After paying hefty compensation packages for pedestrians who died or sustained injuries when trees fell on them last year, BMC is on a well-timed mission to trim trees this year
After paying hefty compensation packages for pedestrians who died or sustained injuries when trees fell on them last year, BMC is on a well-timed mission to trim trees this year
The wise men say that history always repeats itself. But going by the zeal recently displayed by employees of the garden department of BMC, that is set to change. A series of accidents last year involved dislodged branches falling on unsuspecting them, seriously injuring pedestrians, and damaging property at other times.u00a0 Spurred into action by these mishaps, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) seems to be leaving no stone unturned this year to ensure that trees are trimmed before they become dangerous. BMC's garden department has gone on a diligent pruning and trimming mission, with uncharacteristic seriousness, in order to avoid any untoward situations this year.
Taking guard: BMC's garden department has gone on a diligent pruning
and trimming mission in order to avoid any untoward situations this year
file pic
Timely trim
The body is now busy surveying trees in all the wards under its supervision, pruning those trees it suspects may pose a danger to human life and property. According to Suhas Karvande, deputy municipal commissioner (DMC), gardens, a survey was conducted in every ward to diagnose those trees that required pruning or chopping. "We have asked all our officers to look out for trees that need immediate attention, and take prompt action," he said.
Past lessons
Last year tragedy 'befell' many families, quite literally, when weakened branches fell on pedestrians, leading to loss of life or severe injury. These accidents claimed three lives, while two victims' spines were crushed. Two other victims sustained grievous injuries to their head and legs. BMC had to offer compensation packages to the affected family members. In fact, the sheer number of such cases led the BMC to implement a new law that set precedents for compensation rates. Karvande added, "This year we are taking no chances. I have already deployed a number of employees to ensure that trees are pruned into balance," he added.
A fine balance
Horticulturists are of the opinion that it is an absolute necessity to prune trees prior to the monsoons, in order to avoid such catastrophic events. "During summer, coconut trees loosen their grip on the ground. Similarly, in monsoons there are high chances that trees will topple over owing to heavy rains and winds. Thus balancing a tree before the onset of monsoon is a must. It is commendable that BMC has woken up well before the eleventh hour to take necessary steps," said Niranjan Shetty, a Tree Authority member who had persistently pressed for BMC's approval of the compensation proposals last year.
Shetty revealed that a majority of the tree-related accidents had occurred because of rotten or dead branches that got dislodged from the trunk under the pressure of rainwater. In other cases, entire trees toppled over because their shallow root systems loosened their anchorage to the soil. "Pre -monsoon work is already on. We are doing everything to avoid the recurrence of such incidents. A team of horticulturists is already working on the project. The accidents that take place even after these measures are implemented are unfortunate but unavoidable," said Vilas Shirke, superintendent of the garden department at BMC.
Not so sure
However, Nilesh Baxi who was earlier a member of Tree Authority, feels that the initiative is bound to fail.
"Earlier, there was shortage of equipment and expertise, which has been met with. But these advanced equipments are of little use if BMC's horticulturists are unaware of the basic pruning techniques," said Baxi.
Money for life
The rates for compensation offered by the BMC to victims of tree-related accidents: If the victim dies, his or her family is entitled to a compensation of more than Rs 1 lakh. If the victim is disabled after a tree falls on him, he will get a minimum compensation of Rs 25,000 and a maximum of Rs 75,000, depending on the degree of disability. Those with minor injuries avail a compensation package of Rs 25,000.
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