Tree authority gets proposals to cut 1,024 trees, may take decision at meeting today

THANE: In yet another move to sacrifice green cover for development projects, the newly constituted tree authority of Thane Municipal Corporation (TMC) has received 128 proposals to cut 1,024 trees. The proposal is part of the agenda tabled for approval during the first meeting of the tree authority on Tuesday.
Out of this, the proposal to cut 679 trees — 564 for a road-widening project on a service road on Godhbundar road near Patlipada and 115 in the Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority colony at Vartak Nagar — have come from the TMC itself.
“The cutting of trees cannot be avoided for these development projects,” said Dinesh Gawade, TMC’s gardens department inspector.
Of the remaining, builders have proposed to cut 130 trees and 215 trees are proposed to be cut following requests from private housing societies and individuals. TMC had asked for suggestions and objections from people within seven days of the issuance of notice on June 23.
“The high court is yet to give its verdict on TMC granting permission to cut 115 trees in 2013 and further considering 75 more proposals to cut 650 trees from January 1, 2013, to March 26, 2014. I am shocked that the TMC is still going ahead with considering the proposals to cut more trees,” said Chandrahas Tawde, a tree lover.
Tawde has reason to question the TMC’s move. It took a public interest litigation (155 of 2013) to be filed by Tawde before the TMC reconstituted the tree authority, two years after it became dysfunctional. Now, though a 15-member tree authority has been constituted, it has violated Section 3(3) of the Tree Act, as there is no representation of any non-government organization or individuals from the field of environment.
In addition to directing the civic body to follow the conditions laid down in the Tree Act, the HC had, in their order dated September 20, 2013, in PIL 93 of 2009, laid down the procedure to be followed by the tree authority before granting permission to cut trees.