Twenty-four trees were uprooted and 67 branches fell on Wednesday after strong winds and rain caused by cyclone Vayu hit the city. Environmentalists fear the city will lose a large number of trees this monsoon, despite pre-monsoon trimming being carried out by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC).
Till May 27, the BMC had removed 442 dead or dangerous trees, against the target of 492. Of the 99,507 trees that required trimming, 84,005 were pruned.
The civic body had issued 6,448 notices to private properties to ensure they trim trees on their premises. Tenure of new trimming contractors’ began on June 1. Recently, one person died in Andheri when a branch fell on him.
The Hindu had reported on Thursday that on Wednesday, the BMC’s disaster control unit received 75 complaints of tree falling. It is now clear that actually, 24 trees got uprooted and 67 branches fell, bringing the total number of cases to 91.
Of the 24 trees, seven were on public premises while the rest in private properties. Of the 67 branches, 36 were on public premises while 31 in private properties. In Borivali (R Central) ward, four trees were uprooted, and 12 branches fell in Andheri (East). On private premises, it is the owner’s responsibility to trim trees. The owner can do it himself or request the BMC to do it.
A gardens department official said the only reason behind the falling of trees is the high wind speed. “Many a time, trees fall in the first rain as they cannot bear it. Also it must be noted that most of these trees were in private properties. People do not trim trees despite we sending notices.”
But activist Godfrey Pimenta is not convinced. “It cannot be 91, in fact much higher. When I was in Fort on Wednesday, I saw so many fallen branches. A major reason behind this is concretisation around tree roots. This is despite an NGT order to the BMC to remove the concrete,” Mr. Pimenta said.
When pointed out that most of the trees were on private premises, he said, “If the BMC can take action against private dilapidated buildings, why not here? There are provisions in the Act. But the real issue is the department does not have the machinery to prosecute thousands of people who do not comply with its order.”