Mumbai: BMC has initiated legal action against a housing society for allegedly violating tree conservation regulations by poisoning trees and another for carrying out pruning beyond the limits permitted by the civic body.According to the civic body, non-cognisable offence cases have been registered at the respective police stations against the office-bearers of DGS Shital Tapovan Housing Society near Dindoshi Metro station in Malad East for poisoning trees and Kalpataru Aura Housing Society in Ghatkopar West for pruning beyond the prescribed limit.In the first case, the civic body said it received an online complaint alleging that two roadside trees outside DGS Shital Tapovan Housing Society had been deliberately damaged by administering poisonous injections. Following the complaint, officials from the garden department conducted a joint site inspection with the complainant. During the inspection, officials found around 20 holes drilled near the base of the trunk of a peltophorum tree located along the road outside the society’s entrance gate. Based on the preliminary findings, BMC lodged a complaint against the office-bearers of the housing society and the developer. Subsequently, Kurar police registered a non-cognisable offence under Section 8 read with Section 21 of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975.In the second case, BMC received a complaint, which alleged that more than 100 trees within the premises of Kalpataru Aura Housing Society in Ghatkopar West had been pruned beyond the limit permitted under the civic body’s approval. A site inspection by officials of N Ward confirmed that although permission had been granted for tree pruning subject to specified conditions, the pruning carried out exceeded the approved limits. Following the inspection, BMC registered a case against the housing society at Parksite police station.The civic body reiterated that prior permission is mandatory before cutting, damaging or pruning any tree and that all conditions attached to such permissions must be strictly followed. Violations attract penal and criminal action under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975.BMC additional commissioner Avinash Dhakhne has stated that causing damage to any tree, administering poisonous substances or injections, cutting trees or destroying them are punishable offences under the law. Dhakhne also appealed to citizens to immediately report incidents involving damage to trees, including poisoning, illegal cutting or destruction, and to cooperate with the civic body in protecting the city’s environment.
