An in-depth inquiry is demanded on this matter, since at least two more trees were illegally removed from the same area. Ecologists stressed that people only want a clear view outside shops, without knowing or being aware about the Ill effects of Climate Change.
“There is certainly foul play at work here, as this big tree was firmly standing there without any problem. Only now, when the builder started making several shops lining this footpath, close to the Nerul fire brigade, that I noticed that a few trees went missing over the past few weeks. And today (Tuesday), this healthy and green tree was also brutally destroyed. I have asked NMMC for an investigation,” said RTI activist Anarjit Chauhan.
The Nerul-based Congress party head of the OBC division, Santosh Sutar, said: “I have also demanded an inquiry, as it certainly looks like that the tree was pushed and uprooted using a heavy-duty machine. This is very strange. Perhaps the new shop outlets do not want any tree blocking their goods, and hence it may have been removed.”
The NMMC deputy municipal commissioner (gardens), Dilip Nerkar, told TOI: “I have asked my department officials to inquire into the matter. Prima facie, it is gathered that a container vehicle hit the tree.”
However, activist Chauhan said: “The NMMC can ask for the full CCTV video footage from that local area, in order to find out how the tree fell down. An FIR must also be lodged if an culprit is caught.”
Sutar added: `It is unlikely that a container vehicle will accidentally hit this tree which is big and easily visible from a distance. Unless, the driver intentionally crashed into it.”