Mumbai tree safety concerns grow as Dadar residents flag ageing trees near Shivaji Park

Trees that appear to be in a precarious situation around Shivaji Park in Dadar West on Thursday. PICS/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR

The recent tree collapse in Chembur, which killed one child and injured four others, has once again raised serious concerns over the condition of ageing and neglected trees across Mumbai.

While heavy rainfall and strong winds are often blamed for such mishaps, environmentalists argue that human intervention is a major reason why otherwise healthy trees become structurally weak.

Considering the same, residents of Dadar, home to the city's one of the city's greenest patches - the Shivaji Park - have raised serious concerns about the condition of huge trees in the vicinity.

Main reasons trees in city are getting damaged

1. Concreting of roads
2. Tying of safety nets by developers
3. Insufficient water percolation (According to Dadar residents)

Marol mishap

On Thursday, another huge tree fell near Lok Darshan Society at Marol in Andheri. While none were injured, an autorickshaw was completely crushed under the tree. This was the second such incident in two consecutive days in the same locality.

Voices of concern

Jyotsna Sawant, senior citizen
‘Trees need open soil around their roots to absorb water and breathe. When the entire base is covered with concrete, the roots suffocate and gradually weaken, making the tree vulnerable to collapse during the monsoon'

Yashwant Killedar, local corporator
‘Inadequate space for water percolation and construction activities often damage root systems. Developers frequently tie safety nets, scaffolding, and construction material to mature trees. This injures the bark and trunk, inviting fungal infections and decay. The damage may not be visible immediately, but over time, the tree becomes hollow. Also, the branches are pulled against their natural inclination once these ropes are tied, which also has an impact. The government has laid down norms regarding leaving space around trees before concreting. But once the contracts are given, no one supervises anything'

Deepa Prabhale, Dadar resident
‘There are several large trees in our neighbourhood with concrete right up to the trunk. We have repeatedly requested authorities to remove the cement and inspect these trees before the monsoon, but little has changed. Apart from this, there are open manholes on the road. We don't know whether to look down on the road so that we don't fall in a manhole or look up to ensure that no tree falls on us'

[popcorn number="June 30" desc="Day Chembur tragedy occurred" class="Default"]