The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Tree Authority will examine several proposals involving more than 200 trees at its October 21 meeting. The applications cover Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) redevelopment projects, a proposed hospital in Kandivali West and construction associated with the Coastal Road North project.
The agenda includes requests concerning 41 trees in Sewri, 76 in Worli, 43 in Kandivali West, 22 across redevelopment sites in Andheri East and Jogeshwari East, and three near Mindspace Garden in Goregaon West. Listing these proposals does not indicate approval, as the authority must assess them under Section 8(2) of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975.
In Sewri, Sahana Builders and Developers Pvt Ltd has requested permission to fell 41 trees and replant 30 to facilitate excavation for building plinths and basements under an SRA scheme involving Ganesh Bagh SRA Cooperative Housing Society and nine others. A civic inspection identified 74 trees at the site, including 71 potentially affected by the work.
In Worli, Skylark Buildcon Pvt Ltd has proposed removing 76 trees and planting 23 replacements for a redevelopment project involving Shri Sai Sundar Nagar SRA Cooperative Housing Society and 24 other societies. The work includes excavation, buildings, podiums, ramps, drainage and associated roads.
Akar Architects and Consultants has sought permission to remove 43 trees and replant 54 for a hospital in Kandivali West. Officials recorded 411 trees on the plot, of which 97 could be affected, while 314 are proposed to remain.
L K Housing LLP has requested permission to fell 22 trees and replant eight for a combined redevelopment scheme involving societies in Andheri East and Jogeshwari East. The site inspection recorded 148 trees, with the revised plan identifying 99 of the 106 trees covered by earlier approvals as affected.
Separately, the BMC bridges department has proposed removing three dead trees near Mindspace Garden for a temporary access bridge supporting the Coastal Road North interchange, with 37 trees to be planted in compensation.
The Tree Authority will decide whether the requests meet applicable tree-protection requirements.
Source: Urban Acres
