Mumbai: 20 trees in Sion poisoned, say residents

If residents of Sion are to be believed, around 20 trees in the area have been poisoned in the past three months to get rid of bats, or for a better view from windows.

If residents of Sion (East) are to be believed, around 20 trees in the area have been poisoned in the past three months to get rid of bats, or for a better view from windows.

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GR Vora, member, F-North ward Citizen Federation, who lodged a complaint with the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC), said, “It is evident that acid has been injected into the trunk or nails have been hammered into the barks.”

With no action despite this being the second complaint in a month, resident fear they might lose the tree cover along the lane leading to the Shivaji fort.

Residents have alleged similar instances at Veera Desai Road, Andheri (West), Hindu Colony and Shivaji Park in Dadar, and parts of Borivli and Malad.

Rubbishing the allegations, Vijay Hire, superintendent of gardens, said, “Most of the trees have been infected with fungus, which is causing the trees to dry up. We are looking into the matter and are in the process of treating the trees.”

VK, Ogle, retired head, BARC, gardens, said, “It is possible that trees might be drying up because of the pest. Another reason could be concretisation of roads, which does not allow water to reach the roots.”

Around 500 trees at Sion, Matunga, Bandra-Kurla Complex, Kandivli, Dahisar among others, were infected with the bug in June.