MLC flags tree falls, pushes for scientific monitoring of Mumbai’s green cover

Mumbai: The city’s growing problem of tree falls during the monsoon came under scrutiny in the Maharashtra legislative council on Friday, with Shiv Sena MLC Manisha Kayande calling for greater use of technology and stricter environmental safeguards to protect the city’s urban greenery.Raising the issue in the House, Kayande said excessive concretisation around tree trunks was weakening root systems and increasing the risk of trees collapsing during heavy rains and strong winds. Trees require adequate open space around their bases for roots to grow and breathe, she said, adding that widespread paving around trees prevents healthy root development.The legislator also alleged that some shop owners deliberately damage trees standing outside their establishments.

According to her, trees are sometimes poisoned through injections into their trunks as they are viewed as an obstruction to commercial activity.To improve tree protection, Kayande proposed that local businesses and shopkeepers be encouraged to “adopt” trees in their neighbourhoods and assume responsibility for their maintenance and preservation.She also urged the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) to expand the use of LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) technology for scientific monitoring of trees across the city.

LiDAR-based scanning provides detailed three-dimensional assessments of trees, including information on structural stability, root strength, health conditions and pruning requirements. Such scans can help identify vulnerable trees before they fall, reducing risks to life and property.

The BMC has already begun using the technology for tree assessments in parts of the city.Kayande further highlighted the poor implementation of rainwater harvesting provisions in many newly constructed buildings. Despite regulations mandating such systems, she said several projects fail to utilise them effectively, resulting in wastage of rainwater and additional pressure on Mumbai’s water resources.She called for stricter enforcement of environmental norms and wider adoption of technology-driven solutions to strengthen the city’s preparedness for monsoon-related challenges.