At least three large, decades-old trees were felled on Dattatray Road in Santacruz West over the past few days as part of ongoing gutter repairs and road-widening work being carried out by the BMC
Santacruz resident Ajit Ajgaonkar, who accused the BMC of operating as per its convenience; (right) Navneet Madan, a resident who alleges that the manner in which the trees are being cut will prevent them from growing
Santacruz West residents have raised serious concerns over what they call a glaring contradiction in the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) approach towards environmental protection and civic works. While the civic body has recently tightened norms to curb rising pollution levels across Mumbai to better the Air Quality Index (AQI) levels, locals allege that the same authority is indiscriminately cutting trees in their neighbourhood in the name of development.
At least three large, decades-old trees were felled on Dattatray Road in Santacruz West over the past few days as part of ongoing gutter repairs and road-widening work being carried out by the BMC. According to residents, workers on site claimed that the trees were cut because they “might fall” during the digging process, a justification that has failed to convince locals.
“This is sheer irony,” said Mamta Chavan, a Santacruz resident. “On the one hand, construction sites and citizens are constantly being told to follow strict norms to reduce pollution, while on the other, healthy trees that act as natural air purifiers are being chopped down without proper explanation or transparency.”
Mamata Chavan points to a tree that faced the BMC’s axe. PICS/RITIKA GONDHALEKAR
Residents also stated that the trees had been chopped in such a manner that they cannot re-grow on their own. “If one sees the top portion from where the trees have been cut, it’s flat. When a tree trunk or branch is cut flat, the tree stops growing. Thus, cutting the tree this way is a ploy to avoid felling them, as officials can state that these trees are dead,” pointed out Navneet Madan, another resident.
Furthermore, residents also stated that the authorities had refused to trim overgrown trees that were inconveniencing citizens, citing environmental concerns. “There are areas in Santacruz West where, due to the presence of large trees, one cannot use footpaths. These trees also facilitate the entry of mice and birds into certain homes. But when we requested the BMC officials to trim, not even cut, these trees, they simply refused, saying they do not have the permission to do so. They always operate as per their convenience,” said Ajit Ajgaonkar, another resident.
Residents claim they repeatedly approached civic officials and raised the issue, questioning the urgency and necessity of cutting the trees. However, they allege that all assurances received so far have been verbal, with officials promising that new trees would be planted as compensation. “There is no clarity on where these trees will be replanted or when. We have heard such promises before, but implementation is rarely seen on the ground,” said Madan.
Environmental activists point out that tree cutting, even for infrastructure projects, must follow due process, including proper permissions, public notices, and a well-defined tree transplantation or compensatory plantation plan. “Development and environment cannot be seen as mutually exclusive. Poor planning only leads to irreversible damage,” said Revati Dighe, an environmentalist.
Residents are now demanding written assurances from the civic body over a transparent plan detailing compensatory plantation.
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