FIR filed against builder for chopping mangrove trees

Around 200 trees were cut at the five-acre plot in Borivli

MHB Colony Police Station has finally filed an FIR against a construction company for chopping off around 196 trees including 150 mangroves. The police is yet to make any arrests.

The felled mangroves at MHB Colony

Vijay Shinde, sub inspector of MHB police station said: “Earlier we had registered only Non-cognisable offence against unknown people, but following BMC’s survey, we have now registered a case against the Director’s Body of Eco Home Construction Private Limited for demolishing around 196 trees including mangroves.

Although we are yet to arrest anyone in the case, Jayantilal Patel, the owner of the company is under the scanner. We are probing the matter further.”

Earlier mid-day (on March 15) had reported that locals of MHB colony in Borivali West had lodged a complaint with the municipal corporator Shiva Shetty regarding the same.

Talking to mid-day, Shetty said: “I visited the Eco Home-owned plot after reading the complaint filed by the locals and found the chopped mangroves trees still lying on the five-acre plot owned by the builder. I informed to BMC officer and registered a complaint with the R-central ward of Brihunmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC). I also clicked pictures of the felled mangroves trees and submitted it to the BMC as evidence for further inquiry.”

Amol Ingle, a junior officer in the BMC tree department junior, central region said: “After Shetty’s complaint, we informed the police who then filed the FIR.”

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