Most transplanted trees are sans leaves

The Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation’s mass tree felling had led to a public outcry: Over 5000 trees were to be uprooted for the Metro 3 project. But after the citizens approached the Bombay High Court, they were assured by the MMRCL that the ColabaBandra-SEEPZ project will affect 2,811 trees, of which 1,727 will be transplanted. Despite these assurances, the worst fears of citizens have been reinforced, as revealed in the tree inspection conducted by environmentalists along with officers appointed by the Bombay High Court tree committee on Monday.

An inspection of transplanted trees shockingly revealed that 42 per cent of these trees were bare, without leaves – a condition where the tree is either dying or dead. Zoru Bathena, a Khar resident and tree activist said, “We inspected a total of 1,138 transplanted trees of which 478 were observed without leaves and showed no signs of sprouting that is 42 per cent trees without leaves. This is a big issue.” The tree committee members will now make their official report and submit it to the High Court judges on the committee. The next Tree Committee hearing is on February 2. Stalin D, founder of Vanashakti NGO, said, “MMRCL promised the court that they will provide state-ofthe-art transplantation and had also appointed a Singapore-based arborist for Rs 21 lakh per month. The ground reality is totally different.”

Environmentalists also complained that the area looked like a graveyard of trees. There were only stumps, without leaves and roots carelessly cut off. But when the Bombay High Court-appointed committee, comprising a group of citizens, visited the transplantation site in Juhu, they were surprised to see 54 trees swaying in full glory. Environmental groups had in June 2017 said that trees removed for transplantation from Metro III construction sites at Aarey Milk Colony may not survive as they have not been replanted properly.

Under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, three new saplings have to be planted for every tree that is felled. A tree can also be transplanted at some other place. In compliance with the Tree Authority directives, MMRC had stated that they will plant three new trees for each that is axed.