Mumbai: The National Green Tribunal (NGT), in its recent order on the issue of tree felling, expressed dissatisfaction with the affidavit filed by the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM), criticizing it for lack of clarity and seriousness. The tribunal has directed the MCGM to file a clear and detailed affidavit within two months, stating the exact number of trees cut in the last six years, along with proof thereof.
The tribunal’s intervention came after it took suo motu cognizance of a news report published in March 2024 titled, “Mumbai lost over 21,000 trees in 6 years to make way for Metro, road projects.”
The report highlighted the felling of approximately 21,208 trees over six years for metro and road projects, contributing to rising pollution levels in Mumbai. It further revealed that out of 4,338 trees transplanted across nine wards, only 22% (963 trees) survived.
The Mumbai City Collector, in its affidavit, stated that the issue pertains to the felling of trees over the last six years for metro and road projects, which falls under the jurisdiction of the Tree Authority of MCGM.
In response, the MCGM submitted an affidavit on November 13, 2023, citing compliance with the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Preservation and Conservation of Trees Act, 1975. It mentioned that:
An NOC was issued for cutting 138 trees, transplantation of 339 trees, and preservation of 1,298 trees for the Goregaon-Mulund Link Road (GMLR) project.
The GMLR project, which includes an underground tunnel in Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP), Borivali, was approved by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) with all required conditions. The project does not attract the provisions of the EIA Notification, 2006.
However, the NGT was unconvinced with the affidavit, stating it failed to address the issue raised in the news report regarding the exact number of trees cut over six years.
The NGT order reads: “We are not satisfied with the above affidavit filed by the MCGM. It does not show anything about the issue involved in the present case… Therefore, we direct MCGM to file a clear affidavit, stating therein the exact number of trees cut, along with proof thereof, to be submitted within two weeks from the date of uploading of this order.”
While reprimanding the MCGM for its routine response, the tribunal further stated: “We also find that the affidavit filed by the MCGM is a routine one, saying that the appellant is not entitled to any relief when the cognizance of the news item has been taken by this Tribunal. Therefore, the MCGM should be sincere and serious in future while filing affidavits before us.”
