The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has been accused of misleading the Bombay High Court by falsely claiming that deconcretisation work around nearly all trees in the city had been completed, after a recent court-ordered survey found that around 80 per cent of trees still remain surrounded by concrete, asphalt, paver blocks or construction debris.
The allegation was made on Tuesday by intervenor petitioner Sagar Ugale during a hearing before a division bench of Justice Ajay Gadkari and Justice Kamal Khata. Through advocate Vijay Kurle, Ugale informed the court that the BMC's affidavit submitted two years ago which claimed that only five per cent of tree deconcretisation work remained was incorrect and misleading.
The findings are based on a joint inspection conducted under the High Court's directions after it questioned the civic body's earlier claims. Officials from the BMC's gardens and roads departments, along with the petitioner, surveyed 832 trees across more than 35 roads and locations in seven municipal wards.
According to the survey report, 321 trees were found to have inadequate open space around their trunks, while 471 trees require scientific and time-bound remedial measures. The inspection revealed that many trees continue to be encircled by concrete, asphalt, paver blocks, debris and road construction material, restricting water seepage, air circulation to roots and natural growth.
The report recommended the complete removal of concrete and debris from around tree bases, restoration of permeable soil around roots and proper demarcation to prevent fresh concretisation. It also stated that mere paper compliance is insufficient for effective tree conservation.
The intervenor petitioner further urged the court to fix accountability if civic officials or contractors had falsely shown completion of the work without carrying it out on the ground. Taking note of the submissions, the High Court directed the petitioner to provide the BMC with the detailed survey data, supporting material and recommendations for further consideration.
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