Civic body warns of action for damaging trees; zone-wise teams deployed to prevent monsoon mishaps

Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar: The municipal administration has issued a strong warning of legal action against those damaging trees within its limits, even as it stepped up efforts to prevent tree-related accidents ahead of the monsoon by deploying zone-wise staff across the city.In a twin initiative during the pre-monsoon period to protect the urban environment and avert potential mishaps, the garden and tree authority department has intensified its drive, ‘Khile Mukt Jhade... Vedana Mukt Nisarg' (nail-free trees, pain-free nature).Civic officials said nails being hammered into tree trunks to put up advertisement boards, banners and decorative lighting, along with internet and service wires tied around trees, are causing severe damage and stunting their growth. Chhatrapati Sambhajinagar Municipal Corporation (CSMC) commissioner Amol Yedge warned, "Such practices weaken trees from within due to pest infestation, increasing the likelihood of trees or branches collapsing during strong winds."With the monsoon approaching, the administration has flagged the risk posed by old, dried and pest-infested trees across public places and major roads. "Falling trees or branches can lead to loss of life and property. To prevent such incidents, zone-wise employees have been appointed to identify and address hazardous trees," another civic official said.As a part of the drive, around 150 trees have already been freed from nails and wires. However, violations continue in several areas.The civic body has urged citizens to report any dangerous, dried or pest-infested trees to the garden and tree authority department at Siddharth Udyan in writing, so that timely action can be taken. Contact details of designated staff have been circulated for assistance and reporting.The CSMC reiterated that damaging trees is a punishable offence under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, and the Maharashtra Prevention of Defacement of Property Act, 1995, with provisions for penal action.Citizens, institutions, commercial establishments and advertisers have been given seven days to voluntarily remove nails, boards and cables from trees and refrain from defacing public property. Failing this, strict legal action will be initiated, civic officials claimed, while appealing for public cooperation to keep the city green, safe and pollution-free