Mumbai: Activists slam BMC for planting trees on unstable, mud-dumped Aarey land

Uneven land in Aarey Milk Colony, where the saplings are being planted. PIC/BY SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Mumbai -based environmentalists and activists have raised serious concerns over the manner in which the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is carrying out tree plantation on an uneven stretch of land in Aarey Milk Colony, questioning the very intent behind the exercise. They allege that the plantation - meant as compensatory afforestation for trees affected by the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project - is being carried out on the same plot where large quantities of mud were dumped several years ago.

Nature lovers argue that the site is unsuitable for plantation due to the uneven terrain and poor soil conditions, making the long-term survival of the newly planted trees highly uncertain. An official from the Aarey Milk Colony CEO's office said, "Last year, our office had given an NOC to the BMC for carrying out compensatory plantation of the trees impacted by the GMLR project, on a plot in Aarey Milk Colony near the Tapeshhwar Temple."

On Sunday, activist Tabrez Ali Sayed visited the site where plantation work is underway, and was taken aback by the way saplings had been planted on uneven terrain. Speaking with mid-day, Sayed said, "This is the same plot where, years ago, 3 lakh metric tonnes of mud were dumped, and the area served as a buffer for the Mithi River. Ideally, the land should have been restored to its original condition. Unfortunately, it is now being used for plantation. I doubt these trees will survive, as the ground is severely uneven in some sections."

Sayed has also photographed the site, and the images clearly show that the section of land where the plantation is being carried out is extremely uneven. One of the pictures also shows how the pits made for planting trees have been dug up on the uneven surface. On the other side, some trees have been planted on a levelled area, but activists believe that the trees won't survive due to the soil dumped on the land. The visuals suggest that the chances of the saplings surviving under such conditions are slim.

Environmentalist Stalin D, from NGO Vanashakti, said, "As per our information, the BMC is carrying out plantation near the Tapeshwar Temple in Aarey Milk Colony. The fact that saplings are being planted on uneven land without any proper landscaping shows that the work is being done merely as a formality, with little concern for whether the trees will survive."

mid-day has repeatedly highlighted how trees that have been planted in Aarey by different agencies in the past have died in some places. However, there are also areas where the planted trees have survived due to proper monitoring and follow-ups.