The unauthorised cutting of 11 fully grown trees near Mansarovar Station has triggered widespread anger among Panvel residents and citizen groups, who have described the act as a “blatant environmental violation.” The trees, which lined the footpath and had been thriving for several years, were reportedly felled without any public notice or visible authorization.
The Active Citizens Council – Panvel (ACC) has lodged a formal complaint with CIDCO. The letter addressed to the Executive Engineer, Kamothe, demanded accountability and immediate corrective action. The group has urged CIDCO to investigate the incident thoroughly, take punitive action under the Maharashtra (Urban Areas) Protection and Preservation of Trees Act, 1975, initiate replantation drives, and implement stricter monitoring mechanisms to prevent future violations.
The trees, which lined the footpath and had been thriving for several years, were reportedly felled without any public notice or visible authorization |
According to ACC members, CIDCO officials informed them that the tree cutting was carried out on instructions from higher authorities within the organization. " During our meeting it was informed that the cutting was done at instruction from higher authorities. we will be taking up the matter further," said an office bearer.
As a next step, ACC has announced that it will escalate the issue by meeting with senior CIDCO officials as well as the Commissioner of Panvel Municipal Corporation (PMC) to demand accountability and appropriate action. “Such cruel and thoughtless acts against the environment must not be repeated. There has to be a clear line of responsibility and consequence,” the group said in a statement.
CIDCO refrained from making any comments.
