Metro-7 work choking the life out of heritage tree

If the construction material is not cleared at the earliest, it might harm the tree. Representation pic

It has been observed that the construction material lying near the under-construction Dahisar-Andheri East Metro Line 7 station is posing a threat to a heritage banyan tree.

On Thursday, mid-day visited the stretch of the construction site near the Western Express Highway in Jogeshwari East, close to Balasaheb Thackeray Trauma Centre, and found a very old banyan tree. The heritage tree was surrounded by construction material, stones, gravel and traces of concrete. If the same is not cleared at the earliest then it might harm the health of the tree. However, it seems the concerned contractor is least bothered about protecting that heritage tree.

Green activist Zoru Bhathena, who has been fighting to save trees in Mumbai, said, "Care for trees must come from the heart. No amount of laws and court orders can make people care. It is extremely sad to see that MMRDA simply doesn't care for the trees."

Time and again the government has appealed to several agencies that while implementing the various public infrastructure projects, the authorities should take all the possible measures to protect the trees.

Debi Goenka, executive trustee of Conservation Action Trust, said, "The canopy of this magnificent tree has been severely lopped, and the tree seems unbalanced as well. In addition, no space has been left at the base for the roots to breathe. It would be great if Aadityaji (Thackeray) can get MMRDA to give up some of its heritage style of working, and instead learn to protect our true heritage."

In June 2021, the government had cleared the action plan to protect and preserve trees older than 50 years in urban areas by terming them as heritage trees.

Stalin D, director, Vanashakti, said, "The spirit and intent of the chief minister to protect the heritage trees is not being followed by the authorities concerned. These are trees that can be transplanted if proper scientific methods are adopted and money is spent on them. We only hope that this kind of carnage is not allowed to be continued. The officials should take a serious note about the location where the tree is in bad condition and action should be taken against the contractor responsible."

June
Month in 2021 when the govt cleared a tree plan