Bandra East, Mumbai – June 13, 2025 — In a grim indicator of how commercial interests may be eroding Mumbai’s green legacy, three ancient trees in Maratha Colony, Bandra East, were allegedly poisoned to death—reportedly to clear visibility for hoardings. The revelation has triggered widespread anger among citizens, with a local MLA accusing a powerful “Hoarding Mafia” of orchestrating the act.
Among the trees targeted was a large Sadar tree, known for its historical and ecological significance. According to the MLA, preliminary investigations have linked the incident to two advertising firms—M/s Roshan Spaces and Pioneer Advertising—raising concerns over the unchecked power of outdoor advertising agencies in the city.
While the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) has lodged a police complaint, no First Information Report (FIR) has been registered to date. This lack of legal action has fueled allegations of systemic neglect—or worse, deliberate protection of those responsible.
“Over the past year alone, 10 to 15 trees have mysteriously died along the Bandra East express highway. Internal probes suggest this is not random—it’s organized sabotage,” the MLA said. “The silence from authorities and absence of FIRs raise serious questions. Is this administrative failure or a deeper collusion?”
The issue had previously been raised in the Maharashtra Assembly and is expected to return as a major point of contention in the upcoming session. The legislator has demanded immediate arrests, a crackdown on illegal hoardings, and a city-wide audit of heritage trees like banyans and Sadar trees.
Environmentalists, local residents, and civic activists have rallied behind the demand, calling the incident a “green murder” and a violation of the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act.
“Mumbai’s green lungs are being choked by steel and vinyl,” said one activist. “This is not just a tree—this is our ecosystem being slowly erased for profit.”
As Mumbai continues to battle the dual crises of urbanization and climate vulnerability, this incident has reignited calls for stronger urban ecological safeguards and stricter oversight over the city’s booming billboard industry.
