Congress Launches Campaign To Protect Mumbai Trees

Mumbai has witnessed a rise in tree falls this monsoon, prompting the Congress party to launch a public campaign to protect trees. The campaign, titled 'Protect Mumbai Trees', encourages citizens to report concretised tree bases to the BMC.

The initiative comes after a tree fall mishap in Chembur killed an 11-year-old school boy, Vihan Shrivastav. It is alleged that the tree's roots were weakened due to the absence of mandatory open space around its base, caused by road concretisation.

Congress spokesperson Sheetal Mhatre launched the campaign, stating that providing a 1x1 meter space around trees is part of BMC regulations and road concreting contracts. However, the rule is not being followed in many places, and payments are made even when work remains incomplete, resulting in trees falling during rains.

The Congress party has appealed to citizens to post pictures of concretised tree bases on Twitter, tagging the official BMC handle and using the hashtag #ProtectMumbaiTrees. Mhatre believes that if every Mumbaikar reports at least one such incident, it will put pressure on the BMC administration to take action and complete the unfinished work.

Activist Godfrey Pimenta has also highlighted similar violations along the Eastern Express Highway, where trees are susceptible to uprooting due to the absence of mandatory space around their bases. Pimenta has complained to the BMC commissioner and the secretary of the ministry of environment and forest, stating that the tree pits have been reduced in size or covered with concrete, preventing proper aeration and root expansion.

The recent instances of tree collapses during the monsoon underscore the urgency of addressing this issue before it results in loss of life or property. The 'Protect Mumbai Trees' campaign aims to raise awareness and prompt the BMC to take action to prevent such incidents.

The campaign's success relies on citizen participation, and Mumbaikars are encouraged to report concretised tree bases to the BMC. By doing so, citizens can help prevent tree falls and ensure the safety of themselves and others.

In the long run, the campaign hopes to bring about a change in the way the BMC approaches road concretisation and tree maintenance. By prioritizing the safety of trees and citizens, the BMC can work towards creating a more sustainable and environmentally-friendly urban landscape.

The 'Protect Mumbai Trees' campaign is a step towards protecting Mumbai's trees and preventing tree falls. It is essential for citizens to participate and report concretised tree bases to the BMC to ensure the campaign's success.