Maharashtra tree authority axes 12 proposals; lays down SOPs

The proposals included 305 trees to be cut for the MMRDA`s Worli-Sewri connector project, 518 trees to be cut for the construction of a hospital in Kandivli among others

Of the 12 proposals placed by urban local bodies for cutting/transplantation of trees, none were cleared in the first meeting of the Maharashtra State Tree Authority, held on January 17. A standard operating procedure (SOP) has been prepared, wherein, the agencies that want to cut or transplant trees will have to present live Google Map location and give out details like the name, age, species and status of the tree (to be cut/transplanted/retained).

The proposals included 305 trees to be cut for the MMRDA's Worli-Sewri connector project, 518 trees to be cut for the construction of a hospital in Kandivli, many trees for the widening of Jogeshwari-Vikhroli Link Road (JVLR), among other projects, including the metro. The first meeting of the state Tree Authority was held under the chairmanship of the state principal secretary, environment and climate change, through video conferencing.

The members present were Vidya Hampyya, Deputy Secretary, Urban Development Department; Gajendra Narvane, Deputy Secretary, Revenue and Forest Department; Vaibhav Raje, expert member of the state Tree Authority and Narendra Toke, Member Secretary of State Tree Authority. The Member Secretary briefed members about the July 16, 2021, amendment of the Maharashtra (Urban) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975. He further explained that the authority has received several proposals for tree cutting/transplant from urban local bodies, which are not in consonance with the amended provisions of the Tree Act, 1975. In order to ensure that each proposal is in accordance with the Act, SOPs have been formed.

Proposed guidelines

According to the proposed SOP, "Project proponents shall present the live Google Map of the location/locations concerning tree felling proposal. Tree Census of the plot concerning tree felling shall be carried out considering the following: a) Tree census to include, the name, age, species, status (to be cut/transplanted/retained). b)Work out the age of each tree proposed to be cut /transplanted. Estimate approximate age of the tree to be worked out in consultation/coordination with forest official / social forestry official, wherever required." The new proposal also states that total number of heritage trees shall be clearly specified in the tree census and the age of heritage to be estimated by the local Tree Authority.

"The proposal referred to Maharashtra Tree Authority by the concerned Planning Authority/local Tree Authority shall include details of public notice, suggestions or objections and mitigation measures, along with the opinion of concerned tree officer on the objections and/or suggestions received. The proposal shall consist of the cumulative age of trees to be cut or transplanted along with a detailed plan for compensatory plantation. Such a plan shall include details of the land where the compensatory plantation will be carried out. The project proponent shall provide details of alternative plans for the proposed activity with details of trees to be felled for each of the alternative options. The proponents shall prepare alternative site analysis matrix and submit the same along with a proposal for finalising the best suitable option," states the proposal

Great news for tree lovers, says expert

Debi Goenka, executive trustee of Conservation Action Trust said, "This is great news for tree lovers. Without this State Tree Authority, all these proposals would have been cleared blindly by the existing Tree Authorities, without application of mind, and the imposition of conditions that were never enforced, such as planting some more trees in lieu of the existing trees cut."

Goenka further added, "The SOP needs to be widened and strengthened to include geotagged photos of trees proposed to be cut as well as geotagged photos of the site where trees are to be planted or transplanted. Determining the value of each tree is also very important, and it is necessary to ensure that proper valuations are arrived at. But it is also necessary to ensure that the amounts recovered for cutting such trees are actually used for tree plantation and tree protection."