TMC to set up metal tree grates in Thane to save them from choking

Thane will now have metal grates at the base of the trees in public areas to save them from choking. Considering the growing number of tree falling incidents in Thane, the Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) decided to use grates. The officials believe that these grates will give space for the roots to breathe, even in case of road widening. 

Last year,  advocate Kishore Pawar lost his life when a tree fell on him. Following this incident, Thane-based activist Rohit Joshi filed a public interest litigation (PIL) in the Bombay high court, highlighting the poor condition of trees.

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Meanwhile, TMC formed a committee to look into tree falling incidents, particularly during the monsoon season. As per the committee findings, most of the trees in Thane had a concrete base that made them more fragile.

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) in its 2015 order, had directed the BMC to de-concretise the base of trees, leaving them surrounded only by natural soil. Joshi said that the TMC never followed the order despite the same had decided to implement in in March.

For now, the TMC has set up metal grates on trees at Bajiprabhu Deshpande road in Naupada.