Mumbai: A group of green activists has sent an urgent letter to the senior officials of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, urging them to save a peepal tree near Horniman Circle. The tree is slowly being choked to death due to a cement structure around its trunk.
“The peepal tree at 46 Cawasji Patel Street, Horniman Circle, is in a bad shape with perforated leaves because an illegal cement structure has been made around its entire base trunk. As a result, it is difficult for water to percolate to its roots,” said Activist B N Kumar of NatConnect Foundation.
The BMC Commissioner, Bhushan Gagrani, has now responded via email that he asked the A Ward office to look into the peepal tree issue and take action. The additional municipal commissioner (city), Ashwini Joshi, has also forwarded the request mail to the appropriate official.
“We hope that the cement structure around this tree is demolished soon to free this indigenous tree. Concrete prevents water from seeping in, thus blocking the recharging of aquifers which store groundwater. Tree roots facilitate the percolation of rainwater to aquifers. Thus, trees and aquifers are made for each other,” said Kumar.
The green group has also quoted a recent Supreme Court observation, stating that killing a tree is worse than killing a human being. “We request a thorough investigation into the criminal act of choking this tree and ensure an exemplary punishment for the culprits,” added the activist.
Mumbai: A group of green activists has sent an urgent letter to the senior officials of Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation, urging them to save a peepal tree near Horniman Circle. The tree is slowly being choked to death due to a cement structure around its trunk.
“The peepal tree at 46 Cawasji Patel Street, Horniman Circle, is in a bad shape with perforated leaves because an illegal cement structure has been made around its entire base trunk. As a result, it is difficult for water to percolate to its roots,” said Activist B N Kumar of NatConnect Foundation.
The BMC Commissioner, Bhushan Gagrani, has now responded via email that he asked the A Ward office to look into the peepal tree issue and take action. The additional municipal commissioner (city), Ashwini Joshi, has also forwarded the request mail to the appropriate official.
“We hope that the cement structure around this tree is demolished soon to free this indigenous tree. Concrete prevents water from seeping in, thus blocking the recharging of aquifers which store groundwater. Tree roots facilitate the percolation of rainwater to aquifers. Thus, trees and aquifers are made for each other,” said Kumar.
The green group has also quoted a recent Supreme Court observation, stating that killing a tree is worse than killing a human being. “We request a thorough investigation into the criminal act of choking this tree and ensure an exemplary punishment for the culprits,” added the activist.
