TREE CONTRACTOR PENALISED
Recently, the Bombay High Court had passed an order making it mandatory for every contractor in each Ward of Mumbai to include a horticulturist (tree expert) in his team. The decision was passed on a petition to prevent incidents of ‘unscrupulous’ felling of trees in the city due to lack of scientific tree trimming techniques during the pre-monsoon work. Home Times had published the news and many environmentalists including greenery enthusiasts had heaved a sigh of relief.
Alas, despite the Bombay High Court order, one of the BMC T-Ward contractors did not oblige and trimmed a huge banyan tree without a tree expert. The result, the unskilled worker hacked the tree so mercilessly that he chopped all the branches, killing all its lush greenery and making it barren! Angry environmentalists raised a hue and cry. Initially, BMC ignored, but after public fury became intense BMC had to bow down and penalise the contractor with a penalty of Rs. 10,000/-!!
The tree is located on Vasudev Balwant Phadke Marg in Mulund East. What is painful is that the tree is just three years old and the cruel contractor has chopped it so ruthlessly that it has become desolate. Eyewitnesses who have seen the pathetic plight of the tree inform that not a single leaf has been left on the tree. One tree lover told Home Times, ” A banyan tree is one of the most gigantic trees in the world but, alas, the tree is fast becoming endangered. Hence, it is most vital to restore it. But, tragically, the callous and unskilled contractor did not have any knowledge of trees and has axed an important tree.”
Condemning the negligence of BMC, he said, “The brutal trimming of the tree has exposed not only the negligence of BMC but also exposed how unskilled are the BMC contractors’ workers! Hence, we have lodged a complaint with BMC.”
Bowing to public pressure and protest by tree lovers and environmentalists, BMC T-Ward was forced to admit its mistake. Nevertheless, shying away from the blunder, the BMC cleverly put the blame on its contractor and asked him to pay a penalty of Rs. 10,000/- and thus smartly escaped from its accountability.
Informing Home Times, BMC Garden Department said, “If any contractor is accused of such rash trimming of trees then he would be penalized similarly.”
But, Mulundkars are wondering, ” Will the paltry penalty bring back the beautiful tree??”
