Aarey Colony plot where rescued trees go to die

Around 20 palm trees that were transplanted on the low-lying border stretch of Aarey Milk Colony are submerged in half-foot-deep water. Pic/ Nimesh Dave

The trees that are being uprooted for the ongoing Metro project may die anyway, thanks to the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority's (MMRDA) halfhearted approach towards saving them.

Three months after mid-day reported how 25-odd trees that were transplanted at a plot identified in Aarey Milk Colony were left to die, another 15 to 20 trees that were removed from the Dahisar-Andheri East stretch and given a new home in the same plot, appear to be heading towards a similar fate.

The trees, which were transplanted in a low-lying plot in Aarey Milk Colony, are partially submerged under water due to this week's downpour, putting the trees at risk.

Nature and wildlife lover Kaushal Dubey,who frequents the area on a daily basis, said most of the trees are almost on the verge of dying. "First of all, the entire transplantation exercise is hogwash. Anyone who visits the area knows that the portion of the plot where the trees were transplanted is a low-lying plot," he said.

When this reporter visited the plot, we noticed that while many trees that were planted on the plot were surviving, around 20 palm trees that were transplanted on the low-lying border stretch were submerged in half-foot-deep water. With more rain expected this season, the situation is likely to worsen.

Environmentalist and activist Biju Augustine said, "The authorities should have done a proper survey while identifying the site for transplantation."