Navi Mumbai civic body chops 300 trees for exotic garden

Ecologist said that if the saplings were not planted before monsoon, soil would get washed to the nearby mangroves and destroy them

The civic body’s move to chop more than 300 trees at Sector 10A in Vashi to make way for an exotic garden has angered the residents.

The plot at Vashi which once had 300 trees lie barren. (Bachchan Kumar/Hindustan Times)

They said this was an attempt to reclaim the mangrove area which would be destroyed.

The Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (NMMC) has already cut more than 300 trees for the Rs2-crore project.

It is set to plant more than 8,000 saplings most of which are fruit bearing plants.

They have claimed to have started replantation.

Ecologist said that if the saplings were not planted before monsoon, soil would get washed to the nearby mangroves and destroy them.

Mohan Dagaonkar, additional municipal commissioner, said, “The trees cut were subabul. Work is on to build a garden and we will plant the saplings before monsoon. Research work has been done and measures would be taken not to destroy the mangroves.”

While residents feel that the damage is already done, they are still trying to save the mangroves, which play an important role in retaining excessive water during monsoon.

Vijaya Chakravarty, 64, an ecologist based in Vashi, said, “If the soil and mud enters the mangroves, it would destroy them. The NMMC should either speed up the process of planting saplings or make holes to let water passes through it without the soil. Plantation before monsoon is only solution.”

Sector 10A in Vashi is a well-developed node. Along with many gardens and a mini seashore, there is enough open space and playground area.

Anjanalo Devasthale, 45, a horticulturist from Nerul, said, “Mangroves grow and spread well in loose soil. If the mud and soil get washed away into mangrove plantation area, they will block the small pores of mangroves. NMMC should ensure that they block the passage of soil into mangrove area.”

The environmentalists are also skeptical about exotic trees which have been planned to in the area.

The NMMC has started working on its ambitious plan. The garden would be developed under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) and would get funding from both central and state government.