Mumbai: In a concerning act of environmental violation, the BMC’s G South Ward has filed a police complaint after 13 trees were illegally cut along Senapati Bapat Marg near the Western Railway (WR) compound, reportedly to improve visibility of a commercial hoarding.
The incident came to light during a routine inspection, where civic officials discovered that branches and upper portions of multiple trees—including Karanj, Tamhan, Shevar, and Tabebia—had been cut or beheaded. Two Shevar trees also showed signs of poisoning.
The complaint, lodged at NM Joshi Marg Police Station, cites violations under Sections 8 and 21 of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975. BMC officials stated that the trees were nearly a decade old and the damage appeared deliberate.
An FIR is expected to be registered pending court approval. While BMC blames the act on attempts to enhance hoarding visibility, a Western Railway official clarified that the matter is between the civic body and the advertising agency involved.
