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The plea also points out that on March 1, 2024, the MCGM issued a policy for development work that completely ignores the roadside tree cover
The Bombay High Court has sought the response of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) in a PIL raising concerns about the tree cover on the sides of the roads.
The division bench of the high court comprising Chief Justice Devendra Upadhyaya and Justice Amit Borkar has asked the BMC to place on record its policy on roadside tree cover.
The PIL filed by environmental activist Zoru Bhathena seeks to restrain the BMC from undertaking any road work without making provisions for minimum roadside tree cover as per the Maharashtra (Urban Area) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act.
The plea argues that the Tree Act and its accompanying rules mandate the maintenance and plantation of trees along every road, specifying a minimum number of trees to be planted around roadsides.
The petition further argues that the MCGM has been concreting every road without planting trees or leaving adequate space for tree planting. Additionally, it alleges that the corporation is failing to protect the existing tree cover.
The plea also points out that on March 1, 2024, the MCGM issued a policy for development work that completely ignores the roadside tree cover.
The petition claims that it had written to the MCGM and the Tree Authority regarding the indiscriminate destruction of roadside tree cover, but no action was taken by them.
Case title: Zoru Daryus Bhathena vs MCGM & Ors
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