MUMBAI: The
BMC Tree Authority
’s decision to allow hacking of over 2,000
trees
at Aarey Colony was taken in “haste” since the model code of conduct is likely to come into effect soon for the assembly elections in October, a petition told the
Bombay high court
on Tuesday.
Activist Zoru Bhathena, who had earlier challenged the composition of the tree panel, again moved the HC, seeking quashing of the tree panel’s August 29 resolution affecting 2,646 trees — 2,185 to be cut and 461 transplanted. The matter will be heard on Wednesday.
The petition says he moved HC due to the “brazen breach” by the Tree Authority in complying with the July 19 judgment, which mandated a procedure to be followed under the trees Act, including giving reasons. It said that while the resolution was passed by a majority of 8:6, corporator-member Kaptan Malik (of NCP) and an expert on the panel Sashirekha Sureshkumar claimed they had never consented to the felling of trees. “She (Sureshkumar) has also recorded that no due process was followed for the assessment of the site and that the recommendations made by her and her colleagues had not been considered when passing the impugned resolution,” added the petition.
Bhathena pointed out that the present proposal had been floated in 2014 and was either withdrawn or postponed due to stiff opposition. “On the present occasion, the proposal has been passed by fraudulent methods,’’ he added. The activist has also sought a stay on the resolution pending hearing and disposal of his petition and to restrain the Tree Authority from issuing tree removal permission to the Mumbai Metro Rail Corporation.