Don’t axe trees during road widening: Panvel residents

The concretisation work of Panvel Municipal Council (PMC) to Thane Naka road has begun. It is the only road with a thick tree growth in the city.

The work has begun without any decision being taken on the 178 trees along the road and which might be a hurdle in the project.

NGOs Citizens Unity Forum (CUF) and Nisarg Mitr have met PMC chief executive officer Mangesh Chitale, appealing to him not to kill the trees for the project.

The two-km Thane Naka– PMC road is dotted with trees on both sides of the road. This provides cool shelter for pedestrians and motorists who use it, especially in the summer heat. There are various species of new and old trees here. They also attract a number of birds to the area.

CUF president Arun Bhise said: “The road is being concretised and widened. The PMC has, however, not announced what it intends to do with the trees. This has led to speculation that the trees could be felled.”

He added, “We met the CEO earlier this week and stated that we are strongly opposed to the destruction of the trees. We have also given a letter in this regard to him.”

Bhise said the CEO had told them that a decision on the issue would be taken at a meeting of the Tree Authority and that the trees would be replanted.

Suresh Risbud, a tree authority member who was present for the meeting complained that the tree authority meeting is not held regularly. Chitale assured that the meeting will be held soon.

A member of Nisarg Mitr said: “We have decided to save the trees. We are opposed to the replanting proposal.”

“The PMC has totally failed over the years to replant the trees. The assurances are only on paper. The destruction of trees will have its effect on the environment, birds and insects that are dependent on it.”