Mira Road: Notice claims trees will be replanted but doesn’t elaborate

The plot reserved for a garden where the trees will be removed from

While Mumbai gasps for breath as its air quality continues to plummet, the Mira Bhayandar Municipal Corporation (MBMC) has issued a notice calling for the removal of 3,267 trees from a plot reserved for a garden at Ramdev Park, the sole green patch in Mira Road East, so that an Olympic-size swimming pool can be built there.

Just last year, the MBMC organised a plantation drive in the park, with over 10,000 trees being planted in the presence of the MBMC chief, deputy commissioner and mayor. The civic body even advertised this initiative in newspapers. Krishna Gupta, a social activist, has complained to the MBMC chief, urging them not to remove these trees as they represent the last green area in Ramdev Park. The MBMC plans to remove 607 big trees - which are three metres tall from ground level and have roots that are 10 cm deep - and 2,660 small trees. The notice was issued by Yogesh Gunijan, an assistant municipal commissioner and forest officer of the MBMC.

Deliberate omission

Concerningly, the notice mentions that the trees will be replanted, but important details such as the location of the replantation, the survey number of the plot, who will bear the cost, and the survival chances of the relocated trees are not specified. This deliberate omission is outlined in the notice itself.

Ramdev Park in Mira Road East from where trees will be removed by the civic body to build an Olympic-size pool

Activists have stated that the MBMC chief, who also heads the Local Tree Authority, needs to reconsider whether it is essential to construct a swimming pool on this specific spot, especially at the expense of such a large number of trees. Gupta told mid-day, "The MBMC should explore other open plots for constructing the Olympic-size swimming pool without destroying any green areas in the city. While we support development, we cannot accept it if it comes at the cost of the environment."

He added, "I have requested the municipal commissioner to take legal action against the PWD engineer who proposed the plan for the swimming pool on the garden reservation plot. This space should not be utilised for purposes other than its intended use. If necessary, we will approach the court to prevent this illegal environmental destruction."

Activist's plea

"I urge you to halt the destruction of nature immediately, as this is being done solely for the economic and political gains of a few, under the guise of tree protection. I also request that administrative and criminal action be taken against the PWD officer responsible for proposing the swimming pool on the plot. Legal action should be taken against all MBMC officers involved in malpractice and neglect of duty," Gupta asserted.

MBMC Speak

Deputy Municipal Corporator Kalpita Pimple explained to mid-day that the notice was issued based on information from the PWD department regarding the development of the Olympic-size swimming pool. "As this is a garden reservation plot and there is need of a pool, the MBMC is following govt guidelines, beginning with the notice in the newspaper. If there are any objections regarding the tree removals, they will be addressed accordingly. The MBMC is simply following the instructions provided by the PWD department," said Pimple.