not comment on the query if any tree official was present to supervise this cutting.
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.”
A tree activist, Tabrez Sayed, who has regularly demonstrated on the Save Aarey Forest green issue, commented, “It is worrisome that many trees are very badly hacked under the garb of doing ‘pruning’. I recently saved a Neem tree from being destroyed from the base near NITIE, close to Powai lake, as the written order with the workers simply stated ‘pruning’. Also, a supervising tree official is rarely present for such operations. Mumbai certainly needs a healthy green canopy cover, especially now when Climate Change effects are being felt.”
“The BMC contractors keep chopping the tree branches, and leave behind just a few leaves. Green canopy is badly reduced during pruning in various city wards, which therefore reduces the cool shade, leading to more heat. It is ironical that in America, the Biden administration has announced investment of US dollars 1 Billion to increase the green tree canopies in urban areas, to combat climate change. It will be good if BMC at least ensures that a senior tree official is always present during the pruning activity,” said Amrita Bhattacharjee, another green activist.