BMC Tree Authority Stops Issuing NOCs
The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation’s (BMC) Tree Authority has suddenly stopped issuing No-Objection Certificates (NOC) for all the projects that require trees to be cut in Mumbai. This is a temporary measure taken by the BMC and is expected to be in place till the authority collects details from the civic body on how many projects, previously approved, have adhered to the mandatory rules that required uprooting trees.
Decision affects project proposals
The sudden step taken by the Tree Authority has affected about 57 project proposals that were due for approval earlier this month. More than 80% of these project proposals are real estate related while the remaining are related to infrastructure projects.
The authority had approved several proposals last year with the condition that developers re-plant trees. For every tree cut in the city two trees must be planted, as per the civic norms. Developers sign an undertaking which requires them to compensate for loss of green cover in the city. Developers are also required to deposit money for the BMC. However, the civic officials have no clear idea on how many builders actually follow the rules.
Collecting data is primary concern
The authority took this unanimous decision and decided to keep it in effect till all the data over 2013 is gathered and scrutinized. About 1,500 trees are set to be cut down in the western suburbs according to the proposals received by the authority. Mumbai had approximately 19 lakh trees according to 2008 census, which is expected to have doubled now.
The authority has also demanded BMC to arrange site-visits to places where trees have been re-planted or transplanted, in order to verify data. The chairman of the authority has said that all the data will be collected and presented for scrutiny before January 26th. Site visits will be then arranged as per the members’ convenience.
The Tree Authority consists of 15 elected corporators or members and 9 nominated members representing different walks of life.
