Tree falls: BMC mulls setting up panel to get to root of matter

After seven people died in the city after being struck by falling trees across Mumbai in this year's monsoon, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) is now mulling a committee to study the reason for this occurrence.

There have been tree fall deaths in previous years as well but more casualties this year and the season is not yet over. According to an official from the garden department, the civic body wants to get to the root of the mater. The proposed committee will comprise of five members, of which at least two will be professors of botanical science, apart from experts.

"We want the committee to study the main cause of frequent tree and branch falls and come up with a possible solution," said the official. However, he added that the plan is still in the germinating stage and will require permission from senior civic officials.

The BMC's garden department data shows it has trimmed the most number of trees in the last three years. "We have already trimmed around 94,000 trees as part of pre- and during monsoon work. In fact, we trimmed as many as 8,000 trees in July, the highest number the BMC has trimmed until now," said the official.

Another senior official from the garden department agreed there are many trees in seemingly good condition otherwise, which fall during monsoon. "It is not a normal occurrence and needs to be studied, which should yield some positive solutions as well," said the official.

Earlier studies have show concrete around the roots of a tree affects its growth and also weakens the tree. The concrete affects the development of roots and weakens the tree base, thereby compromising the anchorage of roots, while the tree does not get enough nutrients. The National Green Tribunal (NGT) had also in the past directed the civic administration to ensure there should be no concrete around the roots. Over 1,351 incidents of trees or their branches falling have occurred in the city, killing seven people.