Around 1,000 trees breathe in Mumbai, as posters, nails, concrete removed from around them

NGOs including Parle Vriksha Mitra, Ekta Manch, River March LACC, Angholichi Goli along with schools and colleges participated in the campaign

The BMC along with NGOs, schools and colleges, under the Vriksha Sanjeevani Abhiyan, removed a total of 1,325 posters, 94 kg of nails and concrete from around 983 trees from across the city. The campaign is on from April 18 to 23.

"Posters, electric lights, cables, etc. damage trees. Also, the concrete stunts the growth of roots and if the soil does not absorb water, the tree may die," said a BMC official. NGOs including Parle Vriksha Mitra, Ekta Manch, River March LACC, Angholichi Goli participated in this campaign.

A before and after image of a tree free of its fetters

However, an activist has alleged that the civic body has failed to catch hold of and fine contractors who dump concrete around trees. Zoru Bhatena, a tree activist, said, "Removal of cement was a part of BMC's tree care tender and there is a provision of penalty of Rs 1,000 if the appointed contractor fails to remove concrete from its base and Rs 500 is fined per tree if the concrete material is left around it. However, no work has been done and hardly any fine has been collected from any contractor."

94 kg
Amount of nails removed from trees in the city