Would be wise to find alternatives to cutting down trees

Pic/Shadab Khan

It is full throttle for green warriors battling to save nearly 400 trees from being removed at Malabar Hill for a new water reservoir.

For a few days now, reports have been coming in about residents and environmentalists urging officials to look for an alternative towards a new water reservoir in the area. The existing plan will entail cutting 389 trees in the area, affecting Hanging Garden and the Shantivan garden behind. This means reduction of substantial green cover and though there are plans to transplant 200 trees, these are to be transplanted in faraway Bhandup.

Meetings have been lined up and social media is whirring for the save Malabar Hill trees cause.

While officials claim that they have no alternative, all efforts must be made to save trees. If all other alternatives have been explored locals must be told which alternatives exactly, have been looked at.

One can also give careful thought to suggestions about experts being invited. This is not about ego but a meeting of minds and debate, discussion that can throw up a working, feasible alternative.

The stress must always be to find a middle path. It is important to see that the transplanted trees will not be in the area but faraway Bhandup. The Malabar Hill, Hanging Garden area is known for its substantial green, a tourist spot and an emerald for South Mumbai.

Every effort must be made to save these trees that provide ecological balance in the area. There are certain spots being shown by architects, planners who are part of the Malabar Hill group. Maybe, they can be brought on board and a solution thrashed out.

This may need a rethink, though officials claim they have been working on a plan since 2018 and there may be another way. Let us bring another set of people to the table and see that saving trees and alleviating water woes can go side by side.