Most trees can breathe for now, TMC eases hacking plan

Thane: The Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) is going slow on its decision of cutting 1,024 trees for which it had received proposals.
In a meeting held on Tuesday, which lasted for nearly four hours, majority of the proposals were deferred, only a few were accepted. Corporators said that a survey had to be undertaken to figure out how many trees could be saved or replanted.Meanwhile the civic body is also thinking of appointing a special agency for replanting all trees which will be cut in due course of time.
Of the 1,024 trees, 564 are located along Ghodbunder Road, 115 at Vartak Nagar and the remaining are scattered across the city. Among the 564 trees, the ones that are capable of being replanted will be done so behind the civic commissioner’s bungalow, claims TMC.
The civic body had asked for suggestions and objections from people within seven days of the issuance of notice on June 23. According to the rules for development projects, if one tree is hacked, five have to be planted at other places in lieu of this.
Vimal Bhoir, a corporator said that before cutting the trees, a survey should to be undertaken to see how many trees can be saved or replanted. She added that there is a need to save as many trees as possible. Corporators also said that the High Court was yet to give its verdict on TMC granting permission to cut 115 trees in Vartak Nagar. A criminal case will be filed against a builder for cutting trees without the permission of the tree authority.