The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) Tree Authority is scheduled to examine proposals seeking permission to remove 185 trees across Mumbai for redevelopment projects, a proposed hospital and the Mumbai Coastal Road Project (North). The applications cover Sewri, Worli, Kandivali West, Andheri East, Jogeshwari East and Goregaon West, with compensatory plantation proposed at multiple locations.
Sewri and Worli Redevelopment Projects
In Sewri, Sahana Builders and Developers Pvt Ltd has requested permission to fell 41 trees and plant 30 replacements for excavation and basement and plinth construction under a Slum Rehabilitation Authority (SRA) scheme involving Ganesh Bagh SRA Cooperative Housing Society and nine other societies. A survey recorded 74 trees at the site, of which 71 could be affected.
In Worli, Skylark Buildcon Pvt Ltd has proposed removing 76 trees and planting 23 as part of a redevelopment scheme involving Shri Sai Sundar Nagar SRA Cooperative Housing Society and 24 other societies. The project includes residential buildings, podiums, ramps, a proposed drain and connecting roads.
Hospital and Housing Redevelopment Plans
In Kandivali West, Akar Architects and Consultants has sought approval to cut 43 trees and plant 54 saplings for a proposed hospital. Of the 411 trees identified on the plot, 97 would be affected, while 314 are proposed to be preserved.
Meanwhile, LK Housing LLP has requested permission to remove 22 trees and plant eight for an integrated SRA redevelopment scheme involving Jai Hanuman and Tejomay societies in Andheri East and Vighnaharta society in Jogeshwari East. An inspection identified 148 trees, including 106 covered under previous approvals, with 99 marked as affected under the revised proposal.
Coastal Road Work in Goregaon
The BMC’s bridges department has sought permission to remove three trees and plant 37 near Mindspace Garden on MDP Road in Goregaon West. The trees, reportedly dead, lie along the alignment of a temporary access bridge planned for an interchange under the Coastal Road Project (North).
The Tree Authority will examine all applications under Section 8(2) of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, before deciding on the requests.
Source: The Free Press Journal
