Malabar Hill residents in Mumbai allege unscientific trimming of trees

MUMBAI: Malabar Hill residents have alleged that BMC contractors are not trimming trees scientifically. Residents had earlier raised objections to the way the tree trimming exercise was being carried out and had met guardian minister Deepak Kesarkar, who ordered for a halt to the trimming exercise for two days.
However, the BMC contractors are not trimming trees scientifically and are hacking it, alleged residents.Meanwhile, BMC D ward officials assured that the complaints of residents will be looked into.
“There is no thought given to the way the trees are trimmed. Nobody knows whether they are being scientifically trimmed or cut. They are just being hacked left, right and centre,” said a Malabar Hill resident.
"After citizens expressed their concerns, during the meeting of the residents with the Guardian Minister Deepak Kesarkar, the minister had asked the BMC Garden Superintendent to consult forest and SGNP officials and come up with a fresh set of guidelines regarding trimming of trees and also halt the trimming of trees. However, we have not been informed about any new guidelines by the garden department. They don't seem to be adhering to any norms,” the resident added.
According to Kranti Salvi, a marathoner and resident of Malabar Hill, trees are being hacked carelessly. Residents cannot always be on the roads to check whether the trimming is being carried out properly.
“Sometimes, even before we reach the spot, the hacking is done using an electric saw in a jiffy. If the trimming is not carried out scientifically, it may cause an imbalance in the tree. Our demand is that the BMC put out detailed info, in the media or on social media such as Twitter, in advance about which tree is being trimmed or cut and the details of what and how it will be carried out. This will enable residents to keep check on the activity,” Salvi said.
While Garden Superintendent Jitendra Pardeshi did not respond to a phone call and text message, BMC D Ward Officer Sharad Ughade said, “We will closely monitor the complaints of residents and the ward staff will supervise the trimming exercise.”
Activist Zoru Bhathena pointed out the thumb rule, while trimming the trees is that not more than 25 percent of the canopy of a tree should be cut at a time. Besides, trimming should be carried out from the top to bottom and not vice versa.