The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has announced a scientific plan to reduce tree-fall incidents after 268 trees collapsed across the city during this monsoon. The civic body will carry out a citywide tree health audit and introduce several preventive measures to improve tree management. These include the Green Path initiative, de-concretisation around tree bases, planting native tree species, and stricter enforcement of tree protection rules.
As per a report by HT, Municipal Commissioner Dr Kailas Shinde said the new measures will make tree management more scientific and reduce tree-fall incidents in the future. The plan will also help protect the city's green cover over the long term while keeping Navi Mumbai safe and environmentally friendly.
The commissioner will soon hold a meeting with environmentalists, botanists, and arboriculturalists to prepare the outline for the tree health audit. After the framework is finalised, a specialised agency will be appointed to carry out the survey across the city.
The health audit will examine several aspects of each tree. It will check for internal decay, fungal infections, root condition, structural strength, pruning requirements, and the risk of collapse. NMMC officials are also studying the technology-based tree management system used by the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation. The civic body might build an online database of trees to monitor their condition and history.
Along with the audit, the Tree Authority will implement the Green Path initiative. Under this project, unsafe trees will be replaced with native species. Concrete and paver blocks around tree bases will be removed to improve soil aeration and allow rainwater to seep into the ground.
Mulching will be carried out around exposed roots to help retain soil moisture and nutrients. The civic body will also take stricter action against developers and housing societies that violate tree protection rules by concreting land near trees.
According to the NMMC, Navi Mumbai has received more than 1,377 mm of rainfall in just over a week during this monsoon. During the same period last year, the city had received around 830 mm of rainfall. Fallen trees blocked roads, disrupted traffic, damaged vehicles and affected public services.
As per sources, the garden department has already removed 104 dry and dangerous trees after completing the required procedures. It has also scientifically pruned 7,996 trees across the city. Notices have been issued to housing societies that violated tree maintenance rules. The civic body has spent nearly INR 83 lakh on pruning and related maintenance work.
The NMMC's disaster management department has also been responding to tree-fall incidents throughout the monsoon. Since July 3, civic teams have seen to more than 1,461 complaints related to fallen trees and branches. They have cleared roads and restored normal traffic movement across the city.
Meanwhile, the municipal corporation has launched a citywide safety drive. Last week, the mayor personally inspected rain-hit areas from Belapur to Digha before chairing an emergency review meeting, which focused on addressing safety issues before the city receives more heavy rainfall.
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