Locals livid over tree-felling plan
Bandra Residents Write To BMC Against ‘Haphazard’ Widening Of Roads …..Sukhada Tatke I TNN
Mumbai: Bandra residents still remember the time they got together two years ago and helped save a huge 100-year-old peepul tree on Hill Road from falling prey to the BMC’s axe. They convinced the civic body not to touch the tree for the proposed road-widening. The civic body left it untouched.
Today, the residents are again up in arms against the tree authority’s public notice in a newspaper last week, for granting permission to chop off at least 75 trees in the Khar-Bandra area for various road-widening projects.
On Monday, residents’ groups of the area even sent letters to the BMC expressing their disapproval of the plan.
About 18 trees on Perry Cross Road, 35 trees on Mount Mary Road and the remaining in other areas of Khar have been earmarked for felling and local activists said none of this was even brought to their notice. “We are not against development per se, but we are against this haphazard way of development. How can permission be given in this manner without even informing the active residents’ groups? We could have pitched in with our suggestions,’’ said Shyama Kulkarni, chairperson of the H West Ward Citizens’ Forum.
Anandini Thakoor, managing trustee of the Khar Residents’ Association, was appalled that they didn’t have a clue about these projects. “What road widening are they talking about? How can they go ahead with it at the cost of trees? We are active in our areas and we haven’t even heard of this plan,’’ she said. “As it is, there are very few trees. If we need to cut them, there will be nothing left later.’’
Not only were the residents reportedly kept in the dark, but the department concerned of the local ward office was also not aware of this proposal. Horticulture assistant of H West ward Mohammad Khan was surprised to hear about the plan. “We should have a joint inquiry.’’ Tree authority officials were not available for comment.
A couple of years ago, those living on Perry Road had joined hands with the BMC and planned the cutting of trees. “For the storm water drain work, eight trees had to be felled. But we discussed and came to the conclusion that we would plant 16 trees to make up for those that were to be cut,’’ said Anil Joseph of the Perry Road ALM. “We have already planted eight trees and are now going to plant eight more,’’ he added.
GREEN WAR: Residents of Khar and Bandra said they were not informed about the trees that will be chopped