28 August,2011 08:22 AM IST | | Saurabh Katkurwar
NMMC gave permission to chop the trees between January and July this year
In what has outraged many environmentalists in the city, it has emerged that the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) approved the cutting down of 625 trees between the months of January and July this year.
The Horticulture Department of the NMMC reportedly received a number of complaints from various individuals and offices in the city about trees that ran the risk of falling or were in the way of construction of buildings.
The municipal body reportedly verified the complaints and gave the go ahead for the chopping of 625 trees.
According to Chandrakant Tayde, Administrative Officer of the Horticulture Department, NMMC, this is commonplace. He said, "We receive floods of such requests all the time. We approve their requests only after
thorough verification."
Environmentalists are, however, aghast and believe that the satellite city is fast losing its green cover. Dr Ashok Kothari, Honourable Secretary at Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) said, "How can permission to chop so many trees be given?"
According to many environmentalists, the reason why the city is fast losing its green cover is the faulty manner in which people who get permission to chop trees are encouraged to replant another tree. According to rules, any person who gets permission to chop a tree has to submit Rs 100. The amount is refunded only after evidence of him replanting a tree is provided. An NMMC official on condition of anonymity said, "Rs 100 is too little a sum. People will rather forego the amount than take the trouble of planting another tree."
